What is IBPS SO Exam?
The IBPS SO (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Specialist Officer) exam is a competitive examination conducted annually by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection to recruit specialist officers for various participating banks. Specialist officers are recruited for specific roles such as IT Officer, HR Officer, Marketing Officer, Agricultural Officer, Law Officer, and Rajbhasha Adhikari.
The exam consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Exam: It consists of objective-type questions related to English Language, Reasoning, and General Awareness with a special focus on the banking industry.
- Main Exam: It consists of objective and descriptive type questions related to Professional Knowledge of the specific post for which the candidate has applied, English Language, Reasoning, and General Awareness.
- Interview: The final stage involves a personal interview with a panel of experts who assess the candidate’s knowledge, skills, and overall suitability for the job.
Candidates who successfully pass all three stages of the IBPS SO exam are eligible for recruitment as specialist officers in participating banks across India.
The IBPS SO exam is conducted to recruit candidates for various specialist officer posts in participating banks. Here are the posts that are offered through the IBPS SO exam:
- 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)
IBPS SO Eligibility Criteria
SBI PO (Probationary Officer) is a highly sought-after job in the banking sector in India. The eligibility criteria for SBI PO exam are as follows:
- Age Limit: The candidate must be between 20 years to 30 years. However, there is age relaxation for candidates belonging to certain categories as per government rules.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| SC/ST | 5 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years |
| Persons With Disabilities | 10 Years |
| Persons ordinarily domiciled in Jammu and Kashmir State during the period 01.01.1980 to 31.12.1989 | 5 Years |
| 1984 Riot Victims | 5 Years |
- Educational Qualification:
- I.T. Officer Scale I –4 year Engineering Degree in Computer Science/ Computer Applications/ Information Technology/ Electronics/ Electronics & Telecommunications/ Electronics & Communication/ Electronics & Instrumentation.
ORPost Graduate Degree in Electronics/ Electronics & Telecommunication/ Electronics & Communication/ Electronics & Instrumentation/ Computer Science/ Information Technology/ Computer Applications.
ORGraduate having passed DOEACC ‘B’ level.
- Agricultural Field Officer Scale I – 4 year Degree (graduation) in Agriculture/ Horticulture/Animal Husbandry/ Veterinary Science/ Dairy Science/ Fishery Science/ Pisciculture/ Agri. Marketing & Cooperation/ Co-operation & Banking/ Agro-Forestry/Forestry/ Agricultural Biotechnology/ Food Science/ Agriculture Business Management/ Food Technology/ Dairy Technology/ Agricultural Engineering/ Sericulture
- Rajbhasha Adhikari Scale I –
Post Graduate Degree in Hindi with English as a subject at Graduation level.
ORPostgraduate degree in Sanskrit with English and Hindi as subjects at the degree (Graduation) level.
- Law Officer Scale I – A Bachelor Degree in Law (LLB) and enrolled as an advocate with Bar Council.
- HR/Personnel Officer Scale I – Graduate along with 2 years full-time Postgraduate degree/ Postgraduate diploma in Personnel Management/Industrial Relations/HR/HRD/Social Work/Labour Law.
- Marketing Officer Scale I – Graduate along with 2 years full-time Postgraduate degree/ Postgraduate diploma in Personnel Management/Industrial Relations/HR/HRD/Social Work/Labour Law.
- I.T. Officer Scale I –4 year Engineering Degree in Computer Science/ Computer Applications/ Information Technology/ Electronics/ Electronics & Telecommunications/ Electronics & Communication/ Electronics & Instrumentation.
IBPS SO Preliminary Exam Pattern
For Law Officer & Rajbhasha Adhikari Posts
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Reasoning |
50 |
50 |
40 Minutes |
|
English Language |
50 |
25 |
40 Minutes |
|
General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry |
50 |
50 |
40 Minutes |
|
Total |
150 |
125 |
2 Hours |
For Specialist Officers (Agriculture Field Officer, Marketing Officer (Scale I), HR/Personnel Officer, IT Officer Scale I Posts
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Reasoning |
50 |
50 |
40 Minutes |
|
English Language |
50 |
25 |
40 Minutes |
|
Quantitative Aptitude |
50 |
50 |
40 Minutes |
|
Total |
150 |
125 |
2 Hours |
IBPS SO Mains Exam Pattern
For Rajbhasha Adhikari Posts
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Professional Knowledge(Objective) |
45 |
60 |
30 Minutes |
|
Professional Knowledge(Descriptive) |
2 |
60 |
30 Minutes |
|
Total |
47 |
90 |
1 Hour |
For Law Officer, IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer and Marketing Officer Posts
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Professional Knowledge |
60 |
60 |
45 Minutes |
IBPS SO Interview Stage Details
After clearing the IBPS SO Mains exam, candidates are called for the interview round. The interview round is the final stage of the selection process for IBPS SO recruitment. The interview round is conducted by the participating organizations in coordination with the Nodal Bank.
The IBPS SO interview process is conducted to assess the candidate’s suitability for the post applied for. The interview panel comprises experienced bankers and experts from the field of marketing.
