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The Institute of Banking Personnel also known as IBPS invites applications every year to hire candidates as IBPS SO in Scale 1 for different Public Sector Banks. The IBPS exam takes place through two stages, the prelims, and mains followed by the final face-to-face interview round where the syllabus for all 6 positions will be different for both exams. Candidates must also know the exam pattern for all 6 posts which checks all the details related to the exam. The official notification for the 2025 recruitment process is out so let us look at the information about the IBPS SO syllabus 2025
The IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2025 is crucial as it provides a detailed structure of the examination, including the number of questions, subjects covered, and marking scheme. Understanding the pattern helps candidates plan their preparation strategy effectively, focusing on the weightage of each section. It ensures that candidates are familiar with the exam format, reducing anxiety and boosting confidence on the exam day. Additionally, knowledge of the exam pattern allows candidates to practice time management skills, crucial for completing the exam within the allotted time. Overall, it is an essential guide for thorough and targeted exam preparation.
For the preliminary exam, IBPS has implemented distinct sections timing for every section. There are forty minutes allotted for each section of the 120-minute IBPS SO preliminary test.
Check the exam pattern below for Law Officer and Raj Sabha Adhikari. It has three sections with 50 questions each, consisting of a total of 125 marks. The mode of the exam is online.
Sections |
No. Of Questions |
Total Marks |
Duration |
Reasoning |
50 |
50 |
40 minutes |
English Language |
50 |
25 |
40 minutes |
General Awareness |
50 |
50 |
40 minutes |
Total |
150 |
125 |
- |
Check the exam pattern for the Specialist Officers of other branches that are, Agriculture Field Officer, Marketing Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, IT Officer Scale 1. This one has three sections too, which are Reasoning, English Language, and Quantitative Aptitude.
Sections |
No. Of Questions |
Total Marks |
Duration |
Reasoning |
50 |
50 |
40 Minutes |
English Language |
50 |
25 |
40 Minutes |
Quantitative Aptitude |
50 |
50 |
40 Minutes |
Total |
150 |
125 |
- |
The candidates who successfully crack the IBPS SO prelims are eligible to sit for the main exam. Check out the exam pattern for the post of Law Officer, IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer below. It has a section on Professional Knowledge with 60 questions, to be completed within 45 minutes. The medium of the exam is bilingual.
Name of the Section |
Number of Questions |
Maximum Marks |
Exam Language |
Duration |
Professional Knowledge |
60 |
60 |
English and Hindi |
45 min |
Section |
Number of Questions |
Maximum Marks |
Medium of Exam |
Duration |
Professional Knowledge (Objective) |
45 |
60 |
English and Hindi |
30 minutes |
Professional Knowledge (Descriptive) |
2 |
_ |
English and Hindi |
30 minutes |
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The candidates who clear the main exam, are given the call to appear for the final face-to-face interview round. It is really significant for them to do well in this round, as it has high significance to play in the selection process.
The IBPS SO Syllabus 2025 encompasses a comprehensive range of subjects tailored to different specialist officer roles, including IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari, Law Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer. The syllabus generally includes sections on Reasoning, English Language, General Awareness with special reference to the banking industry, and Professional Knowledge related to the specific field. Each section is designed to assess the candidates' aptitude and technical expertise required for their respective roles. Understanding the detailed syllabus helps candidates focus their study efforts on relevant topics and enhances their chances of success. Thorough preparation of the IBPS SO syllabus is essential for excelling in the examination.
The Reasoning section in the IBPS SO exam tests a candidate's logical thinking and analytical skills. It plays a crucial role in assessing decision-making abilities under timed conditions. Check the detailed IBPS SO Reasoning syllabus in the table below.
Topics |
Sub-topics |
Reasoning |
Seating Arrangement |
Puzzles |
|
Input-Output |
|
Order and Ranking |
|
The English Language section in the IBPS SO exam evaluates a candidate’s proficiency in grammar, vocabulary, and comprehension. It is designed to test communication skills and command over the language. Refer to the detailed IBPS SO English Language syllabus in the table below.
Topics |
Sub-Topics |
English Language |
|
Cloze Test |
|
Improving Sentences and Paragraphs |
|
Completion of Paragraphs |
|
Para Jumbling |
|
Fill in the Blanks |
|
The Quantitative Aptitude section of the IBPS SO exam checks a candidate's numerical ability and problem-solving skills. It covers basic arithmetic, data interpretation, and mathematical reasoning. Check the detailed IBPS SO Quantitative Aptitude syllabus in the table below.
