Last updated: 11 October 2026 · By: Prep247 Exam Desk · Status: Prelims held on 10 & 11 October 2026 · Official cut-off awaited · Mains on 27 December 2026
Important: the figures below are expected cut-offs, meaning estimates and not official IBPS results. Only the cut-off IBPS publishes with the scorecard is final.
Quick Summary: IBPS Clerk Expected Cut Off 2026
- The IBPS Clerk cut-off is state-wise. There is no single national Prelims cut-off. Each State/UT has its own cut-off for each category.
- Expected General (UR) range: from about 48–55 in the most relaxed states (Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana) up to 83–89 in the most competitive ones (Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh).
- Why it varies so much: vacancies, number of applicants, shift difficulty and normalisation differ by state.
- When the official cut-off will come out: last cycle's Prelims cut-off was published on 25 November 2025, so expect the 2026 cut-off around mid-to-late November 2026, with the result.
- What to do now: if your score is anywhere near your state's range, start Mains preparation today. Mains is on 27 December 2026.
- Looking for the IBPS PO cut-off? The IBPS PO cut-off is not state-wise; it is released nationally by category. See the difference below.
IBPS Clerk Expected Cut Off 2026: State-Wise (General/UR)
Short answer: most states fall between 62 and 84 for the General category. Smaller states and UTs with few vacancies, such as Chandigarh, Delhi and Uttarakhand, are expected above 83.
All figures are out of 100 and are indicative planning ranges for the General/UR category.
| State / UT | Expected range (UR) | Competition level |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | 65–72 | Moderate |
| Assam | 64–70 | Moderate |
| Bihar | 62–68 | Moderate / uncertain |
| Chandigarh | 85–89 | Very high |
| Chhattisgarh | 66–72 | Moderate |
| Delhi (UT) | 83–88 | Very high |
| Gujarat | 48–55 | Lower |
| Haryana | 78–84 | High |
| Himachal Pradesh | 81–86 | Very high |
| Jharkhand | 73–78 | High |
| Karnataka | 48–54 | Lower |
| Kerala | 75–80 | High |
| Madhya Pradesh | 68–74 | Moderate / high |
| Maharashtra | 48–55 | Lower |
| Odisha | 68–75 | Moderate / high |
| Punjab | 80–85 | Very high |
| Rajasthan | 76–81 | High |
| Tamil Nadu | 48–55 | Lower |
| Telangana | 48–54 | Lower |
| Uttar Pradesh | 68–74 | Moderate / high |
| Uttarakhand | 83–88 | Very high |
| West Bengal | 77–83 | High |
States not listed (for example, the North-Eastern states other than Assam, Goa and Jammu & Kashmir) had too few reliable post-exam estimates for a range to be published. These ranges are for the General/UR category only. Reserved-category cut-offs are usually lower and are not estimated here.
The Four Competition Tiers at a Glance
| Tier | Expected UR range | States / UTs |
|---|---|---|
| Very high | 80–89 | Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab |
| High | 73–84 | Haryana, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Kerala, Jharkhand |
| Moderate | 62–75 | Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar |
| Lower | 48–55 | Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana |
Why the low-tier states are low: these states usually have large vacancy counts and require a regional language proficiency test, which reduces the number of outside candidates applying there. Competitive northern states with fewer vacancies and many applicants push cut-offs into the 80s.
How Is the IBPS Clerk Cut Off Calculated?
Short answer: IBPS normalises raw scores across shifts, then sets a cut-off for each state and category based on vacancies and candidate performance. Candidates must clear both a minimum score in each section and the overall cut-off.
Step 1: Your Raw Score
Raw score = Correct answers − (Wrong answers × 0.25)
Each question carries 1 mark, and 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty.
| Example | Calculation | Raw score |
|---|---|---|
| 85 attempted, 78 correct, 7 wrong | 78 − (7 × 0.25) | 76.25 |
| 80 attempted, 70 correct, 10 wrong | 70 − (10 × 0.25) | 67.50 |
| 90 attempted, 76 correct, 14 wrong | 76 − (14 × 0.25) | 72.50 |
Notice the third row: attempting more questions doesn't always mean a higher score. Accuracy matters more than the number of attempts.
