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Official Notification Based Verified Last Updated: 08 August 2026 8 min read Reviewed by RajDailyTools Editorial Team

📋 Official IBPS CRP CSA-XVI Notification

IBPS CSA Exam Pattern & Selection Process 2026

Check the complete IBPS Customer Service Associate (CSA) Exam Pattern & Selection Process 2026 including Preliminary Examination Pattern, Main Examination Pattern, Section-wise Questions & Marks, Duration, Negative Marking, Cut-off Rules, Local Language Proficiency Test and Provisional Allotment based entirely on the official IBPS CRP CSA-XVI Notification.

📝 Prelims Exam Pattern 📘 Main Exam Pattern 📊 Section-wise Marks ⏱️ Exam Duration ⚠️ Negative Marking 🏦 Selection Process

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100

Prelim Marks / Questions

📘

200

Main Exam Marks

⏱️

60 / 125

Prelim / Main (Minutes)

⚠️

0.25

Negative Marking / Question

Check IBPS CSA Eligibility Read FAQs

IBPS CSA Exam Pattern Overview

IBPS CSA 2026 ke liye online application submit karne ke baad candidates ko Examination Structure ko dhyan se samajhna bahut zaroori hai. Is guide me hum Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) dwara jari CRP CSA-XVI Official Notification ke aadhar par Preliminary Exam Pattern, Main Exam Pattern, Section-wise Questions & Marks, Duration, Negative Marking aur complete Selection Process ko simple language me explain karenge. Is article me di gayi sabhi official information IBPS CRP CSA-XVI Notification se li gayi hai aur jahan notification me koi information uplabdh nahi hai wahan koi anuman nahi lagaya gaya hai.

As per the official notification, the Online Examination for CRP CSA-XVI will be held in two phases — Online Preliminary Examination and Online Main Examination. Candidates who qualify the Preliminary Examination and are shortlisted will have to appear for the Main Examination. Marks obtained in the Online Main Examination only will be considered for the final merit list used for Provisional Allotment.

Preliminary Examination Pattern

As per the Official IBPS CRP CSA-XVI Notification

The IBPS CSA Preliminary Examination is an Objective Test conducted online and consists of 3 separately timed sections — English Language, Numerical Ability and Reasoning Ability. The total duration of the Preliminary Examination is 60 minutes for 100 questions carrying 100 marks.

Candidates must qualify in each of the three tests by securing the cut-off marks decided by IBPS.
An adequate number of candidates in each category, as decided by IBPS depending upon requirements, will be shortlisted for the Online Main Examination.
English Language is conducted only in English. Numerical Ability and Reasoning Ability are conducted in the medium (English/Hindi/local language) applicable to the State/UT applied for, as per Annexure III of the notification.

Sr. No.	Name of Test	Medium of Exam	No. of Questions	Maximum Marks	Time Allotted
1	English Language	English	30	30	20 minutes
2	Numerical Ability	* (As applicable)	35	35	20 minutes
3	Reasoning Ability	* (As applicable)	35	35	20 minutes
Total			100	100	60 minutes

Important Note: Each of the 3 tests in the Preliminary Examination is separately timed — candidates cannot move between sections or use extra time from one section for another.

Main Examination Pattern

As per the Official IBPS CRP CSA-XVI Notification

The IBPS CSA Main Examination is an Objective Test consisting of 4 separately timed sections (not by sequence) — General/Financial Awareness, General English, Reasoning Ability and Quantitative Aptitude. The total duration of the Main Examination is 125 minutes for 160 questions carrying 200 marks.

General English is conducted only in English. The remaining sections are conducted in the medium (English/Hindi/local language) applicable to the State/UT applied for, as per Annexure III of the notification.
Candidates must obtain a minimum score in each test as well as a minimum total score to be considered for further process.
Marks obtained in the Online Main Examination only will be considered for final merit listing.