Topics |
Sub-Topics |
Quantitative Aptitude |
|
Data Sufficiency |
|
Discounts |
|
Rate of Interest |
|
The General Knowledge section in the IBPS SO exam tests a candidate’s awareness of current events and general banking and financial knowledge. It includes questions on static GK, current affairs, and economic updates. Refer to the detailed IBPS SO General Knowledge syllabus provided in the table below
Topics |
Subtopics |
General Knowledge |
|
Banking History and Structure |
|
International Organizations |
|
National Events and Personalities |
|
Currencies |
|
Headquarters of Important Organizations |
|
Government Schemes and Initiatives |
|
Key Government Policies |
|
Major National and International Events |
The IBPS SO IT Officer (Scale 1) syllabus includes both Preliminary and Mains examination subjects. While the prelims test reasoning, English, and quantitative aptitude, the Mains exam focuses on professional knowledge in IT. Check the complete IBPS SO IT Officer syllabus given below to plan your preparation effectively.
Department |
Topics |
IT Officer |
Database Management System |
Data Communication and Networking |
|
Operating System |
|
Software Engineering |
|
Data Structure |
|
Computer Organization, Microprocessor |
|
Object-oriented Programming |
The IBPS SO Agricultural Field Officer (Scale 1) syllabus is structured to assess both general aptitude in the Prelims and professional knowledge in the Mains exam. Candidates aiming for this role must prepare thoroughly for topics related to agriculture, crop production, soil science, and allied subjects. Below is the detailed syllabus to help you plan your preparation effectively.
Department |
Topics |
Agricultural Field Officer |
Crop Production Basics |
Horticulture |
|
Seed Science |
|
Agronomy and Irrigation |
|
Agricultural Economics |
|
Agricultural Practices |
|
Animal Husbandry |
|
Soil Resources |
|
Agro-Forestry Ecology |
|
Government Schemes |
The IBPS SO Marketing Officer (Scale 1) syllabus focuses on assessing candidates’ understanding of marketing concepts, strategies, and current trends in the industry. The Mains exam tests professional knowledge relevant to banking and marketing functions. Refer to the table below for a detailed breakdown of the syllabus.
Department |
Topics |
Marketing Officer |
Basic of Marketing |
Brand Management |
|
PR, Sales, Retails Business |
|
Advertising |
|
Market Segmentation |
|
Research and Forecasting Demand |
|
Product Life Cycle |
|
Corporate Social Responsibilities |
|
Market Strategies |
The IBPS SO Law Officer (Scale 1) syllabus is designed to evaluate candidates’ legal knowledge and understanding of laws applicable in the banking sector. The Mains exam tests core subjects like banking regulations, company law, and contract law. Check the table below for a detailed topic-wise syllabus.
Department |
Topics |
Law Officer |
Basics of Banking and Regulations |
Compliance and Legal Aspects |
|
Law and Orders |
|
Foreign Exchanges |
|
Money Laundering, Limitation Acts |
|
Consumer Protection Act |
|
SARFAESI |
|
Laws and Actions to Banking |
|
DRT ACT |
|
Banker’s Book |
The IBPS SO HR/Personnel Officer (Scale 1) syllabus focuses on assessing a candidate’s understanding of human resource management principles and practices. It covers essential topics like recruitment, training, industrial relations, and performance management. Refer to the table below for a complete breakdown of the syllabus topics.
Department |
Topics |
HR/Personnel Officer |
Human Resource Development |
Business Policies |
|
Strategies |
|
Transnational Analysis |
|
Training and Development |
|
Industrial Relations |
|
Rewards and Prizes, Recognitions |
|
Conflict Management |
|
Performance Management |
This was all that you will need to know about the IBPS SO Syllabus Exam Pattern. Get to know about IBPS SO Study plan and IBPS SO Preference list for the exam. Stay tuned to our page to get all the updates related to the IBPS SO exam. Download our app Testbook for free from Google Play store and get the chance to answer quizzes, attempt mock tests and attend live classes. Happy Learning.
Last updated: Jun 7, 2025
-> The IBPS SO Mains Scorecard released on 20th March 2025 for the candidates who are shortlisted for the Interview Round.
-> The IBPS SO Examination was conducted on 14th December 2024.
-> Candidates with Graduation and Post Graduation were only eligible to apply for the IBPS SO exam.
-> Candidates who will get successful selection for IBPS SO post will get a salary range between Rs. 23,700 to Rs. 42,020.
-> Candidates must go through the IBPS SO previous year papers.
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