IBPS SO 2025: Notification, Exam Date Out, Selection Process

The Institute of Banking & Personnel Selection (IBPS) has released IBPS SO 2024 Mains Marks on 20th March 2025. The exam was conducted on 14th December 2024. Those who appeared for the mains exam can now check their section-wise marks on the IBPS website. Also, The IBPS SO Exam Date 2025 has been released. The Prelims and Mains Examination will be conducted on 22nd, 23rd November and 4th January 2026 respectively. A total of 896 vacancies were announced for IBPS SO Recruitment 2025. The IBPS Specialist Officer (SO) exam is a competitive test conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection to recruit candidates for specialized roles in public sector banks, including IT, Agriculture, Law, and Marketing. 

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) announced 896 vacancies for 5Specialist Officer positions across various banks in the IBPS SO Recruitment 2025. Successful candidates will proceed to the next stage i.e Mains Examination. The IBPS SO 2025 recruitment includes several participating banks such as Bank of Baroda, Bank of India, UCO Bank, Bank of Maharashtra, Indian Bank, Central Bank of India, Canara Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, Punjab National Bank, Punjab & Sind Bank, and Union Bank of India. Below are a few Key takeaways from the IBPS SO Notification: 

• The exam is held for 6 different positions which are IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari, Law Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer.
• The interested candidates must be aged between 20 to 30 years. The educational qualification varies from post to post.
• Selection of the candidates included 3 stages - Preliminary, Mains, and Interview.

Direct Link for IBPS SO 2025 Mains Scorecard​

IBPS SO Recruitment 2025: Overview

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection also known as IBPS has released an official notification for Specialist Officers (SO) recruitment. The table below contains an overview of the IBPS SO recruitment process.

IBPS SO Exam Date 2025

The IBPS SO Exam Date 2025 has been officially released. The preliminary examination is scheduled for 22nd and 23rd November 2025, while the main exam will take place on 4th January 2026. Candidates should regularly check the official IBPS website for updates and ensure timely preparation.

IBPS SO Vacancy 2025

The IBPS SO Vacancy 2025 details are yet to be announced, while the previous year's vacancy count for 2024 was 896. Stay updated for official notification regarding the 2025 vacancies.

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IBPS SO Vacancy Trends

Candidates should check the vacancy trend of IBPS SO. We have provided the vacancies for 2019, 2020, 2021 & 2022.

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IBPS SO Participating Banks List

Under the IBPS SO, eligible candidates will be hired for various positions including Marketing Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari, Legal Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, Agricultural Officer, and more. The participating banks for the IBPS SO typically include Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, UCO Bank, Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Indian Bank, and Punjab & Sind Bank. This list reflects the previous year's participating banks, and candidates should check for any updates or changes in the current year's recruitment.

Steps to Apply for IBPS SO Exam 2025

The following steps will help you fill out the IBPS SO Application Form and successfully apply online through the direct official link.

Step 1: Access the Registration Link

Click on the official website of IBPS.

Step 2: Initiate New Registration

Click on ‘New Registration’ to begin the application.

Step 3: Enter Basic Information

Provide your basic details such as name, date of birth, and other required information.

Step 4: Note Registration Details

You will receive a provisional registration number and a system-generated password. Save these for future reference.

Step 5: Complete the Application Form

Carefully fill out the application form and click “Save and Next” after verifying each section.

Step 6: Upload Documents and Select State

Upload your scanned photograph and signature, select the state you wish to apply for, and submit the form.

Step 7: Pay Fee and Print Confirmation

Pay the online application fee, then print the e-receipt and the completed application for your records.

IBPS SO Application Fee 2025

The IBPS SO Application Fee varies by category, with general and OBC candidates typically required to pay a higher amount compared to SC/ST/PWD candidates. The exact fee details will be specified in the official notification for the exam.

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IBPS SO 2025 Selection Process

In several Public Sector Banks, the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection conducts the Common IBPS SO Recruitment Process (CRP) for the recruitment of Specialist Officers in various cadres such as IT, Agriculture, Law, Marketing, HR, and Rajbhasha Adhikari. The details of the IBPS specialist officer selection process are listed below. The IBPS SO selection process consists of the following 3 stages :

Preliminary Examination

The Preliminary Examination is the first stage of the IBPS SO selection process and serves as a screening test to shortlist candidates for the Main Examination. This exam generally consists of multiple-choice questions across subjects relevant to the specialist roles, such as reasoning, English language, and quantitative aptitude, depending on the specific post.

Mains Examination

The Mains Examination follows the preliminary stage and is more comprehensive. It assesses candidates' knowledge in their specialized field, such as IT, Agriculture, Law, Marketing, HR, or Rajbhasha Adhikari, through detailed subject-specific questions. This stage evaluates the in-depth understanding and expertise of candidates relevant to their applied position.

Interview

The final stage of the selection process is the Interview, where shortlisted candidates from the Mains Examination are assessed in a personal interview. This stage evaluates candidates’ professional knowledge, communication skills, and suitability for the specialist officer role within public sector banks.

