IBPS SO Syllabus & Exam Pattern 2026
The IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 is divided into two major phases: Prelims (English Language, Reasoning Ability, and General Awareness or Quantitative Aptitude depending on the post) and Mains (Professional Knowledge, which is post-specific and carries the highest weightage in final merit).
The IBPS SO 2026 Selection Process includes three stages: Prelims (qualifying), Mains (80% weightage in final merit), and Interview (20% weightage).
The Mains syllabus varies significantly across posts and each have a distinct Professional Knowledge syllabus that candidates must prepare for based on their chosen post.
IBPS SO 2026 Exam Pattern (Official Structure)
Understanding the IBPS SO exam pattern thoroughly before beginning preparation is quite important since the structure differs by post. The prelims are qualifying-only, and the entire merit is built on Mains and Interview performance.
Check out the exam pattern for the prelims and mains below
Download the study material for free
IBPS SO Prelims Exam Pattern.
For IT Officer, AFO, HR/Personnel Officer, Marketing Officer
| Sr. No. | Name of Tests | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English Language | 25 | 25 | English | 20 minutes |
| 2 | Reasoning | 25 | 25 | English and Hindi | 20 minutes |
| 3 | Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 | English and Hindi | 20 minutes |
| 4 | Professional Knowledge | 25 | 50 | English and Hindi | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 125 | 80 minutes |
For Law Officer & Rajbhasha Adhikari
| Sr. No. | Name of Tests | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English Language | 25 | 25 | English | 20 minutes |
| 2 | Reasoning | 25 | 25 | English and Hindi | 20 minutes |
| 3 | General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry | 25 | 25 | English and Hindi | 20 minutes |
| 4 | Professional Knowledge | 25 | 50 | English and Hindi | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 125 | 80 minutes |
Important Rules for Prelims
- The Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature. Prelims marks are NOT included in the final merit list.
- Both sectional cut-off and overall cut-off are applicable. Candidates must clear each section independently.
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer.
- Each section is separately timed (40 minutes per section). Candidates cannot switch between sections during a section's allotted time.
IBPS SO Mains Exam
The Main Examination focuses on testing candidates' professional knowledge relevant to the post they have applied for.
For Law, IT, Agriculture, HR, Marketing
| Test | Questions | Marks | Medium | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | English | 25 minutes |
| Reasoning | 40 | 40 | English & Hindi | 35 minutes |
| General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry | 30 | 30 | English & Hindi | 20 minutes |
| Professional Knowledge (Objective) | 50 | 100 | English & Hindi | 45 minutes |
| Descriptive Paper (English) | 2 | 25 | English | 30 minutes |
| Total | 152 | 225 | — | 155 minutes |
For Rajbhasha Adhikari
| Sr. No. | Name of Tests | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English Language | 30 | 30 | English | 25 minutes |
| 2 | Reasoning | 40 | 40 | English and Hindi | 35 minutes |
| 3 | General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry | 30 | 30 | English and Hindi | 20 minutes |
| 4 | Professional Knowledge (Objective) | 50 | 100 | English and Hindi | 45 minutes |
| Total (Objective) | 150 | 200 | 125 minutes | ||
| 5 | Professional Knowledge (Descriptive Paper) | 2 | 25 | English and Hindi | 30 minutes |
| Grand Total | 152 | 225 | 155 minutes |
Important Rules for Mains
- The Mains exam is the primary merit-deciding stage of IBPS SO recruitment.
- It tests deep domain-specific expertise in the candidate's chosen specialisation.
- Questions are objective type (MCQ) for all posts except Rajbhasha Adhikari, which has an additional descriptive component.
- Conceptual clarity, application-based understanding, and speed are all critical.
- Negative marking applies in the Mains as well: 0.25 marks per wrong answer.
IBPS SO Stage 3 Interview
| Component | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Mains Examination | 80% |
| Interview | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
-
Interviews are conducted by the participating banks under the coordination of IBPS and the respective State-level Banking Committees.
-
Interview is held out of 100 marks.
-
Minimum qualifying marks in Interview:
- General / EWS / OBC candidates: 40%
- SC / ST / PwBD candidates: 35%
Final Merit Calculation
| Stage | Nature | Marks Considered |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Examination | Qualifying / Screening | No |
| Main Examination | Merit | Yes (80%) |
| Interview | Merit | Yes (20%) |
| Final Merit List | Combined Score | 100% (80% Mains + 20% Interview) |
Prelims marks are not factored into this calculation at any stage.
IBPS SO Syllabus 2026 – Prelims
English Language Syllabus
Topics Covered:
- Reading Comprehension (fact-based and inference-based passages)
- Cloze Test (contextual vocabulary usage)
- Error Detection (grammar rules)
- Sentence Improvement
- Para Jumbles (logical sequencing)
- Fill in the Blanks
- Synonyms and Antonyms
- Idioms and Phrases
Preparation Tip: Reading comprehension and cloze tests typically carry the highest number of questions. Develop the habit of reading financial newspapers daily to improve both speed and contextual vocabulary.
Reasoning Ability Syllabus
Topics Covered:
- Seating Arrangement (circular, linear, floor-based)
- Puzzles (box-based, scheduling, distribution)
- Coding-Decoding (new pattern based)
- Blood Relations
- Direction Sense
- Syllogism (Venn diagram based)
- Inequality (direct and coded)
- Input-Output
- Data Sufficiency
Preparation Tip: Puzzles and seating arrangement questions together can account for 20–25 marks. Prioritise these two topics and practise varied formats daily.
