IBPS SO application deadline has been extended to 28th August 2023. The IBPS SO Notification 2023 was released on 1st August 2023 (CRP SPL-XIII). The prelims exam will be conducted on 30th and 31st December 2023 while Mains is scheduled to take place on 28th January 2024. The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) is conducting the Specialist Officer examination to recruit for various Public Sector Banks. A total number of 1402 vacancies for this 2024-25 cycle have been released for IBPS SO Recruitment 2023  Below are a few Key takeaways from the IBPS SO 2023 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 who wish to apply 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.

​For the SO bank exam of SBI, check out SBI SO 2023 details in the linked article

IBPS SO 2023 - Exam Summary

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 2023 recruitment process.

IBPS SO 2023 Exam Dates

IBPSO SO selection process consists of prelims and mains exams in which candidates must qualify. The IBPS SO Prelims Exam 2023 will be conducted on 30th & 31st December 2023 and the IBPS SO Mains exam will be conducted on 28th January 2024.

IBPS SO Notification 2023

The IBPS SO 2023 Notification has been released on 1st August 2023 on the official website. Online registration including edit/modification of application form has started from 1st Aug 2023 and will continue till 28th Aug 2023. The online preliminary examination will take place in 30th and 31st December 2023 and the mains in 28th January 2024.

Download IBPS SO 2023 Short Notice PDF

Download IBPS SO 2023 Notification PDF

IBPS SO Latest Updates

21st August 2023: IBPS SO Application Date Extended

The IBPS SO application deadline has been extended to 28th August 2023. Go through the attached notice for details.

Download IBPS SO Application Date Notice

31st July 2023: IBPS SO 2023 Short Notification Out

The IBPS has released the short notification for IBPS SO Recruitment (CRP SPL-XIII). The detailed notification will be released on 1st August 2023.

IBPS SO Vacancy 2023

The IBPS SO 2023 vacancy details has been released in the official notification itself. A total number of 1402 vacancies have been released for the IBPS SO Recruitment 2023 for the posts of IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, Law Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari, etc. These IBPS SO 2023 vacancies are applicable for 2024-25 cycle across 11 participating banks. Below are the post-wise vacancy details.

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Take the IBPS SO - Law Officer free mock test to upscale your exam preparation and beat the competition.

IBPS SO Participating Banks List

Under the IBPS SO, the following banks will hire eligible candidates for various positions such as marketing officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari, legal officer, HR/ Personnel Officer, Agricultural Officer, and many more. Check the list of participating banks in the previous year of IBPS SO. 

How to Apply for IBPS SO Exam 2023?

The IBPS SO apply online process has started on 1st August 2023 on the official website for IBPS. The following steps will help you fill out the IBPS SO Application Form and successfully apply online through the direct official link.

Direct Link to Apply Online for IBPS SO 2023 Recruitment

Step 1: Click the direct link given above.

Step 2: Now, click on ‘New Registration’.

Step 3: You should provide your basic information to register like your name, date of birth, etc.

Step 4: Now you will receive a provisional registration number and a system-generated password. Note these down for future reference.

Step 5: Fill up the application form carefully & click on “Save and Next” after verifying details in each section.

Step 6: Upload your scanned photograph and signature & select the state you want to apply for and submit it.

Step 7: Pay the Online Application fee & take a printout of the e-receipt and online application for your future reference.

Step 8: You can also register through the IBPS official website.

Step 9: Go to the IBPS SO Application link.

Step 10: Repeat the above steps from 2 to 7.

IBPS SO Application Fee

In order to apply for IBPS SO position, the candidate must pay Rs. 850/- if they are from the General and OBC categories and the candidates from SC/ST/PWD Category should pay Rs. 175/-.

Know about IBPS SO Online Coaching and ensure your selection as a Specialist officer now.

IBPS SO Selection Process 2023

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 :

• Prelims
• Mains
• Interview

The Preliminary exam is just a qualifying exam and the marks that you score in the prelims are not counted towards final merit list preparation. Once you clear the prelims stage, you appear for the mains exam. Thereafter, the selected candidates will be called the Interview. Your final selection depends upon your collective performance in the Mains Exam & Interview.

