IBPS Clerk Prelims Shift Timings 2026, Check Exam Timings, Reporting Time & Duration

The IBPS Clerk Prelims Shift Timings 2026 are divided into four shifts on 10 and 11 October 2026. The IBPS Clerk exam timings are 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM for Shift 1, 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM for Shift 2, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM for Shift 3, and 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM for Shift 4. The preliminary examination lasts 60 minutes, with 20 minutes allotted to each of the three sections. Candidates should check their IBPS Clerk Admit Card for their allotted exam date, reporting time, venue, and other exam-day instructions.

IBPS Clerk Prelims Shift Timings 2026 – Regular

• IBPS Clerk Prelims Shift 1 Timings 2026 – Report at 8 AM | Exam From 9 AM – 10 AM
• IBPS Clerk Prelims Shift 2 Timings 2026 – Report at 10.30 AM | Exam from 11:30 AM – 12.30 PM
• IBPS Clerk Prelims Shift 3 Timings 2026 – Report at 1 PM | Exam from 2 PM – 3 PM
• IBPS Clerk Prelims Shift 4 Timings 2026 – Report at 3.30 PM | Exam from 4:30 PM – 5.30 PM

IBPS Clerk Prelims Shift Timings 2026

The IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam 2026 will be conducted in four shifts. Candidates must appear only in the shift allotted to them on their call letter. There will be four shifts in total for the IBPS Clerk prelims exam 2026. The complete IBPS Clerk exam timings, including reporting time, handwriting sample time, exam start time, and exam end time, are provided below.

Important: Candidates should follow the reporting time printed on their individual IBPS Clerk Prelims Admit Card. The allotted timing on the call letter should be treated as final.

What Are the IBPS Clerk Exam Timings 2026?

The IBPS Clerk exam timings 2026 for the preliminary examination are 9:00 AM–10:00 AM, 11:30 AM–12:30 PM, 2:00 PM–3:00 PM, and 4:30 PM–5:30 PM. Therefore, IBPS Clerk Prelims is conducted across four shifts, with each examination shift lasting one hour.

The shift-wise timings are:

Candidates should not confuse the reporting time with the exam start time. For example, candidates allotted Shift 1 have to report at 8:00 AM, while their examination starts at 9:00 AM.

IBPS Clerk Shift 1 Timing 2026

The IBPS Clerk Shift 1 exam timing is 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM. Candidates appearing in the first shift have to report at 8:00 AM. The handwriting sample is scheduled from 8:55 AM to 9:00 AM.

• Reporting Time: 8:00 AM
• Handwriting Sample: 8:55 AM to 9:00 AM
• Exam Starts: 9:00 AM
• Exam Ends: 10:00 AM

Candidates appearing in the first shift should plan their travel accordingly and avoid reaching the examination center at the last minute.

IBPS Clerk Shift 2 Timing 2026

The IBPS Clerk Shift 2 timing is 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. Candidates allotted the second shift need to report at 10:30 AM.

• Reporting Time: 10:30 AM
• Handwriting Sample: 11:25 AM to 11:30 AM
• Exam Starts: 11:30 AM
• Exam Ends: 12:30 PM

IBPS Clerk Shift 3 Timing 2026

The IBPS Clerk Shift 3 exam timing is 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, while the reporting time is 1:00 PM.

• Reporting Time: 1:00 PM
• Handwriting Sample: 1:55 PM to 2:00 PM
• Exam Starts: 2:00 PM
• Exam Ends: 3:00 PM

IBPS Clerk Shift 4 Timing 2026

The IBPS Clerk Shift 4 exam timing is 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Candidates allotted the final shift of the day should report at 3:30 PM.

• Reporting Time: 3:30 PM
• Handwriting Sample: 4:25 PM to 4:30 PM
• Exam Starts: 4:30 PM
• Exam Ends: 5:30 PM

IBPS Clerk Exam Date and Shift Timings 2026

The IBPS Clerk 2026 recruitment process is being conducted for Customer Service Associate (CSA) posts in participating banks. According to the current IBPS schedule, the preliminary examination is scheduled for 10 and 11 October 2026, followed by the Mains examination on 27 December 2026.

Candidates should download their IBPS Clerk Admit Card 2026 and verify their individual exam date, shift, reporting time, examination center, and instructions before leaving for the exam.

What Is the IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Duration?

The IBPS Clerk Prelims exam duration is 60 minutes. Candidates have to answer 100 questions carrying 100 marks across English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability.

Each section has a separate sectional timing of 20 minutes.

Candidates cannot freely distribute the 60 minutes across the three sections because each section has its own fixed time limit.

Is There Negative Marking in IBPS Clerk Prelims 2026?

Yes. IBPS Clerk Prelims has negative marking. For every incorrect answer, one-fourth (0.25) of the marks assigned to that question is deducted as a penalty.

Therefore, candidates should avoid random guessing. Accuracy becomes especially important when attempting a high number of questions within the 60-minute examination.

IBPS Clerk Prelims Reporting Time 2026

The IBPS Clerk Prelims reporting time is one hour before the scheduled start of each shift based on the current shift schedule.

