A bank job is one of the respected and sought out work in India. Earlier this sector was dominated by commerce graduates. A notion is associated with banks jobs that it is apt for students coming from commerce stream. Tough we see students from other streams taking up banking courses and getting jobs yet commerce students lead in this field.
The banking sector has always been a preferred area of job among Indian youth. In recent times there is an immense desire among students to join banking sector post 12th standard. The reasons for the popularity of bank jobs are the security, pension and work culture it offers. The banking sector is vast that creates hundreds of vacancies for various undergraduates and 12th pass students every year.
In this article, one can find details on different courses and eligibility criteria to secure a banking job for students completing 12th standard in commerce stream.
Some of these courses are open to students belonging to the arts and science stream as well such as IBPS and PO.
Benefits of working in a Bank in India
Before we see the course let’s understand the benefits of working in a bank. It can be said without a doubt that a bank job is considered a respectful career choice. A few benefits of working in a bank are as follows:
1. Job Satisfaction – The primary requirement of any career to succeed is work fulfillment. The banking industry is considered as a fulfilling and popular career choice in the public sector. The main job of banks and people working in a bank is to help the public and other business to cultivate a habit of saving.
Additionally, they help the public in making a major decision of their life such as investment plans, retirement, purchasing land, and home, etc. Banks play a vital role in the economy of a country.
2. Work culture – Changes that we see in present days youth lifestyle is majorly affected by work culture. Banks offer a stable and much-relaxed work culture. Banks are usually off on weekends and other major public holidays. Most of the banks do not carry out their operation in the night, which means no night shifts for bank employees. Banks today are expanding their operation to different locations such as inside retail stores and IT companies offering employees a chance to explore and work at alternate timings.
3. Other benefits – Banks offer additional benefits to their employee apart from monthly salary. These benefits vary from a bank to a bank. Some of the common benefits that a bank offers to their employees are medical, dental, insurance, retirement, childcare, etc. Working in a bank opens door to paid leave, free financial advice, and access to other wellness schemes.
What are the opportunities to work in a bank post 12th standard Commerce Student?
Commerce students completing 12th standard can apply for bank jobs in India. But these jobs are limited to the clerical cadre with reasonable pay; further few banks would require the candidates to possess’ minimum computer knowledge in addition to completing 12th standard.
At present there is high competition among students for bank jobs, students from other streams can also apply for clerical post. Clerical post can be a lucrative career choice, as candidates get exposed to different types of work; they would be presented with an opportunity to secure higher positions in the bank with their experience and expertise.
In addition to the clerical post, a student post 12th standard can get a security role, assistant level job, data entry job and accounting related jobs in a bank. But if you are looking for a more challenging and high paid bank job then it is suggested that you enroll for a bachelor degree.
- Read Also: 19 Best Courses After 12th Commerce
What are the different graduate courses for 12th pass students to get bank jobs?
Banking sector offers some of the highest paid jobs in India. Probationary officer and other specialist officer are most desired bank jobs. To be able to apply for either of these roles, a person must have completed a bachelor degree in any stream. Hence, the courses a 12th commerce student can choose for banking jobs are mentioned below.
- B.Com
- Bachelors in Economics
- Bachelor in accountancy and Finance
- Chartered accountancy
- CMA
List of Banking Courses After 12th Commerce for a Bank Job
| Course Name | Course Duration | Eligibility | Course Type |
| Bachelor of Commerce | 3 years | 12th Pass | Undergraduate |
| Bachelor of Economics | 3 years | 12th Pass | Undergraduate |
| Bachelor of Finance and Accounting | 3 years | 12th Pass | Undergraduate |
| Chartered Accountancy | 4.5 Years | 12th Pass | Undergraduate |
| Certified Management Accounting | 3 to 4 Years | 12th Pass | Undergraduate |
Below are the details and eligibility requirement for above mentioned courses
1. B.COM
It stands for bachelor in commerce, various college offer this course. It is a basic course that most 12th commerce stream students prefer for future bank jobs.
Course details:
B.com is a three-year-long course that is offered by all major and minor colleges. The admission for B.com is based on the marks scored in 12th standard. Universities at the time of application announce the cut –off the percentage that the students need to clear for getting admitted to B.com.
