IBPS Specialist Officer (SO) Recruitment 2025: Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) invites applications for Common Recruitment Process (CRP SPL-XV) for recruitment of Specialist Officers in Participating Banks for 2026-27 vacancies. Therefore, it is a good opportunity for candidates who are interested in banking jobs. There are a total of 1,007 posts. Online application for IBPS SO Recruitment 2025 has already started from 1st July and will continue till 21st July. Eligible and interested candidates are advised to fill out the form within this period.
We have provided all the important details regarding this recruitment, such as exam pattern, important dates, selection process, fee structure, etc., so candidates do not need to search elsewhere for information. Therefore, Candidates must read the full article before applying for this post.
IBPS Specialist Officer (SO) Recruitment 2025
Quick Summary
| Job Title | Specialist Officers (Scale I) Recruitment |
| Total Vacancy | 1007 |
| Application Dates | 01.07.2024 to 21.07.2024 |
| Official Website | www.ibps.in |
A Deeper Look at the Role
Specialist Officers in banking institutions play crucial roles in specific domains that require specialized knowledge. Unlike general banking roles, these positions demand expertise in particular fields such as IT, agriculture, law, HR, marketing, and regional language. As a Scale I Officer, you would be responsible for handling specialized functions, providing expert guidance to the bank, and contributing to policy formulation in your area of expertise. The work environment is professional with opportunities to work on challenging projects, interact with various stakeholders, and contribute directly to the bank's operations in your specialized field. These roles offer excellent job security, competitive compensation, and opportunities for career advancement within the banking sector.
Career Path and Salary
Specialist Officers begin their career at Scale I level with a competitive salary package that includes basic pay, dearness allowance, house rent allowance, and other perks as per the bank's policies. The typical starting basic pay is approximately ₹36,000 with a gross monthly compensation of around ₹68,000-70,000 including various allowances. Career progression typically follows the path from Scale I to Scale II, III, IV, V and potentially to top management positions like General Manager and Executive Director. Specialist Officers often have accelerated promotion opportunities compared to generalist officers due to their specialized skills. The role offers job security, pension benefits, medical coverage, loans at concessional rates, and other banking perks. With experience, specialists can move into higher responsibility roles, head departments, or transition into consulting roles within the financial sector.
Important Dates for IBPS SO Exam
The IBPS SO notification has been released along with all the important dates related to this recruitment, such as the application start and end dates, preliminary and mains exam dates, etc. These dates are important because candidates will know when their preliminary or mains exams are scheduled, and they can prepare accordingly. We have provided all the important dates of the IBPS Specialist Officer exam below.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Start Date | 01 July 2025 |
| Online Registration End Date | 21 July 2025 |
| Payment of Application Fees | 01 July 2025 to 21 July 2025 |
| Preliminary Exam Call Letter Download | August 2025 |
| Preliminary Exam Date | August 2025 |
| Preliminary Exam Result | September 2025 |
| Main Exam Call Letter Download | September/October 2025 |
| Main Exam Date | November 2025 |
| Main Exam Result | November 2025 |
| Interview Dates | December 2025/January 2026 |
| Provisional Allotment | January/February 2026 |
IBPS SO Vacancy 2025
There are a total of 1,007 posts available in the IBPS SO Recruitment. We have provided the post-wise vacancy details in this article. The detailed vacancy information—including bank-wise, post-wise, and category-wise distribution—has been given in the official notification. Therefore, candidates should read the official notification carefully before applying for this post.
| Post Name | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Participating Banks
- Bank of Baroda
- Bank of India
- Bank of Maharashtra
- Canara Bank
- Central Bank of India
- Indian Bank
- Indian Overseas Bank
- Punjab National Bank
- Punjab & Sind Bank
- UCO Bank
- Union Bank of India
Eligibility Criteria for IBPS SO
Eligibility for the IBPS SO exam can be divided in terms of nationality, age limits, and educational qualifications. The minimum age for the IBPS SO exam is 20 years, and the maximum age is 30 years. Age relaxation will also be available as per government norms. We have provided all the detailed information in this article. Candidates should read the full article before applying for IBPS SO posts.