Step 2: Normalisation Across Shifts
IBPS Clerk Prelims runs in 8 shifts over 2 days. Some shifts are slightly harder than others, so IBPS normalises scores using the equi-percentile method. Candidates at the same percentile in different shifts get comparable normalised scores. This is why your scorecard marks can differ slightly from your raw score.
Step 3: Sectional Qualifying Marks
Candidates must score a minimum in each section (English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning) as well as the overall cut-off. A high total does not help if one section falls below its minimum.
Step 4: State-Wise and Category-Wise Cut-Offs
After normalisation, IBPS shortlists candidates for Mains separately for each state and category, based on each state's vacancies. The cut-off is the normalised score of the last candidate shortlisted in that state and category.
Factors That Move the Cut-Off
| Factor | Effect on cut-off |
|---|---|
| State vacancies | More vacancies usually mean a lower cut-off |
| Number of applicants in the state | More competition means a higher cut-off |
| Paper difficulty | An easier paper means a higher cut-off |
| Shift normalisation | Adjusts scores between easier and tougher shifts |
| Category reservation | Reserved categories usually have lower cut-offs |
| Language proficiency requirement | Can reduce the applicant pool in certain states |
For 2026: candidates rated all 8 shifts on 10 and 11 October Easy to Moderate, with typical good attempts of about 76–87. An easier paper generally keeps cut-offs high in the competitive states.
How to Read Your Score Against the Expected Cut-Off
| Your estimated score vs your state's range | What it means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Below the lower bound | Qualification is uncertain, not impossible; estimates can be wrong | Keep preparing for Mains until the official result |
| Inside the range | A genuine toss-up | Prepare for Mains as if you've qualified |
| Above the upper bound | A strong position, but not guaranteed | Move fully to Mains preparation |
Three mistakes to avoid:
- Comparing attempts with the cut-off. Subtract negative marking first.
- Trusting one viral number. Estimates differ widely between sources, so use a range.
- Waiting for the result before studying. The result is expected only weeks before Mains, which leaves too little time.
Is the IBPS PO Cut-Off State-Wise?
No. This is one of the most common confusions. The IBPS PO cut-off is released nationally by category, while the IBPS Clerk cut-off is released by state and category.
| Parameter | IBPS Clerk | IBPS PO |
|---|---|---|
| Cut-off type | State-wise and category-wise | National, category-wise |
| Why | Vacancies are allotted by state, and candidates apply for one state | Vacancies are allotted bank-wise at the national level |
| Language test | Required for the state applied to | Not required |
| 2026 Prelims cut-off (UR) | Awaited (expected range above) | 49.68 (released) |
For full IBPS PO cut-off trends, see our IBPS PO 2026 guide: Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Eligibility & Cut Off.
When Will the IBPS Clerk Result and Cut-Off 2026 Be Released?
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Prelims exam | 10 & 11 October 2026 |
| Prelims result + cut-off | Expected mid-to-late November 2026 (in 2025 the cut-off was published on 25 November) |
| Mains admit card | December 2026 |
| Mains exam | 27 December 2026 |
Check your result and cut-off only on the official website, ibps.in.