Sr. No.	Name of Test	Medium of Exam	No. of Questions	Maximum Marks	Time Allotted
1	General / Financial Awareness	* (As applicable)	40	50	20 minutes
2	General English	English	40	40	35 minutes
3	Reasoning Ability	* (As applicable)	40	60	35 minutes
4	Quantitative Aptitude	* (As applicable)	40	50	35 minutes
Total			160	200	125 minutes

* Medium of Examination: Sections marked with * are conducted in English, Hindi and/or the specified local language of the State/UT applied for, as listed in Annexure III of the official notification (e.g. Hindi is available for most States; regional languages such as Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, Bengali, Punjabi, Kannada, Odia, Assamese, Gujarati, Malayalam, Konkani, Urdu, Manipuri etc. are available depending on the State/UT). In case of any discrepancy between the English version and the translated version, the English version shall prevail.

Negative Marking & Scoring Rules

As per the official IBPS CRP CSA-XVI Notification, there is a penalty for wrong answers marked in the Objective Tests. This rule is applicable to both the Online Preliminary Examination and the Online Main Examination.

For each question with a wrong answer, 0.25 (one-fourth) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as a penalty to arrive at the corrected score.
If a question is left blank (i.e. no answer is marked by the candidate), there will be no penalty for that question.
Corrected scores obtained by candidates in different sessions (if the exam is held in multiple sessions) will be normalized using the equi-percentile method.
Scores up to two decimal points shall be taken for the purpose of calculations.

Cut-off Score (Main Examination)

Each candidate is required to obtain a minimum score in each test of the Online Main Examination and also a minimum total score to be considered for further process. Depending on the number of State/UT-wise vacancies available, cut-offs will be decided by IBPS, and candidates meeting the cut-off will be considered for Provisional Allotment. Prior to the completion of the Provisional Allotment process, scores obtained in the Online Main Examination are not shared with candidates. The decision of IBPS in shortlisting and Provisional Allotment shall be final.

Shortlisting & Qualifying Rules

Preliminary Examination

Candidates have to qualify in each of the three tests (English Language, Numerical Ability, Reasoning Ability) by securing cut-off marks to be decided by IBPS. An adequate number of candidates in each category, as decided by IBPS depending upon requirements, will be shortlisted for the Online Main Examination.

Main Examination

Important Points

Prior to the completion of the Provisional Allotment process, scores obtained in the Online Main Examination will not be shared with candidates.
The decision of IBPS in shortlisting and Provisional Allotment shall be final.
Marks obtained in the Online Main Examination only will be considered for the final merit listing — Preliminary Examination marks are used only for shortlisting to the Main Examination.
Candidates will not be permitted to appear for the Online Preliminary or Online Main Examination without a valid call letter and prescribed photo-identity proof. Candidates reporting late (after the reporting time on the call letter) will not be permitted to take the examination.

Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)

As per the Official IBPS CRP CSA-XVI Notification

Candidates applying for vacancies of a particular State/UT should be proficient in reading, writing, speaking and understanding the specified/opted local language of that State/UT (as mentioned in Annexure III of the notification).

Candidates have to opt for ONE language at the time of online application for the local language test, from the list provided for that State/UT.
Candidates who produce a 10th standard or above mark sheet/certificate evidencing that they have studied the specified/opted local language will not be required to undergo the language test.
The test is conducted after qualifying the Online Main Examination/Provisional Allotment but before joining the Bank.
The LLPT is conducted as part of the selection process by an independent body or by the Bank and is marks-based and qualifying in nature.
Candidates who fail to qualify this test will not be offered appointment and will be disqualified from the process.

Provisional Allotment & Merit List

As per the Official IBPS CRP CSA-XVI Notification

The total marks allotted for the Online Main Examination are 200. These marks are converted out of 100 for the purpose of Provisional Allotment. A candidate must qualify the Online Main Examination and be sufficiently high in the merit to be considered for the subsequent Provisional Allotment process.