Nationality/Citizenship
If we talk about the nationality of this recruitment, then we can say that the candidates must be citizens of India. However, subjects of Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugees who came to India before 1st January 1962, and persons of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries are also eligible for this recruitment.
Age Limit (as on 01.07.2025)
The minimum age limit of this recruitment is 20 years and the maximum age limit is 30 years. However, age relaxation will also be given as per the government rules. Age relaxations are as follows:
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe | 5 years |
| Other Backward Classes (Non-creamy layer) | 3 years |
| Persons With Benchmark Disability | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 years |
Educational Qualifications (as on 21.07.2025)
Educational qualification for each post is different. Educational qualifications are as follows:
| Post | Qualification |
|---|---|
| IT Officer (Scale I) | 4 year Engineering/Technology Degree in Computer Science/IT/Electronics OR Post Graduate Degree in Electronics/Computer Science/IT OR Graduate with DOEACC 'B' level |
| Agricultural Field Officer (Scale I) | 4 year Degree in Agriculture/Horticulture/Animal Husbandry/Veterinary Science/Dairy Science/Fishery Science/Agri. Marketing & Cooperation/Forestry/Agricultural Biotechnology/Food Science/Agricultural Engineering etc. |
| Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I) | Post Graduate Degree in Hindi with English at graduation level OR Post graduate degree in Sanskrit with English and Hindi at graduation level |
| Law Officer (Scale I) | Bachelor Degree in Law (LL.B) and enrolled as advocate with Bar Council |
| HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I) | Graduate and Two Years Full time Post Graduate degree or diploma in Personnel Management/Industrial Relations/HR/HRD/Social Work/Labour Law |
| Marketing Officer (Scale I) | Graduate and Two Years Full time MMS (Marketing)/MBA (Marketing)/PGDBA/PGDBM/PGPM/PGDM with specialization in Marketing |
Application Fee for IBPS SO Exam
Candidates need to pay application fees for this recruitment. The payment mode for application fees is online. Candidates can use multiple methods for this payment, such as Debit Cards (RuPay/Visa/MasterCard/Maestro), Credit Cards, Internet Banking, IMPS, Cash Cards/Mobile Wallets/UPI. After the successful payment, an e-receipt will be generated. Candidates need to take a printout of the e-receipt as proof.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/PwBD candidates | ₹175/- (inclusive of GST) |
| All others | ₹850/- (inclusive of GST) |
IBPS SO Selection Process
Interested and eligible candidates have to go through a three-level selection process as mentioned in the notification. The IBPS SO Preliminary and Mains exams will be conducted in online mode. After clearing both of these exams, candidates will have to appear for the personality test, i.e., the interview. Upon successfully clearing the interview, candidates will receive provisional allotment.
- Online Preliminary Examination
- Online Main Examination
- Interview
- Provisional Allotment
Preparation Strategy
The IBPS Specialist Officer (SO) exam is conducted for various specialist posts such as IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari, Law Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer. The exam consists of three phases: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. To crack the exam, candidates must build a strong foundation in reasoning, English, quantitative aptitude (or professional knowledge), and the respective professional subject, along with strategic mock test practice and time management.
Preparation Phases (Timeline)
- Phase 1 — Foundation (Weeks 1–6): Cover basics of Reasoning, English, Quantitative Aptitude, and professional knowledge. Make topic-wise short notes.
- Phase 2 — Practice & Mock Tests (Weeks 7–14): Start topic-wise practice, sectional tests, and mock tests. Identify weak areas.
- Phase 3 — Revision & Final Polish (Last 3–4 weeks): Intensive revision, increase full-length mock tests, focus on accuracy and time management.
Daily Routine (12-Hour Format)
- 6:00 AM – 6:30 AM — Wake up, light exercise, freshen up
- 6:30 AM – 7:30 AM — Current Affairs / Banking Awareness + Short Notes
- 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM — Professional Knowledge Study (Core Subject)
- 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM — Reasoning Ability practice (Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, etc.)