IBPS Clerk Mains 2026: An 11-Week Plan to 27 December
Short answer: Prelims is only a screening stage, and Mains decides your final selection. You have about 11 weeks, so start now.
| Period | Goal | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1–2 (12–25 Oct) | Diagnose your level | 2 Mains mocks a week; find weak topics; start daily GA revision |
| Weeks 3–5 (26 Oct–15 Nov) | Fill the gaps | Close core topic gaps; 2–3 mocks a week; daily DI and puzzle sets |
| Weeks 6–8 (16 Nov–6 Dec) | Build exam fitness | 3 mocks a week; timed sectionals; rolling current-affairs revision |
| Weeks 9–10 (7–20 Dec) | Consolidate | 3–4 mocks a week (only if you analyse each one); revise your error log and GA |
| Final week (21–26 Dec) | Stabilise | No new sources; revise notes, formulas and banking updates; protect your sleep |
A Realistic 6-Hour Daily Schedule
| Time | Subject | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| 75 min | General / Financial Awareness | Current affairs plus banking and financial awareness, using active recall |
| 90 min | Quantitative Aptitude | Mains-level DI and arithmetic; timed sets |
| 90 min | Reasoning | Puzzle and seating sets plus mixed Mains-level reasoning |
| 45 min | English | RC, inference, cloze; vocabulary in context |
| 30 min | Computer Aptitude | Fundamentals, networking, security, databases |
| 60 min | Analysis / revision | Error log, redo wrong questions, revise yesterday's GA |
Golden rule: every mock must produce a list of things to fix. More mocks without review is not progress.
Practise with Prep247's mock tests and daily practice sets, with sectional timing and AI analysis of your weak topics.
Related guides on Prep247:
- IBPS Clerk Exam Analysis 11 October 2026: Day 2 Review
- IBPS Clerk Exam Analysis 2026 (10 Oct): Good Attempts & Questions
- IBPS PO 2026: Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Eligibility & Cut Off
Key Terms Used in This Guide
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Expected cut-off | An estimate made after the exam from candidate feedback and past trends; not official |
| Raw score | Correct answers minus 0.25 × wrong answers, before normalisation |
| Normalisation | IBPS's equi-percentile method of adjusting scores across shifts of different difficulty |
| Sectional qualifying marks | The minimum score required in each section, in addition to the overall cut-off |
| State-wise cut-off | A separate cut-off for each State/UT, because Clerk vacancies are allotted by state |
| Good attempts | Questions a well-prepared candidate could attempt with high accuracy; not the cut-off |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IBPS Clerk cut-off state-wise?
Yes. IBPS releases the Clerk Prelims and Mains cut-offs separately for each State/UT and category, because vacancies are allotted by state.
What is the expected IBPS Clerk Prelims cut-off 2026 for the General category?
It varies by state. Expected General ranges run from about 48–55 (Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Telangana) to 83–89 (Chandigarh, Delhi, Uttarakhand). Most states fall between 62 and 84.
Which state has the highest expected IBPS Clerk cut-off in 2026?
Chandigarh (85–89) is expected to be the highest, followed by Delhi and Uttarakhand (83–88) and Himachal Pradesh (81–86).
Which states have the lowest expected IBPS Clerk cut-off in 2026?
Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, all expected around 48–55.
How is the IBPS Clerk cut-off calculated?
IBPS calculates raw scores with 0.25 negative marking, normalises them across shifts using the equi-percentile method, applies sectional qualifying marks, and then sets the cut-off for each state and category based on vacancies and performance.
When will the IBPS Clerk cut-off 2026 be released?
It is expected around mid-to-late November 2026, with the Prelims result. In 2025 the cut-off was published on 25 November 2025.
Is the IBPS PO cut-off state-wise?
No. The IBPS PO cut-off is released nationally by category. The 2026 IBPS PO Prelims cut-off for General/OBC/EWS was 49.68.
Should I wait for the result before preparing for Mains?
No. Mains is on 27 December 2026, and the result is expected only weeks before it. If your score is near your state's range, start Mains preparation now.
Sources and Methodology
The expected state-wise ranges are rounded estimates built by comparing post-exam estimates published on 10–11 October 2026 (including Testbook, Adda247 and Jagran Josh) with historical state-wise trends. Where sources disagreed, the range was widened. They are not official, cover the General/UR category only, and may change as shift feedback is finalised. The exam schedule follows the official IBPS CRP CSA-XVI calendar. The official IBPS scorecard and cut-off at ibps.in are final. This page will be updated when IBPS releases the official cut-off.