On completion of the Main Examination, depending on the State/UT-wise vacancies to be filled during the financial year 2027-28, shortlisted candidates will be provisionally allotted to one of the Participating Banks based on merit-cum-preference, keeping in view Government reservation policy and administrative exigencies.
Vacancies given in the notification are indicative; Provisional Allotment will be done on the basis of actual vacancies reported by the Participating Banks.
In the event of two or more candidates obtaining the same score, merit order is decided as per date of birth — the candidate senior in age is placed above the candidate junior in age, as per prevailing practice.
A reserve list to the extent of approximately 30 percent of the vacancies under each category may be kept, subject to availability of candidates. This does not guarantee Provisional Allotment.
The reserve list may be used three to four times for Provisional Allotment during its validity period, as further vacancies are reported by Participating Banks.
The reserve list — and the validity of CRP CSA-XVI itself — expires automatically one year after the date of Provisional Allotment, or on a fresh Provisional Allotment being made, whichever is earlier.
Provisional Allotment is subject to the candidate fulfilling the eligibility criteria of the Participating Bank and identity verification to its satisfaction. This does not constitute an offer of employment.

Important Official Exam & Selection Rules

Any change in the structure of the examination will be intimated through the official IBPS website. Other detailed information will be given in an Information Handout, available for download along with the call letter.
Though the Preliminary Examination duration is 1 hour, candidates may be required to be at the venue for about 2 hours or more; for the Main Examination (125 minutes duration), candidates may be required to be at the venue for about 3 hours or more, including time for verification, logging in and instructions.
Pre-Examination Training (PET) may be arranged in online mode for a limited number of candidates belonging to SC/ST/OBC/Minority Communities/Ex-Servicemen/Persons with Benchmark Disabilities. Merely attending PET does not confer any right to selection.
IBPS analyses candidate responses and logs to detect patterns of similarity or other unusual patterns. If it is inferred that responses were shared or scores are not genuine/valid, IBPS reserves the right to cancel the candidature without notice.
Multiple attendance/appearances in the online examination will be summarily rejected and candidature cancelled. No request for change of exam date, time, venue or centre will be entertained.
The decision of IBPS/Participating Banks on all matters relating to the examination, shortlisting, verification and Provisional Allotment under CRP CSA-XVI shall be final and binding on the candidate.

Score Calculation Examples

Illustrative examples applying the official negative marking rule (0.25 marks per wrong answer)

Example 1 — Preliminary Exam

Numerical Ability: 35 Questions attempted

Correct: 28 | Wrong: 7 | Unattempted: 0

✔ Corrected Score = 28 − (7 × 0.25) = 28 − 1.75 = 26.25 marks

Example 2 — Main Exam

Reasoning Ability: 40 Questions (1.5 marks each on average)

Correct: 30 | Wrong: 6 | Unattempted: 4

✔ Unattempted questions carry no penalty; only the 6 wrong answers attract a 0.25-mark deduction per question on the marks assigned to that question.

Example 3 — Guessing Risk

Candidate randomly marks answers for all unattempted questions instead of leaving them blank

✘ Each incorrect guess deducts 0.25 marks, which can lower the corrected score compared to leaving low-confidence questions unattempted.

Example 4 — Sectional Cut-off Miss

Candidate scores well overall but below cut-off in one section

✘ As per the official rule, candidates must qualify in each section — a low score in even one section can affect shortlisting/qualification.

Important Exam Tips

Important points every IBPS Customer Service Associate (CSA) aspirant should remember

⏱️

Manage Sectional Time Separately

Every section in both Prelims and Main is separately timed. Time saved in one section cannot be used in another, so plan your attempt speed section-wise.

⚠️

Be Careful of Negative Marking

0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer. Avoid random guessing on questions you are not confident about, since unattempted questions carry no penalty.

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Clear Sectional & Overall Cut-off

You must qualify each individual test as well as the overall cut-off. A weak section can affect your overall qualification even with a good total score.

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Main Exam Marks Decide Final Merit

Since only Main Examination marks count toward the final merit list, treat the Main Exam as the decisive stage for Provisional Allotment.

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Prepare for the Local Language Test

The LLPT is qualifying in nature but mandatory unless exempted by a 10th standard certificate in that language — failing it can lead to disqualification even after allotment.

