IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 and Exam Pattern for Prelims and Mains
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection has released the recruitment process for IBPS Specialist Officer 2026 under CRP SPL-XVI. Candidates preparing for Specialist Officer posts must understand the latest IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 and revised exam pattern for both Preliminary and Main examinations.
IBPS SO is conducted for different Specialist Officer posts such as IT Officer, Agricultural Field Officer, Law Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari, HR or Personnel Officer and Marketing Officer. The exam includes online Preliminary Examination, online Main Examination and Interview. Candidates must qualify each stage to get final selection in participating public sector banks.
IBPS SO Syllabus 2026: Short Details
| Organization Name | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection |
| Short Name | IBPS |
| Exam Name | IBPS Specialist Officer 2026 |
| Recruitment Process | CRP SPL-XVI |
| Post Name | Specialist Officer Scale I |
| Article Category | Syllabus and Exam Pattern |
| Exam Mode | Online |
| Selection Process | Preliminary Exam, Main Exam and Interview |
| Official Website | ibps.in |
IBPS SO 2026 Exam Dates
| Preliminary Exam Date | 29 August 2026 |
| Main Exam Date | 01 November 2026 |
| Interview | To be notified after Main Exam result |
Candidates should regularly check the official IBPS website for any change in exam date, admit card date, result date or interview schedule.
IBPS SO Selection Process 2026
The IBPS SO selection process has three important stages. Candidates need to qualify the Preliminary Examination first. After that, shortlisted candidates appear in the Main Examination. Candidates who clear the Main Examination are called for the Interview round.
- Online Preliminary Examination
- Online Main Examination
- Interview
- Final Provisional Allotment
IBPS SO Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
The IBPS SO Preliminary Examination is conducted online. The Prelims paper has objective type questions. The exam pattern is different for different posts. Professional Knowledge is also included in the Preliminary Examination as per the revised pattern.
For IT Officer, Agricultural Field Officer, HR or Personnel Officer and Marketing Officer
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25 | 25 | English | 20 Minutes |
| Reasoning | 25 | 25 | English and Hindi | 20 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 | English and Hindi | 20 Minutes |
| Professional Knowledge | 25 | 50 | English and Hindi | 20 Minutes |
| Total | 100 | 125 | - | 80 Minutes |
For Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25 | 25 | English | 20 Minutes |
| Reasoning | 25 | 25 | English and Hindi | 20 Minutes |
| General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry | 25 | 25 | English and Hindi | 20 Minutes |
| Professional Knowledge | 25 | 50 | English and Hindi | 20 Minutes |
| Total | 100 | 125 | - | 80 Minutes |
IBPS SO Mains Exam Pattern 2026
The Main Examination is more important because it plays a major role in shortlisting candidates for the Interview. In the revised pattern, the Main Examination includes general sections, Professional Knowledge and descriptive paper as applicable.
For IT Officer, Agricultural Field Officer, HR or Personnel Officer and Marketing Officer
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | English | 25 Minutes |
| Reasoning | 40 | 40 | English and Hindi | 35 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | English and Hindi | 25 Minutes |
| Professional Knowledge Objective | 50 | 100 | English and Hindi | 40 Minutes |
| Descriptive Paper in English | 2 | 25 | English | 30 Minutes |
| Total | 152 | 225 | - | 155 Minutes |
For Law Officer
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | English | 25 Minutes |
| Reasoning | 40 | 40 | English and Hindi | 35 Minutes |
| General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry | 30 | 30 | English and Hindi | 20 Minutes |
| Professional Knowledge Objective | 50 | 100 | English and Hindi | 45 Minutes |
| Descriptive Paper in English | 2 | 25 | English | 30 Minutes |
| Total | 152 | 225 | - | 155 Minutes |
For Rajbhasha Adhikari
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | English | 25 Minutes |
| Reasoning | 40 | 40 | English and Hindi | 35 Minutes |
| General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry | 30 | 30 | English and Hindi | 20 Minutes |
| Professional Knowledge Objective | 50 | 100 | English and Hindi | 45 Minutes |
| Professional Knowledge Descriptive | 2 | 25 | English and Hindi | 30 Minutes |
| Total | 152 | 225 | - | 155 Minutes |
IBPS SO Prelims Syllabus 2026
The Preliminary Examination tests basic aptitude, English, reasoning and post related Professional Knowledge. Candidates should prepare according to the post they are applying for.
Reasoning Syllabus
- Puzzles
- Seating Arrangement
- Syllogism
- Inequality
- Coding and Decoding
- Input Output
- Blood Relation
- Direction Sense
- Order and Ranking
- Alphanumeric Series
- Data Sufficiency
- Logical Reasoning
English Language Syllabus
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Error Detection
- Sentence Correction
- Sentence Improvement
- Para Jumbles
- Fill in the Blanks
- Phrase Replacement
- Word Usage
- Vocabulary Based Questions
Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus
- Number Series
- Simplification and Approximation
- Quadratic Equation
- Data Interpretation
- Data Sufficiency
- Percentage
- Profit and Loss
- Simple Interest and Compound Interest
- Ratio and Proportion
- Average
- Time and Work
- Time, Speed and Distance
- Mensuration
- Probability
- Permutation and Combination
General Awareness with Banking Syllabus
- Current Affairs
- Banking Awareness
- Financial Awareness
- RBI and Monetary Policy
- Banking Terms
- Government Schemes
- Important Days
- Awards and Honours
- Books and Authors
- Headquarters of Important Organizations
- Static General Knowledge
IBPS SO Mains Syllabus 2026: Professional Knowledge
Professional Knowledge is the most important part of the IBPS SO exam. Candidates should prepare the post specific syllabus in depth because Professional Knowledge carries the highest weightage in both Prelims and Mains.