Note: The validity for this IBPS SO recruitment under CRP SPL-XIII will automatically expire at the close of business on 31st March 2025 with or without giving any notice.

Read further to know about the IBPS SO Exam Pattern in detail and also get to know about IBPS PO previous year papers here.

IBPS SO Eligibility Criteria 2023

Overall, there are 2 criteria on which the IBPS SO Eligibility Criteria of all candidates will be judged. Aspirants need to qualify these eligibility standards to apply for this exam. These 3 criteria are broadly classified into the following categories:

IBPS SO Age Limit (As on 1st August 2023)

As per the IBPS SO 2023 age criteria, a candidate must have been born not earlier than 2nd August 1993 and not later than 1st August 2003 (both dates inclusive)

• Minimum Age - 20 years
• Maximum Age - 30 years

You need to fall under this upper & lower age limit to apply for IBPS SO. Normal Age Relaxation rules apply.

Age Relaxation for IBPS SO 2023

The age limit for IBPS SO is crucial to understand. Candidates must carefully adhere to the age limit guidelines. For any reason, no relaxation other than that listed below will be granted to any candidate. The following table covers the age relaxation for all the categories. Note the age relaxation to check your eligibility for the IBPS SO exam.

IBPS SO Educational Qualification 2023

Candidates must ensure that their educational qualifications match the prescribed educational requirements listed in the advertisement and that they meet the aforementioned eligibility conditions. IBPS and Participating Organizations would not accept any other educational qualification as equivalent.

The following table covers the educational qualifications required for all the posts.

Note: For posts other than IT Officer, aspirants must have secured Certificate/Diploma/Degree in computer operations/ Language or should have studied Computer / Information Technology as one of the subjects in the High School/ College/ Institute.

Syllabus for IBPS SO 2023 Exam

Thousands of individuals apply for IBPS SO, a renowned appointment for technical and specialized employment in public sector banks. The difficulty level of the IBPS SO exam has increased as the number of candidates has increased year after year. To ace the exam, you must be well-versed in the IBPS SO syllabus.

The details of the IBPS SO 2023 Syllabus for both prelims and mains are mentioned below

IBPS SO Prelims Exam Syllabus

The IBPS SO syllabus for prelims is described below:

Reasoning Syllabus:

• Puzzles 
• Inequalities
• Seating Arrangement
• Syllogism
• Blood Relations
• Order and Ranking
• Alphanumeric Series
• Input-Output
• Coding Decoding
• Data Sufficiency
• Distance and Direction
• Verbal and Non Verbal Reasoning

English Language Syllabus:

• Reading Comprehension 
• Cloze Test 
• Detection of Errors
• Improving Sentences and paragraphs
• Completion of paragraphs 
• Para jumbling 
• Fill in the blanks 
• Parts of speech 
• Modes of narration 
• Prepositions 
• Voice Change

Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus:

• Number Series 
• Data Interpretation 
• Simplification 
• Quadratic Equations 
• Data Sufficiency 
• Ratio and Proportion 
• Discounts 
• Averages 
• Mixtures 
• Percentages 
• Profit and Loss 
• Time Work and Distance 
• Rate of Interest 
• Probability 
• Permutation and Combination

General Knowledge Syllabus:

• Current Affairs and Static G.K.
• Banking Awareness 
• International and National Awareness 
• Countries, Currencies and Capitals 
• Books, Authors and Awards 
• Headquarters 
• Prime Minister Schemes 
• Government Policies 
• Important Dates and Events

IBPS SO Mains Exam Syllabus 

Knowing the detailed IBPS SO curriculum topics can help you prepare for the exam more effectively. Because you will only be able to pass the IBPS SO 2023 exam if you cover every topic with total dedication and hard work. The candidates who qualify the prelims exam, are eligible to sit for the mains. The mains is based on professional knowledge only. Check the detailed syllabus below:

