Introduction to Online Banking Exams –
Banking is been considered as the most appropriate sector for career development and there is no other strong alternative for banking careers. So, the one who is looking forward to their career in the banking sector but are confused about how to go about it or what are banking exams which need to be cleared? This article will give insight into the importance of a career in banking and what all exams are conducted in banks. Now we will discuss the online banking exams.
Why Banking as a Career Option?
If we will find, banking career provides lots of benefits rather than private companies or other multi-national companies such as dignity, high career growth, a good amount of money, gratuity, security, pension funds, provident fund, and many other benefits. Banking career helps one to develop analytical skills that are useful in a company’s strategies and also teaches one how to utilize the funds efficiently and also provides knowledge about investment, trade, remittances, etc.
There are some other reasons which help you to choose from the bank as a career option:
1. The growing sector of India
A number of changes have been observed in the Indian banking sector after independence and even after the liberalization of 1991 the number of banks came into existence in India. As the banking sector of India has relatively not expanded as compared to the international banking sector, and even if we see there are new amendments & regulations are coming into a picture which increases the chances of the Indian banking sector to grow.
2. Better financial rewards
Indian banking industry offers best pay packages as compared to other industry. Even at an initial stage one with good qualification (graduate or postgraduate in management) can fetch more than Rs.3.5 lacs per annum and there are other perks & benefits are also offered by banks.
3. Better working conditions
The banking sector is known to be having the most conducive environment amongst other corporate sectors. There are hardly any late-night shifts or late hour shifts in the banking industry and thus also provides a better corporate and professional environment.
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4. Opportunities for various backgrounds
The banking sector is known to be amongst those few sectors that employ people from different backgrounds. It provides opportunities for marketing, operational background people too apart from the financial background.
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Various Type of Online Banking Exams
Following the type of online banking exams are conducted in India:-
- To apply for 20 Public Sector Banks and 82 Regional Rural Banks, the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts a series of Common Written Examinations (CWE) as a requirement for the selection of Probationary Officer (PO), Clerical job, Management Trainee, Office Assistants & Officers.
- Different online banking exams are conducted by State Bank of India (SBI) & SBI Associate for the position of officers & clerks.
- Similarly Reserve Bank of India (RBI) conducts its own examination for different positions.
- Private Sector Banks also conducts its own examination for the recruitment of officers & clerks. But some private banks i.e. Karur Vysya Bank (KVB), Tamilnad Mercantile Bank (TMB), Federal Bank have started considering IBPS CWE score for the selection purpose.
Online Banking Exams Eligibility Criteria
I. Public Sector Banks
- Age:
For Probationary Officer (PO):- between 20 – 30 years
For Clerical: – between 20 – 28 years
- Minimum Education Qualification:
PO: – From a recognized University a degree in any discipline or an equivalent degree or qualification recognized by Central Government.
Clerical: – A degree from recognized University in any discipline or an equivalent degree recognized as such by Central Government.
- Computer Literacy:
A candidate must possess a minimum knowledge of computer proficiency. She/he must possess a valid diploma (basic applications) in computers.
- Language Proficiency:
For clerical department recruitment, the candidate must possess proficiency in the Official Language of the State or Union Territory as its selection would be on a State-wise basis.
- How to Apply:
Eligible Candidates are required to Register online banking exams Application Form (Candidates Photograph and Signature Scanned Copy Required to Submit Online) by clicking on the below website:
II. Regional Rural Banks
- Age:
For Office Assistant: – Between 18 – 28 years
For Officer Scale – I: – Between 19 – 27 years
For Officer Scale-II: – Between 22 – 31 years
For Officer Scale-III: – Below 40 years
- Minimum Education Qualification:
- Office Assistant: – From a recognized University a degree in any discipline or equivalent qualification recognized by Central Government.
- Officer Scale – I: – A degree from a recognized University in any discipline or its equivalent.
- Officer Scale-II:- A degree with a minimum of 50% in any discipline from a recognized University or its equivalent & 2 years of work experience in a Banking Institution as an Officer.
- Officer Scale-III: – A degree with a minimum of 50% in any discipline from a recognized University or its equivalent & work experience of 5 years in a Banking Institution as an Officer.
- Computer Literacy:
A candidate must possess a minimum knowledge of computer proficiency. She/he must possess a valid diploma (basic applications) in computers.
- Language Proficiency:
For the position of Office Assistant and Officer Scale – I: A candidate must have passed in local language subject in 10th standard or Matriculation and should also know the Official Language of the State/Union Territory where regional rural banks are located.
III. State Bank of India (SBI) or SBI Associates:
- Age:
For PO: – between 21 – 30 years
For Clerical: – between 18 – 28 years
- Minimum Education Qualification:
PO: – From a recognized University a degree in any discipline or its equivalent.
Clerical: – After 10th standard, a diploma course with minimum 60% marks
OR Minimum 12th standard with minimum 60% marks or its equivalent
OR A degree in any discipline from a recognized University with minimum 40% marks or its equivalent
- Computer Literacy:
A candidate must possess a minimum knowledge of computer proficiency. She/he must possess a valid diploma (basic applications) in computers.
