The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has released the IBPS SO 2025 Notification for the recruitment of Specialist Officers in various public sector banks across India. The posts include IT Officer, Agricultural Field Officer, Law Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, Marketing Officer, and Rajbhasha Adhikari. Candidates interested in applying online must be Indian citizens, aged between 20 to 30 years, and must meet the educational qualifications specific to the post they are applying for. In this blog, we have provided complete details on the age limit, age relaxation, and post-wise educational qualifications required to apply for IBPS SO 2025.
IBPS SO Eligibility 2025
Before applying, it is essential for candidates to check whether they meet the IBPS SO Eligibility Criteria 2025. The eligibility is determined based on three primary parameters:
- Nationality,
- Age Limit, and
- Educational Qualification.
As per the notification, there is no restriction on the number of attempts as long as the candidate falls within the prescribed age limit.
IBPS SO Nationality Criteria
To be eligible for the IBPS SO 2025 examination, a candidate must be one of the following:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal, or
- A subject of Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India, or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or from East African countries such as Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam, with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Note: Candidates belonging to categories (ii), (iii), (iv), and (v) must possess a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
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IBPS SO Age Limit (As on 01.07.2025)
The IBPS SO Age Criteria apply uniformly to all the posts advertised under IBPS SO. However, relaxations are available for candidates from certain categories. The following table gives the minimum and maximum age limit for each post under IBPS SO.
- Minimum Age: 20 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
- This means candidates must have been born between 2nd July 1995 and 1st July 2005, inclusive of both dates.
| Post Code | Name of the Post | Age Limit |
|---|
| 01 | I.T. Officer (Scale I) | 20 to 30 years |
| 02 | Agricultural Field Officer (Scale I) | 20 to 30 years |
| 03 | Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I) | 20 to 30 years |
| 04 | Law Officer (Scale I) | 20 to 30 years |
| 05 | HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I) | 20 to 30 years |
| 06 | Marketing Officer (Scale I) | 20 to 30 years |
Age Relaxation (Upper Age Limit)
Candidates from certain categories are eligible for relaxation in the upper age limit. The table below outlines the permitted relaxations:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) / Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 5 years |
| Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) – OBC | 3 years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen, ECOs, SSCOs (with 5 years military) | 5 years |
Key Notes:
- SC/ST/OBC candidates can combine their relaxation with only one more category (e.g., PwBD or Ex-Servicemen), wherever applicable.
- These relaxations apply over and above the general age limit of 30 years.
- General and EWS candidates are not eligible for any relaxation in upper age.
Important Instructions for Age Relaxation
Candidates seeking relaxation must keep these points in mind:
- Original certificates supporting the claim must be presented during interviews or as required by IBPS/participating banks.
- OBC (NCL) candidates must ensure their certificate confirms "Non-Creamy Layer" status. The certificate must be in the prescribed format, issued on or after 01.04.2025.
- Ex-Servicemen: Must submit self-declaration regarding job applications before joining civil service. No reservation exists for ex-servicemen in the officers' cadre, but relaxation applies.
- PwBD Reservation: Only candidates with at least 40% permanent disability are eligible for reservation. Must have a valid disability certificate from a designated District Medical Board.
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IBPS SO Educational Qualification (As on 21.07.2025)
Educational qualifications for IBPS SO posts vary depending on the specific role. The degree or diploma must be from a government-recognized university, board, or institution. Below is the post-wise minimum educational qualification required to be eligible for IBPS SO 2025.
- The qualification must be from a university/institute recognized by the government of India or regulatory bodies.
- Candidates must have obtained the required qualification on or before 21st July 2025.
- Dual Specialisation PG degrees are valid only if one of the specializations is in the required subject.
- PG degrees with more than two specializations are not accepted.
| Post Code | Post Name | Educational Qualification |
|---|
| 01 | IT Officer (Scale I) | 4-year Engineering / Technology degree in Computer Science, Computer Applications, Information Technology, Electronics, Electronics & Telecommunication, Electronics & Communication, or Electronics & Instrumentation.