Agricultural Field Officer (Scale 1):

• Crop Production Basics 
• Agricultural Practices 
• Animal Husbandry 
• Agricultural Economies 
• Horticulture 
• Seed Science 
• Agronomy and Irrigation
• Soil Resources 
• Agro Forestry Ecology 
• Government Schemes

IT Officer (Scale 1):

• Database Management System
• Data Structure 
•  Computer Organization, Microprocessor Object 
• Data Communication and Networking 
• Operating System 
• Software Engineering
• Object oriented programming

Marketing Officer (Scale 1):

• Basic of Marketing 
• Brand Management 
• PR, Sales, Retails Business 
• Corporate Social Responsibilities
• Market Strategies
• Advertising
• Market Segmentation
• Research and Forecasting Demand 
• Product Life cycle 

HR/Personnel Officer (Grade 1):

• Human Resource Development 
• Business Policies 
• Strategies 
• Transnational Analysis
• Training and Development 
• Industrial Relations 
• Rewards and Prizes, Recognitions
• Conflict Management 
• Performance Management

Law Officer (Scale 1):

• Basics of Banking and Regulations 
• Compliance and Legal Aspects 
• Law and Orders 
• Consumer Protection Act 
• SARFAESI
• Laws and Actions to Banking 
• DRT ACT 
• Foreign Exchanges 
• Money Laundering, Limitation Acts
• Banker’s Book

IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2023

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has issued an official notification for the job of Specialist Officer (SO) 2023. To be considered for a position as a specialist officer with IBPS, candidates must take the online written test and meet the cut-off set by the organization's officials.

The Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and Professional Knowledge sections of the IBPS SO Exam Pattern are all included in the exam. Professional knowledge syllabuses differ depending on the position for which a candidate is applying.

The IBPS SO Exam Pattern for prelims is described below:

IBPS SO Prelims Exam Pattern

The IBPS SO selection process for all positions includes an online preliminary exam, a mains exam, and an interview. For the following positions, the IBPS SO Exam Pattern is provided. The IBPS SO Exam will only be available online. The IBPS SO Exam is divided into three sections: Reasoning ability, English language, and general awareness with special reference to the banking industry.

For Law Officer & Rajbhasha Adhikari Scale I Posts -

For IT Officer Scale I, Agricultural Field Officer, HR/ Personnel Officer & Marketing Officer Scale I -

The below-mentioned table covers Online (Objective Type) Exam Pattern for IT Officer Scale I, Agricultural Field Officer, HR/ Personnel Officer & Marketing Officer Scale I

Note: The Preliminary exam is just a qualifying exam and the marks that you score in the Prelims are not counted towards final merit list preparation. However, aspirants have to qualify in each of the three tests by securing minimum cut-off marks as decided by IBPS.

IBPS SO Mains Exam Pattern

Following the successful completion of the IBPS Prelims Exam, IBPS will declare a cutoff for each candidate's category. The candidates who have been shortlisted will be given admit cards to take the IBPS SO Mains Exam. Professional knowledge relating to the candidates' discipline will be tested in the IBPS SO Mains Exam Pattern.

For Law Officer, IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer and Marketing Officer

The IBPS SO Exam Pattern for Mains is described below for the Post of Law Officer, IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer:

For the Post of Rajbhasha Adhikari

Follow the below given Mains exam pattern: (Note the time duration, marks, and the number of questions that will be asked in Objective and Descriptive type.)

• You have to qualify each test viz there is a sectional & overall cut-off.
• You will have to appear for Prelims first.
• You will then be selected for the Mains exam on the basis of your performance in the Prelims.
• The Mains exam will consist of questions only from the Professional Knowledge.
• The Marks that you obtain in the Prelims exams will not be included in the final merit list.
• The Marks that you obtain in the Mains will only be considered for shortlisting for Interviews.