📢

Read the Information Handout

Download and read the Information Handout provided along with your call letter for the latest exam-day instructions and any changes to the exam structure.

Why This Guide Matters

🏦

Why We Built This IBPS CSA Exam Pattern Guide

Bahut se IBPS Customer Service Associate (CSA) aspirants ka sabse common question hota hai — "Prelims aur Main me kitne questions aate hain?", "Negative marking kitni hoti hai?", "Sirf Main exam ke marks se hi merit banti hai kya?" aur "Provisional Allotment kaise hota hai?"

Official IBPS CRP CSA-XVI Notification me exam pattern aur selection process se related kai important rules diye gaye hain, jaise sectional timing, section-wise marks, negative marking, cut-off rules, Local Language Proficiency Test aur Provisional Allotment ka process. In sabhi details ko ek saath samajhna kai candidates ke liye confusing ho sakta hai.

Isi liye humne yeh dedicated IBPS CSA Exam Pattern & Selection Process guide banaya hai, jisme official notification ke aadhar par Prelims aur Main dono exams ka complete structure, marking scheme aur selection process step-by-step explain kiya gaya hai.

🎓 Check Your IBPS CSA Eligibility 2026 →

Frequently Asked Questions

Common IBPS CSA Exam Pattern & Selection Process 2026 questions answered as per the Official IBPS CRP CSA-XVI Notification

What is the exam pattern for IBPS CSA 2026?+

IBPS CSA 2026 is a two-tier online examination consisting of a Preliminary Examination (100 questions, 100 marks, 60 minutes) followed by a Main Examination (160 questions, 200 marks, 125 minutes), as per the official IBPS CRP CSA-XVI Notification.

What is the IBPS CSA Preliminary Exam pattern?+

The Preliminary Examination has three separately timed sections: English Language (30 questions, 30 marks, 20 minutes), Numerical Ability (35 questions, 35 marks, 20 minutes) and Reasoning Ability (35 questions, 35 marks, 20 minutes), totalling 100 questions, 100 marks and 60 minutes.

What is the IBPS CSA Main Exam pattern?+

The Main Examination has four separately timed sections: General/Financial Awareness (40 questions, 50 marks, 20 minutes), General English (40 questions, 40 marks, 35 minutes), Reasoning Ability (40 questions, 60 marks, 35 minutes) and Quantitative Aptitude (40 questions, 50 marks, 35 minutes), totalling 160 questions, 200 marks and 125 minutes.

Is there negative marking in IBPS CSA 2026?+

Yes. As per the official notification, 0.25 marks (one-fourth) of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every wrong answer in both the Preliminary and Main Examinations. There is no penalty for questions left unattempted.

What is the selection process for IBPS CSA 2026?+

The selection process consists of an Online Preliminary Examination, followed by an Online Main Examination for shortlisted candidates, and Provisional Allotment to Participating Banks based on merit-cum-preference. A qualifying Local Language Proficiency Test is conducted after the Main Examination/Provisional Allotment but before joining.

Do Prelims marks count in the final merit list?+

No. As per the official notification, marks obtained in the Online Main Examination only will be considered for final merit listing. The Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature for shortlisting to the Main Examination.

Is there sectional cut-off in IBPS CSA exams?+

Yes. In the Preliminary Examination, candidates must qualify in each of the three tests by securing cut-off marks decided by IBPS. In the Main Examination, candidates must obtain a minimum score in each test as well as a minimum total score to be considered for further process.

How are IBPS CSA exam scores normalised?+

If the examination is held in multiple sessions, the corrected scores obtained by candidates in different sessions are normalised using the equi-percentile method, and scores are taken up to two decimal points for calculation.

What is the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) in IBPS CSA?+

Candidates applying for a particular State/UT must be proficient in reading, writing, speaking and understanding the specified local language. The LLPT is qualifying in nature, conducted after the Main Examination/Provisional Allotment but before joining. Candidates with a 10th standard or higher mark sheet in that language are exempted from the test.