- 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM — Lunch and break
- 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM — Quantitative Aptitude or English (alternate days)
- 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM — Revision of earlier topics and error log
- 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM — Practice sectional tests / quizzes (30–45 min each)
- 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM — Light revision or reading banking & current affairs magazines
- 8:00 PM – 8:30 PM — Plan next day and relax
- 10:00 PM — Sleep
Weekly Routine
- Monday–Friday — Follow daily study schedule strictly with topic-wise targets.
- Saturday — Attempt one full-length mock test and analyze it thoroughly.
- Sunday — Light study day: revise short notes, update error log, work on weak areas, rest.
- Dedicate one session weekly for quick syllabus tracking and adjusting study priorities.
Best Books & Resources for Each Subject
- Reasoning Ability
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
- Puzzle & Seating Arrangement by Nitish Sinha (for High-level puzzles)
- Topic-wise practice sets and previous year papers
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Quantitative Aptitude by R.S. Aggarwal
- Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma (Arihant)
- Data Interpretation & Analysis Practice Book (Oliveboard / Adda247)
- English Language
- Wren & Martin for grammar basics
- Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis for vocabulary
- Previous year comprehension and cloze tests practice
- Professional Knowledge (Post-Specific)
- For IT Officer — Books on Networking, DBMS, Operating Systems, Programming, and previous year IT Officer papers
- For Agriculture Field Officer — Agriculture subject textbooks (UG level), ICAR reports, and basic agronomy
- For Law Officer — Bare Acts, Constitution, Banking & Commercial Laws
- For Marketing Officer — Kotler’s Marketing Management, Business Awareness, and case studies
- For HR Officer — HRM textbooks, Labour Laws, Industrial Relations basics
- Current Affairs & Banking Awareness
- Monthly magazines (Bankers Adda, Vision, AffairsCloud)
- RBI, SEBI, NABARD official websites for authentic info
- Daily news reading (The Hindu / Economic Times / PIB)
How to Give Mock Tests
- Start with one mock test every 10–15 days in the foundation phase to understand the pattern.
- Gradually increase frequency to 2–3 mocks per week during the practice phase.
- In the last 4 weeks, attempt 3–4 mocks per week with at least 2 full-length tests under real exam conditions.
- Take mocks at the same time as your actual exam to build rhythm.
How to Analyse Mock Tests
- Immediately after the test, mark correct, wrong, and skipped questions.
- Maintain an error log with columns for Topic, Question Type, Error Type (concept, speed, carelessness), and Correct Approach.
- Revisit conceptual errors and revise that topic the same or next day.
- For time-based errors, practice timed sectional quizzes of 10–15 mins daily.
- Track accuracy % and speed regularly. Aim for 85%+ accuracy and gradually increase attempts.
Time Management Strategies During the Exam
- Prelims:
- Reasoning and Quant: Do easy questions first, don’t get stuck on puzzles early.
- English: Attempt vocabulary and cloze test first, then comprehension.
- Mains (Professional Knowledge):
- Focus on high-weight topics first. Attempt sure-shot questions quickly to save time for lengthy ones.
- Keep last 5 minutes for revisiting flagged questions.
- Follow the 2-minute rule: if you can’t solve a question in 2 minutes, skip and come back later.
- Mark questions carefully to avoid negative marking.
Study Aids & Practical Tips
- Prepare concise formula sheets, grammar rules, and concept charts for quick revisions.
- Use short timed sessions (50 min study + 10 min break) for better retention.
- Regularly revise professional knowledge topics as they have maximum weightage in Mains.
- Use online platforms for sectional tests and mock tests to simulate actual exam environment.
- Update Current Affairs daily or weekly rather than cramming in the end.
Last 30 Days Plan
- Days 1–10 — Revise all Reasoning, Quant, and English topics. Revisit important professional topics.
- Days 11–20 — Full-length mocks every 3 days, detailed analysis, target weak areas.
- Days 21–30 — Daily short revision, mini quizzes, light study in last 2 days to stay fresh.
Final Tips
- Be consistent and realistic with your timetable.
- Focus on accuracy first, then speed.
- Practice more for the professional knowledge section, as it is the deciding factor in the Mains.
- Revise short notes daily in the final month.