Eligibility
Commonly there is no entrance exam for getting admitted to B.com. But some private universities can conduct entrance exam to test the aptitudes and knowledge of the students applying for the course. Any 12th pass student with an aggregate of 45 – 50 percent can apply for the course.
2. Bachelor of Economics
As pointed earlier banking industry plays a vital role in the economy of the country. Bachelor in economics is one of the ideally undergraduate courses for students planning to work in a bank.
Course details
Bachelor in Economics is a three-year-long course divided into six semesters. Some universities may conduct yearly exams rather than a semester system. The aim focus of this course is to train the students to analyze different areas or subject relating to the economy.
Eligibility
Again here the eligibility criteria for a student to apply for the course vary from college to college. However, the students that have completed 12th standard in commerce or another stream with an aggregate of 50 – 55 percent are eligible for the course.
3. Bachelor of Finance and Accounting
The terms finance and accounting are closely related to the banking sector. B.com in accounting and finance is an ideal course for students aspiring to work in a bank.
Course details
Bachelors in accounting and finance are a three-year full-time undergraduate study that aims to train the candidates in terms and concepts relating to finance.
The students on completion of this course are in a better position to apply their acquired skills such as problem solving and analytics in their work. A graduate of finance and accounting can prepare and present a comprehensive financial accounting report. This report is essential to understand the role, efficiency, and position of any entity including banks.
Eligibility
For students to apply for this course must have completed 12th student or equivalent education in commerce stream. The area of studies must include accounts, math, and economics. The aggregate percent required by the students to apply for the course in 50 to 55 percent.
4. Chartered Accountancy
Chartered accountancy also popularly known as CA is a professional course that commerce students can enroll post 12th completion. CA is widely hired by banks for auditing and other accounting related activities. CA is one of the high paid salary jobs in a bank.
Course details
Institute of Chartered Accountancy of India is the primary authority for conducting exams and awarding CA completion certificates. CA includes three different exams namely, CPT, IPCC, and final exam. Additionally, the students studying CA must undergo article ship or training with a practicing CA professional for three long years and complete 100 hours of IT training to be able to practice.
Eligibility
On successful completion of 12th standard, the candidate can enroll for CA and must appear for CPT exam. Only those students clearing CPT exam can proceed to IPCC exam, the next stage in CA. Also before appearing for IPCC the candidate must have completed under graduation in commerce or any other stream with an aggregate of 55 – 60 percent. The final exam will be given to the candidates clearing both CPT and IPCC exam with prescribed training.
e. CMA
CMA stands for the certified management accountant. CMA is a wise career job if you are planning to work in any management accounting field including banks. CMA’s are also hired by banks for auditing and accounting work.
Course details
CMA will be conducted in three parts covering various accounting related topics. It must be cleared within three years of registration.
Eligibility
The candidate can enroll in a CMA course on completion of 12th standard. The 12th pass students are eligible for appearing for CMA foundation exam, which is followed by inter and final exam. Undergraduates in any stream apart from fine arts can skip CMA foundation and directly take up CMA inter examination.
Competitive exams for securing a job in the banking industry
In addition to the above-mentioned course, a student post 12th standard can also start their career in the banking sector by taking up competitive exams like IBPS and PO. IBPS conducts the examination on behalf of nationalized banks to select eligible and component candidates for several specialists and PO officer post.
State bank of India, reserve bank of India and other regional banks also conduct exams for various posts in the banking sector. These banks lay down clear and strict eligibility criteria along with their notification for applying to the post.
What is the qualification for IBPS examination?
The candidates applying for IBPS post much fulfill the following eligibility criteria
- The candidates appearing for IBPS exam must have completed 20 years of age and any candidate that cross 30 years are not eligible to appear for the exam. The age of the candidate is one of the important criteria that banks consider for selection. IBPS does offer age relaxation for candidates belonging to categories like SC, ST, OBC, Ex-servicemen, disability, etc.
- Nationality is also a requirement that the candidates have to fulfill to be able to appear for the exam. A citizen of India, Nepal, Bhutan, a Tibetan refugee can apply for the exam.
- Finally, the candidates can apply for the exam on completion of under graduation in any stream from a recognized university with good knowledge of computer and official language of the state.
