1. Introduction
   • Careers in Banking
   • How to prepare Bank Examination
   • Job Prospects
   • Job Avenues
   • Mode of selection
2. Management Posts
3. Computer Professionals
4. Agricultural Officers
5. Law Officers
6. Banking Courses
   • Specilized course in Banking
7. Reserve Bank Of India
   • Staff Officer Grade 'A' Examination
   • Staff Officer Grade 'B' Examination
8. National Bank For Agriculture and Rural Development(NABARD)
   • Development Officer Grade 'B' Examination
   • Assistant Development Officer Grade 'A' Examination

Introduction
Now-a-days banks are not mere suppliers of money. They have become providers of a wide range of services. Provided the government rectifies its policies, banks can provide a host of services such as selling insurance, mutual funds and investment opportunities, as in other countries. More dramatic are the developments in technology. Today, traditional business models are being challenged. Customers can do all their banking transactions while sitting at home. Banks are introducing Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) cards and, lately, debit cards as well. This promises to change the face of banking forever.

Careers in Banking
Banking has emerged as one of the most challenging sectors in the country. Openings are available at various levels, from Bank Clerical to Probationary Officers (PO). There is great job security and the salary is very good, besides the perquisites of loans for employees. Recruitments in bank are done on the basis of a written test consisting of the following areas:

• Test of Reasoning
• Quantitative Aptitude
• General Awareness
• English Language
• Descriptive Test

The test is qualifying in nature and the marks obtained are not added in the final list. It is held on Sundays. Except for the descriptive portion, all other sections contain objective-type questions. In Reasoning, there are verbal and non-verbal sections. In English, the test is aimed at judging the overall comprehension and understanding of the language. The descriptive paper can be answered in English or Hindi. It judges the written expression of the candidates. All sections must be qualified.

How to Prepare for Bank Examination
Bank exams – both clerical and PO – are taken by lakhs of candidates. There is intense competition as the number of vacancies is small. A high degree of preparation is required in order to get through. To be successful, regular practice in all the five tests is essential.

Job Prospects
As banking is a growing industry, the job prospects are good. In nationalized banks, one can expect regular promotions while in private banks it is performance that is rewarded. Promotions may be swift for deserving candidates. As financial services are getting automated, the industry requires a large number of computer experts, both in computer maintenance and software. Private computer service contractors are also in great demand. It would be important to have a BE or MCA degree for such jobs.

Bank jobs come with responsibility. As the banker handles other people’s money, it is a job that requires trust. The person must also be service-oriented and like to look after customers. This is where private banks score over nationalized banks, but if profitability begins to play a major role in nationalized banks, there is bound to be pressure them as well to keep customers happy. All jobs require hard work.

Job Avenues

Clerical Grade
Eligibility: Any Graduate or 10 + 2 with 50% marks or 50% marks in Diploma in Banking or 60% marks in SSLC or equivalent examination.
Age Limit 28 years
(Age relaxation up to 5 years for SC/ST candidates, 10 years to OPH and 3 years to OBC)
Mode of Selection in Public Sector Bank

1 st Phase:  Competition Examination
Objective type consists of reasoning ability, clerical aptitude, numerical ability and English language. Descriptive type test consists of short essay or exposition of given preposition, situation etc:
2nd Phase: Skill Test
It is for those who qualify the written test.
3rd Phase: Interview

Officer Grade
Eligibility: First Class Graduate in any discipline
Mode of Selection:
Selection is on the basis of an objective and descriptive type written examination in the first phase and followed by group discussions and interviews in the second phase.

Objective type test
It consists of

• Test of Reasoning
• Qualitative Aptitude Test
• General Awareness
• Psychometric Test
• Test of Computer Literacy and English Language

(There will be negative marking for wrong answers)

Descriptive Test
It composed of a short essay, exposition of given preposition, situations etc. The question shall be in English and Hindi.
Successful candidates in the written test have to appear a final interview.

Management Posts

Eligibility: Candidates with 60% or above marks in MBA
Or
Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing, which is approved by AICTE.
Computer Professionals
Eligibility: 60% or above marks in BE or B.Tech in Computer Science, Electronics, Information Technology and Communication Engineering
Or
Post Graduate Diploma with 60% marks in Computer Science
Or
Post Graduate Diploma in Banking Technology
Agricultural Officers

Eligibility: Graduate in Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Science, Diary Science, Agricultural Engineering, Pisciculture and Agricultural Marketing.
(Post Graduates in these areas are given preference)

Law Officers
Eligibility: Graduate in Law
        The University Employment information and Guidance Bureau at Cochin University of Science and Technology has been conducting regular coaching programs for tests conducted by various Banks. The Classes are generally held at the weekends. 25 students are admitted in each Batch. Each Course is of 95 to 100 hours duration.
Banking Courses

Acquiring a University Degree or Diploma in Banking would be an added qualification for those who wish to opt this field.