IBPS SO IT Officer Syllabus
- Database Management System
- Data Communication and Networking
- Operating System
- Software Engineering
- Data Structure
- Computer Organization
- Microprocessor
- Object Oriented Programming
- Web Technologies
- Cyber Security Basics
IBPS SO Agricultural Field Officer Syllabus
- Basics of Crop Production
- Agronomy
- Soil Science
- Irrigation
- Seed Science
- Horticulture
- Agricultural Economics
- Animal Husbandry
- Agroforestry
- Ecology
- Government Schemes Related to Agriculture
IBPS SO Marketing Officer Syllabus
- Basics of Marketing Management
- Brand Management
- Advertising
- Public Relations
- Sales Management
- Retail Marketing
- Market Segmentation
- Market Research
- Product Life Cycle
- Service Marketing
- Corporate Social Responsibility
IBPS SO Law Officer Syllabus
- Banking Regulations
- Legal Aspects of Banking
- Negotiable Instruments
- Securities Laws
- Foreign Exchange Related Laws
- Prevention of Money Laundering
- Limitation Act
- Consumer Protection Act
- SARFAESI Act
- Banking Ombudsman Scheme
- Bankers Book Evidence Act
- Debt Recovery Tribunal Related Laws
IBPS SO HR or Personnel Officer Syllabus
- Human Resource Development
- Recruitment and Selection
- Training and Development
- Performance Management
- Rewards and Recognition
- Industrial Relations
- Business Policy
- Strategic Analysis
- Grievance Handling
- Conflict Management
- Employee Welfare
IBPS SO Rajbhasha Adhikari Syllabus
- Hindi Grammar
- English Grammar
- Translation from English to Hindi
- Translation from Hindi to English
- Official Language Policy
- Banking Terminology in Hindi and English
- Vocabulary
- Precis Writing
- Comprehension
- Letter Writing
IBPS SO Negative Marking 2026
There will be negative marking in objective tests. For every wrong answer, one fourth of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted. No marks will be deducted for questions not attempted by the candidate.
IBPS SO Interview 2026
Candidates who qualify the Main Examination will be called for the Interview. The Interview will test communication skills, banking awareness, professional knowledge, confidence, attitude and suitability for the Specialist Officer post.
Final selection will be prepared on the basis of Main Examination and Interview performance. Candidates should prepare their professional subject along with banking awareness and current affairs for the Interview round.
Important Points for IBPS SO Syllabus 2026
- The IBPS SO exam has three stages: Prelims, Mains and Interview.
- Prelims is qualifying in nature.
- Professional Knowledge is included in the revised Prelims pattern.
- Main Examination carries high weightage in the selection process.
- Professional Knowledge is the most important section for merit preparation.
- There is sectional timing in both Prelims and Mains.
- There is negative marking in objective tests.
- Candidates must qualify sectional cut off and overall cut off as decided by IBPS.
Preparation Tips for IBPS SO 2026
- Start preparation with the latest IBPS SO exam pattern.
- Give daily time to Professional Knowledge because it carries high weightage.
- Practice Reasoning, English and Quantitative Aptitude regularly.
- For Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari, focus on General Awareness with Banking.
- Attempt mock tests with sectional timing.
- Analyze mistakes after every test.
- Revise short notes weekly.
- Prepare current affairs and banking awareness for Interview.
IBPS SO Syllabus 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is the selection process for IBPS SO 2026?
Answer: The selection process includes Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and Interview.
Question: Is Professional Knowledge included in IBPS SO Prelims 2026?
Answer: Yes, as per the revised pattern, Professional Knowledge is included in the Preliminary Examination.
Question: What is the total marks of IBPS SO Prelims 2026?
Answer: IBPS SO Prelims has 100 questions for 125 marks.
Question: What is the duration of IBPS SO Prelims 2026?
Answer: The total duration of IBPS SO Prelims is 80 minutes with sectional timing.
Question: What is the total marks of IBPS SO Mains 2026?
Answer: IBPS SO Mains carries 225 marks including objective and descriptive sections.
Question: Is there negative marking in IBPS SO 2026?
Answer: Yes, one fourth of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every wrong answer in objective tests.
Question: Which section is most important in IBPS SO 2026?
Answer: Professional Knowledge is the most important section because it carries high weightage and plays a major role in shortlisting and merit preparation.
Disclaimer
This article is written for educational and informational purposes only. Candidates must verify the latest syllabus, exam pattern, dates, eligibility and selection rules from the official IBPS notification before starting final preparation.