IIBF DRA Exam: Eligibility, Training Requirements, Registration Process, Syllabus, Exam Pattern,Books Career Opportunities & Preparation Guide

The IIBF Debt Recovery Agent (DRA) Exam is one of the most important certifications for individuals who wish to build a career in the banking and financial recovery sector. Conducted by the Indian Institute of Banking & Finance (IIBF), this exam is mandatory for aspirants who want to work as certified Debt Recovery Agents in banks, NBFCs, and financial institutions across India. With rising loan disbursements and an increasing need for skilled professionals in recovery management, the DRA certification opens the door to a rewarding and stable profession.In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about the IIBF DRA Exam — including eligibility criteria, training requirements, registration process, syllabus, exam pattern, recommended books, preparation tips, and career opportunities. Whether you are a beginner planning to enter the finance industry or a professional looking to enhance your credentials, this comprehensive guide will help you understand the exam process and prepare effectively for success.

To appear for the IIBF Debt Recovery Agent (DRA) Exam, candidates must fulfill the basic eligibility conditions defined by the Indian Institute of Banking & Finance. These criteria ensure that applicants possess the minimum educational capability and maturity required to handle recovery-related responsibilities efficiently.

Educational Qualification

• The candidate must have passed at least 10th standard (Matriculation) or equivalent from a recognized educational board.
• Higher qualifications, such as 12th pass, graduation, or diploma are acceptable and can be beneficial for better job roles in recovery operations.

2. Age Requirement

• The minimum age to apply is 18 years.
• There is no upper age limit, making this certification suitable for both freshers and individuals seeking career shifts or job enhancement.

3. Mandatory Training Requirement

Join an accredited training Institute and undergo 100 hours of training for undergraduates and
50 hours of training for graduates.

Training Requirements

It has been decided that DRA training for the collection/ recovery agent/ personnel employed by
DSA/ DMA/ DRA or a debt collection agency, whatever name called can be offered by.
a) Training institutions accredited by IIBF (list is available on www.iibf.org.in)
b) Training establishments of bank/ NBFCs that have been notified by IIBF.
c) Training department of banks/ NBFCs who have indicated to IIBF to undertake such
training for their bank/ NBFCs
The training will primarily focus on skill development and improvement of functional competency
of collection agents/ DRAs and the duration of 100/ 50 hours will be distributed in the following
ratio

TESTING BY IIBF

Once the DRA training is completed, the candidates need to apply for the examination to be
conducted by IIBF. This test will be an objective type and conducted online once in a month or
greater frequency as may be decided from time to time. On successful pass of the test/Upon
examination the candidate will be given a pass certificate.

Exemption:

Retired Bank Officers (age 60 years and above) with wide experience in Recovery
may be exempted by the banks concerned from the training/ certification for appointment by
them at their discretion.

PASSING CRITERIA:

Minimum marks for passing the subject is 50 out of 100.

TIME LIMIT FOR PASSING THE EXAMINATION:

(i) Candidates will be required to pass the examination in THREE ATTEMPTS within a period
of NINE MONTHS from the date of completion of Training.
(ii) Candidates not able to pass the examination within the stipulated time as stated above are
required to re-enroll themselves for the DRA training. After completing the training, they
can enroll afresh for the examination

EXAMINATION FEES: IIBF DRA

Particulars	Examination Fees
First attempt	Rs. 1,200/- *
Subsequent each attempt	Rs. 1,200/- *

Medium of Examination

The IIBF DRA examination is conducted in multiple languages to ensure convenience for candidates across India. The available mediums include:

• English
• Hindi
• Marathi
• Malayalam
• Gujarati
• Kannada
• Oriya
• Bengali
• Tamil
• Telugu
• Assamese

This wide language availability allows candidates to appear in the exam in the language they are most comfortable with.

Pattern of Examination

The structure of the IIBF DRA Exam is as follows:

1. The question paper consists of 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions, carrying a total of 100 marks.
2. The exam is conducted only in online mode at designated centers.
3. There is no negative marking, so candidates can attempt all questions without fear of losing marks.

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Duration of Examination

• The total duration of the exam is 2 hours, allowing sufficient time to read, analyze, and answer all questions comfortably.

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Periodicity & Examination Centres

a) The online examination is conducted on pre-announced dates, which are published on the official IIBF portal.
b) The list of examination centers is also made available on the website.

Exams are conducted in those centers where a minimum of 20 or more candidates have registered.

IIBF DRA Exam Dates Through The Years

The Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (IIBF) generally conducts the Debt Recovery Agent (DRA) exam multiple times a year, often on a monthly basis. The exact dates are pre-announced and published on the official IIBF website. The exam dates are usually released in quarterly schedules (e.g., April-June, July-September, October-December)

