IBPS RRB Clerk Syllabus 2026 (Prelims + Mains) – Topic-Wise Syllabus, Sectional Timing, Smart Strategy

Last Updated: March 2026

The IBPS RRB Clerk syllabus 2026 consists of two stages:

Prelims Examination
Mains Examination

The syllabus mainly tests:

Speed
Accuracy
Basic concepts
Problem solving ability

Unlike many other exams, IBPS focuses more on application of basic concepts rather than advanced theory.

Important fact:

Prelims is qualifying only.

Final merit depends on Mains marks only.

Understanding exam pattern helps understand syllabus depth.

IBPS RRB Clerk Prelims Pattern

Negative marking:

0.25 marks.

IBPS RRB Clerk Mains Pattern

Total:

200 questions.

Reasoning tests logical thinking ability.

Most important topic.

Questions involve:

Floor puzzle
Box puzzle
Scheduling puzzle
Variable puzzle

Example:

5 people sitting in row with conditions.

Questions asked:

Who sits where
Who sits left/right

Weightage:

15–20 questions.

Types:

Linear
Circular
Square

Questions involve:

Position logic
Relative arrangement

Weightage:

10–15 questions.

Questions involve:

, <, = comparisons.

Example:

A > B > C

Who is greater?

Weightage:

3–5 questions.

Based on:

Logical statements.

Example:

All cats are animals.
Some animals are dogs.

Conclusion based questions.

Weightage:

3–5 questions.

Letter pattern logic.

Example:

CAT = DBU.

Find pattern.

Weightage:

2–3 questions.

Family relationships.

Example:

Mother of father is?

Weightage:

2–3 questions.

Based on movement.

Example:

Person moves north then east.

Find direction.

Weightage:

2 questions.

Quant mainly tests arithmetic and speed.

Highest scoring area.

Topics include:

Percentage
Profit and loss
Ratio
Average
Mixture
Time and work
Time speed distance
Simple interest
Compound interest

Weightage:

10–15 questions.

Based on:

BODMAS.

Example:

12 + 5 × 3.

Weightage:

8–10 questions.

Pattern based.

Example:

2, 4, 8, 16 ?

Weightage:

5 questions.

Solve equations.

Example:

x² – 5x + 6.

Weightage:

5 questions.

Tables
Graphs
Charts

Example:

Sales table analysis.

Weightage:

10 questions.

More analytical than prelims.

Topics include:

Puzzle
Seating
Input output
Statement assumption
Course of action
Logical reasoning

Input Output

Machine logic questions.

Pattern based.

Example:

Word arrangement transformation.

Weightage:

5 questions.

Statement Assumption

Logical conclusion questions.

Example:

Statement validity.

Weightage:

3–5 questions.

More DI focused.

Topics:

DI
Caselet DI
Data sufficiency
Arithmetic

Data Interpretation Types

Bar graph
Line graph
Pie chart
Caselet

Weightage:

15–20 questions.

Data Sufficiency

Find if data is enough.

Weightage:

5 questions.

Very important for mains.

Focus areas:

Banking awareness
Current affairs
RBI updates
Government schemes
Budget
Static GK

Banking Awareness

Types of banks
Banking terms
RBI functions

Current Affairs

Focus:

Last 5 months.

Topics:

Appointments
Awards
Schemes
Economy

RBI Updates

Monetary policy
Repo rate
Banking regulations

English tests comprehension.

Topics:

Reading comprehension
Cloze test
Error detection
Para jumbles
Fillers

Reading Comprehension

Most important.

Based on:

Passage understanding.

Weightage:

8–10 questions.

Cloze Test

Fill blanks logically.

Weightage:

5–7 questions.

Error Detection

Grammar errors.

Weightage:

5 questions.

Basic level.

Topics:

Computer fundamentals
MS Office
Internet
Networking
Hardware
Software

Weightage:

15–20 easy questions.

Prelims Priority

Mains Priority

Pattern stable since 2023.

Difficulty:

Moderate.

Topics repeated:

Arithmetic
Puzzle
RC