Banking is one of the most challenging sectors in the country. Until recently, the concept of banking meant only national banks. But with the arrival of private banks the job openings in this sector has increased largely. Recruitment to banks is done through tests.

Following are some of the most common entrance exams conducted in this sector

Clerical Exam

The exam is conducted for the posts of clerk, clerk-cum-cashier, clerk-cum-godown keeper, typist, steno, agricultural clerks, data entry operators and telephone operators

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification - For the posts of clerks and typists, the candidate must be a Bachelor’s degree holder or a banking diploma holder with 50% marks. A 12th std pass is also eligible. The candidate should be a degree holder or a 12th std pass for the posts of stenographers, data entry operators, telephone operators. Applicants for the posts of typists and stenographers must be proficient in typing and shorthand. For the posts of agricultural clerks, the candidate should be a degree or diploma holder in agriculture or should have passed 12th std with agriculture as a subject and with 50% marks.

Age Limit - The candidate’s age should be between 18 and 26. There are relaxations in this for candidates belonging to SC/ST, etc.

Exam Details

The exam has objective type questions on English, numerical ability, reasoning and clerical aptitude. There is also a descriptive paper which has four argumentative questions.

The Banking Service Recruitment Boards conducts the clerical exam for recruitment in nationalized banks, including State Bank of India in their respective regions. Private Banks conduct their own exams. The criteria and model of the exam is almost the same.

Probationary Officers’ Exam

This exam is conducted for the appointment of probationary officers. As the name suggests, the selected candidates will be on probation for two years. Their performance during this training period determines the designation they will receive after training.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification - The candidate should be a degree holder from a recognized university.

Age Limit - The candidate’s age should be between 21 and 28. There are relaxations in this for candidates belonging to SC/ST and OBC.

Number of Attempts- It mostly depends up on the bank which is conducting exam. For example SBI allows only 3 attempts for candidates. Even though there is relaxation provided to candidates belonging to SC/ST, OBC, etc.

Exam Details

The exam has objective type questions on English, quantitative aptitude, reasoning and general awareness. There is also a descriptive paper which has four argumentative questions.

The Central Recruitment Board, State Bank Group conducts this exam in July for the appointment of POs to all branches of the SBI. Banking Service Recruitment Boards conduct this exam for the appointment Probationary Officers in nationalized banks in their respective regions. Private banks also conduct their own exams.

Reserve Bank Officers’ Grade A/B Exam

This examination is conducted by the Reserve Bank of India Services Board. It is held in two phases. First phase Paper 1 (objective type) held in December. Those who are successful in this get calls to the second phase. Second phase paper 2 and paper 3 (descriptive type) is conducted in May.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational qualification - The candidate should have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 60% marks or a master’s degree with a minimum of 55% marks or a doctorate degree with 50% marks in Master’s Degree

Age Limit – It is 21 to 26 years for those applying on the basis of bachelor’s degree and 21 to 28 years those applying on the basis of master’s degree. There are relaxations in this for candidates belonging to SC/ST, etc.

Exam Details

Paper 1 is an objective type exam that deals with English, reasoning, general awareness and quantitative aptitude. Paper 2 is a descriptive paper on English and paper 3 on economic and social problems.

Specialist Officer Entrance Exam

Specialist Officers are those who are experts in a specific area. Depending on their business requirement banks appoint SOs in areas like agriculture, law, credit, systems, CA, etc.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification - The candidate should have a bachelor’s degree in the specific area to which applying with a minimum 60% marks.

Age Limit – The candidate should not be more than 35 years..

Exam Details

The paper will have questions on English, reasoning and quantitative aptitude. There will also be questions on professional knowledge. Out of 200, 90 marks are for the latter.

Career Prospects

In Public sector Banks for the Clerical and Probationary Officer posts graduates from any stream are taken up on the basis of All India Level examination. Professionals are also recruited for these positions like engineers, technologists, lawyers, ex-defense officers through these tests. Private sector banks and Foreign Banks mostly have a preference to take MBAs, Chartered accountants and CFAs for junior positions via Campus recruitment. At higher level candidates should possess specialization in specific areas like project analysis, credit appraisal, management of lone portfolios and foreign exchange. Computer knowledge is a must in all banks.

Academic background, excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills, attentive nature, and basic knowledge of the industry are all qualities that a bank looks in a suitable candidate. All the banks provide fair remuneration to their employees with addition to certain perks. In a Public Sector Banks, the average salary an entry level clerks can expect is around Rs 140000/- p.a. An officer could  receive around Rs 200000/- p.a.