IBPS Clerk 2026 preference form active: submit State/UT and bank choices by 23 September

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has activated the State/UT and Bank Preference Form for candidates registered for the Common Recruitment Process for Recruitment of Customer Service Associate in Participating Banks (CRP CSA-XVI). The data-capture window for submitting these preferences opened on 18 September 2026 and will close on 23 September 2026. Candidates are required to submit their choices via the official IBPS recruitment portal, ibps.in.

This preference submission is a crucial step for candidates aspiring to be provisionally allotted to one of the 11 participating public sector banks. The current recruitment drive aims to fill 11,403 indicative Customer Service Associate (CSA) vacancies for the financial year 2027-28, with provisional allotment scheduled for March 2027.

Understanding the Preference Submission Process

The IBPS Clerk 2026 preference form allows candidates to specify their desired State/UT and the order of preference for participating banks. This is distinct from the original IBPS Clerk application form. IBPS Clerk recruitment is conducted on a State/UT-wise basis, meaning candidates must select a single State or Union Territory for which they wish to be considered. This chosen State/UT is linked to the available vacancies and the local-language eligibility requirements applicable to that specific recruitment region.

Once the State/UT is selected, candidates must then arrange the 11 participating public sector banks in their preferred order. The official portal states that the order of preference for participating banks, once submitted, is irrevocable, and no requests for changes will be entertained after submission. Therefore, candidates are advised to choose carefully the first time.

Key Dates and Recruitment Overview

The IBPS Clerk 2026 recruitment, officially known as IBPS CRP CSA-XVI, commenced with the release of its notification on 31 July 2026. The online application process was active from 1 August to 28 August 2026. The selection process involves an online Preliminary Examination, scheduled for October 2026, followed by a Main Examination in December 2026.

Provisional allotment for successful candidates is slated for March 2027. Graduate candidates aged between 20 and 28 years as of 1 August 2026 were eligible to apply. The application fee was ₹175 for SC/ST/PwBD/ESM/DESM candidates and ₹850 for all other candidates, inclusive of GST.

Provisional Allotment and Vacancy Details

Provisional allotment is carried out based on a merit-cum-preference system, taking into account the available vacancies reported by participating banks and applicable rules. A total of 11,403 indicative Customer Service Associate vacancies are being filled through this recruitment cycle. These include 1,910 Scheduled Caste vacancies, 942 Scheduled Tribe vacancies, 2,815 OBC-NCL vacancies, 996 EWS vacancies, and 4,740 Unreserved vacancies.

The participating banks include Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Canara Bank, Central Bank of India, Indian Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, UCO Bank, and Union Bank of India. Candidates who have been debarred from appearing in CRP examinations for specified periods, as communicated by IBPS, should act accordingly.

Steps for Submitting Preferences

Candidates registered for the Common Recruitment Process for Recruitment of Customer Service Associate in Participating Banks (CRP CSA-XVI) must complete the data-capture process for State/UT and Bank Preferences between September 18 and September 23, 2026. This involves visiting the official IBPS recruitment portal, ibps.in, and logging in with their existing registration credentials. The preference form is distinct from the original IBPS Clerk application form.

Once logged in, candidates are required to select a single State or Union Territory for which they wish to be considered, as recruitment is conducted on a State/UT-wise basis. Following this, they must arrange the 11 participating public sector banks in their preferred order. The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) states that the order of preference for participating banks, once submitted, is irrevocable. Candidates are advised to review all selections carefully before final submission and to save or print the confirmation page for future reference.

Further reading

• MHT CET CAP 2026 Round 4 Option Form Filling Begins; Check Last Date to Submit Choices at fe2026.mahacet.org
• IBPS RRB CRP-XV Clerk 2026 Registration Begins September 1; Check Dates at ibps.in
• UGC Directs Universities to Ensure PwD Rights, Submit Admission Data by September 30, 2026
• PSEB Supplementary Result 2026: Rechecking, Revaluation Link Active at pseb.ac.in; Apply by September 21
• CTET September 2026 Correction Window Re-Opens at ctet.nic.in; Last Date to Edit Form Today

Written by Nishit Kumar

Nishit Kumar is a senior EdTech industry leader with over a decade of experience in building and scaling education platforms, shaping their product, content, and growth strategy. At FindMyCollege, Nishit oversees content and editorial strategy, guiding topic selection and content frameworks to ensure accuracy, relevance, and student-first value across the website.

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