The Banking Industry is recruiting in a big way. In the next few years, banks will have to recruit lakhs of candidates. IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection) conducts series of CWEs in a year - once for each of PO (General Banking Officer - GBO), Clerical (Single Window Operator - SWO), Specialist Officers for recruitment into the Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks to cater to the need of the industry and also to the needs of job aspirants. This means that aspirants are clear about when they should apply, and can plan their preparation in an organised and effective manner.

The first ever CWE for PO/MT was held in September 2011, for Clerks it was held in November 2011, for Specialist Officers it was conducted in March 2011 and for RRBs in September 2012.

Participating Banks:

Except for SBI, almost all the major Public Sector Banks are participating in the CWE. The 11 banks which are participating in the CWE are 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.

Cutoff Score:

Each candidate will be required to obtain a minimum score in each section. There will be a second level cutoff point on total as per requirement. Depending on the number of vacancies available, cutoffs will be decided and candidates will be shortlisted for interview (For PO). Prior to the completion of the interview process, scores obtained in the online examination will not be shared with the candidates shortlisted for interview. There are no interviews for Clerks. Final selection for Clerks is based on the marks obtained in Main Examination

Marks obtained only in the Main examination will be considered for short listing for interview (for PO) and also for Final merit listing.

Common Interviews for Bank Jobs: 

To put a check on multiple selections, IBPS has introduced a system of common interview.

a. Candidates who qualify in the CWE will be called for a Common Interview to be co-ordinated by IBPS
b. Order of preference for Banks will be obtained from candidates at the time of applying for the CWE
c. Candidates, successful in qualifying in both the CWE and Common Interview will be listed in the order of merit.
d. Based on the total marks (CWE + CI) as well as the indication of order of preference of Banks and available vacancies, candidate will receive through a computerised system an offer from one of the Participating Public Sector Banks.

Vacancies remaining unfilled on account of candidates declining offer, will be filled from among the remaining candidates, through subsequent iterations.