Institute of Banking Personnel Selection

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) is a premier autonomous recruitment body in India, established with the aim of catering to the growing human resource needs of the banking and financial services sector. IBPS conducts various examinations and assessments to recruit personnel for various positions in public sector banks, regional rural banks, and other participating organisations.

History

IBPS was founded on 19 December 1975 as the Personnel Selection Services (PSS) under the guidance of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA). Initially, PSS was responsible for conducting written tests and interviews for the recruitment of clerical staff in public sector banks. In 1984, PSS was renamed as the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) and was registered as a separate legal entity under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.

Over the years, IBPS has expanded its scope and services to meet the evolving needs of the banking and financial services sector. In 2011, IBPS started conducting the Common Written Examination (CWE) for the recruitment of probationary officers and clerical staff in public sector banks.

Objectives

The primary objectives of IBPS are:

• To conduct standardized and objective recruitment processes for various positions in the banking and financial services sector.
• To maintain high standards of assessment and selection to ensure the recruitment of the best available talent.
• To provide a level playing field for all candidates, irrespective of their background or location.
• To promote professionalism and efficiency in the banking and financial services sector through the selection of qualified and competent personnel.

Examinations Conducted by IBPS

IBPS conducts the following examinations for the recruitment of personnel in the banking and financial services sector:

• Common Recruitment Process (CRP) for Probationary Officers (PO) and Management Trainees (MT): This examination is conducted for the recruitment of probationary officers and management trainees in public sector banks and other participating organisations.

• Common Recruitment Process (CRP) for Clerical Staff: This examination is conducted for the recruitment of clerical staff in public sector banks and other participating organisations.

• Common Recruitment Process (CRP) for Specialist Officers (SO): This examination is conducted for the recruitment of specialist officers in various domains such as IT, law, agriculture, and HR in public sector banks and other participating organisations.

• Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) Recruitment: IBPS conducts the CRP for the recruitment of officers (Scale I, II, and III) and office assistants in regional rural banks.

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Recruitment: IBPS conducts examinations for the recruitment of assistants and officers in various grades for the Reserve Bank of India.

Selection Process

The selection process for various positions through IBPS typically involves the following stages:

• Preliminary Examination: This is an objective type test conducted online, which tests the candidate’s general awareness, numerical ability, reasoning ability, and English language skills.
• Main Examination: Candidates who qualify in the preliminary examination are eligible to appear for the main examination, which tests their knowledge of professional subjects relevant to the position they have applied for.
• Interview: Candidates who qualify in the main examination are shortlisted for the interview round, which assesses their overall suitability for the position.

Impact and Significance

IBPS has played a significant role in streamlining and standardizing the recruitment process in the banking and financial services sector in India. By conducting common examinations for various positions across multiple organisations, IBPS has reduced the burden on individual banks and has ensured a fair and transparent selection process.

The examinations conducted by IBPS are highly competitive and attract a large number of candidates from across the country. In 2020-21, over 30 lakh candidates registered for various examinations conducted by IBPS, underlining its importance and reach.

Challenges and Way Forward

Despite its significant contributions, IBPS faces some challenges in its functioning. To address these challenges, IBPS has taken several measures, such as:

• Implementing strict security measures and surveillance systems to prevent cheating and malpractice during examinations.
• Regularly updating the syllabus and pattern of examinations to align with the changing skill requirements of the sector.
• Conducting outreach programs and awareness campaigns to encourage participation of candidates from diverse backgrounds and regions.