Top 10 Bank Exams in India: Eligibility & Scope in 2024

In India, government jobs are the dream of lakhs of candidates who turn up towards banking examinations every year because of its lucrative perks and job security. However, appearing for bank exams is not like walking in the park. There is huge competition in this sector. You have limited jobs vacancies and the exams are difficult too. 

As an aspirant who is a graduate from any background or is about to complete graduation can apply for almost all the banking examinations. Since the qualification criteria for most of the banking exams is graduation degree, basic computer literacy, general awareness and aptitude related to the banking industry. 

Bank recruiters conduct standard selection processes to hire qualified applicants for several posts in different branches of popular banks. Likewise, with the constantly growing competition, making through any banking examination demands appropriate knowledge with consistent hard work in order to crack the exam successfully.

So here we have come up with a list of top banking exams in India designed specifically for the young talent. 

Top 10 Bank Exams in India 2022

Here’s an exclusive collection of leading and common exams for building a career in the Indian banking sector:

1. SBI PO Exam 

State bank of India commensurate with its reputation and status, picks up the top brilliant talent youths through its Probationary Officer Exam. However, this exam has been the first choice for banking candidates for years. 

SBI PO exams are held in July every year which is conducted in three parts, preliminary, mains and personal interview. Both prelims and mains will have an objective base format that will test an English and general banking, economics knowledge, aptitude and reasoning. Candidates should be within the age group of 21 to 31 years and must graduate from any discipline from a state and central recognized university or government recognized Institute.

2. SBI Clerk Exam 

SBI Clerk exam is one of the most competitive banking examinations which is held every year in August. This post entails from handling customers to working at cash counters. The eligibility criteria for clerkship exam should be aged between 20 to 28 years and have a graduation degree. This examination has five sections which are computers, general awareness, English, reasoning, quantitative aptitude.

The earlier examination followed with the interview but now it’s good news for candidates that no interviews are taken, as per new rule of government and you are shortlisted completely based on the performance in the main exam. 

3. NABARD Exam

NABARD stands for National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development Grade A&B banking exams and to recruit candidates for this post is done for officers designation. The main purpose of this examination is to develop rural enterprises in suburb areas by providing necessary financial assistance and industrial guidance. 

NABARD conducted a banking exam for both the grades A and B officer recruitment. Candidates must be a graduate and the age limit is between 21 to 35 years. The examination followed with preliminary and mains which are conducted in online mode and after clearing mains exam candidates are called up for the final selection interview. 

4. NABARD Development Assistant Exam

NABARD Development Assistant exam is conducted for the recruitment of clerks for development assistant posts. The role of development assistant is to help officers and managers in managing day to day banking operations. The procedure of the exam involves two phases, preliminary and mains which are conducted every year in November.

Candidates must be have completed graduation and the age limit is between 18 to 35 years. Additionally, there is no personal interview round conducted for this exam thus, the final selection will be done only based on mains result. 

top bank exams in India, banking exams

5. RBI Grade B Exam

RBI Grade B is one of the dynamic and challenging jobs of the banking sector offered by the Reserve Bank of India for many departments like the Department of Statistics and Information Management, General Cadre, etc. The preliminary exam held in June and mains is likely to be in the last week of July and age must lie between 21 to 30 with a graduation degree.

Candidates called up for the final selection interview, based on the mains result. 

6. IBPS PO Exam 

Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Probationary Officer Banking Exams conduct for the post of PO for all public sector banks except SBI and Regional Rural Banks. The role of IBPS PO is to monitor clerical day-to-day work, general banking, and bank administration related work.

The recruitment process starts with preliminary and followed by mains and then interview round. Every year preliminary online exams are scheduled in October. To attempt the exam the minimum age requires 20 years and the maximum is 30 years. 

7. IBPS Clerk Exam

Government banks apart from SBI recruit clerks based upon performance in IBPS clerk banking examinations. The minimum eligibility is graduation from a recognised university and candidates should be fluent in the official language of their respective state with computer literacy, the minimum age limit is 20 and not be more than 28 years.

IBPS Clerk banking exam is held every year in November and is conducted in two phases, primarily and mains. Candidates are not required to give a personal interview round they select completely based on mains exams results. 

8. IBPS RRB Officer Scale I Exam 

IBPS Regional Rural Banks (RRB) Officer Scale 1 banking exams conduct for officer post in regional rural banks across the country. The exam pattern has three phases, preliminary, mains and followed by the personal interview round. The preliminary exam is conducted every year in November.

Candidates should have proficiency in their local language with a graduate degree and must be above 18 years and maximum age limit is 30 years. 

9. IBPS RRB Office Assistant Exam

IBPS RRB office assistant banking exam conduct for the clerical post for regional banks. The exam pattern has two phases, preliminary and mains banking exams. Final selection of the candidate will be done only based on the mains exam score.

To attempt the exam the minimum age requires 18 years and the maximum is 28 years. 

10. RBI Office Assistant Exams 

RBI recruits candidates for office assistant posts which is one of the most reputed jobs in India. The exam is conducted in two phases, preliminary and followed by the mains exam and the preliminary exams are held every year in December. After clearing mains cutoff candidates called up for the final recruitment interview round.

Candidate age limit must be between 20 to 28 years for applying for the RBI office assistant exam. 

Best Tips to Prepare for Bank Exams

  • Do proper planning about the bank examination.
  • Make a timetable and divide the topics accordingly.
  • Stay focused on current affairs. 
  • Practice to solve complex problems in a short time.
  • Use online learning resources. 
  • Make a final revision strategy. 

Not to miss out preparing for the Common Banking Interview Questions and Answers that can guide you in securing a good job.

Bank Exams: Scope

A bank job ensures a secure job with lots of perks like allowances, medical benefits, lease facility, concessional rate of interest for loans, two-year sabbatical to women staff and many more. Apart from monetary benefits and perquisites, public sector banks have the best promotion policies and provide learning opportunities of growth in both professional as well as personal space. 

Talking of banking throughout this post, don’t forget to explore the Best Savings Bank Account in India

So, you got some insights about top bank exams in India. A methodological and consistent study is the right way to go rather than an unplanned way of doing bank exam preparation. Do not stop preparing and keep practicing. 

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