Specialized Course In Banking
One can also do a specialized course in banking from a number of Universities offering such courses. Among these are:

• University of Madras Centenary Buildings, Chepauk, Chennai – 600005, which offers a Certificate course in Banking
• The Aligarh Muslim University Aligarh – 202 002, offers a 1-year course
• Guru Ghasidas University  P,O. Koni, Bilaspur – 495 009
• Maharishi Dayanand University Rohtak – 124 001    
• Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara – 390 002

Other Universities offering diplomas or certificate courses in different aspects of banking (law, management and administration, masters degree) are:

• Gujarat University Navrangpura, Ahmedabad – 380 003
• Utkal University  P.O. Vani Vihar, Bhubaneshwar – 751 004
• Annamalai University P.O. Annamalai Nagar – 608 002
• Sri Venkateshwara University, Tirupati – 517 502
• SNDT Women’s University, 1, Nathibai Thackeray Road, Mumbai –400020
• University of Rajasthan Jaipur – 302004
• Shivaji University Vidyanagar, Kothapur – 416 004
• Marathwada University, Aurangabad – 431 604
• Bhartidasan University,  Palkalai Perum, Tiruchirapalli – 620 024
• Manipur University Canchipur, Imphal – 795 003

The eligibility criteria are different for different courses and candidates are advised to check these out directly from the universities concerned.
The recruitment procedure of competitive test varies from one type of bank to another.

Reserve Bank of India
Staff Officer Grade ‘A’ Examination

Selection for this class I post is made on all-India basis by Reserve Bank of India services Board, Hong Kong Building, 6th Floor, M.G.Road, P.O. Box – 10009, Hutatma Chow, Mumbai – 400001, set up in July 1968
The Board functions on the lines of UPSC and conducts various examinations for recruitment of officer’s grade. There is reservation of posts for SC/ST categories
Qualifications: Bachelor’/Master’s Degree (50%) or Chartered/Cost Accountant with Bachelor’s Degree or Degree in Management.
Age: 21 – 26 years.
Subjects for Examination: Written test consists of
Paper I: (Objective type) Test of Reasoning, Test of Quantitative Aptitude, Test of English Language, General Awareness.
Paper II: (Descriptive type) English – essay, Precis Writing/Comprehension
Paper III: Economic & Social Problems (Descriptive type) Those who qualify written test are called for interview.
Examination Fee:  SC/ST Nil, Others: Rs.60/-

Staff Officer Grade ‘B’ Examination

Qualification: MA/M.Sc/M.Com (55%), Ph.D/Chartered or cost Accountants with a Bachelor’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree (60%) or Post Graduate Diploma in Management with a Bachelor’s Degree. For SC/ST Candidates: Degree (50%) or Pass class in Post Graduate Examination.
Age: 21-28 years, (Maximum 26 years for degree holders) Relaxable  by 5 years for SC/ST, Ex-servicemen, Relaxable by 3 years for OBC candidates
Subjects for Examination:
Paper I : Objective type : Test of Reasoning; Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness
Paper II: English
Paper III: Economics & Social Problems
Paper II & III are assessed only if Paper I is cleared.
Written test followed by interview.
Pay scale: Rs.4825 to 10350 plus benefits
Examination Fee: SC/ST: Nil, Others: Rs.60/-
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)
(Recruitment Section, Poonam Chambers, Dr.Annie Besant Road, Post Box Number 6552, Worli, Mumbai, 400 018)

Development Officer-Grade ‘B’ Examination
Qualification: Master’s degree in Economic/Agricultural Economics (50%) , Ph.D, desirable.
Age: 24-32 years, Reliable for certain categories as per rules.
Subjects for Examination: Preliminary & Main Examination.
Preliminary Examination: (One objective type paper): General Awareness, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability.
Main Exam: Three Papers’
Paper I: General English & General Awareness
Paper II: Economic and Social Problems.
Paper III: Economics /Agricultural Economics.
Examination Fee: Rs.50/-
Assistant Development Officer-Grade ‘A’ Examination
Qualifications: Degree/Master’s Degree (50%)
Age : 21-26 years. Relaxable for certain categories as per rules.
Subjects for Examination: Preliminary & Main Examination.
Preliminary Examination:  (One Objective type paper) General Awareness, English Language,
Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, Ability
Main Exam: Two Papers
Paper I: General English & General Awareness

Paper II:  Economic and Social Problems.
Examination Fee: Rs.50/