The candidates can appear for the IBPS exam as many times as he or she wants until they reach the prescribed age limit. A person successfully passing the IBPS exam with is allotted post in banking sector based on merit alone.
IBPS exam is conducted in two parts namely, prelims and mains exam. Both the exams have to the cleared before the candidate is qualified to attend an interview. The exam fee for IBPS is 600 for General category and rupees 200 for all other category students.
Scope in the banking sector
The scope in the banking sector is pretty wide, bank jobs provide opportunities to their respective employees to work in various places from developed cities to remote corners. Bank jobs are secure, as most banks believe in no fire policy.
Bank jobs are very challenging that demands multiple skills from their workforce. Bank jobs bring the best in a person by motivating them to develop their overall personality. The diversified banking sector has something to offer that is apt for the candidates with keen interest and right attitude.
The banking industry is the backbone of the country’s finance and economy. The scope of working in a bank creates opportunities for the employees to contribute towards the growth and development of the country’s economy.
Banking Courses Frequently Asked Questions
- Is it possible to attend a bank test just after passing the 12th?
No, as far as we know, it is no possible to attend or apply for a bank test without at least graduating a course. There are job titles in a bank that requires only 12th completed candidates the job title and the pay would be very low. While the course could be anything, the candidate should at least have a degree to get a decent job title and pay in a private or government bank.
- Only students who have completed the courses listed above could apply for bank jobs?
Any candidate who has just passed 12th could apply for bank jobs, however, for a candidate with just the educational qualification 12th pass, the job opportunities are limited, the job title could be the lowest and the pay will be the lowest. On the other hand, if the candidate is a graduate in any course, the job opportunities are diverse and the pay is very good. Now to answer your question, any graduate could apply for a bank job, it could be any course and not just limited to the ones listed here. Even engineering graduates apply for the bank test and get employed.
- Any degree graduate could apply for bank jobs, even engineering graduates could apply, then what makes the courses listed here different?
Yes, this is a question worth explaining. Any graduates could indeed apply for a bank job, write a test, pass the interview, and get employed in a bank. However, different courses offer a different level of knowledge. An engineering student or paramedical student will tend to have very little knowledge of the banking system and process. This, in turn, makes the bank test preparation and employment comparatively difficult. However, all the courses we have listed here are in some way related to banking. Therefore, the bank test preparation would be easier and the job itself becomes comparatively simpler.
- Chartered accountant and CMA course are the same? Are they easy to study and pass?
No, Chartered Accountant and CMA courses are different. When it comes to the job, graduates of CA or CMA does the same thing. However, CA is comparatively more complex and it is considered one of the toughest courses. On the other hand, CMA is comparatively easier than CA. Now, the answer to your question, CA and CMA course is not that easy to study and pass, among them, CA is considered harder to pass. There are several steps involved to become a CA license holder. To be frank, pursue CA or CMA course only if you are really interested in the course. If you are not interested the course could be very difficult, remember, CA is different from almost all the other courses. There is no shortcut to getting a CA license.
- Getting employed in the banking sector is good?
Yes, of course, banking jobs are comparatively better paying and stable than other jobs. Most of the banks in India are nationalized and therefore, the jobs in such banks are stable. There are other benefits in getting employed in the banking sector.
Conclusion
Banks are the oldest financial institution that has been carrying out various activities from ages like receiving deposits and lending money. The demand for bank jobs and their scope has increased post-liberation of the Indian economy in the year 1991.
The number of opportunities that a banking industry offer to students post 12th standard is vast. By joining the right course and with genuine interest one can secure a bank job in India. Bank jobs are always in trend, the banks look for candidates that are self-motivated and open to challenge. Working in a banking sector is a respected career choice, today nature and work structure of the bank is organized, professional and customer-oriented.
With the above-mentioned course find the right one that helps you stay motivated and succeed in your career as a banker. Banks offer some of the highest paid jobs in the country, and at the same time provide opportunities to travel and explore different places in India.
Rahul Kumar is a passionate educator, writer, and subject matter expert in the field of education and professional development. As an author on CoursesXpert, Rahul Kumar’s articles cover a wide range of topics, from various courses, educational and career guidance.