For example:

• Shift 1 candidates report at 8:00 AM for the 9:00 AM exam.
• Shift 2 candidates report at 10:30 AM for the 11:30 AM exam.
• Shift 3 candidates report at 1:00 PM for the 2:00 PM exam.
• Shift 4 candidates report at 3:30 PM for the 4:30 PM exam.

Candidates should preferably reach the vicinity of their exam center well before the reporting time. This provides sufficient time to locate the venue and complete entry formalities without unnecessary last-minute pressure.

However, candidates must follow the exact reporting time and instructions printed on their individual call letter.

IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam Day Instructions

Along with knowing the IBPS Clerk Prelims Shift Timings 2026, candidates should carefully read the instructions mentioned on their admit card.

Candidates should carry the following required documents/items as instructed:

• Printed IBPS Clerk Prelims call letter with the required photograph affixed.
• Photocopy of a currently valid photo identity proof.
• The same photo identity proof in original.
• One additional photograph.
• Blue ink stamp pad and glue, where required for completing attendance-sheet formalities.

Valid photo identity documents may include:

• PAN Card
• Passport
• Permanent Driving License
• Voter ID Card with photograph
• Bank Passbook with photograph
• Aadhaar Card or E-Aadhaar with photograph
• Employee ID
• Valid recent college/university ID
• Bar Council Identity Card with photograph
• Photo identity proof issued by an authorized official, where accepted under IBPS instructions

Candidates should note that a Ration Card and Learner’s Driving License are not accepted as valid photo identity proof for this purpose.

Always check the call letter and official IBPS instructions before the examination, as the instructions mentioned there apply to the individual candidate.

How to Manage Time During the IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam?

Since the IBPS Clerk Prelims lasts only 60 minutes and each section has a fixed 20-minute duration, candidates need a question-selection strategy rather than simply trying to attempt every question.

A practical approach is to:

1. Start with questions that can be solved quickly and accurately.
2. Avoid spending excessive time on a single difficult question.
3. Use the sectional timer carefully because unused time from one section cannot be freely transferred to another.
4. Maintain accuracy because incorrect answers attract a negative marking penalty.
5. Practice in the same 60-minute timed format through IBPS Clerk mock tests before the actual examination.

Candidates can attempt the IBPS Clerk Mock Test on PracticeMock to become familiar with the sectional timing, question pattern, and pressure of the actual computer-based examination.

IBPS Clerk Prelims Shift Timings 2026: Important Points

Candidates appearing for the examination should remember these points about the IBPS Clerk exam timings:

• IBPS Clerk Prelims 2026 is scheduled for 10 and 11 October 2026.
• The examination is conducted in four shifts.
• Shift 1 is from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM.
• Shift 2 is from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM.
• Shift 3 is from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
• Shift 4 is from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
• Each prelims shift has an exam duration of 60 minutes.
• Each of the three sections has a separate 20-minute sectional timing.
• Candidates must follow the shift and reporting time specified on their individual admit card.

IBPS Clerk Exam Timings 2026 FAQs

What are the IBPS Clerk Prelims Shift Timings 2026?

The IBPS Clerk Prelims Shift Timings 2026 are 9:00 AM–10:00 AM, 11:30 AM–12:30 PM, 2:00 PM–3:00 PM, and 4:30 PM–5:30 PM.

How many shifts are there in IBPS Clerk Prelims 2026?

The IBPS Clerk Prelims examination is conducted in four shifts per day.

What is the IBPS Clerk Shift 1 timing?

The IBPS Clerk Prelims Shift 1 exam is scheduled from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, with reporting at 8:00 AM.

What is the IBPS Clerk Shift 2 timing?

The second shift is scheduled from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, and the reporting time is 10:30 AM.

What is the IBPS Clerk Shift 3 timing?

The IBPS Clerk Shift 3 exam timing is 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, with candidates reporting at 1:00 PM.

What is the IBPS Clerk Shift 4 timing?

The fourth shift is scheduled from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM, while candidates have to report at 3:30 PM.

What is the duration of the IBPS Clerk Prelims Exam 2026?

The IBPS Clerk Prelims exam duration is 60 minutes, consisting of three separately timed sections of 20 minutes each.

What time should I reach the IBPS Clerk exam center?

Candidates should reach the examination venue well before the reporting time mentioned on their IBPS Clerk Admit Card. The reporting time varies according to the allotted shift.

Is the IBPS Clerk reporting time the same as the exam time?

No. The reporting time is earlier than the actual exam start time. For example, Shift 1 has an 8:00 AM reporting time, while the examination starts at 9:00 AM.

Where can I check my exact IBPS Clerk exam timing?

Your exact IBPS Clerk exam timing, reporting time, date, shift, and exam venue are mentioned on your IBPS Clerk Prelims Admit Card. Candidates should treat the details printed on their individual call letter as final.

Conclusion

The IBPS Clerk Prelims Shift Timings 2026 are divided into four slots: 9:00 AM–10:00 AM, 11:30 AM–12:30 PM, 2:00 PM–3:00 PM, and 4:30 PM–5:30 PM. Each shift lasts 60 minutes, while reporting begins one hour before the respective examination under the current schedule. Candidates appearing for the IBPS Clerk Prelims on 10 or 11 October 2026 should check their admit card carefully for their allotted IBPS Clerk exam timings, reporting time, venue, and exam-day instructions.

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