General Awareness Syllabus
Topics Covered:
- Banking Awareness (functions, products, terminology)
- Financial Awareness (NBFCs, payment systems)
- RBI Policies and Monetary Tools
- Current Affairs (last 6 months, national and international)
- Static GK (important days, headquarters, schemes)
- Government Schemes and Economic Updates
Preparation Tip: Banking awareness is the most consistently tested area. Maintain a running notes file on RBI policy announcements, new banking schemes, and financial headlines throughout your preparation period.
IBPS SO Mains Syllabus 2026 (Post-wise)
The Professional Knowledge syllabus for IBPS SO Mains is entirely post-specific. The subject matter, depth of questions, and recommended resources differ across posts. Prepare strictly according to the post you have applied for.
IT Officer Professional Knowledge Syllabus
| Domain | Detailed Topics |
|---|---|
| Database Management | DBMS concepts, normalization, SQL queries |
| Networking | OSI model, TCP/IP protocols, LAN/WAN |
| Programming | C, C++, Java, Python basics |
| Operating Systems | Process management, memory management |
| Cyber Security | Encryption, firewalls, threats |
| Software Engineering | SDLC models, testing |
Preparation Tip: DBMS and Networking are the highest-weightage topics in IT Officer PK. Dedicate at least 40% of your Mains preparation time to these two areas.
Agricultural Field Officer (AFO) Professional Knowledge Syllabus
| Domain | Detailed Topics |
|---|---|
| Agronomy | Cropping patterns, irrigation methods |
| Soil Science | Soil types, fertility, nutrients |
| Horticulture | Fruits, vegetables, plantation crops |
| Animal Husbandry | Dairy, poultry, livestock |
| Agricultural Economics | Schemes, subsidies |
| Plant Protection | Diseases and pest control |
Preparation Tip: Government agricultural schemes and their budget allocations are frequently tested. Maintain a separate sheet tracking all active central schemes and their key features.
Law Officer Professional Knowledge Syllabus
| Domain | Detailed Topics |
|---|---|
| Banking Law | RBI Act, Banking Regulation Act |
| Company Law | Companies Act provisions |
| Contract Law | Indian Contract Act |
| Constitutional Law | Fundamental rights, duties |
| Legal GK | Important legal developments |
Preparation Tip: SARFAESI Act, NI Act, and IBC are the three most frequently tested areas in Law Officer PK. Ensure you know the key sections, timelines, and applicability conditions of each Act.
HR / Personnel Officer Professional Knowledge Syllabus
| Domain | Detailed Topics |
|---|---|
| HR Management | Recruitment, training, performance appraisal |
| Organizational Behaviour | Motivation, leadership, group dynamics |
| Labour Laws | Industrial relations, labour welfare |
| HR Development | Skill development and training |
Preparation Tip: Labour laws and motivation theories are consistently high-yield in HR Officer PK. Practise matching questions on specific Acts, their year of enactment, and key provisions.
Marketing Officer Professional Knowledge Syllabus
| Domain | Detailed Topics |
|---|---|
| Marketing Concepts | 4Ps (Product, Price, Place, Promotion) |
| Consumer Behaviour | Buying decision process |
| Digital Marketing | SEO, SEM, social media marketing |
| Sales Management | CRM, sales techniques |
| Branding | Brand equity and positioning |
Preparation Tip: Digital marketing is an increasingly important area in IBPS SO Marketing Officer PK. Ensure you cover SEO, SEM, and social media marketing basics alongside traditional marketing concepts.
Rajbhasha Adhikari Professional Knowledge Syllabus
The Rajbhasha Adhikari Mains exam includes both an Objective section and a Descriptive section.
Objective Section
| Domain | Detailed Topics |
|---|---|
| Hindi Grammar | Vyakaran rules |
| Translation | English to Hindi and Hindi to English |
| Vocabulary | Synonyms, antonyms |
| Literature | Hindi Sahitya basics |
Descriptive Section
- Essay writing in Hindi on contemporary topics (social, economic, banking)
- Official letter / note writing in Hindi
Preparation Tip: The Descriptive section rewards candidates who practise structured writing under timed conditions. Begin practising at least one Hindi essay and one official letter every three to four days from the start of your Mains preparation.
IBPS SO Selection Process Summary
| Stage | Nature | Marks Considered |
|---|---|---|
| Prelims | Screening | No |
| Mains | Merit | Yes (80%) |
| Interview | Merit | Yes (20%) |
Final Score = (Mains Score × 0.80) + (Interview Score × 0.20)
IBPS SO VS IBPS PO – Syllabus Comparison
| Parameter | IBPS SO | IBPS PO |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Specialist Role | General Banking Role |
| Mains Focus | Professional Knowledge | GA + Banking + Descriptive |
| Difficulty | Technical / Domain-Based | Analytical / General |
| Preparation Strategy | Subject Expertise Required | Balanced Preparation |
Important Observations For IBPS SO 2026 Aspirants
- Prelims is only a screening stage, but failing to clear individual sectional cut-offs will eliminate you regardless of total score. Do not neglect any section.
- The Mains exam requires deep conceptual understanding of your specialisation, not surface-level awareness. Previous year IBPS SO Mains papers show consistently technical and application-based questions.
- The Interview tests communication clarity, subject-matter expertise, and banking awareness. Prepare a strong domain-specific interview bank of 35–40 questions in addition to general HR questions.
- Never prepare using a generic IBPS SO syllabus. Your preparation plan must be built around the specific post you have applied for — each post's PK syllabus is entirely different.
- Professional Knowledge carries 80% of your final score. Allocate at least 60% of your total study time to PK preparation.