The interview process is conducted for 100 marks, and candidates need to score a minimum of 40% marks (35% for reserved category candidates) to qualify for the final selection.
During the interview, candidates may be asked questions related to their educational background, work experience, achievements, knowledge about the banking industry, marketing strategies, etc.
The final merit list is prepared based on the candidate’s performance in the IBPS SO Mains exam and the interview round. The weightage given to the Mains exam and interview round is 80:20. Candidates who clear both stages are then offered the post of Specialist Officer in the participating organizations.
IBPS SO Preliminary Exam Syllabus
| Sections | Syllabus |
|---|---|
|
Reasoning |
Seating Arrangements, 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 and Proportion, Work, Time and Energy, Time and Distance, Probability, Relations, Simple and Compound Interest, Permutation and Combination. |
|
General Awareness |
Current Affairs, Banking Awareness, GK Updates, Currencies, Important Places, Books and Authors, Awards, Headquarters, Prime Minister Schemes, Important Days. |
Note:
- General Awareness (For the post of Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari).
- Quantitative Aptitude [Specialist Officers (Agriculture Field Officer, Marketing Officer (Scale I), HR/Personnel Officer, IT Officer Scale I]
IBPS SO Syllabus for Mains Exam:
| IT Officer (Scale-I) | Agricultural Field Officer (Scale-I) | Marketing Officer (Scale-I) | Law Officer (Scale-I) | HR/Personnel Officer (Scale-I) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
|
Participating Banks:
- State Bank of India (SBI)
- Punjab National Bank (PNB)
- Bank of Baroda (BOB)
- Bank of India (BOI)
- Canara Bank
- Union Bank of India
- Indian Bank
- Central Bank of India
- Bank of Maharashtra
- Punjab & Sind Bank
Salary Structure of IBPS SO
| Component | Amount (in Rs.) |
|---|---|
|
Gross Salary |
Rs.38000-Rs.39000 |
|
IBPS SO 2022 Pay Scales |
23, 700 – 980/ 7 – 30,560 – 1,145/ 2 – 32,850 – 1,310/ 7 – 42,020 |
|
Dearness Allowance associated with IBPS SO salary |
36% of Basic Pay |
|
City Compensatory Allowance |
0%-4% (Depending on Tier I to Tier III city) |
|
House Rent Allowance as per IBPS SO 2022 Salary |
7%-9% depends on the place posted |
|
Special Allowance |
It is about 7.75% of DA + Basic (Incentive or performance-based bonus) |
|
PF Contribution |
Between Rs. 3000 – Rs. 3500 |
Selection Process
The selection process for IBPS RRB comprises three stages – Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Interview.
Candidates who clear the Preliminary Exam are eligible to appear for the Mains Exam. Candidates who clear the Mains Exam are called for the Interview round.
Application Fees
The application fees for the IBPS SO (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Specialist Officer) exam vary depending on the category of the candidate and are subject to change from year to year. Here are the typical application fees for various categories:
General/OBC Category: The application fee for candidates belonging to the General or OBC category is usually in the range of ₹600 to ₹1000.
SC/ST/PWD Category: Candidates belonging to the SC/ST/PWD category typically have a lower application fee, which is usually in the range of ₹100 to ₹300.
These fees are based on previous years’ trends and may vary depending on the specific recruitment cycle and the decisions made by IBPS. Candidates are advised to refer to the official notification for the specific year they are applying for to confirm the exact application fees and any applicable concessions for reserved categories.
Exam Frequency:
The IBPS SO exam is conducted once a year by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS). The notification for the exam is usually released in the month of November or December, and the exam is conducted in January or February.
Conducting Authority:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is IBPS SO and what are the job roles for which the exam is conducted?
IBPS SO (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection – Specialist Officer) is a national-level competitive exam conducted annually for recruitment of specialist officers in various banks across India. The job roles for which IBPS SO is conducted include IT Officer, Agricultural Field Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari, Law Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer.
What is the eligibility criteria for IBPS SO?
The eligibility criteria for IBPS SO include the candidate’s age, educational qualification, and work experience, which may vary depending on the post. Generally, candidates between the age of 20-30 years with a graduate degree in a relevant field and work experience in the respective field are eligible to apply.
What is the exam pattern for IBPS SO?
The IBPS SO exam consists of two stages: a preliminary exam and a mains exam. The preliminary exam is objective type, while the mains exam consists of both objective and descriptive type questions. The exam pattern varies depending on the post for which the candidate is applying.
What is the selection process for IBPS SO?
The selection process for IBPS SO includes the preliminary and mains exam, followed by a personal interview. Candidates who qualify in the preliminary and mains exams are shortlisted for the interview round. The final selection is based on the candidate’s performance in all three stages of the selection process.
What is the salary structure for IBPS SO?
The salary structure for IBPS SO varies depending on the post and the bank for which the candidate is selected. The basic pay for IBPS SO is in the range of Rs. 23,700 – 42,020, with additional allowances such as DA, HRA, and special allowances. The exact salary structure may vary depending on the bank and location of posting.
