IBPS SO Syllabus 2026: Detailed Post-wise Prelims & Mains Syllabus
The IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 covers essential subjects including English Language, Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness, and specialized Professional Knowledge. Explore the comprehensive post-wise Prelims and Mains curriculum for IT Officer, Law Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, Marketing Officer, HR Officer, and Rajbhasha Adhikari roles.
IBPS SO Syllabus 2026
The IBPS SO 2026 Preliminary examination structure is tailored to specific professional streams. While English Language and Reasoning Ability are mandatory for all candidates, those applying for IT, Agriculture, Marketing, and HR roles will also face a Quantitative Aptitude section. Conversely, Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari candidates must prioritize General Awareness, specifically focusing on the Banking Industry.
IBPS SO Syllabus – Highlights
| IBPS SO Syllabus | |
| Organization Name | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Post | Specialist Officer (SO) |
| Category | Syllabus |
| Examination Mode | Online |
| Selection Process | Prelims- Mains- Interview |
| Duration | Prelims- 120 minutes
Mains Exam Duration: 45 minutes to 60 minutes (varies by post). |
| Negative Marking | ¼th marks |
| Question type | Prelims: Objective
Mains Exam Format: Objective test combined with a Descriptive paper. |
| Exam type | National level |
| Official website | @ibps.in |
IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2026
Review the critical components of the official IBPS SO Exam Pattern for both Prelims and Mains to streamline your preparation.
- The exam pattern for Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I) and Law Officer is the same. Whereas for all other posts is different from these two posts.
- Final selection is based on Mains + Interview in an 80:20 ratio.
Prelims Exam Pattern
The Preliminary examination comprises three primary sections: Reasoning, English Language, and General Awareness, totaling 150 questions. This online assessment is evaluated for a maximum of 125 marks.
| Section | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
| Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 40 Minutes |
| English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 Minutes |
| General | 50 | 50 | 40 Minutes |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 120 Minutes |
Mains Exam Pattern
The Mains examination pattern is specialized according to the specific post—Law, IT, Agriculture Field, HR/Personnel, Marketing, or Rajbhasha Adhikari. Detailed insights regarding the paper structure for each profile are outlined below.
| IBPS SO Exam Pattern for Law, IT, Agriculture Field, and HR/Personnel, and Marketing Officer | ||||
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Medium | Duration |
| Professional Knowledge | 60 | 60 | English and Hindi | 45 Minutes |
| For Post of Rajbhasha Adhikari | ||||
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Medium | Duration |
| Professional Knowledge (Objective) | 45 | 60 | English and Hindi | 30 Minutes |
| Professional Knowledge (Descriptive) | 2 | 30 Minutes | ||
IBPS SO Prelims Syllabus
Find the latest post-wise IBPS SO Prelims Syllabus provided here for your convenience.
- Rajbhasha Adhikari Scale I officer will have to appear for the given subjects: Reasoning Ability, English Language, and General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry.
- The Specialist Officers (Agriculture Field Officer, Marketing Officer (Scale I), HR/Personnel Officer, IT Officer Scale I will appear for the given subjects: Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language.
Reasoning Syllabus
- Seating Arrangements
- Puzzles
- Inequalities
- Syllogism
- Input-Output
- Data Sufficiency
- Blood Relations
- Order and Ranking
- Alphanumeric Series
- Distance and Direction
- Verbal Reasoning
English Syllabus
- Cloze Test
- Reading Comprehension
- Spotting Errors
- Sentence Improvement
- Sentence Correction
- Para Jumbles
- Fill in the Blanks
- Para/Sentence Completion
Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus
- Number Series
- Data Interpretation
- Simplification/ Approximation
- Quadratic Equation
- Data Sufficiency
- Mensuration
- Average
- Profit and Loss
- Ratio and Proportion
- Work, Time, and Energy
- Time and Distance
- Probability
- Relations
- Simple and Compound Interest
- Permutation and Combination
General Awareness Syllabus
- Current Affairs
- Banking Awareness
- GK Updates
- Currencies
- Important Places
- Books and Authors
- Awards
- Headquarters
- Prime Minister Schemes
- Important Days
IBPS SO Mains Syllabus 2026
Candidates who successfully clear the Prelims stage will advance to the Mains examination. We have compiled the complete post-specific syllabus for Rajbhasha Adhikari, HR/Personnel Officer, Law Officer, Marketing Officer, Agricultural Field Officer, and IT Officer.