IIBF DRA Latest Syllabus

Module A-Basics of Banking
Features of Banking, Indian Financial System, Structure of Indian Banking System, Functions
of Banks, Recent Trends, Various Customer Types, Banker-Customer relationship, Duties
and Rights of bankers, Various deposit schemes and other services, procedure of account
opening and KYC guidelines, Prevention of money laundering, Negotiable Instruments Act,
1881 and provision for payment and collection of cheques.
Module B- Brief Outline of Various Products and Legal Aspects of Recovery
Debit and Credit Cards-types and features, principles of lending, credit score, types of loans
and advances, priority sector advances, MUDRA scheme, CGTMSE, Securities- types and
characteristics, creation of charge, loan documentation, types of loan documents, NPAdefinition and income recognition and asset classification, legal aspects of loan recovery,
SARFAESI Act, Recovery through Lok Adalat, Filing of Suits, DRT, Insolvency and
Bankruptcy Code, 2016
Module C-Role in Loan Recovery and Soft Skills
Collection operations, Customer meeting etiquettes, anger management, DRA-legal and
regulatory framework, roles and responsibilities of Debt Recovery Agents, rights of the loan
defaulter, Integrated Banking Ombudsman Scheme, Debt Recovery Policy, Debt Recovery
Procedure, Code of Conduct for DRAs, Soft Skills for recovery, Emotional Intelligence,
Strategy for recovery, Credit counselling, rights and duties of recovery agents, Fair Practices
code for lenders
Module D-Additional Reading on NBFCs
NBFCs-types and framework, loan types offered by NBFCs, Fair Practices Code for NBFCs

Books for IIBF DRA

Career Opportunities After IIBF DRA Certification

Clearing the IIBF DRA Exam opens multiple career paths in the financial, lending and recovery sector. Certified Debt Recovery Agents are in high demand as banks and NBFCs require trained professionals to manage overdue accounts legally and ethically.

Where Can You Work?

Certified candidates can seek employment in:

• Public sector banks
• Private commercial banks
• Regional rural banks
• Cooperative banks
• Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs)
• Microfinance and loan recovery firms
• Credit and collection agencies
• Asset reconstruction companies

Available Job Roles

Job Role	Description
Debt Recovery Agent	Field and tele-based debt collection assigned by banks or NBFCs
Collection Executive	Follow up on overdue accounts and track repayment
Field Recovery Officer	Visit borrowers, negotiate settlements and maintain recovery records
Loan Settlement Officer	Handle restructuring or settlement of loans
Recovery Supervisor/Manager*	Manage team operations, targets and escalations (with experience)
Independent Recovery Consultant	Work independently or open your own collection agency

With experience, candidates can grow into leadership roles like Team Leader, Recovery Manager or Agency Owner, which bring better pay and responsibility.

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Preparation Guide for IIBF DRA Exam

To pass the exam in the first attempt, candidates must follow a structured and smart study plan. Since the exam includes banking, legal rules, ethics and communication skills, conceptual understanding is more important than memorization.

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How to Prepare Effectively

1. Start with the Official IIBF Study Material
   It covers the complete syllabus, legal rules, collection ethics and case studies.
2. Make Notes for Quick Revision
   Highlight key acts like SARFAESI, DRT process, Lok Adalat roles and RBI guidelines.
3. Practice MCQs & Model Tests
   Mock tests help improve speed, accuracy, and confidence.
4. Develop Communication Skills
   Practice soft skills, negotiation and borrower interaction methods.
5. Understand Recovery Ethics
   Focus on respectful conduct and legal boundaries to avoid violation.
6. Revise Regularly
   Short daily revision is more effective than last-minute study.

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Smart Study Strategy

• Study 2–3 hours daily
• Solve practice questions after each topic
• Revise laws, ethics and banking fundamentals
• Attempt 100% questions—no negative marking helps maximize score
• Learn practical recovery cases for real-time understanding

Following these steps can significantly increase your chances of clearing the exam confidently.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – IIBF DRA Exam

1. What is the IIBF DRA Exam?

The IIBF DRA Exam is a certification test conducted by the Indian Institute of Banking & Finance for individuals who want to work as certified Debt Recovery Agents for banks, NBFCs, and financial institutions.

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2. What is the minimum qualification required for the DRA exam?

The minimum educational qualification required is 10th standard pass from a recognized board.

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3. What is the minimum age limit to apply?

The candidate must be at least 18 years old to be eligible for the exam.

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4. Is there any training required before the examination?

Yes, candidates must complete 100 hours of mandatory training from an IIBF-approved institute before appearing for the test.

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5. In how many languages is the exam conducted?

The exam is available in multiple languages, including English, Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Kannada, Oriya, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, and Assamese.

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6. What is the format of the exam?

The exam consists of 100 objective type multiple-choice questions, carrying a total of 100 marks. It is conducted online only and there is no negative marking.

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7. What is the duration of the exam?

Candidates are given 2 hours to complete the examination.

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8. How many attempts can I take?

There is no limit on the number of attempts. You may appear again by paying the exam fee each time.

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9. What is the examination fee for the DRA Exam?

Attempt	Fee
First Attempt	Rs. 1,200/- *
Subsequent Attempts	Rs. 1,200/- *

*Taxes may apply.

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10. What is the syllabus for the IIBF DRA Exam?

The syllabus covers banking basics, debt recovery process, communication skills, legal framework (SARFAESI, DRT, DRAT), ethical guidelines, and case studies.

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11. What are the job opportunities after passing the DRA exam?

Certified DRAs can work in banks, NBFCs, microfinance companies, recovery agencies, or even start their own recovery consultancy with experience.

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12. How should I prepare for the DRA exam?

Use the IIBF study material, practice MCQs, revise legal acts, improve communication skills, and solve mock tests to increase accuracy and scoring ability.