IBPS has released the full notification for CRP CSA-XVI, its annual Common Recruitment Process for Customer Service Associates — commonly called the Clerk cadre — across 11 Participating Public Sector Banks. Based on indicative figures reported by the banks, well over 11,400 posts are up for grabs this cycle, spread across every state and union territory in the country.

Recruitment here runs strictly state/UT-wise — you apply for vacancies in one State/UT only, and provisional allotment happens within that state, keeping reservation policy and administrative needs in view. Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra currently carry the largest indicative shares.

State/UT-Wise Indicative Vacancy Summary

Karnataka alone accounts for over 1,400 of the total — nearly 4 times the next closest large state — driven heavily by Canara Bank's own home-state hiring volume.

Figures exclude Union Bank of India, whose state-wise vacancies were reported as "Not Reported (NR)" at the time of this notification. Complete bank-wise break-up for each state, including PwBD sub-category (HI/OC/VI/ID) and ExSM/DESM splits, is in Annexure-I of the official notification.

Preliminary Examination Structure

*Available in the local language version applicable to the chosen State/UT, per Annexure III. Candidates must clear the individual cut-off in each of the 3 sections to be shortlisted for the Main exam — Preliminary marks are qualifying only.

Main Examination Structure

Only Main Exam marks (converted out of 100) count toward final merit and provisional allotment. Negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer applies to both stages; unattempted questions carry no penalty.

PwBD Categories & Compensatory Time

Only benchmark disabilities (40% or more) qualify for reservation. Scribe use must be declared during online registration — no request is entertained afterward. A scribe can assist only one CRP CSA-XVI candidate, and cannot be a candidate in the same exam.

Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) — Sample States

This test is qualifying, conducted after clearing the Main Exam but before joining. It's waived entirely if your 10th-standard certificate already shows you studied the relevant language.

Full list of all 36 States/UTs and their specified languages is in Annexure III of the official notification. Candidates unable to clear the LLPT will not be offered appointment, even after clearing the Main exam and provisional allotment.

A few structural quirks worth flagging: reserved-category candidates who clear the exam on general merit are treated as general candidates for allotment purposes, but they must still produce their original category certificate — failing which their candidature is invalidated entirely, even though they qualified without needing the reservation benefit in the first place. Separately, the provisional allotment and reserve list both expire automatically one year after allotment (or sooner, if a fresh allotment cycle begins) — so candidates on a reserve list aren't guaranteed a call even if they're technically still "in the running."

Disclaimer: Based on the IBPS CRP CSA-XVI notification dated 01.08.2026. Vacancies are indicative and subject to revision based on actual business needs reported by Participating Banks. Candidates should verify complete bank-wise vacancy details, examination centres, and certificate formats on the official IBPS website before applying.