IBPS Specialist Officer 2023 Interview

• Upon clearing the written test, you become eligible for the interview.
• The interview is conducted by the participating organizations and coordinated by the nodal banks with the help of IBPS. The interview is of 100 marks.
• The minimum qualifying marks in an interview should not be less than 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PWD candidates).

IBPS Specialist Officer 2023 Final Merit List

The IBPS final merit list will be declared around April 2024 after the Interview is conducted. Candidates can check the final result and scorecard for IBPS PO 2023 on the official website itself. It has been prepared on the basis of total scores obtained in the written test + Interview. The weightage of the online test and interview will be 80:20. For being selected as a Specialist Officer in the public sector bank you have to qualify in both exam – Written online exam as well as Interview and must score high in the merit list.

Start your preparation with IBPS SO - Agriculture Officer free mock test and get detailed solutions of all questions.

IBPS SO Admit Card 2023

Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) will release the IBPS SO Admit Card on the official website. As per the official notification, the IBPS SO Prelims admit card will be released around 2nd week of December 2023 and Mains around January 2024.

Candidates who have applied for the exam should check the official website to download the IBPS SO call letter on time. You can also refer to the following direct link to download your IBPS SO admit card.

Step 1: Go to the official website and click on IBPS SO Admit Card link.

Step 2: Now enter your Login Credentials or Registration Number and Date of Birth.

Step 3: Click on the “Submit” button.

Step 4: IBPS SO Admit Card will flash on your screen.

Step 5: Now, download the admit card and take a printout of the same for future reference.

Step 6: You can also visit the official website of IBPS

Step 7: Click on the link for IBPS SO Admit card.

Step 8: Repeat the above process from 2 to 5.

IBPS SO Salary 2023

The current IBPS SO Pay Scale is - 23700-980(7)-30560-1145(2)-32850-1310(7)-42020. The salary for IBPS SO will be revised only after the 11th Bipartite Settlement which is long due. IBPS SO Gross salary is Rs. 46000/- to Rs. 48000/-. However, the in-hand salary after deductions (like PF, etc.) is around Rs. 42000/- to Rs. 44000/- with the basic pay being Rs. 23,700/-. 

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

IBPS SO Result 2023

IBPS will be soon providind a direct link to check the status of the IBPS SO scorecard and results. Once released, we will update the direct link to your IBPS SO mains result and scorecard status, which you can find below.

The Authorities have also released the combined mains and interview result online on the official website of IBPS. Below are the steps to check the result.

Direct Link to Check IBPS SO 2023 Result

Step 1: Click on the above given direct link to check your IBPS SO result.

Step 2: Now, click on the Result link of the SO exam.

Step 3: Enter the login credentials and click on the submit button.

Step 4: Download the IBPS SO result 2023 and take a printout of the same.

Step 5: Alternatively, go to the official website of IBPS.

Step 6: Repeat the above process from 2 to 4.

IBPS SO Mains Cut off 2021(Post-Wise)

Candidates can refer to the Final Cut-Off given below:

IBPS SO Mains Cut off 2020 (Post-Wise) 

The prelims cutoff for IBPS SO 2021 will be released in January 2022, followed by the main exam cutoff in February 2022. The IBPS SO cutoff 2021 for final allotment will be released in April 2022. IBPS SO cutoffs are published separately for each post category. Candidates must also meet each section's cutoff score. The IBPS SO cutoff scores are used to select candidates for the next stages of the selection process.
As a result, you can check into the IBPS SO previous year cut-offs for the Prelims and Mains, including 2020, to resolve your confusion about the test level and cut-off. It also allows you to estimate the number of safe attempts you'll need for the next IBPS SO 2021 exam.

Check in the table below, the category wise cut off for 2020 IBPS SO recruitment Mains exam. 

IBPS SO Final Cutoff for Provisional Allotment 2020

Minimum scores secured by the candidates from different categories (Joint score in the mains and interview round) for 2020

IBPS SO Cutoff for Reserve List 2020

Minimum scores secured by the candidates from different categories (Joint score in the mains and interview round) for 2020

This was the complete information related to the IBPS SO Recruitment 2023. 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.