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IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 and Exam Pattern for Prelims & Mains

Check IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 and the exam pattern for Prelims and Mains. Know subject-wise topics, marking scheme, sectional weightage, and preparation tips to plan your study.
authorImageLata Negi24 Jan, 2026
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IBPS SO Syllabus 2026

IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 for Prelims covers Reasoning, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Professional Knowledge sections, while Mains focuses on Professional Knowledge (150 marks) with sectional timing and negative marking. The Prelims exam lasts 120 minutes (2 hours), with 125 objective questions, followed by Mains (150 minutes), emphasizing domain expertise for IT, HR, Law, and other specialist roles.

As per the official IBPS Calendar 2026, IBPS SO 2026 Prelims is scheduled for August 29, 2026, and Mains for November 1, 2026, aiding structured preparation. Candidates should prioritize Professional Knowledge practice alongside general aptitude for selection.

Check: IBPS Calendar 2026

IBPS SO Syllabus 2026

IBPS test consists of two phases: preliminary and main exams for six distinct posts, followed by the final round of in-person interviews. The IBPS SO Syllabus for each of the six positions will differ between the two exams.

Moreover, candidates need to be aware of the IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2026, which varies post -wise. Understanding the IBPS Specialist Officer Syllabus 2026 is crucial for preparing well for the IBPS SO 2026 exam. It serves as an essential guide for candidates and helps them focus their preparation in the right direction. Here, we are going to explain the IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 for various posts:
  • Agriculture Officer
  • Law Officer
  • Marketing Officer
  • Rajbhasha Adhikari
  • HR/Personnel Officer
  • IT Officer
Each of these posts has a different syllabus, and it's important to go through the details for each one to be well-prepared for the exam. Take your time to study the syllabus for the specific post you are interested in and get ready for the IBPS SO Recruitment 2026.

IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 Overview

Candidates should be well-versed in the complete syllabus for IBPS SO Posts to make an informed decision to prepare actively and strategically. Candidates may look at the summary table that is provided below.
IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 Overview
Particular Details
Organization Name Institute of Banking & Personnel Selection, IBPS
Exam Name IBPS SO 2026
Post Specialist Officer (SO)
Category Syllabus
Examination Mode Online
IBPS SO Exam Dates
  • Prelims- 29th August 2026
  • Mains- 1st November 2026
Duration
  • Prelims- 120 minutes
  • Mains- 45 minutes/60 minutes
Selection Process Prelims-Mains-Interview
Negative Marking ¼th marks
Official Website www.ibps.in

IBPS SO Selection Process 2026

The IBPS SO 2026 Exam will consist of three main stages:
  1. Preliminary Exam: In this stage, candidates will have to appear for a preliminary test to assess their basic knowledge and skills related to the Specialist Officer post.
  2. Mains Exam: After qualifying in the preliminary exam, candidates will have to take the mains exam, which is more comprehensive and tests their in-depth knowledge and expertise in their respective fields.
  3. Interview Process: Once candidates successfully clear both the preliminary and main exams, they will be called for an interview. During the interview, their suitability for the Specialist Officer post will be evaluated based on their communication skills, confidence, and overall personality.
To be selected as a Specialist Officer in various Public Sector Banks participating in IBPS SO Exam, every applicant needs to clear all these examination phases. Make sure to prepare well and perform your best in each stage to increase your chances of getting selected for the desired post.

IBPS SO Syllabus in Hindi

IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 में वे विषय और उप-विषय शामिल हैं जिनकी उम्मीदवारों को प्रारंभिक और मुख्य परीक्षा के लिए तैयारी करने की आवश्यकता है।

IBPS SO प्रारंभिक पाठ्यक्रम में बैंकिंग उद्योग के विशेष संदर्भ के साथ अंग्रेजी भाषा, तर्क और सामान्य जागरूकता के विषय शामिल हैं। मुख्य परीक्षा के लिए IBPS SO पाठ्यक्रम में व्यावसायिक ज्ञान से विषय शामिल हैं। IBPS SO की प्रारंभिक परीक्षा कुल 125 अंकों की होती है। IBPS SO की मुख्य परीक्षा कुल 60 अंकों की होती है।

IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 

The IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 consists of two parts:
  • IBPS SO Preliminary Exam Syllabus: This part comprises four primary segments: Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and General Awareness. These sections test candidates' basic knowledge and skills in these areas.
  • IBPS SO Mains Exam Syllabus: In this section, candidates will encounter questions based solely on their respective specialized courses, aligning with the post they are applying for in the IBPS SO 2026 exam. The specialized segment will vary depending on the positions applied for. Candidates need to be well-versed in their area of expertise or specialization.
Candidates need to understand the detailed syllabus for both the preliminary and main exams to prepare effectively for the IBPS SO 2026 exam. Each candidate should focus on their specific specialization to perform well and increase their chances of success in the recruitment process.

IBPS SO Prelims Syllabus 2026

The initial phase of the IBPS SO exam, referred to as the Prelims Exam, features a distinct syllabus compared to other bank examinations. For the Rajbhasha Adhikari Scale I officer, the subjects to be covered are:
  1. Reasoning Ability
  2. English Language
  3. General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry
For the Specialist Officers (Agriculture Field Officer, Marketing Officer (Scale I), HR/Personnel Officer, IT Officer Scale I), the subjects to be covered are:
  1. Reasoning Ability
  2. Quantitative Aptitude
  3. English Language
Candidates should focus on these specific subjects according to the post they are applying for to prepare well for the Prelims Exam. Understanding the IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 will help them perform better and increase their chances of qualifying for the next stages of the IBPS SO exam.
IBPS SO Prelims Syllabus 2026
Section Topics
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, 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
Besides the common subjects in the Prelims Exam, candidates also need specific Professional Knowledge for their field. The expertise of candidates is tested in the main exam. For instance, an Agriculture Field Officer needs knowledge of agriculture, while an IT Officer needs in-depth information technology knowledge. It is vital to prepare both common and specialized subjects to do well in the IBPS SO 2026 exam.

IBPS SO Mains Syllabus 2026

The IBP SO Mains Syllabus plays a crucial role in your exam preparation. It outlines all the subjects you need to study, allowing you to concentrate on the key areas. To succeed in the IBPS SO exam 2026, it’s essential to have a thorough understanding of the syllabus. It includes both general subjects and specialized topics relevant to the position. Use the syllabus as a roadmap for your studies to make sure you cover all the necessary material for the exam.

We have tabulated below the IBPS SO Mains Syllabus 2026 for your reference.

IBPS SO IT Officer Syllabus

  • Database Management System
  • Data Communication and Networking
  • Operating System
  • Software Engineering
  • Data Structure
  • Computer Organization and Microprocessor
  • Object-Oriented Programming

IBPS SO Agricultural Field Officer Syllabus

  • Basics of Crop Production
  • Horticulture
  • Seed Science
  • Agronomy and Irrigation
  • Agricultural Economies
  • Agricultural Practices
  • Soil resources
  • Animal Husbandry
  • Agroforestry
  • Ecology
  • Government Schemes

IBPS SO Marketing Officer Syllabus

  • 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

IBPS SO Law Officer Syllabus

  • Banking Regulations
  • Compliance and Legal Aspects
  • Relevant Law and Orders related to negotiable instruments, securities, and foreign exchange
  • Prevention of Money-laundering, Limitation Act
  • Consumer Protection Act
  • SARFAES
  • Banking Ombudsman Scheme
  • Laws and Actions with a direct link to the Banking Sector
  • Bankers Book Evidence Act
  • DRT Act

IBPS SO HR/Personnel Officer Syllabus

  • 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

IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2026

The IBPS SO Exam has three parts: Prelims, and Mains followed by an Interview round. To get the Specialist Officer job in the participating banks, you need to pass all these stages. Here's a quick breakdown of the IBPS SO Exam:
  • The first stage is called the Preliminary exam. This exam has a sectional timing for each topic. Candidates have a total of 120 minutes, which means 40 minutes is allotted for each section.
  • If you pass the Preliminary exam, you can then take the IBPS SO Mains exam.
  • Your Preliminary exam scores won't decide if you are selected for the job profile. The scores from the main exam and the interview are evaluated for the final selection.
  • The main exam consists of professional knowledge topics.