IBPS SO Exam Pattern
In the IBPS SO selection process, candidates have to pass both the Preliminary and Mains exams. Both exams will be conducted in online mode. However, the marks of the Preliminary exam will not be counted in the final result, as it is qualifying in nature. Candidates must clear the cutoff of the IBPS Preliminary exam to appear in the IBPS Mains exam. The final result will be declared based on the marks obtained in the Mains exam and the Interview.
Preliminary Examination
For Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari:
| Test | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 minutes |
| Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 40 minutes |
| General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry | 50 | 50 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 2 Hours |
For IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer and Marketing Officer:
| Test | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 minutes |
| Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 2 Hours |
Main Examination
For Law Officer, IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer and Marketing Officer:
| Test | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Knowledge | 60 | 60 | 45 minutes |
For Rajbhasha Adhikari:
| Test | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Knowledge (Objective) | 45 | 60 | 30 minutes |
| Professional Knowledge (Descriptive) | 2 | - | 30 minutes |
How to Apply
A candidate can apply for these posts through its official website. The mode of application is fully online. At first, candidates have to register on its application portal. Candidates are advised to enter all the correct information during the online application; otherwise, a mismatch in information may lead to cancellation of the candidature. Candidates also need to upload various documents, which we have discussed below. For any doubts and confusion, candidates are advised to read the official notification.
- Visit official IBPS website: www.ibps.in
- Click on "CRP SPL" and then "CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE FOR CRP- SPECIALIST OFFICERS (CRP SPL-XV)"
- Click on "CLICK HERE FOR NEW REGISTRATION" and enter basic information
- Upload required documents (Photograph, Signature, Left thumb impression, Hand written declaration, SSC/SSLC certificate)
- Pay application fee through online mode (Debit Cards/Credit Cards/Internet Banking/IMPS/Cash Cards/Mobile Wallets/UPI)
- Submit the application and take printout for future reference
Important Links
| Link Title | Action |
|---|---|
| IBPS SO Official Website | Visit |
| IBPS SO Apply Online | Click |
| IBPS SO Official Notification 2025 | Download |
Additional Details
- Candidates must bring valid photo ID proof and call letter to exam center
- Penalty for wrong answers: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer
- Final selection based on 80% weightage for Main Exam and 20% for Interview
- Minimum qualifying marks in interview: 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates)
FAQs – IBPS SO Recruitment 2025
Who is eligible for IBPS SO exam?
To be eligible for IBPS SO exam, candidates must: (1) Be 20-30 years old (with age relaxations for reserved categories), (2) Possess the required educational qualification for the specific post (like Engineering degree for IT Officer, Law degree for Law Officer etc.), and (3) Be an Indian citizen or fulfill other nationality criteria mentioned in the notification.
What is IBPS SO salary?
The pay scale for IBPS Specialist Officer (Scale I) is ₹48,480-1,990/7-62,480-2,340/2-67,160-2,680/7-85,920 plus allowances and perks as per the rules of the allotted bank. The initial in-hand salary typically ranges between ₹52,000-55,000 per month.
Which is higher, PO or SO?
Both Probationary Officers (PO) and Specialist Officers (SO) start at the same Scale I level with similar pay scales. However, SOs have specialized roles in specific domains (IT, Law, Agriculture etc.) while POs have general banking roles. Career progression depends on performance, but SOs often have better growth prospects in their specialized fields.
Is IBPS SO a permanent job?
Yes, IBPS SO is a permanent job in public sector banks after successful completion of probation period (typically 2 years). Selected candidates are appointed as permanent employees of the allotted bank.
Is IBPS SO has interview?
Yes, IBPS SO selection process includes an interview (100 marks) after the Main examination. The final merit list is prepared with 80% weightage for Main exam score and 20% for interview performance. Minimum qualifying marks are 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates).
How many attempts for IBPS SO?
IBPS has not specified any limit on the number of attempts for SO exam, as long as candidates meet the age criteria. General category candidates can attempt until age 30, while reserved categories have age relaxations (SC/ST: 35 years, OBC: 33 years, PwBD: 40 years).
Is there negative marking in IBPS SO?
Yes, there is negative marking of 0.25 marks (1/4th) for each wrong answer in both Preliminary and Main examinations. No marks are deducted for unanswered questions.