- Language Proficiency:
For clerical department recruitment, the candidate must possess proficiency in the Official Language of the State or Union Territory as its selection would be on the State-wise basis.
- How to Apply:
Eligible Candidates are required to Register online banking exams Application Form (Candidates Photograph and Signature Scanned Copy Required to Submit Online) by clicking on the below website:
IV. Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
- Age: For Assistant (Clerk):- Between 18 – 28 years
- Minimum Education Qualification:
A candidate must possess a graduate degree in any discipline with minimum 50% from a recognized University.
- Computer Literacy:
A candidate must have knowledge of word processing and also a basic knowledge of computers.
- Language known:
He/she should know to read, write, speak & understand the local language of the state for which he/she is applying.
- How to Apply:
Eligible Candidates are required to Register online banking exams Application Form (Candidates Photograph and Signature Scanned Copy Required to Submit Online) by clicking on the below website:
Selection Procedure of Banks
1. Public Sector Banks:
a. Online Banking Exams:
- Common Written Examination (CWE) comprise of objective type of banking exams questions.
- A total of 200 marks of the exam, 0.25 negative marking for each wrong answer and the duration of the online banking exam is 2 hours.
- In order to shortlist for an interview, each candidate has to clear each section by obtaining minimum marks and also minimum total marks
- The format of the written exam is as follows:
| Sr. No. | Topics | Total Marks |
| 1. | Reasoning | 50 |
| 2. | Quantitative Aptitude | 50 |
| 3. | English language | 40 |
| 4. | General Awareness | 40 |
| 5. | Computer Knowledge | 20 |
| TOTAL | 200 |
b. Common Interview:
- Shortlisted candidates after clearing written online banking exams will be called for an interview process.
- Interviews would be scheduled at selected centers. The interview consists of 100 marks
- Minimum 40% has to be scored in an interview by the General category and for ST/SC/OBC/PWD candidates minimum 35%.
- Weightage of written exam & interview is 80:20.
- In order to select for allotment process, the candidate must qualify both written exam & interview.
c. Allotment Process:
Based on total scoring and also depending on the availability of vacancies, shortlisted candidates will be allotted.
2. Regional Rural Banks (RRB):
- RRB’s follows the same procedure as that of Public Sector of banks
- In the case of selection in an RRB, a candidate must have good knowledge of the local language.
- The whole online banking exam recruitment process is administered by the National Bank for Agriculture & Rural Development (NABARD).
3. State Bank of India (SBI):
a. Written Exams:
It consists of two parts:
- Objective Test
| Sr. No. | Topics | Questions |
| 1. | Reasoning | 75 |
| 2. | Quantitative Aptitude | 50 |
| 3. | English language | 50 |
| 4. | General Awareness | 50 |
- Descriptive Test
This test consists of argumentative or challenging questions
Total 4 questions – 45 marks
b. Group Discussion & Personal Interview (GDPI):
Candidates clearing written exams would be called for next round i.e. GDPI
c. Final Selection:
Candidates clearing both the tests i.e. written test & GDPI will be arranged category wise and thus will be placed depending upon the availability of the vacancy.
4. Reserve Bank of India (RBI):
a. Online Banking Exams:
- Total time: 2 hours
- Negative marks for each wrong answer i.e. 0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer
- The format of the written test:
| Sr. No. | Topics | Total Marks |
| 1. | Reasoning | 40 |
| 2. | Quantitative Aptitude | 40 |
| 3. | English language | 40 |
| 4. | General Awareness | 40 |
| 5. | Computer Knowledge | 40 |
b. Final Selection:
- Final Selection is based on final scoring in both the exams written as well as an interview.
- In order of merit, candidates will be placed.
How to prepare for online banking exams?
1. Early preparation for the common exam:
- By the introduction of online banking exams, it has become quite competitive & challenging to clear the written test.
- Candidate must start practicing to read articles, passages through a PC or internet in order to score good marks in the English Language. As it consists of huge paragraphs which consumes time to read & articulate the answers.
- As Bank PO & clerical exams are conducted twice in a year, candidates have ample time to plan for common exams.
2. Make efforts:
- As limited time is been given to clear 4 – 5 sections, for that candidate must understand the online banking exam pattern, create or frame shortcuts & use easy methods to solve the questions in a given time.
- Keep a track on the upcoming online banking exams of the various banks that you wish to apply for.
- To increase your confidence level in clearing the common exam, keep practicing the earlier test papers.
- Previous year’s solved banking exam question papers, guides & workbooks are available in a local bookstore and it costs around Rs.200 – Rs.400. It will help you to understand the difficulty level of common exams & also will help you to prepare well for your exams.
3. Preparation for Interview:
- After clearing the written test, Group Discussion & Personal interview is a deciding factor in the selection of a candidate for final allotment.
- For the interview process, questions related to the banking sector & its amendments, policies, economy, general knowledge are expected to ask. So, prepare well on this part by daily reading newspapers, financial blogs, etc.
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