IBPS SO Syllabus 2026: New Exam Pattern for Prelims & Mains

The IBPS SO Prelims syllabus features core sections covering Reasoning, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and General Awareness. The prelims examination format is designed for 125 questions to be completed within a 100-minute duration. Furthermore, the mains examination comprises 152 questions specifically structured to evaluate the professional knowledge of aspiring candidates.

As officially outlined in the annual recruitment calendar, the Prelims exam is scheduled for 29th August 2026, while the Mains will take place on 1st November 2026. Candidates must kick-start their exam preparation with a structured strategy, beginning with a thorough review of the detailed IBPS SO syllabus. 

IBPS SO Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026 (New)

The IBPS SO 2026 recruitment process is conducted in three successive phases — Preliminary Examination, Mains Examination, and the Interview round. Aspirants must successfully clear every single stage to secure final appointment as a Specialist Officer across participating public sector banks.

IBPS SO Admit Card 2026- Click to Download

What's New in IBPS SO Exam Pattern?

• The structural pattern for both preliminary and main examinations has undergone revisions.
• The total number of questions in the Prelims has been optimized to 100, with the time duration adjusted to 80 minutes.
• Professional Knowledge has now been incorporated into the prelims testing framework.
• The Mains exam now features an increased question volume, consisting of 150 objective questions and 2 descriptive questions carrying a total of 225 marks.
• The overall duration for the mains exam has been revised to 155 minutes.

IBPS SO 2026 Selection Process

The final selection of candidates for various IBPS Specialist Officer posts depends heavily on their cumulative performance across all three evaluation stages. Only candidates who successfully qualify through every round will be appointed to prestigious specialist positions within participating public sector banks.

1. Preliminary Exam – Qualifying round only — score not counted in final merit
2. Mains Exam — Professional Knowledge — score counted in final merit
3. Interview – Final stage — combined with Mains for selection

How Much Syllabus Overlaps Across Posts?

• Reasoning and English Language sections remain uniform across all 6 specialized posts during the Prelims.
• 4 specific posts (IT Officer Scale I, AFO, Marketing Officer Scale I, and HR/Personnel Officer) include Quantitative Aptitude in Prelims, whereas Law Officer and Rajbhasha posts include General Awareness instead.
• The Professional Knowledge syllabus for the Mains stage is entirely distinct and customized for each respective post.

IBPS SO Prelims Exam Pattern 2026

The IBPS SO Prelims exam is hosted in an online format comprising 100 multiple-choice questions for 125 marks, scheduled over an 80-minute window with dedicated 20-minute sectional time constraints.

IBPS SO Prelims Exam Pattern for Law Officer & Rajbhasha Adhikari

IBPS SO Prelims Exam Pattern For IT Officer Scale I, AFO, Marketing Officer (Scale I), HR/Personnel Officer

Q. Is IBPS SO prelims score counted in final merit?
Ans.- No. The IBPS SO Preliminary Exam score is NOT counted in the final merit list. It serves purely as a qualifying hurdle. The final selection is determined solely by your Mains Exam score and Interview performance.

IBPS SO Prelims Syllabus 2026 (All Subjects)

Carefully review the complete topic-by-topic syllabus scheduled for the prelims exam outlined right here, and align your study schedule accordingly. 

Reasoning Ability Syllabus

1. Seating Arrangements
2. Puzzles
3. Inequalities
4. Syllogism
5. Input-Output
6. Data Sufficiency
7. Blood Relations
8. Order and Ranking
9. Alphanumeric Series
10. Distance and Direction
11. Verbal Reasoning

English Language Syllabus

1. Cloze Test
2. Reading Comprehension
3. Spotting Errors
4. Sentence Improvement
5. Sentence Correction
6. Para Jumbles
7. Fill in the Blanks
8. Para/Sentence Completion
9. Column Based
10. Sentence Rearrangement
11. Word Swap
12. Sentence-Based Error
13. Spelling Errors
14. Connectors

Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus

1. Number Series
2. Data Interpretation
3. Simplification/ Approximation
4. Quadratic Equation
5. Data Sufficiency
6. Mensuration
7. Average
8. Profit and Loss Ratio
9. Proportion Work,
10. Time and Energy
11. Time and Distance
12. Probability
13. Relations
14. Simple and Compound Interest
15. Permutation and Combination

General Awareness Syllabus

1. Current Affairs
2. GK Updates
3. Currencies
4. Important Places
5. Books and Authors
6. Headquarters
7. Prime Minister Schemes
8. Centre Government Schemes
9. Important Days
10. RBI Circulars
11. Static Banking

IBPS SO Mains Exam Pattern 2026

For the Post of IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer and Marketing Officer:

For the Post of Rajbhasha Adhikari

For the Post of Law Officer

IBPS SO Mains Syllabus 2026

IBPS SO IT Officer (Scale-I) Syllabus

1. Database Management System
2. Data Communication and Networking
3. Operating System
4. Software Engineering
5. Data Structure
6. Computer Organization and Microprocessor
7. Object Oriented Programming

IBPS AFO Syllabus (Agricultural Field Officer  Scale-I)

1. Basics of Crop Production
2. Horticulture
3. Seed Science
4. Agronomy and Irrigation
5. Agricultural Economies
6. Agricultural Practices
7. Soil resources
8. Animal Husbandry
9. Agroforestry
10. Ecology
11. Government Schemes

Click to Check Detailed IBPS AFO Syllabus 2026

IBPS SO Marketing Officer (Scale-I) Syllabus

1. Basics of Marketing Management
2. Brand Management
3. Advertising
4. PR
5. Sales
6. Retail
7. Business Ethics
8. Market Segmentation
9. Market research and forecasting demand
10. Product Life Cycle
11. Corporate Social Responsibility
12. Service Marketing
13. Marketing Strategies

IBPS SO Law Officer (Scale-I) Syllabus

1. Banking Regulations
2. Compliance and Legal Aspects
3. Relevant Law and Orders related to negotiable instruments, securities, and foreign exchange
4. Prevention of Money-laundering, Limitation Act
5. Consumer Protection Act
6. SARFAES
7. Banking Ombudsman Scheme
8. Laws and Actions with a direct link to the Banking Sector
9. Bankers Book Evidence Act
10. DRT Act

Click to Check Detailed IBPS Law Officer Syllabus 2026

IBPS SO HR/Personnel Officer (Scale-I) Syllabus

1. Human Resource Development
2. Business policy and strategic analysis
3. Transnational Analysis
4. Training and Development
5. Recruitment and Selection
6. Rewards and Recognition
7. Industrial Relations
8. Business Policy and Strategic Analysis
9. Grievance and Conflict Management
10. Performance Management and Appraisal

IBPS SO 2026 Interview Process

IBPS coordinates a comprehensive interview process exclusively for candidates who successfully clear the Mains examination. Final selections are determined by combining scores from both the main exam and the interview panel. The interview is structured to test a candidate's domain expertise, interpersonal communication skills, and professional fit for banking careers.

• Only candidates who qualify in the Mains are invited to participate in the interview stage.
• The final merit ranking relies on the aggregated score of the Mains examination plus the interview evaluation.
• Document verification procedures are conducted concurrently with or right after the interview sessions.
• Candidates are strictly required to bring all original certification documents to the interview venue.