OR
Post Graduate in Computer Science / IT
OR
Graduate with DOEACC ‘B' level certification. |
|---|
| 02 | Agricultural Field Officer | 4-year degree (graduation) in Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Science, Dairy Science, Fishery Science, Pisciculture, Agricultural Marketing and Cooperation, Co-operation & Banking, Agro-Forestry, or Agri-Business Management. |
|---|
| 03 | Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I) | Post Graduate Degree in Hindi with English as a subject at the degree (graduation) level.
OR
Post Graduate Degree in Sanskrit with English and Hindi as subjects at the degree (graduation) level. |
|---|
| 04 | Law Officer (Scale I) | A Bachelor's Degree in Law (LLB) and must be enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council. |
|---|
| 05 | HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I) | Graduate and 2-year Full-Time Post Graduate degree/diploma in Personnel Management, Industrial Relations, HR, HRD, Social Work, or Labour Law. |
|---|
| 06 | Marketing Officer (Scale I) | Graduate and 2-year Full-Time Post Graduate degree/diploma in Marketing, MBA (Marketing), PGDBA, PGDBM, PGPM, or PGDM with specialisation in Marketing. |
|---|
IBPS SO Work Experience Requirement
Candidates applying for IBPS SO recruitment in 2025 are not required to have any prior work experience. Fresh graduates or postgraduates who meet the age and education criteria are fully eligible to apply. This makes the IBPS SO exam an ideal opportunity for entry into the public banking sector without any prior professional background.
IBPS SO Computer Literacy Requirement
For all posts except I.T. Officer, candidates must demonstrate basic computer literacy. This ensures that the candidates can perform essential banking functions in a digital environment. Acceptable qualifications include:
- A degree, diploma, or certificate in computer operations
- Computer Science/Information Technology as a subject in high school, college, or an institute
- This requirement is waived for IT Officer applicants as their educational qualification already covers this area in depth.
IBPS SO Credit History Requirement
Candidates selected for appointment must maintain a healthy credit history at the time of joining the participating banks. Although this is not a pre-condition to apply, it becomes important before appointment. Below are the key guidelines:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|
| Credit Score Requirement | The minimum credit score should meet the policy standards of the participating bank (as amended from time to time). |
| CIBIL/Other Agency Reports | If the candidate's credit report has negative remarks or is not updated, they must either:
a) Get the report corrected/updated
b) Submit No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from concerned lenders stating no dues. |
| Failure to Comply | May lead to withdrawal or cancellation of the offer letter. Final decision rests with the allotted bank. |
| Applicability | Not applicable to candidates who do not hold any bank account. |
| When Applicable | This is not required during application, but will be checked before joining. |
Guidelines for EWS Category under IBPS SO Eligibility
The EWS (Economically Weaker Section) reservation applies only to candidates who are not covered under SC, ST, or OBC reservations and meet certain income and asset criteria. Before claiming EWS benefits, ensure you meet the following conditions:
- Gross family annual income must be below ₹8 lakh
Candidates must not own:
- 5 acres or more agricultural land
- Residential flat of 1000 sq. ft. or more
- Residential plot of 100 sq. yards or more in notified municipalities
- Residential plot of 200 sq. yards or more in areas outside notified municipalities
- The term "family" includes the applicant, their parents, spouse, and children below the age of 18. Property and income from all sources are considered when determining eligibility.
- Candidates must produce an Income and Asset Certificate issued by a competent authority as per the format prescribed by the Government of India.
Important Points to Remember for IBPS SO Eligibility
Candidates must keep the following key points in mind:
- No equivalent qualifications will be accepted unless approved by regulatory bodies
- Applicants can apply for only one post under IBPS SO. Multiple applications will be rejected
- Eligibility must be fulfilled as of the date mentioned in the official notification
- The IBPS SO exam is open to freshers, so prior job experience is not mandatory
- Reserved category candidates must have valid documentation to claim age or seat relaxation
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