IBPS SO Selection Process 2025, Prelims, Mains And Interview

1. Prelims: The first stage of the selection process is the Prelims.  Achieving the minimum cut-off marks in each section is very important to qualify for the mains exam. Please note that preliminary exam results are not considered for final selection but are required for online access.

For IT Officers, Agriculture Field Officers, HR/Personnel Officers, and Marketing Officers, the prelims exam consists of English Language (50 questions, 25 marks), Reasoning Ability (50 questions, 50 marks), and Quantitative Aptitude (50 questions, 50 marks), totaling 150 questions and 125 marks, and lasting 120 minutes (40 minutes per section).

For Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari posts, the prelims exam consists of English Language, Reasoning Ability, and General Awareness with special reference to the banking industry, with the same number of questions and marks as above and with time allocation pf 120 Minutes.

2. Mains: Those who have passed the previous exam can access the network. The IBSP SO Mains Exam is also online and consists of four parts: General/Financial Awareness, General English, Reasoning and Computer Aptitude and Quantitative Aptitude. The marks in the main exam play an important role in determining the final merit list. As in the preliminary exam, candidates must score minimum marks in each section and reach the overall cut-off to pass.

For Law Officer, IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer, the mains exam comprises of 60 questions for 60 marks, with a duration of 45 minutes.

For Rajbhasha Adhikari, the mains exam includes an objective professional knowledge test (45 questions, 60 marks, 30 minutes) and a descriptive professional knowledge test (duration 30 minutes).

3. Interview: The interview assesses candidates' professional knowledge, communication skills, and suitability for the specialist officer role. The minimum qualifying marks in the interview are 40% for general candidates and 35% for SC/ST/OBC/PWD candidates.

3. Document Verification: After the main exam, candidates who perform well will be called for the document verification stage. At this stage, applicants must submit the necessary documents, certificates and evidence to prove their eligibility and identity. It is very important to ensure that all the necessary documents are readily available and to avoid possible complications at this stage.

IBPS SO Prelims and Mains Pattern 2025

IBPS SO 2025 Exam will be conducted in the following two phases: Preliminary Exam and Mains Exam. It is mandatory for every applicant to clear all levels of examination to get selected to the post of Specialist Officer in multiple Public Sector Banks participating in IBPS SO Exam Procedure 2025.

• IBPS added a separate section time for each section in prelims. The total duration of IBPS SO Prelims is 120 minutes with 40 minutes for each section.
• The candidate must first appear for the preliminary examination and the students selected after the preliminary examination are allowed to take the main examination.
• Pre-examination marks are not considered for final selection, it is entirely based on the mains exam and interview.
• The IBPS SO mains exam contains questions only on professional knowledge topics.

IBPS SO Prelims Exam Pattern 2025

For the post of Law Officer & Rajbhasha Adhikari

For other Specialist Officers (Agriculture Field Officer, Marketing Officer (Scale I), HR/Personnel Officer, IT Officer Scale I

IBPS SO Mains Exam Pattern

For the Posts of Law Officer, IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer and Marketing Officer

For the Post of Rajbhasha Adhikari

IBPS SO Interview Process 2025

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the final stage of the recruitment , i.e. IBPS SO Interview which assess the technical knowledge, banking awareness, communication skills, and personality traits relevant to the specialist officer role. Interview carries 100 marks, It carries 20% weightage combined with mains exam (80:20 ratio). 

Minimum Qualifying Marks: 40% for general candidates, 35% for SC/ST/OBC/PWD categories. Duration of Interview typically  lasts for 15-20 minutes.

IBPS SO Selection Criteria 2025

The IBPS SO Selection Criteria 2025 involve a three-stage process:

• Preliminary Examination: This is an online computer-based test that serves as a screening round. Candidates must clear sectional cut offs to qualify for the mains exam. The prelims pattern varies slightly depending on the post (e.g., IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR, Marketing vs. Law Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari), but generally includes tests on English Language, Reasoning, and either Quantitative Aptitude or General Awareness with special reference to banking.
• Mains Examination: Candidates who qualify prelims appear for the mains, which is more specialized and tests in-depth knowledge related to the specific post applied for (IT, Agriculture, Law, Marketing, HR, Rajbhasha Adhikari). It is also an online exam.
• Interview: Candidates clearing the mains are called for a personal interview to assess professional knowledge, communication skills, and suitability for the role

IBPS SO Document Verification

As part of the IBPS officer selection process, a document verification arrangement is strictly followed to ensure the authenticity of the credentials of the candidates. Here is the prescribed order of document verification:

• Interview Call Letter: Valid printout issued by IBPS for the interview.
• Online Application Form: System-generated printout submitted during registration.
• Birth Certificate: Birth certificate issued by competent authority or SSC/Class 10 certificate showing DOB.
• Photo Identity Proof: Government-issued ID such as Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID, Driving License, or other valid photo ID as specified by IBPS.
• Educational Qualification Certificates: Mark sheets and certificates for all educational qualifications from recognized boards/universities confirming result declaration.
• Caste Certificate (if applicable): For SC/ST/OBC candidates, a valid caste certificate in the prescribed format issued by competent authority. OBC candidates from the creamy layer or whose caste is not listed in the Central List must apply as General category.
• EWS Certificate (if applicable): Income and Asset Certificate issued by a notified authority for Economically Weaker Section candidates.
• Disability Certificate (if applicable): For Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD), a certificate issued by the District Medical Board.
• Scribe Certificate (if applicable): Candidates with writing limitations who used a scribe must provide a medical certificate stating the need.
• Ex-Servicemen Documents (if applicable): Service or Discharge Book, pension payment order, and proof of last rank; or release certificate if still in service.
• No Objection Certificate (NOC): For candidates employed in government offices, PSUs, or nationalized banks, an original NOC from the employer is mandatory.
• Experience Certificates (if applicable): For candidates with prior work experience, original or digitally signed experience certificates.

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