IBPS SO 2026 Exam Date Out, Check Notification, Apply Online Form
What's New in IBPS SO?
- February 18, 2026: IBPS SO Provisional Allotment 2025 released on February 18, 2026. Candidates can check the reserve list, allotment status, download PDF, and verify allotted bank details for CRP SPL recruitment. Download PDF
- January 17, 2026: IBPS has released IBPS Exam Calendar 2026 on its official website. IBPS SO Prelims exam is scheduled for August 29, 2026, and the Mains exam is scheduled for November 1, 2026. Check Details
- January 16, 2026: IBPS has released IBPS SO Final Cutoff 2025 on its official website on January 15, 2026. The cutoff marks reflect candidates’ combined performance in the Mains exam and Interview and determine final selection for Specialist Officer posts. Check Details
IBPS SO 2026 notification is expected to be released in June 2026 by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection for the recruitment of Specialist Officers in participating public sector banks. The online application process is likely to begin shortly after the official release on the IBPS website. Candidates aspiring for posts like IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR, Law, and Marketing Officer should start their preparation early. IBPS SO Prelims exam 2026 is scheduled to be conducted on August 29, 2026, and the Mains exam will be conducted on November 1, 2026.
IBPS SO Recruitment 2026 Highlights
Here’s a quick overview of the recruitment process:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | IBPS SO 2026 (CRP SPL-XVI) |
| Conducting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Posts Available | IT Officer, Agricultural Officer, Law Officer, etc. |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Stages of the Exam | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| Job Location | All over India |
| Official Website | ibps.in |
IBPS SO Exam Dates 2026
Candidates can check the table below for IBPS SO 2026 Exam Dates and other important dates:
| Activity | Dates (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| IBPS SO 2026 Notification Release Date | June 2026 |
| IBPS SO 2026 Online Registration Starts | June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply for IBPS SO 2026 | July 2026 |
| Last Date for fee payment of IBPS SO 2026 | July 2026 |
| IBPS SO 2026 Correction Window | July 2026 |
| IBPS SO 2026 Prelims Call Letter Download | August 2026 |
| IBPS SO 2026 Prelims Exam Date | August 29, 2026 |
| IBPS SO 2026 Prelims Exam Result | September 2026 |
| IBPS SO 2026 Prelims Score Card | September 2026 |
| IBPS SO 2026 Mains Call Letter Download | October 2026 |
| IBPS SO 2026 Mains Exam Date | November 1, 2026 |
| IBPS SO 2026 Mains Exam Result | November 2026 |
| IBPS SO 2026 Mains Exam Score Card | December 2026 |
| IBPS SO 2026 Interview Call Letter Download | December 2026 |
| IBPS SO 2026 Interview Dates | December 2026 |
| IBPS SO 2026 Final Result | January 2027 |
IBPS SO 2026 Notification
Institute of Banking Personnel Selection is expected to release IBPS SO 2026 notification for the recruitment of Specialist Officers in participating public sector banks in June 2026. The notification will contain complete details regarding eligibility criteria, exam pattern, number of vacancies, reservation policy, and the online application process. Candidates can check below for IBPS SO notification 2025 for reference:
IBPS SO Vacancy 2026
Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) will soon release post-wise indicative vacancies for the IBPS Specialist Officer (SO) Recruitment 2026, which will be used to fill positions for the financial year 2026–27. These vacancies are provisional and have been shared by participating Public Sector Banks based on their projected manpower requirements.
Below is a table of the post-wise IBPS SO 2025 vacancies:
| Post Name | Total Vacancies (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| IT Officer (Scale I) | 203 |
| Agricultural Field Officer (Scale I) | 310 |
| Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I) | 78 |
| Law Officer (Scale I) | 56 |
| HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I) | 10 |
| Marketing Officer (Scale I) | 350 |
| Total | 1007 |
These vacancies are distributed across multiple Public Sector Banks such as Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Punjab National Bank, Union Bank of India, and others.
IBPS SO 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To apply for the IBPS Specialist Officer (SO) 2026 recruitment, candidates must meet the required eligibility conditions in terms of nationality, age limit, and educational qualifications as on the date specified in the official notification. IBPS SO Eligibility 2026 is given below:
IBPS SO 2026 Nationality / Citizenship
A candidate must be either:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of settling permanently, or
- A person of Indian origin who migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries, etc., with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Note: Candidates who do not have Indian citizenship must have a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
IBPS SO 2026 Age Limit (as on 01 July 2026)
- Minimum Age: 20 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
Candidates must have been born between 02.07.1996 and 01.07.2006, both dates inclusive.
Age Relaxation:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| Ex-servicemen / ECOs / SSCOs | 5 years (as per rules) |
Note: Age relaxation is applicable as per Government of India rules. Relevant documents must be produced at the time of the interview.
