IBPS SO Recruitment 2026 (CRP SPL‑XVI): Quick Facts
This overview gives you the key points of the IBPS Specialist Officer recruitment in one place. Read it first if you are checking eligibility, dates, or exam stages on mobile.
| Organization | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Recruitment Cycle | Common Recruitment Process for Specialist Officers (CRP SPL‑XVI) – Vacancies of 2027–28 |
| Notification Number/Date | CRP SPL‑XVI, dated 30 June 2026 |
| Posts | IT Officer, Agricultural Field Officer (AFO), Law Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari, Marketing Officer (Scale I) |
| Total Vacancies | 745 |
| Participating Banks | 11 Public Sector Banks (listed below) |
| Apply Online | 01 July 2026 to 21 July 2026 |
| Fee Payment | 01 July 2026 to 21 July 2026 (online modes only) |
| Edit/Correction Window | Available after closure; exact dates will be notified on IBPS website |
| Prelims Exam Date | 29 August 2026 |
| Mains Exam Date | 01 November 2026 |
| Selection Stages | Preliminary Exam → Main Exam → Interview |
| Final Merit Weightage | 80:20 (Mains:Interview) |
| Age Limit (as on 01.07.2026) | 20–30 years; DOB between 02.07.1996 and 01.07.2006 (both inclusive) |
| Educational Qualification Cut‑off | Final result must be declared on/before 21 July 2026 |
| Basic Pay Scale (JMGS‑I) | ₹48,480 – 2000/7 – 62,480 – 2340/2 – 67,160 – 2680/7 – 85,920 + allowances as per bank rules |
| Official Website | ibps.in |
Table of Contents
Introduction
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection has released the IBPS SO Recruitment 2026 notification for CRP SPL‑XVI. The detailed PDF is dated 30 June 2026. This cycle will fill 745 Specialist Officer posts in eleven public sector banks.
Online registration is open from 01 July 2026 to 21 July 2026. As per the IBPS exam calendar, the SO Prelims will be held on 29 August 2026 and the Mains on 01 November 2026. Candidates must check eligibility, documents, and fee details before applying.
This article explains vacancies, eligibility, important dates, exam pattern, selection process, and fees in simple steps. It is written for mobile readers who want quick and accurate information for their application.
IBPS SO Recruitment 2026: Vacancy Details
IBPS has announced a total of 745 vacancies across six Specialist Officer posts for Scale I. The distribution is provided below so that you can choose the correct post while applying.
| Post (Scale I) | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| IT Officer | 301 |
| Agricultural Field Officer (AFO) | 190 |
| Law Officer | 105 |
| HR/Personnel Officer | 60 |
| Rajbhasha Adhikari | 89 |
| Marketing Officer | 0 |
| Total | 745 |
In the bank‑wise vacancy table of the notification, some rows show “NR”, which means “vacancy not reported” by that bank for that post. The above vacancies are indicative and may change. Final provisional allotment will depend on the actual vacancies reported by the participating banks at the time of allotment.
Please also note that there are no vacancies for Marketing Officer in this cycle. Candidates interested in Marketing should still read the eligibility and exam pattern, as patterns are announced for all posts.
IBPS SO Recruitment 2026: Participating Banks
Eleven public sector banks are participating in CRP SPL‑XVI. Your preference order is taken during application, and final allotment is based on merit and bank‑wise vacancies.
- Bank of Baroda
- Bank of India
- Bank of Maharashtra
- Canara Bank
- Central Bank of India
- Indian Bank
- Indian Overseas Bank
- Punjab National Bank
- Punjab & Sind Bank
- UCO Bank
- Union Bank of India
Vacancies across banks may vary, and some banks may not report positions for certain posts. Always read the annexure tables in the official notification before selecting preferences.
IBPS SO Recruitment 2026: Eligibility Criteria
Before you apply, check the nationality, age, and educational qualifications. The eligibility is strict and is verified with original documents at the interview stage.
Nationality/Citizenship
You must be an Indian citizen. Candidates from Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetan refugees, or Persons of Indian Origin from listed countries may also be eligible as per the rules. Such candidates must produce the required eligibility certificate when asked.
Age Limit (as on 01 July 2026)
The age limit for all posts is 20–30 years as on the cut‑off date. Your date of birth should be between 02 July 1996 and 01 July 2006, both days included.
- SC/ST: relaxation of 5 years
- OBC (Non‑Creamy Layer): relaxation of 3 years
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): relaxation of 10 years
- Ex‑Servicemen/ECOs/SSCOs (as per conditions): relaxation of 5 years
Age will be counted exactly as per your date of birth in the matriculation certificate. Category relaxation will apply only if valid certificates are produced in the prescribed format at the time of interview and document verification.
IBPS SO Recruitment 2026: Educational Qualification (as on 21 July 2026)
Your final result for the required qualification must be declared on or before 21 July 2026. Web‑based results must be supported by original certificates showing the date of passing.
- IT Officer (Scale I): 4‑year Engineering/Technology degree in CS/IT/ECE/Electronics‑related; OR PG in relevant CS/IT/Electronics fields; OR Graduate with DOEACC ‘B’ level.
