IBPS CRP CSA-XV (Customer Service Associate) — Complete Guide & How to Apply

Important dates (tentative)

The notification provides a tentative schedule — confirm on the apply page before acting.

(All dates above taken from the IBPS detailed notification — verify on the official apply page).

Who can apply? — Eligibility at a glance

Key eligibility items you must check before applying. (All eligibility rules, relaxations and exact definitions are as per the notification).

Nationality / Citizenship

• Citizen of India OR subject of Nepal / Bhutan OR Tibetan refugee who came over before 01-01-1962 OR person of Indian origin from specified countries with relevant certificate of eligibility.

Age (as on 01-08-2025)

• Minimum: 20 years. Maximum: 28 years.
• Born between 02-08-1997 and 01-08-2005 (both dates inclusive).
• Relaxations: SC/ST (5 yrs), OBC-NCL (3 yrs), PwBD (10 yrs), Ex-Servicemen (service period + 3 yrs, etc.), widows/divorced women (up to 35/38/40 as per category) — see notification for cumulative rules.

Educational qualification (as on 21-08-2025)

• A degree (graduation) in any discipline from a University recognized by the Govt. of India OR equivalent qualification recognized by Central Government.
• Must possess valid mark-sheet/degree certificate on the day of registration; indicate percentage in online form.
• Computer literacy required — certificate/diploma OR having studied Computer/IT as a subject.

Credit history

• Candidates must maintain a healthy credit history at time of joining; allotting bank decides minimum credit score and final discretion rests with the bank. This is not a precondition to apply but is required at joining.

Exam pattern & structure (Preliminary & Main)

Both exams are objective (multiple choice). Marks of the Main exam alone are used for final merit and provisional allotment. Details below are extracted from the notification.

Preliminary Examination (Online — objective)

Main Examination (Online — objective)

Negative marking

For each wrong answer, 0.25 (one-fourth) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted. No penalty for unattempted questions.

Normalization & cut-offs

If exams are held in multiple sessions, scores will be normalized using the equi-percentile method; cutoffs are decided by IBPS and will be applied per-test for the Main exam. Marks in the Main exam alone will be used for final merit.

Application fees & payment

• SC/ST/PwBD/ESM/DESM: ₹175 (inclusive of GST)
• All others: ₹850 (inclusive of GST)
• Payment mode: Online only (card/netbanking/UPI). Bank transaction charges borne by the candidate.

How to apply — step by step (high level)

1. Open the official IBPS CRP CSA page or the apply portal: https://ibpsreg.ibps.in/crpcsaxvjl25/.
2. Click “CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE FOR CRP-Customer Service Associates (CRP-CSA-XV)” and then “CLICK HERE FOR NEW REGISTRATION”. Save the provisional registration number & password sent via SMS/email.
3. Fill all personal, educational and category details carefully. Use SAVE AND NEXT for partial saves — final submit is via COMPLETE REGISTRATION. No change is allowed after final submission except through the edit window (if and when notified).
4. Upload required documents (photograph, signature, left thumb impression, handwritten declaration, SSC/SSLC certificate for local language proof if applicable, and scribe certificate if applicable) as per Annexure IV guidelines.
5. Pay the application fees online and keep receipt / transaction details safe.
6. Download & print final application form and keep multiple passport photos ready (the call letter also requires pasted photo).

Documents checklist (to upload / carry)

Documents must be produced in original at joining/document verification stage. Upload versions must meet Annexure IV scan specs.

• Graduation mark-sheet / degree certificate (final result declared on or before 21-08-2025).
• SSLC / 10th certificate (proof of local language studied) — if you want LLPT exemption.
• Valid photo ID (Aadhaar/E-Aadhaar, Passport, Driving License, Voter ID, PAN, etc.) — exact name must match application.
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL) in prescribed format (OBC must have non-creamy layer clause and be recent as per notification rules).
• EWS Income & Asset Certificate (if claiming EWS reservation).
• PwBD disability certificate / scribe certificates (if applicable) per prescribed proformas/appendices.
• Ex-Servicemen: Proforma A/B/C/D as applicable, release letter or discharge certificate, PPO, etc.
• Others: No Objection Certificate (NOC) if currently in Govt/PSU employment, photocopies, passport photos (as specified), and the final printed application form.

