The IBPS SO Notification 2026 (CRP SPL-XVI) has been released for 745 vacancies. Candidates must satisfy all the prescribed eligibility conditions as on the dates specified in the official notification before applying online. Failure to meet any eligibility criterion at the time of document verification or interview will result in cancellation of candidature.
IBPS SO Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates applying for the IBPS SO Exam 2026 must satisfy the eligibility requirements prescribed in the official notification. The eligibility is determined based on the following parameters:
- Nationality
- Age Limit
- Educational Qualification
- Computer Proficiency
- Supporting Documents
Note: There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the IBPS SO examination. Candidates can appear as many times as they wish, provided they satisfy the prescribed age limit and other eligibility conditions.
IBPS SO Nationality Criteria 2026
Candidates must fulfil any one of the following nationality conditions to be eligible for the IBPS SO Recruitment 2026:
- Citizen of India
- Subject of Nepal
- Subject of Bhutan
- Tibetan Refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India
- Person of Indian Origin (PIO) who migrated from Pakistan, Burma (Myanmar), Sri Lanka, Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia or Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
Note: Candidates belonging to categories other than Indian citizens must produce an eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India wherever applicable.
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IBPS SO Age Limit 2026
Candidates applying for IBPS SO should have been born between 02 July 1996 and 01 July 2006 (both dates inclusive). Age will be calculated as of 01 July 2026.
| Particular | Age |
|---|
| Minimum Age | 20 Years |
| Maximum Age | 30 Years |
Age Relaxation (Upper Age Limit)
Candidates belonging to reserved categories are eligible for upper age relaxation as per Government of India norms.
- OBC candidates must belong to the Non-Creamy Layer.
- Candidates belonging to the Creamy Layer are not eligible for OBC reservation.
- Candidates claiming age relaxation must produce valid certificates during document verification.
- PwBD candidates should possess a disability certificate issued by the competent authority.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|
| SC/ST | 5 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 10 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen / ECOs / SSCOs | 5 Years |
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IBPS SO Educational Qualification
The educational qualification differs for every specialist officer post. Candidates should possess the required qualification from a government-recognised university or institution. The final result of the qualifying examination must have been declared on or before 21 July 2026.
| IBPS SO Post | Educational Qualification |
|---|
| IT Officer (Scale I) | • Four-year Engineering/Technology Degree in Computer Science, Computer Applications, Information Technology, Electronics, Electronics & Telecommunication, Electronics & Communication, or Electronics & Instrumentation OR• Postgraduate Degree in Computer Science, Computer Applications, Information Technology, Electronics, Electronics & Communication, Electronics & Telecommunication, or Electronics & Instrumentation OR• Graduate with DOEACC 'B' Level. |
| Agricultural Field Officer (Scale I) | Four-year Degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Science, Dairy Science, Fishery Science, Pisciculture, Agri Marketing & Cooperation, Cooperation & Banking, Agro Forestry, Forestry, Agricultural Biotechnology, B.Tech Biotechnology, Food Science, Agriculture Business Management, Food Technology, Dairy Technology, Agricultural Engineering, Sericulture, or Fisheries Engineering. |
| Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I) | • Postgraduate Degree in Hindi with English as a subject at Graduation level OR• Postgraduate Degree in Sanskrit with English and Hindi as subjects at Graduation level. |
| Law Officer (Scale I) | Bachelor's Degree in Law (LL.B) and enrollment as an Advocate with the Bar Council. |
| HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I) | Graduation plus a two-year full-time PG Degree or PG Diploma in Personnel Management, Industrial Relations, Human Resource (HR), Human Resource Development (HRD), Social Work, or Labour Law. |
| Marketing Officer (Scale I) | Graduation plus a two-year full-time MBA (Marketing), MMS (Marketing), PGDBA, PGDBM, PGPM, or PGDM with specialization in Marketing. |
Is Work Experience Required for IBPS SO?
No, IBPS does not prescribe any prior work experience for any Specialist Officer post. Fresh graduates who meet the educational qualification and age limit are eligible to apply.
Is Computer Proficiency Mandatory for IBPS SO?
Yes. Computer proficiency is mandatory for all specialist officer posts except IT officer, where computer knowledge is already covered through the prescribed educational qualification. Candidates should possess any one of the following:
- Certificate in Computer Operations
- Diploma in Computer Operations
- Degree with Computer Science or Information Technology
- Computer/IT as a subject during school or college education
IBPS SO Previous Year Papers
Documents Required to Verify IBPS SO Eligibility
Candidates shortlisted for the interview/document verification stage must produce the following documents:
- Proof of Date of Birth
- Educational Qualification Certificates
- Category Certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS), wherever applicable
- PwBD Certificate, if applicable
- Ex-Servicemen Certificate
- Certificate of Eligibility (for candidates other than Indian citizens)
- Valid Photo Identity Proof
- No Objection Certificate (for Government/PSU employees)
IBPS SO EWS Eligibility 2026
Candidates applying under the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) category must satisfy the Government of India guidelines. To be eligible under the EWS category:
- Annual family income should be below ₹8 lakh.
- The family should not own assets beyond the prescribed limits notified by the Government of India.
- Candidates must produce a valid income and asset certificate issued by the competent authority during document verification.
If you fulfil all the required eligibility conditions, then Apply Online for the IBPS SO Exam.