- Agricultural Field Officer (AFO) (Scale I): 4‑year degree in Agriculture or listed allied disciplines such as Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Science, Dairy Science, Fisheries, Agri Marketing & Cooperation, Cooperation & Banking, Agro‑Forestry/Forestry, Agricultural Biotechnology, B.Tech Biotechnology, Food Science/Technology, Dairy Technology, Agri Business Management, Agricultural Engineering, Sericulture, Fisheries Engineering.
- Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I): Post‑Graduate in Hindi with English at graduation level OR Post‑Graduate in Sanskrit with English and Hindi at graduation.
- Law Officer (Scale I): Bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B) and enrolled as an advocate with Bar Council.
- HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I): Graduate plus 2‑year full‑time PG Degree/PG Diploma in Personnel Management/Industrial Relations/HR/HRD/Social Work/Labour Law.
- Marketing Officer (Scale I): Graduate plus 2‑year full‑time MMS (Marketing)/MBA (Marketing)/PGDBA/PGDBM/PGPM/PGDM with specialization in Marketing.
For all posts except IT Officer, you must also have a certificate/diploma/degree in computer operations or languages, OR you should have studied Computer/IT as a subject in school/college.
Final‑year or appearing candidates can apply only if their final result is declared on or before 21 July 2026 and they can produce proper proof at the interview.
IBPS SO Recruitment 2026: Important Dates
Mark these dates carefully. The last date to submit the online form and fee is 21 July 2026. Admit card timelines and results are as per the official schedule.
| Online Registration (including edit/modification) | 01 July 2026 to 21 July 2026 |
| Online Fee Payment | 01 July 2026 to 21 July 2026 |
| Prelims Call Letter | August 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | 29 August 2026 |
| Prelims Result | September/October 2026 |
| Mains Call Letter | October 2026 |
| Main Examination | 01 November 2026 |
| Mains Result | November 2026 |
| Interview | November/December 2026 |
| Provisional Allotment | January 2027 |
IBPS will announce exact dates for call letters through the website and registered email/SMS. Keep checking your registered mobile number and email for updates.
IBPS SO Recruitment 2026: How to Apply
Applications are accepted only in online mode through the IBPS portal. You can apply for only one post under CRP SPL‑XVI. Multiple applications may lead to rejection.
- Visit the IBPS “CRP Specialist Officers” page during 01–21 July 2026.
- Complete one‑time registration and fill correct personal, academic, and post preferences.
- Upload documents: recent photo, signature, left thumb impression, and handwritten declaration in the prescribed formats.
- Pay the fee online and submit the form. Save the e‑receipt and final printout.
An edit/correction window will open after registration closes; IBPS will notify the exact dates on the website. Use it only for permitted fields and within the window.
Application Fee
The fee is inclusive of GST and must be paid online. Bank charges, if any, are to be borne by the candidate. Cards, Net Banking, and UPI are accepted.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/PwBD | ₹175 |
| All Others | ₹850 |
Fee once paid will not be refunded or adjusted for any other exam. Ensure that you are eligible for the selected post before making the payment.
Salary and Job Profile
All posts are in Junior Management Grade Scale‑I (JMGS‑I). The basic pay scale is ₹48,480 – 2000/7 – 62,480 – 2340/2 – 67,160 – 2680/7 – 85,920. Other allowances and benefits are provided as per bank rules and vary by place of posting.
The job profile depends on the post and the bank. Generally, you will handle tasks related to your specialization such as systems/IT, agriculture support and credit, legal matters, human resources, official language, or marketing functions. Exact duties will be assigned by the bank after joining.
Selection Process
The recruitment has three stages. You must qualify each stage to move to the next. Final merit is prepared only from the Main examination and the Interview scores.
- Online Preliminary Examination – qualifying in nature; used for shortlisting to Mains.
- Online Main Examination – marks considered for shortlisting to Interview and for final merit.
- Interview – conducted by participating banks; carries 100 marks.
There is a penalty for wrong answers in objective tests. For each wrong answer, 0.25 of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted. If you skip a question, there is no penalty.
The minimum qualifying marks in the Interview are 40% for General and 35% for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD. The final merit score will be calculated in the ratio of 80:20 for Mains and Interview respectively.
Exam Pattern and Syllabus Overview
IBPS has provided separate structures for Prelims and Mains. Sectional timings apply as per the notification. In Mains, only the Professional Knowledge test counts for merit; other tests are qualifying.
Preliminary Examination Structure
There are two prelims structures based on the post you choose. The total questions and marks vary by group. Negative marking of 0.25 applies to all objective tests.
For IT Officer / AFO / HR / Marketing (Scale I)
- English Language: 25 questions, 25 marks
- Reasoning: 25 questions, 25 marks
- General Awareness (Banking): 30 questions, 30 marks
- Quantitative Aptitude: 20 questions, 20 marks
- Professional Knowledge (Objective): 50 questions, 100 marks
- Total: 150 questions, 200 marks; total duration 125 minutes (sectional timing applies)
For Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I)
- English Language: 25 questions, 25 marks
- Reasoning: 25 questions, 25 marks
- General Awareness (Banking): 30 questions, 30 marks
- Professional Knowledge (Objective): 50 questions, 100 marks
The Prelims is only for shortlisting. Its marks are not added to the final merit list. You must meet both sectional and overall cut‑offs as fixed by IBPS.