IBPS SO 2026 Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a degree from a recognised university or institution, and the qualification must match the post applied for. Below is the post-wise educational eligibility:
| Post Name | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| IT Officer (Scale I) | - 4-year Engineering/Technology degree in: Computer Science / Computer Applications / Information Technology / Electronics / Electronics & Telecommunication / Electronics & Communication / Electronics & Instrumentation OR - Postgraduate in: Electronics / Electronics & Telecommunication / Electronics & Communication / Electronics & Instrumentation / Computer Science / IT / Computer Applications OR - Graduate with DOEACC ‘B’ level certification |
| Agricultural Field Officer (Scale I) | 4-year Degree in Agriculture / Horticulture / Animal Husbandry / Veterinary Science / Dairy Science / Fishery Science / Pisciculture / Agri Marketing & Cooperation / Co-operation & Banking / Agro-Forestry / Forestry / Agricultural Biotechnology / B.Tech (Biotechnology) / Food Science / Agriculture Business Management / Food Technology / Dairy Technology / Agricultural Engineering / Sericulture / Fisheries Engineering |
| Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I) | - Postgraduate Degree in Hindi with English as a subject at the Graduation level OR - Postgraduate Degree in Sanskrit with English and Hindi as subjects at the Graduation level |
| Law Officer (Scale I) | Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) and must be enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council |
| HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I) | Graduate + 2 Years Full-Time Postgraduate Degree or Diploma in: Personnel Management / Industrial Relations / HR / HRD / Social Work / Labour Law |
| Marketing Officer (Scale I) | Graduate + 2 Years Full-Time MMS (Marketing) / MBA (Marketing) / PGDBA / PGDBM / PGPM / PGDM with specialization in Marketing |
IBPS SO 2026 Application Process
IBPS SO 2026 application process is completely online. The online application window will be opened at the official website. Candidates are strongly advised not to wait until the last date to apply, as server issues may occur due to heavy traffic. Candidates must follow the steps below to complete IBPS SO Application Process 2026:
- Visit the Official Website: Go to www.ibps.in and click on the link that says "Click here to apply online for CRP Specialist Officers" on the homepage.
- New Registration: Click on “New Registration” and enter your basic details such as name, contact information, and email ID. A provisional registration number and password will be generated and sent to your email and mobile number.
- Fill the Online Application Form: Log in using the provisional registration number and password. Fill in all the required details, including personal, educational, and communication information.
- Upload Documents: Upload the following documents as per IBPS guidelines:
- Passport-sized photograph
- Signature
- Left thumb impression
- Handwritten declaration
- 10th standard certificate for date of birth
- Relevant category certificates (if applicable)
- Live photograph (via webcam or mobile)
- Preview the Application: Use the "Save & Next" option to verify details before final submission. Once submitted, no changes will be allowed.
- Pay the Application Fee: Make the payment using online methods like debit/credit cards, UPI, net banking, etc.
| Category | Application Fee (including GST) |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/PwBD | ₹175 |
| General/OBC/EWS | ₹850 |
- Final Submission & Printout: After successful payment, an e-receipt will be generated. Download and print both the e-receipt and the application form for future reference.
IBPS SO 2026 Admit Card
IBPS SO (Specialist Officer) admit card is a crucial document issued by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) for candidates appearing in IBPS SO recruitment process.It verifies the candidate's identity and provides essential information regarding the exam, such as the date, time, venue, and instructions. To download IBPS SO Admit Card 2026, candidates must follow the steps below:
- Visit the Official Website: Candidates should go to the IBPS official website
- Locate the Admit Card Link: On the homepage, they must click the relevant link for IBPS SO admit card.
- Candidates are required to input their registration number or roll number and their password or date of birth.
- After submitting the details, the admit card will appear on the screen. Candidates should download and print the admit card for future reference.
IBPS SO 2026 Exam Pattern
IBPS SO 2026 exam will be conducted in two online stages — Prelims and Mains. IBPS SO Prelims exam will be post-specific and is designed to screen candidates for the main examination. IBPA SO Mains exam focuses on assessing the candidate’s professional knowledge in their respective field. All tests are objective in nature, except for one descriptive test under Rajbhasha Adhikari. IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2026 for Prelims & Mains is given below:
IBPS SO 2026 Prelims Exam Pattern
For the post of Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari:
| Name of Tests | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 50 | 25 | English | 40 minutes |
| Reasoning | 50 | 50 | English & Hindi | 40 minutes |
| General Awareness (with special reference to Banking Industry) | 50 | 50 | English & Hindi | 40 minutes |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 120 minutes |
For the post of IT Officer, Agricultural Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer:
| Name of Tests | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 50 | 25 | English | 40 minutes |
| Reasoning | 50 | 50 | English & Hindi | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | English & Hindi | 40 minutes |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 120 minutes |
IBPS SO 2026 Main Exam Pattern
For the post of Law Officer, IT Officer, Agricultural Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer:
| Name of the Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Knowledge | 60 | 60 | English & Hindi | 45 minutes |
For the post of Rajbhasha Adhikari:
| Name of the Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Knowledge (Objective) | 45 | 60 | English & Hindi | 30 minutes |
| Professional Knowledge (Descriptive) | 2 | — | English & Hindi | 30 minutes |
Note:
- Penalty for Wrong Answers: There will be a penalty of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in both preliminary and main exams.
