CAIIB Exam Pattern: The CAIIB exam is conducted by the Indian Institute of Banking & Finance (IIBF) twice a year, and the November–December 2025 session will begin on 30th November 2025. Before taking the exam, candidates should understand the complete exam pattern carefully.
The CAIIB exam includes five papers four compulsory and one elective. Each paper has 100 questions, carries 100 marks, and has a time limit of 2 hours. In this blog, we have shared the detailed exam pattern, paper-wise structure, marking scheme, and other important details to help banking professionals prepare well for the CAIIB November 2025 exam.
CAIIB Exam Pattern 2025
The CAIIB exam pattern consists of five papers, out of which four are compulsory and two are elective. Each paper includes 100 objective type multiple choice questions for 100 marks including questions based on case studies/ case lets. The IIBF may however vary the number of questions to be asked for a subject.
| Paper Name | Total Marks | Exam Duration | Passing Marks |
|---|
| Advanced Bank Management (ABM) | 100 | 2 Hours | 50 (or 45 with 50% aggregate) |
| Bank Financial Management (BFM) | 100 | 2 Hours | 50 (or 45 with 50% aggregate) |
| Advanced Business & Financial Management (ABFM) | 100 | 2 Hours | 50 (or 45 with 50% aggregate) |
| Banking Regulations & Business Laws (BRBL) | 100 | 2 Hours | 50 (or 45 with 50% aggregate) |
| Elective Paper (Any One) | 100 | 2 Hours | 50 (or 45 with 50% aggregate) |
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How Many Papers are there in CAIIB 2025?
The CAIIB exam consists of a total of five papers four compulsory papers: ABM, BFM, ABFM, and BRBL along with one elective paper, allowing candidates to choose a subject that aligns with their current role or future career goals. This helps in building deeper expertise in specific areas of banking. Candidates may change their elective paper in future attempts if required. No exemptions are granted based on past qualifications.
| Category | Paper Name |
|---|
| Compulsory Papers | 1. Advanced Bank Management (ABM) |
| 2. Bank Financial Management (BFM) |
| 3. Advanced Business & Financial Management (ABFM) |
| 4. Banking Regulations and Business Laws (BRBL) |
Elective Papers (Choose anyone) | 1. Rural Banking |
| 2. Human Resources Management |
| 3. Information Technology & Digital Banking |
| 4. Risk Management |
| 5. Central Banking |
CAIIB Paper Wise Exam Pattern
The CAIIB 2025 exam has five papers in total. Four are compulsory ABM, BFM, ABFM, and BRBL, and one is an elective chosen by the candidate based on role or interest. Each paper has 100 questions for 100 marks with a 2-hour duration. The exam is held online by IIBF and includes MCQs, case studies, and numerical problems to check both knowledge and practical skills.
| Feature | Details |
|---|
| Total Questions | 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions |
| Total Marks | 100 marks |
| Case-Based Questions | Includes case studies and case lets |
| Numerical Input Questions | Some subjects include numerical questions requiring direct input (no options provided) |
| Exam Mode | Online (Computer-Based Test only) |
| Negative Marking | No negative marking for wrong answers |
| Exam Language | Can be attempted either in Hindi or in English |
CAIIB Marking Scheme
The CAIIB 2025 exam follows a clearly defined marking scheme and a structured credit retention policy to assess candidates' expertise in banking and finance. Understanding these criteria is essential for exam planning and long-term success.
| Component | Details |
|---|
| Question Format | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) |
| Total Questions per Paper | 100 questions |
| Total Marks per Paper | 100 marks |
| Marks per Question | 1 mark |
| Exam Duration | 2 hours (120 minutes) |
| Case-Based & Numerical Input | Some questions may be case-based or require direct numerical input |
| Negative Marking | No negative marking for incorrect answers |
| Minimum Pass Marks | 50 out of 100 OR 45 per paper with 50% aggregate (in one attempt) |
What is CAIIB Negative Marking?
As per the notification released by the IIBF for the upcoming CAIIB exam in the November–December cycle, there is no negative marking for answers marked incorrectly or for those not attempted.
What is meant by CAIIB Credit Limit?
The credit limit system is a helpful opportunity for candidates, as it allows them to reappear only for the papers they haven't cleared. The papers they've already passed don't need to be attempted again, giving them more time and focus for the remaining subjects. This way, candidates can carry forward the credits for their cleared papers until the end of the specified time limit set for completing the entire examination.
- You get 5 attempts or 3 years (from first registration), whichever comes first.
- Passed papers are valid only within this time/attempt limit.
- If you don't clear all papers in time, you must re-register as a fresh candidate.
- After validity ends, previously cleared papers won't count.
- An attempt is counted once you apply, even if you don't appear.
- In 3 years, there are usually 6 exam cycles, and you can choose any 5.
What are the CAIIB Passing Criteria and Classes of Pass?
