Introduction
Banking exams are one of the most sought-after government job exams in India. Every year, lakhs of aspirants prepare for jobs in banks like SBI, IBPS, RBI, NABARD, and others. These exams offer stable jobs, good salary, perks, and a chance to build a successful career in the banking sector.
This comprehensive guide covers:
- Complete list of banking exams in India
- Exam pattern, syllabus, and eligibility
- Preparation strategy for Quant, Reasoning, English, and General Awareness
- Recommended books, online courses, and mock tests with affiliate links
- Daily, weekly, and monthly study plans
- FAQs and tips for aspirants
💡 Tip: Start with a clear target exam (SBI PO, IBPS Clerk, RBI Grade B, etc.) and focus on consistent preparation.
Banking Exams List in India
| Exam | Conducting Body | Posts | Eligibility | Age Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SBI PO | State Bank of India | Probationary Officer | Graduate | 21-30 yrs |
| SBI Clerk | State Bank of India | Junior Associates | Graduate | 20-28 yrs |
| IBPS PO | IBPS | Probationary Officer | Graduate | 20-30 yrs |
| IBPS Clerk | IBPS | Clerk/Junior Associates | Graduate | 20-28 yrs |
| RBI Grade B | Reserve Bank of India | Grade B Officer | Graduate (with specific qualifications) | 21-30 yrs |
| NABARD Grade A/B | NABARD | Assistant Manager / Manager | Graduate / PG (relevant field) | 21-35 yrs |
| LIC AAO | LIC | Assistant Administrative Officer | Graduate | 21-30 yrs |
| Bank Specialist Officer (SO) | IBPS / Banks | Specialist Officer | Graduate / PG (relevant field) | 21-32 yrs |
💡 Tip: Check each bank’s official notification as eligibility and age criteria may vary slightly.
Exam Pattern & Syllabus
1. SBI PO / IBPS PO
- Prelims: 100 marks – English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning
- Mains: 200 marks – Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, General Awareness
- Descriptive Test: Letter / Essay writing (Mains)
- Interview: Personality test for final selection
2. SBI Clerk / IBPS Clerk
- Prelims: 100 marks – English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning
- Mains: 200 marks – English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, General Awareness
- No Interview
3. RBI Grade B
- Phase I – Preliminary: 200 marks – General Awareness, English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning
- Phase II – Mains: 300 marks – Economic & Social Issues, Finance & Management, English
- Phase III – Interview / Personality Test
4. NABARD Grade A/B
- Phase I – Preliminary: 200 marks – General Awareness, Reasoning, Quant, English
- Phase II – Mains: 200-300 marks – Economic & Social Issues, Agriculture & Rural Development, English
- Phase III – Interview / Personality Test
5. LIC AAO
- Prelims – Reasoning, Quant, English
- Mains – Reasoning, Quant, Insurance & Financial Awareness, English
- Interview / Final Selection
💡 Tip: Make a topic-wise checklist of all subjects for each exam and track your preparation progress.
Preparation Strategy
Quantitative Aptitude
- Focus on Arithmetic, Algebra, Data Interpretation, Time & Work, Profit & Loss, Percentages
- Learn shortcut methods for faster calculations
- Practice previous years’ papers and online quizzes Buy R.S. Aggarwal - Quant
Reasoning Ability
- Puzzles, seating arrangement, coding-decoding, syllogism, inequalities
- Practice regularly to improve speed and accuracy Buy R.S. Aggarwal - Reasoning
English Language
- Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, error spotting
- Daily reading of newspapers / editorials to improve comprehension and speed Buy Wren & Martin
General Awareness / Banking Awareness
- Banking awareness, economy, government schemes, RBI notifications
- Monthly current affairs compilations & quizzes Buy Arihant Banking Awareness
- Important for mains and interview
Descriptive / Interview Preparation
- Letter and essay writing practice for SBI / IBPS PO mains Buy Descriptive Writing Guide
- Mock interviews for personality assessment Enroll in Interview Prep Course
- Prepare banking sector trends, financial policies, and RBI announcements
Mock Tests & Practice Series
- Testbook Banking Mock Tests Try Now
- Unacademy Daily Quizzes & Test Series Attempt Now
- BYJU’S Banking Mock Tests Subscribe
- Gradeup Banking Mock Tests Access Now
- Previous Year Question Bank with Solutions Buy Now
- Online Adaptive Test Series for Quant & Reasoning Start Now
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Daily, Weekly & Monthly Study Plan
- Months 1-2: NCERT basics + Quant, Reasoning fundamentals
- Months 3-4: Advanced practice + English grammar + banking awareness
- Months 5-6: Full syllabus coverage + Prelims mock tests
- Months 7-8: Mains preparation + Descriptive test practice
- Month 9: Revision + Mock tests + Interview preparation
Sample Daily Routine
- Morning: 2 hrs Quant + 1 hr Reasoning
- Late Morning: 1 hr English / Vocabulary
- Afternoon: 1-2 hrs Current Affairs / Banking Awareness
- Evening: Mock Test / Previous Year Papers (1-2 hrs)
- Night: Revision & Notes (1 hr)
Recommended Books & Tools (Affiliate Links)
- Quantitative Aptitude – R.S. Aggarwal Buy Now
- Reasoning – R.S. Aggarwal Buy Now
- English for Competitive Exams – Wren & Martin Buy Now
- Banking Awareness – Arihant Buy Now
- Manorama Yearbook – General Knowledge Buy Now
- Banking Exam Apps & Tools Explore Now
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Online Courses for Banking Exams
- Unacademy SBI & IBPS Courses Enroll Now
- BYJU’S Banking Exam Prep Start Free Trial
- Testbook Banking Mock Series Subscribe Now
- Gradeup Banking Preparation Access Now
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Mock Tests & Practice Series
- Testbook Mock Tests Try Now
- Unacademy Daily Quizzes Attempt Now
- BYJU’S Banking Mock Tests Subscribe
- Gradeup Banking Mock Tests Access Now
Ad Placeholder – Sponsored Mock Tests
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Which banking exam is easiest for first-time aspirants?
A1: SBI Clerk or IBPS Clerk are considered easier compared to PO or RBI exams.
Q2: How many hours should I study daily?
A2: 4-6 hours daily consistently is recommended for banking exams.
Q3: Can I prepare for multiple banking exams together?
A3: Yes, syllabus overlap allows simultaneous preparation for SBI, IBPS, and RBI exams.