- Cut-Off: Candidates must qualify each section and overall to be shortlisted for the next stage.
IBPS SO 2026 Syllabus
The syllabus for IBPS SO 2026 exam is divided into two levels — Prelims and Mains. IBPS SO prelims exam tests candidates on general aptitude and awareness (depending on the post), while IBPS SO Mains exam focuses on Professional Knowledge relevant to the specialist post applied for. IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 is given below:
IBPS SO 2026 Prelims Exam Syllabus
For IT Officer, AFO, HR/Personnel Officer, Marketing Officer
(Quantitative Aptitude included)
| Section | Topics Included |
|---|---|
| Reasoning | Seating Arrangement, Puzzles, Inequalities, Syllogism, Input-Output, Data Sufficiency, Blood Relations, Order and Ranking, Alphanumeric Series, Distance and Direction, Verbal Reasoning |
| English Language | Cloze Test, Reading Comprehension, Spotting Errors, Sentence Improvement, Sentence Correction, Para Jumbles, Fill in the Blanks, Para/Sentence Completion |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Number Series, Data Interpretation, Simplification/Approximation, Quadratic Equation, Data Sufficiency, Mensuration, Average, Profit and Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Work-Time, Time and Distance, Probability, Relations, Simple and Compound Interest, Permutation and Combination |
For Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari
(General Awareness included)
| Section | Topics Included |
|---|---|
| Reasoning | Seating Arrangement, Puzzles, Inequalities, Syllogism, Input-Output, Data Sufficiency, Blood Relations, Order and Ranking, Alphanumeric Series, Distance and Direction, Verbal Reasoning |
| English Language | Cloze Test, Reading Comprehension, Spotting Errors, Sentence Improvement, Sentence Correction, Para Jumbles, Fill in the Blanks, Para/Sentence Completion |
| General Awareness | Current Affairs, Banking Awareness, GK Updates, Currencies, Important Places, Books and Authors, Awards, Headquarters, Government Schemes, Important Days |
IBPS SO 2026 Mains Exam Syllabus (Post-wise)
| Post | Professional Knowledge Topics |
|---|---|
| IT Officer (Scale I) | Database Management System, Data Communication & Networking, Operating System, Software Engineering, Data Structures, Computer Organization & Microprocessor, Object Oriented Programming |
| Agricultural Field Officer (AFO) | Basics of Crop Production, Horticulture, Seed Science, Agronomy & Irrigation, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Practices, Soil Resources, Animal Husbandry, Agroforestry, Ecology, Government Schemes |
| Marketing Officer (Scale I) | Basics of Marketing Management, Brand Management, Advertising, PR, Sales, Retail, Business Ethics, Market Segmentation, Market Research & Demand Forecasting, Product Life Cycle, CSR, Service Marketing, Marketing Strategies |
| Law Officer (Scale I) | Banking Regulations, Compliance & Legal Aspects, Laws related to Negotiable Instruments, Securities, Foreign Exchange, Money Laundering, Limitation Act, Consumer Protection Act, SARFAESI Act, Banking Ombudsman Scheme, Bankers Book Evidence Act, DRT Act |
| HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I) | Human Resource Development, Business Policy & Strategic Analysis, Transactional Analysis, Training & Development, Recruitment & Selection, Rewards & Recognition, Industrial Relations, Grievance & Conflict Management, Performance Management & Appraisal |
IBPS SO 2026 Selection Process
IBPS SO 2026 recruitment process for IBPS Specialist Officer (Scale I) posts will be conducted in three stages: Prelims examination, Mains examination, and the interview. Each stage is mandatory, and candidates must qualify each phase to be considered for the next. The process is designed to assess both the candidate’s general aptitude and their domain-specific professional knowledge.
Stage 1: Online Prelims Examination
The first phase is the preliminary exam, which is conducted online. This stage acts as a screening test and its structure varies depending on the post applied for. Only those candidates who obtain the minimum qualifying marks in each section and the overall cutoff, as decided by IBPS, will be shortlisted for the main examination. It is important to note that the marks obtained in the prelims exam will not be counted in the final merit list.