Syllabus for IBPS SO IT Officer (Scale 1)
- Database Management System
- Data Communication and Networking
- Operating System
- Software Engineering
- Data Structure
- Computer Organisation and Microprocessor
- Object-Oriented Programming
Syllabus for IBPS SO Agriculture Field Officer (Scale 1)
- Basics of Crop Production
- Horticulture
- Seed Science
- Agronomy and Irrigation
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Practices
- Soil resources
- Animal Husbandry
- Agroforestry
- Ecology
- Government Schemes
Syllabus for IBPS SO Marketing Officer (Scale 1)
- Basics of Marketing Management
- Brand Management
- Advertising
- PR
- Sales
- Retail
- Business Ethics
- Market Segmentation
- Market research and forecasting demand
- Product Life Cycle
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Service Marketing
- Marketing Strategies
Syllabus for IBPS SO Law Officer (Scale 1)
- Banking Regulations
- Compliance and Legal Aspects
- Relevant Laws and Orders related to negotiable instruments, securities, foreign exchange
- Prevention of Money-laundering, Limitation Act
- Consumer Protection Act
- SURFACES
- Banking Ombudsman Scheme
- Laws and Actions with a direct link to Banking Sector
- Bankers Book Evidence Act
- DRT Act
Syllabus for IBPS SO HR/Personnel Officer (Scale 1)
- Human Resource Development
- Business policy and strategic analysis
- Transnational Analysis
- Training and Development
- Recruitment and Selection
- Rewards and Recognition
- Industrial Relations
- Business Policy and Strategic Analysis
- Grievance and Conflict Management
- Performance Management and Appraisal
Syllabus for IBPS SO Rajbhasha Adhikari
- Banking Regulations Passages
- Synonyms-Antonyms
- Cloze Test
- Fill in the Blanks
- Practical Translation
- Hindi/English Grammar
It is highly recommended that all applicants thoroughly review the syllabus mentioned in the official IBPS SO notification to ensure a focused and effective study plan.
IBPS SO Interview 2026
Qualifying the Prelims and Mains stages leads candidates to the final interview process. Since this is the concluding selection phase, candidates must demonstrate expertise relevant to their specific job role and technical domain.
Best Books for IBPS SO 2026 Preparation
| Subject/Section | Recommended Book |
Author/Publisher
|
| English Language | Objective General English | S.P. Bakshi |
| Reasoning Ability | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning | R.S. Aggarwal |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal |
| Banking Awareness | Banking Awareness | Arihant Experts |
| Current Affairs & General Awareness | General Knowledge 2026 |
Manohar Pandey
|
| IT Officer Professional Knowledge | Objective Computer Awareness | Arihant Experts |
| Agriculture Field Officer Professional Knowledge | Fundamentals of Agriculture | Arun Katyayan |
| Law Officer Professional Knowledge | Banking and Financial Laws |
IIBF Publications
|
| HR/Personnel Officer Professional Knowledge | Human Resource Management | C.B. Gupta |
| Marketing Officer Professional Knowledge | Marketing Management | Philip Kotler |
| Rajbhasha Adhikari Professional Knowledge | Samanya Hindi | Arihant Experts |
FAQs
Q: Is the IBPS SO exam conducted online or offline? A: The IBPS SO Exam is conducted exclusively in an online computer-based format.
Q: What are the stages of the selection process? A: Candidates must successfully qualify through three stages: IBPS SO Prelims, Mains, and the final Personal Interview.
Q: What subjects are covered in the Prelims and Mains? A: Prelims cover Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, and General Awareness, whereas the Mains focuses strictly on your chosen professional domain.
Q: What is the exam duration and marking scheme? A: The Prelims is a 125-mark exam with a 120-minute limit. The Mains exam carries 120 marks with a duration of 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Q: Where can I find the complete IBPS SO syllabus? A: The comprehensive IBPS SO syllabus is detailed throughout this article.
Q: Is there negative marking in the exam? A: Yes, a penalty of 0.25 marks is deducted for every incorrect answer.
Q: How many attempts are allowed? A: There is no restriction on the number of attempts, provided you meet the eligibility criteria and remain under the maximum age limit of 30 years.
Q: How should I prepare for the IBPS SO exam? A: Develop a strategic study plan based on the official syllabus to maximize your score and aim to qualify on your first attempt.
Q: Can I clear the exam in 30 days? A: Candidates with prior experience in competitive examinations and a strong grasp of the syllabus can effectively prepare and crack the exam within a 30-day timeframe.