IBPS SO 2025 Eligibility 2025

The IBPS SO Eligibility outlines the criteria candidates must meet to apply for Specialist Officer positions. It typically includes specific educational qualifications and work experience relevant to the specialized roles, such as IT, Agriculture, Law, Marketing, HR, or Rajbhasha Adhikari. Additionally, age limits and nationality requirements are specified to ensure suitability for the roles.

• Candidates must be within the age limit of 20 to 30 years.
• Candidates must have completed Graduation in the respective discipline.

IBPS SO 2025 Exam Pattern

The IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2025 includes a Preliminary Examination, followed by a Main Examination, and an Interview. Each stage is designed to assess candidates' aptitude and specialized knowledge, with the Preliminary and Mains exams consisting of multiple-choice questions relevant to the respective specialist roles.

• The IBPS SO Preliminary Exam includes sections on English Language (50 questions, 25 marks), Reasoning (50 questions, 50 marks), and General Awareness with special reference to banking (50 questions, 50 marks), all conducted online.
• The Preliminary Exam is a qualifying test; scores are not counted towards the final merit list, but candidates must meet the minimum cut-off in each section.
• For the Mains Exam, positions such as Law Officer, IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer feature a Professional Knowledge section with 60 questions and 60 marks.
• The Mains Exam for Rajbhasha Adhikari includes an Objective Professional Knowledge section (45 questions, 60 marks) and a Descriptive Professional Knowledge section (2 questions, 30 marks).
• Candidates who clear the Mains Exam are eligible for the interview, which is worth 100 marks, with a minimum qualifying score of 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PWD candidates).

IBPS SO 2025 Syllabus

The IBPS SO Syllabus includes various sections for both Prelims and Mains. The Preliminary Exam covers Reasoning (puzzles, inequalities), English Language (comprehension, grammar), Quantitative Aptitude (data interpretation, number series), and General Knowledge (current affairs, banking awareness). The Mains Exam focuses on specialized knowledge: Agricultural Field Officer (crop production, horticulture), IT Officer (database management, networking), Marketing Officer (brand management, market strategies), HR/Personnel Officer (human resource development, industrial relations), and Law Officer (banking regulations, legal aspects). Comprehensive preparation in these areas is essential for success.

IBPS SO 2025  Salary

The IBPS SO Salary ranges from Rs. 23,700 to Rs. 42,020, with a gross salary of Rs. 46,000 to Rs. 48,000. After deductions, the in-hand salary is approximately Rs. 42,000 to Rs. 44,000. The salary package includes various allowances such as Dearness Allowance, Special Allowance, HRA, and City Compensatory Allowance.

IBPS SO Books

The IBPS SO books are essential for effective preparation as they provide comprehensive coverage of the exam syllabus, including specialized topics for various roles such as IT Officer, Agricultural Field Officer, and Marketing Officer. These books offer practice questions, previous years' papers, and detailed explanations that help candidates understand the exam pattern and improve their problem-solving skills. Using well-recommended books ensures that aspirants are well-prepared, boosts their confidence, and increases their chances of success in securing a Specialist Officer position.

Read a detailed guide on IBPS SO Bank preference list here!

IBPS SO Preparation Tips

Effective preparation for the IBPS SO exam requires a strategic approach and thorough study of the syllabus. Implementing focused IBPS SO preparation tips can significantly enhance your chances of success.

• Familiarize yourself with the structure and types of questions for both Preliminary and Mains exams.
• Cover all topics in detail, focusing on both general and specialized sections relevant to your role.
• Solve previous years' papers and take mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
• Regularly review and revise key concepts and practice areas to reinforce learning.
• Keep up with current affairs and developments related to your specialized field and general banking knowledge.

IBPS SO 2025 Cut Off

The IBPS SO cut-off is a crucial benchmark that determines the minimum qualifying marks needed to advance to the next stage of the selection process. The cut-off scores vary by category, exam stage, and participating bank, reflecting the overall difficulty of the exam and the number of candidates. Cut-offs are set based on factors such as the number of vacancies, the total number of applicants, and the difficulty level of the exam. Candidates must achieve at least the minimum cut-off marks in each section of the Preliminary and Mains exams to progress to the interview stage and be considered for selection.

IBPS SO 2025 Hall Ticket

The IBPS SO Admit Card is a vital document required to enter the examination hall. It is issued by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) to candidates who have successfully applied for the Specialist Officer exam. The admit card contains essential details such as the candidate's name, roll number, exam center, and timing. Candidates must download the Mains Call Letter from the official IBPS website before the IBPS SO Mains exam date and present at the examination center along with a valid photo ID. Without the admit card, candidates will not be permitted to sit for the exam.

IBPS SO 2025 Result

The IBPS SO Result is an essential outcome that indicates whether candidates have successfully passed the Preliminary and Mains exams, and have qualified for the interview stage. The results are typically announced on the official IBPS website, where candidates can check their scores using their registration number and password. The result includes sectional and overall scores, and marks obtained in the Mains Exam are used for shortlisting candidates for the interview. It is crucial for candidates to monitor official notifications for result dates and follow up with any further steps required for the interview process.

This was the complete information related to the IBPS SO Recruitment 2025. Hope you went through the details to prepare accordingly for the upcoming IBPS SO exam. To keep yourself updated with the latest information on study materials and also study plan for your preparation you can check out our Testbook App which will surely assist you during the exam preparation.