Stage 2: Online Main Examination
Candidates who qualify in the preliminary examination will appear for the main exam. This stage is designed to evaluate the professional knowledge relevant to the specific post the candidate has applied for. IBPS SO Mains exam is also conducted online and its structure is entirely post-specific. Only the marks obtained in the main examination will be considered for shortlisting candidates for the final interview as well as for preparing the final merit list. IBPS has clearly stated that scores of the main examination will not be disclosed to candidates unless they have been shortlisted for the interview.
Stage 3: Interview
The final stage of the selection process is the interview, which will be conducted by the participating banks and coordinated by IBPS. Candidates who qualify the main examination will be called for this round. The interview will be conducted at select centres, and the details such as date, time, and venue will be mentioned in the interview call letter. The total marks allotted for the interview are 100. To qualify, candidates must secure a minimum of 40% marks (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD categories).
The final merit list will be prepared based on the marks secured in the main examination and the interview, with a weightage ratio of 80:20, respectively.
IBPS SO 2026 Cutoff
IBPS SO cut off is the minimum score that candidates must achieve at each stage of the IBPS Specialist Officer (SO) recruitment process to progress to the next phase or to be considered for final selection. IBPS SO 2026 Cutoff will be released after the exams and interview.
IBPS SO Mains Cut Off 2025
IBPS SO Mains Cut Off 2025 was released along with IBPS SO Mains Score Card.
| Post | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | UR | HI | OC | VI | ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT Officer (Scale I) | 13 | 10.25 | 15.50 | 14.75 | 16.50 | 8 | 9.75 | 8 | 7.75 |
| Agriculture Field Officer (Scale I) | 12.50 | 12.50 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 12.50 | 17.50 | 13.25 | 13.25 |
| Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I) | 14.75 | 13.50 | 14.75 | 14.75 | 14.75 | NA | 18.25 | 20 | NA |
| Law Officer (Scale I) | 37.50 | 34.75 | 42 | 44 | 44 | 32 | 30.50 | 32.50 | 48 |
| HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I) | 27.25 | 21.25 | 26.75 | 26.50 | 27.25 | NA | 19.25 | 22.25 | NA |
| Marketing Officer (Scale I) | 14.50 | 14.50 | 14.50 | 18.50 | 18.50 | 19 | 14.75 | 30.50 | NA |
IBPS SO Mains Cut Off 2025 Section-wise
IBPS SO Mains Cut Off 2025 for each section determines the minimum qualifying marks required in different subjects.
| Posts | Maximum Marks | SC/ST/OBC/PwBD | General/EWS |
|---|---|---|---|
| IT Officer (Scale I) | 60 | 6.75 | 10.25 |
| Agriculture Field Officer (Scale I) | 60 | 12.50 | 17 |
| Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I) | 60 | 11.50 | 14.50 |
| Law Officer (Scale I) | 60 | 30.25 | 34.50 |
| HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I) | 60 | 18 | 22.25 |
| Marketing Officer (Scale I) | 60 | 14.50 | 18.50 |
Meeting IBPS SO 2026 eligibility criteria is essential, as only eligible candidates are allowed to participate in the subsequent stages of the recruitment process, including the Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Interview. To strengthen their preparation for these stages, aspirants should analyse IBPS SO Previous Year Question Papers to understand section-wise weightage, question trends, difficulty level, and the overall exam pattern.
IBPS SO 2026 FAQs
Ques: Which posts are included under IBPS SO 2026 recruitment?
Ans: The following posts are included:
- IT Officer (Scale I)
- Agricultural Field Officer (Scale I)
- Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I)
- Law Officer (Scale I)
- HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I)
- Marketing Officer (Scale I)
Ques: Is there any penalty for wrong answers?
Ans: Yes, 0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer in both Prelims and Mains exams.
Ques: What is the basic pay scale for IBPS SO 2026?
Ans: The basic pay scale for IBPS SO 2026 is ₹48,480 – ₹85,920 as per Scale I Officer grade.
Ques: Can I apply for more than one post?
Ans: No, a candidate can apply for only one post under IBPS SO 2026.
Ques: Is there any reservation for EWS candidates?
Ans: Yes, EWS candidates are eligible based on income and asset certification as per Government norms.
Ques: Does IBPS allow correction of details after final submission?
Ans: No. Once the application is submitted and fee is paid, no changes can be made under any circumstances.
Ques: Is calculator allowed during IBPS SO 2026 exam?
Ans: No. Use of calculators, mobile phones, or any electronic device is strictly prohibited inside the exam hall.
Ques: Is work experience required for any of IBPS SO posts?
Ans: No. All posts are entry-level (Scale I) and do not require prior work experience.
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