How is Provisional Allotment done in IBPS CSA?+

The Main Examination is scored out of 200 marks and converted to 100 for Provisional Allotment. Candidates who qualify the Main Examination and rank sufficiently high in merit are provisionally allotted to one of the Participating Banks based on merit-cum-preference, category-wise vacancies and Government reservation guidelines.

What happens in case of a tie in IBPS CSA merit?+

In the event of two or more candidates obtaining the same score, the merit order is decided as per date of birth, with the candidate senior in age placed above the candidate junior in age, as per prevailing practice.

Is there a reserve list in IBPS CSA selection?+

Yes. A reserve list of approximately 30 percent of vacancies under each category may be kept, subject to availability of candidates. This does not guarantee provisional allotment. The reserve list expires one year after the date of Provisional Allotment or on a fresh allotment, whichever is earlier.

What documents are required at the exam centre?+

Candidates must carry a valid call letter for the respective examination and original photo-identity proof bearing the same name as on the call letter/application form. Candidates reporting after the specified reporting time will not be permitted to take the examination.

Is Pre-Examination Training available for IBPS CSA?+

Pre-Examination Training may be arranged in online mode for a limited number of candidates belonging to SC, ST, OBC, Minority Communities, Ex-Servicemen and Persons with Benchmark Disabilities. Attending the training does not confer any right to selection.

Where can I download the official IBPS CSA exam pattern notification?+

The official IBPS CRP CSA-XVI Notification containing the complete exam pattern and selection process can be downloaded from the official IBPS website.

Fact-Checked Against Official Notification

📄 Official Sources

IBPS CRP CSA-XVI (Customer Service Associate) Recruitment 2026 — Official Notification, Clauses D (Structure of Examination), E (Penalty for Wrong Answers), F (Cut-off Score), G (Scores obtained in the Online Examination), H (Local Language Proficiency Test), J (Pre-Examination Training) and K (Provisional Allotment) (Uploaded Official PDF)
Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) — Official Website

Author: RajDailyTools Editorial Team

Reviewed By: Banking Exam Research Team

Last Updated: 08 August 2026

Fact Checking: Verified against Official IBPS Notification

📋 Our Editorial Process: Every fact published on this page — including the number of questions, marks, sectional timing, negative marking, cut-off rules and the selection process — is verified directly from the Official IBPS CRP CSA-XVI Notification before publication. Our editorial team manually reviews the Structure of Examination, Penalty for Wrong Answers, Cut-off Score, Local Language Proficiency Test and Provisional Allotment clauses of the notification. Whenever IBPS releases a corrigendum, addendum or revised notification, this page is updated after complete verification.

Disclaimer: Candidates should always read the latest Official IBPS Notification before appearing for the examination. RajDailyTools publishes recruitment information only after verification from official government sources. If any discrepancy is found, the Official IBPS Notification shall prevail.

Exam Name	IBPS CRP CSA-XVI (Customer Service Associate) Recruitment 2026
Conducting Body	Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
Exam Stages	Two-Tier — Online Preliminary Examination followed by Online Main Examination
Preliminary Examination	100 Questions \| 100 Marks \| 60 Minutes (Qualifying, Sectional Cut-off Applicable)
Main Examination	160 Questions \| 200 Marks \| 125 Minutes (Marks Considered for Final Merit)
Negative Marking	0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer. No penalty for unattempted questions.
Selection Process	Preliminary Exam → Main Exam → Provisional Allotment (based on Main Exam marks only)
Local Language Test	Qualifying in nature; conducted after Main Exam/Provisional Allotment, before joining
Official Website	www.ibps.in

IBPS CSA Exam Pattern & Selection Process 2026

Article Information

Key Takeaways

IBPS CSA Exam Pattern Overview

Negative Marking & Scoring Rules

Cut-off Score (Main Examination)

Shortlisting & Qualifying Rules

Preliminary Examination

Main Examination

Important Points

Important Official Exam & Selection Rules

Why We Built This IBPS CSA Exam Pattern Guide

📄 Official Sources

Get Exam-Ready with IBPS CSA 2026 Resources