PwBD candidates & scribe rules — summary

IBPS follows Government of India OM and RPwD guidelines. Important highlights:

• Only persons with benchmark disability (≥40%) are eligible for reservation under PwBD categories; PwBD candidates must submit disability certificate from competent authority.
• Scribe is allowed under specific rules — candidate must indicate scribe requirement in online form and upload certificate where mandated; scribe qualification should be one step below the candidate. Registered compensatory time (20 minutes per hour) is system based and will be given only to those who registered for it.
• Visually impaired candidates may opt for magnified font and get compensatory time. Candidates with locomotor disability, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability or specified writing difficulties have provisions for compensatory time/scribe as per the notification.
• Any misuse, impersonation or mismatched scribe conduct can lead to cancellation and debarment.

Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)

Candidates must be proficient in the specified local language of the State/UT they apply for (read, write, speak, understand). If you have 10th standard or above certificate showing you studied the local language, you will be exempted from LLPT. The LLPT is qualifying in nature and will be conducted after the Main exam / provisional allotment but before joining the allotted bank. Failing LLPT disqualifies appointment.

Selection, provisional allotment & joining

Marks of the Online Main Examination alone will be considered for final merit and provisional allotment. Provisional allotment is merit-cum-preference based and is subject to actual vacancies reported by participating banks. All allotments are provisional — the allotted bank performs verification and issues appointment/offer letter. Keep originals ready for document verification.

The validity of CRP CSA-XV will expire one year after the date of provisional allotment or until a fresh provisional allotment is made — whichever is earlier.

Call letter, biometric & exam day instructions

• Download call letter from IBPS website using registration no. & password (no hard copy will be sent). Photocopy of ID + call letter must be carried and will be authenticated/stamped at the venue.
• Biometric (thumb impression) & photograph may be captured at different stages. Refusal may lead to cancellation. Finger cleanliness and dry condition are necessary for capture.
• Bring an extra passport photo (same as uploaded) and keep several spares for later stages. Rough sheets provided must be returned after the test.

Preparation tips (focused + practical)

• Prelim focus: speed and accuracy in English, Reasoning and Numerical Ability — solve timed sectional mocks (60 minutes total; each section separately timed).
• Main focus: General/Financial Awareness (read RBI/Banking news, budget highlights, current banking terms), Reasoning, Quant and English comprehension. Build bank-related GK notes.
• Practice negative marking — accuracy beats blind attempts. Use sectional cutoffs strategy: aim for safely above typical cutoffs in each section.
• Simulate test conditions with full 120-minute mock for the Main; practice time allocation per section and question triage (attempt easier first).
• Carry printed copies of application & ID details and maintain a checklist for documents to avoid last-minute rejections.

Short FAQs

Q: Can I apply for more than one State/UT?

A: No — apply for vacancies in only one State/UT. The option of state for provisional allotment is irrevocable.

Q: Are Pre-Examination Training (PET) seats guaranteed?

A: PET may be arranged for limited candidates from reserved groups — attending PET does not guarantee selection.

Q: Will IBPS conduct Aadhaar verification?

A: Yes. IBPS/Participating Banks may conduct online Aadhaar verification of the candidate/scribe at various stages. Candidates are advised to have valid Aadhaar.

Q: Are the vacancy numbers final?

A: Vacancies in the notification are indicative — provisional allotment will be driven by actual vacancies reported by banks.

Useful links

• Apply for CRP CSA-XV (apply portal).
• Full notification (PDF).
• IBPS official site: www.ibps.in (announcements & updates).