Main Examination Structure
The Main examination tests domain knowledge and essential abilities. It also includes descriptive components for some posts. All tests except Professional Knowledge are qualifying in nature. Merit listing for Mains is done based on Professional Knowledge only.
For IT Officer / AFO / HR / Marketing (Scale I)
- English Language: 25 questions, 25 marks, 25 minutes
- Reasoning: 40 questions, 40 marks, 35 minutes
- Quantitative Aptitude: 30 questions, 30 marks, 45 minutes
- Professional Knowledge (Objective): 60 questions, 60 marks, 45 minutes
- Descriptive Paper (English): 2 questions, 25 marks, 30 minutes
- Total Marks: 225; total duration 155 minutes
For Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I)
- English Language: 30 questions, 30 marks, 25 minutes
- Reasoning: 40 questions, 40 marks, 35 minutes
- General Awareness (Banking): 30 questions, 30 marks, 25 minutes
- Professional Knowledge (Objective): 30 questions, 30 marks, 30 minutes
- Professional Knowledge (Descriptive): 1 question, 25 marks, 20 minutes
- Total duration 155 minutes
For Law Officer (Scale I)
- Reasoning: 40 questions, 40 marks, 35 minutes
- English Language: 30 questions, 30 marks, 25 minutes
- General Awareness (Banking): 30 questions, 30 marks, 25 minutes
- Professional Knowledge (Objective): 30 questions, 30 marks, 30 minutes
- Descriptive Paper (English): 2 questions, 25 marks, 20 minutes
- Total duration 155 minutes
Language of tests and other conduct rules will be as stated in the official notification and admit card instructions. Read all exam day guidelines carefully when you download your call letter.
High‑Level Syllabus Cue
The notification provides subjects and exam structure. Candidates should prepare the listed sections such as English Language, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, General Awareness (Banking), and Professional Knowledge of the chosen post. For detailed topics, refer only to the official pattern and updates.
Important Instructions from the Notification
- You can apply for only one post under CRP SPL‑XVI. Multiple applications may be rejected.
- Scores will be normalized using the equi‑percentile method. Final scores are recorded up to two decimals.
- There is 0.25 negative marking for each wrong answer in objective tests.
- Prelims marks are not counted for final merit. Mains marks are used for shortlisting and combined with Interview in the ratio 80:20 for the final result.
- A reserve list of up to about 20% may be maintained. Provisional allotment is subject to document verification and medical fitness by the bank.
- Educational final result must be declared on or before 21 July 2026. Carry original certificates showing the date of passing.
- Documents for interview usually include identity proof, caste/Category certificate (if applicable), disability certificate (if applicable), educational mark sheets and degree, and other forms as prescribed.
- Provisional allotment is expected in January 2027. Joining is at the discretion of banks and subject to their verification.
- Vacancies shown are indicative and depend on bank reporting. “NR” in annexures means a bank has not reported vacancies for that post.
Follow the formats given in the notification for all certificates. Any mismatch in name, date of birth, or category may lead to cancellation at any stage.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the last date to apply for IBPS SO 2026? The last date is 21 July 2026.
- What is the age limit? 20–30 years as on 01 July 2026 (DOB from 02.07.1996 to 01.07.2006, both inclusive), with relaxations as per rules.
- When are the IBPS SO 2026 exam dates? Prelims on 29 August 2026 and Mains on 01 November 2026.
- How many vacancies are there? 745 total: IT 301, AFO 190, Law 105, HR 60, Rajbhasha 89, Marketing 0.
- What is the application fee? ₹175 for SC/ST/PwBD and ₹850 for all others.
Source: Official IBPS SO 2026 Detailed Notification (CRP SPL‑XVI, dated 30.06.2026) and IBPS Calendar 2026–27.
Important Links
Use the links below to read the official documents and submit your application. Do not rely on unofficial portals for registration.
- IBPS SO 2026 Detailed Notification PDF (CRP SPL‑XVI)
- IBPS Calendar 2026–27 (SO Prelims & Mains Dates)
- IBPS Apply Online (via ibps.in during 01–21 July 2026)
Keep your registered email ID and mobile number active until the completion of the recruitment process. All official updates will be sent to your registered contacts and will also be available on the IBPS website.
Conclusion and Call‑to‑Action
The IBPS SO Recruitment 2026 under CRP SPL‑XVI offers 745 vacancies across five active posts, with no vacancy in Marketing Officer this year. The application window is short, from 01 to 21 July 2026. Plan your submission early to avoid last‑minute issues.
Check your eligibility, arrange documents, and complete the online form in time. Make sure your final qualification result is declared on or before 21 July 2026. Prepare for the Prelims on 29 August 2026 and the Mains on 01 November 2026 as per the official calendar.
To start your application, visit the IBPS portal and follow the instructions given in the official notification. Wishing you success in the Specialist Officer selection process.