What Are Banking Examinations ?
Banking exams are competitive exams conducted by various banks and financial institutions in India to recruit candidates for positions such as Probationary Officer (PO), Clerk, Specialist Officer (SO), and other roles in public and private sector banks. These exams assess candidates' knowledge in various areas, including banking, reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and English language skills.
Types of Banking Examinations:
IBPS Exams (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection): IBPS conducts exams for recruitment to several public sector banks. Some major exams under IBPS are:
IBPS PO (Probationary Officer)
IBPS Clerk (Clerical Cadre)
IBPS SO (Specialist Officer)
IBPS RRB (Regional Rural Banks)
SBI Exams (State Bank of India): SBI is one of the largest public sector banks in India and conducts its own recruitment exams. Key exams include:
SBI PO (Probationary Officer)
SBI Clerk (Junior Associate)
SBI SO (Specialist Officer)
RBI Exams (Reserve Bank of India): RBI, the central bank of India, conducts recruitment exams for various positions like:
RBI Grade B Officer (for managerial roles)
RBI Assistant (for clerical positions)
Private Sector Banks: Many private sector banks, such as HDFC, ICICI, Axis, and Kotak Mahindra, also conduct their own recruitment exams for various positions, often similar to public sector banks.
Key Information about Banking Exams:
Eligibility Criteria:
Age Limit: Generally, candidates should be between 20 and 30 years of age (may vary based on the exam and category).
Educational Qualification:
For PO/Clerk: A bachelor's degree (in any discipline) from a recognized university.
For Specialist Officers (SO): A relevant degree or professional qualification based on the specific post (e.g., IT, Marketing, HR, etc.).
Nationality: Candidates must be Indian citizens, or subjects of Nepal/Bhutan, or certain other categories of Indian origin.
Exam Pattern: Banking exams generally consist of two stages:
Preliminary Exam (Prelims): This is the initial screening round, which is usually an online test with multiple-choice questions (MCQs).
Main Exam (Mains): The main exam is more detailed and may also include descriptive tests and subject-specific tests (especially for Specialist Officer roles).
Common sections in these exams:
Reasoning Ability
Quantitative Aptitude
English Language
General Awareness/General Knowledge (especially banking-related)
Computer Awareness
Some exams, especially for SO positions, may have additional subject-specific sections like Marketing, IT, or Professional Knowledge.
Selection Process: The selection process typically involves:
Preliminary Exam: Online test to assess reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and English.
Mains Exam: A more comprehensive test, often with an additional section for banking knowledge, computer awareness, and sometimes a descriptive section (for PO exams).
Interview (for PO/SO positions): Candidates who clear the Mains exam are called for an interview. The interview assesses the candidate's suitability for the role, communication skills, and knowledge of banking.
Document Verification & Final Selection: After the interview, selected candidates undergo document verification before final appointment.
Salary and Benefits:
PO Positions: The starting salary is generally around ₹40,000-₹60,000 per month, which includes basic pay, allowances, and perks.
Clerk Positions: The salary is generally around ₹20,000-₹30,000 per month.
SO Positions: The salary varies depending on the role, but it is usually higher than that of a clerk, starting at around ₹40,000-₹50,000 per month for most roles.
Benefits include medical insurance, pension schemes, and allowances like HRA, DA, and more.
Important Dates:
The banking exam schedule is usually released annually. Exams for most banking positions are held once a year or twice a year.
Notifications about exam dates, application deadlines, and other details are published on the official websites of the respective conducting bodies like IBPS, SBI, or RBI.
Popular Banking Exams:
IBPS PO - For Probationary Officers in public sector banks.
IBPS Clerk - For clerical positions in public sector banks.
SBI PO - For Probationary Officers in the State Bank of India.
SBI Clerk - For Junior Associates in the State Bank of India.
RBI Assistant - For clerical positions in the Reserve Bank of India.
RBI Grade B - For managerial roles in the Reserve Bank of India.
IBPS SO - For Specialist Officers in public sector banks.
Why Take Banking Exams?
A career in banking is prestigious, offers job stability, and provides a chance to serve the public.
Banks offer a structured growth path with promotions and salary increments.
Benefits include a good salary, job security, allowances, and pension plans.
A banking career can also offer opportunities to work in various roles such as credit, marketing, human resources, information technology, and more.