The All India Bank Employees’ Association (AIBEA) has suggested important changes in the recruitment process for Bank Clerks/Customer Service Assistants (CSAs) from this year. The changes are related to the sequence of recruitment and the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT). The main issue is that selected candidates are not joining Banks.
Recruitment Demand by Public Sector Banks Increase
In 2026-27, Banks have released maximum vacancies of 15,736. In 2023-24, Banks released only 6035 vacancies.
| Recruitment Year | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 6,035 |
| 2024-25 | 8,704 |
| 2025-26 | 11,830 |
| 2026-27 | 15,736 |
AIBEA said that although the number of vacancies has increased, it is still not enough to meet the staffing requirements of banks. Selected candidates are not joining Banks and this is leading to severe staff shortage in Banks.
According to AIBEA, one main reason is the current recruitment sequence. After discussing the issue with the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA) and the Government, it was agreed that the recruitment process should be modified.
Recruitment Sequence to Change from This Year
AIBEA said that the revised recruitment sequence will be implemented from this year’s recruitment process, which is meant for appointments in 2027-28.
The new changes are:
- IBPS has been advised to modify the sequence of recruitment for Officers and Customer Service Assistants (CSAs). First Officers should be recruited and then CSAs. Right now, candidates getting selected in both exams join as officer and clerk vacancy remains unfilled.
- The revised sequence was approved last year, but it could not be implemented because the IBPS recruitment calendar is prepared on a yearly basis.
- Last year’s recruitment results were therefore not based on the revised sequence.
- The impact of the new sequence will be seen in this year’s recruitment results.
LLPT to Be Conducted Through a New System
AIBEA suggested to revamp Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT). At present, after IBPS allots candidates to banks, each bank conducts the LLPT separately. Candidates who fail the test are not appointed, resulting in fewer final appointments.
To solve this issue, AIBEA had suggested to the Government, IBPS and IBA that the LLPT should be conducted before candidates are allotted to banks.
New changes in LLPT:
- The LLPT is proposed to be conducted by an independent agency with the assistance of IBPS.
- The new system is expected to come into effect from this year.
- This will remove the need for individual banks to conduct the LLPT at their own level.
AIBEA further said that after one or two years of implementing the new system, the LLPT may become part of the application stage itself. Under the proposed system:
- Candidates will have to complete the LLPT before applying for recruitment.
- During the application process, candidates will have to submit either:
- Class 10 mark sheet showing the local language, or
- LLPT Certificate.
The association said that the Government is currently processing this proposal.