To successfully clear the CAIIB 2025 exam, candidates must meet the minimum marks requirement set by the IIBF. The minimum qualifying marks for each paper are 50, with an aggregate of 45% in each paper and a total of 50% overall aggregate. The details of the CAIIB passing criteria are as follows:
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|
| Minimum Marks per Subject | 50 out of 100 |
| Alternate Pass Option | At least 45 marks in each subject + 50% aggregate across all subjects in a single attempt |
| Credit Retention | Candidates can retain marks for passed subjects within the exam time limit |
CAIIB Class of Pass Criteria
The details of the class of passing criteria are as follows:
| Class | Eligibility Requirements |
|---|
| First Class | - 60% or more aggregate marks - Pass in all subjects - In the first physical attempt |
| First Class with Distinction | - 70% or more aggregate marks - Minimum 60 marks in each subject - In the first physical attempt |
| Pass Class | - Applicable to all other candidates who pass the exam but do not meet the above class criteria |
Note:
- The first physical attempt means the first actual appearance in any subject of CAIIB. Even if you registered previously but didn't appear, it won't be counted as an attempt for class calculation.
- Candidates who re-enroll after exhausting all allowed attempts under the time-limit rule will only be awarded a Pass Class, regardless of marks scored.
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CAIIB Exam Attempts and Duration
To ensure timely certification and up-to-date knowledge in banking, the Indian Institute of Banking & Finance (IIBF) has set a time-bound attempt rule for the CAIIB 2025 Exam. The details of the number of attempts are as follows:
| Rule | Details |
|---|
| Maximum Attempts Allowed | 5 attempts |
| Time Limit to Complete CAIIB | 3 years from date of first registration |
| Whichever Is Earlier Rule | Candidate must complete within 5 attempts or 3 years, whichever is earlier |
| Consecutive Attempts | Attempts do not need to be consecutive |
| Counted Attempts | Every time a candidate applies for the exam, it counts as an attempt—even if absent |
| After Time Limit/Attempts Exhausted | Must re-enrol as a fresh candidate; no credits from earlier subjects will be carried forward |
| Typical Availability | Usually, 6 exams are held in 3 years; candidate can appear in any 5 of them |
CAIIB 2025 Detailed Topics and Module List
The details of the CAIIB Syllabus are as follows:
| Paper | Subject | Topics |
| Compulsory Papers | Advanced Bank Management (ABM) | Module A: Statistics for Business Decisions Module B: Human Resource Management Module C: Credit Management Module D: Compliance in Banks and Corporate Governance |
| Bank Financial Management (BFM) | Module A: International Banking Module B: Risk Management Module C: Treasury Management Module D: Balance Sheet Management |
| Advanced Business & Financial Management (ABFM) | Module A: Understanding Business Strategy Module B: Strategic Planning Process Module C: Financial Management Module D: Business Valuation |
| Banking Regulations and Business Laws (BRBL) | Module A: Regulations and Compliance Module B: Legal Aspects of Banking Operations Module C: Important Business Laws Related to Banking Module D: Commercial and Other Laws with Reference to Banking |
| Elective Papers | Rural Banking | Module A: Rural India – Structure and Economy Module B: Rural Banking and Financial Institutions Module C: Priority Sector Financing and Government Initiatives Module D: Problems and Prospects in Rural Banking |
| Human Resources Management | Module A: Human Resource Management Module B: Building an HR Strategy Module C: Motivation, Training, and Skill Development Module D: HRM in Banks |
| Information Technology & Digital Banking | Module A: Information Technology in Banking Module B: Digital Banking and Emerging Technologies Module C: Applications in Banking Module D: Security, Risks, and Controls |
| Risk Management | Module A: Risk and Risk Management Framework Module B: Credit Risk Management Module C: Operational Risk Management Module D: Market Risk Management |
| Central Banking | Module A: Rationale and Functions of Central Bank Module B: Monetary Policy and Liquidity Management Module C: Supervision and Financial Stability Module D: Currency Management and Payment Systems |
CAIIB Exam Preparation Tips 2025
Although understanding the CAIIB exam pattern is crucial for efficient preparation and maximizing your score in 2025, there are other things to follow for sure success in CAIIB. Here are the CAIIB Exam preparation tips:
- Understand the CAIIB Syllabus: Focus on all 4 compulsory & 1 elective paper.
- Master Case Studies: Practice numerical & analytical case lets regularly.
- Time Management: Solve mocks with a strict timer.
- Concept Clarity: Strengthen fundamentals in banking, finance & regulations.
- Use Short Notes: Summarize key formulas & concepts for quick revision.
- Mock Tests & PYQs: Attempt previous year papers & full-length mocks.
- Stay Updated: Follow banking news & RBI updates for practical insights.
- Smart Revision: Revise tough topics frequently, focus on weak areas.
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