IBPS SO Preliminary Exam Pattern 2026

Candidates can view the IBPS SO Prelims IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2026 for the positions of Law Officer and Rajbhasa Adhikari below:
No Section No. of Questions Total Marks Duration
1. Reasoning 50 50 40 minutes
2. English Language 50 25 40 minutes
3. General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry 50 50 40 minutes
Total 150 125 120 Minutes

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

S No Section No. of Questions Total Marks Duration
1. Reasoning 50 50 40 minutes
2. English Language 50 25 40 minutes
3. Quantitative Aptitude 50 50 40 minutes
Total 150 125 120 Minutes

IBPS SO Mains Exam Pattern 2026

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

Name of Test Number of Questions Maximum Marks Medium of Exam Duration
Professional Knowledge 60 60 English & Hindi 45 minutes

For the Post of Rajbhasha Adhikari

Name of Test Number of Questions Maximum Marks Medium of Exam Duration
Professional Knowledge(Objective) 45 60 English & Hindi 30 minutes
Professional Knowledge(Descriptive) 2 English & Hindi 30 minutes

IBPS SO 2026 Interview Process 

Once candidates clear the Mains Exam in the IBPS SO recruitment process, they will be invited for the Interview Process by IBPS. Performing well in the Interview is crucial because the final selection of a candidate depends on how they perform in this last round of the recruitment process. Therefore, an applicant must do well in the interview if they want to get the job.

IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 and Exam Pattern Important Points

Here are some important points about the IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 and Exam Pattern:
  • The Exam Pattern for Rajbhasha Adhikari Scale I and Law Officer is the same, while it differs for other posts.
  • The Mains Examination will have only one section, which is the Professional Knowledge related to the candidate's expertise.
  • The Preliminary Exam will have three sections. For Rajbhasha Adhikari and Law Officer, the sections are English Language, Reasoning, and General Awareness. For other posts, the sections are English Language, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude.
  • The score of the Preliminary Exam will not be considered for the final selection. The final selection will be based on the cumulative score of the Mains Exam and the Interview process in the ratio of 80:20.
Candidates should keep these points in mind while preparing for the IBPS SO 2026 Exam to understand the exam structure and focus on the areas that matter most for their respective posts.

Other Links Related to IBPS SO 2026
IBPS SO 2026 IBPS SO Apply Online 2026
IBPS SO Syllabus IBPS SO Eligibility Criteria
IBPS SO Salary IBPS SO Reserve List
IBPS SO Cut Off IBPS SO Admit Card
IBPS SO Previous Year Question Paper IBPS SO Result

IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 FAQ

Q1. What is the IBPS SO 2026 Syllabus?

Ans. The IBPS SO exam syllabus includes Reasoning Ability, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, General/Banking/Financial Awareness, Static GK, and Professional Knowledge. Moreover, check out the above page for detailed information on IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 & Exam Pattern.

Q2. Is there any negative marking in the IBPS SO Prelims & Mains Exam?

Ans. Yes, there is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer in both the Prelims and Mains exams. Moreover, check out the above page for detailed information on IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 & Exam Pattern.

Q3. Which posts can I apply for in IBPS SO 2026?

Ans. You can apply for posts like Agriculture Officer, Law Officer, Marketing Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari, HR/Personnel Officer, and IT Officer based on your area of expertise. Moreover, check out the above page for detailed information on IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 & Exam Pattern.

Q4. Is IBPS SO difficult to crack?

Ans. IBPS SO is not difficult if you have a strong understanding of your subject knowledge. The Preliminary exam is similar to other bank exams, and the main difference lies in the specialized subject knowledge required to become a Specialist Officer (SO).
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