The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the IBPS SO exam annually to recruit Specialist Officers in various public sector banks. The selection process comprises three stages: Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Interview. Candidates need to qualify at each stage to be considered for the final appointment. Understanding the IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2025 is crucial for aspirants to plan their preparation effectively.
IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2025
The IBPS SO 2025 exam follows a structured selection process with different phases. Each phase has specific requirements and marking criteria. The table below provides an overview of the IBPS SO Exam Pattern.
| Particular | Details |
|---|
| Exam Conducting Authority | Institute of Banking & Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Exam Name | IBPS SO 2025 |
| Mode of Examination | Online |
| Prelims Exam Date | 22nd and 23rd November 2025 |
| Mains Exam Date | 4th January 2026 |
| Duration | Prelims: 120 minutes, Mains: 45-60 minutes |
| Selection Process | Prelims - Mains - Interview |
| Negative Marking | 1/4th marks deducted for each wrong answer |
| Official Website | ibps.in |
IBPS SO Selection Process
The selection of candidates for IBPS SO 2025 is based on their performance in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination – Screening test for shortlisting candidates for the Mains exam.
- Mains Examination – Assesses candidates' professional knowledge in their chosen field.
- Interview – The final stage where shortlisted candidates are assessed on various parameters.
- Only candidates who clear all three stages successfully will be recruited as Specialist Officers in participating banks.
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IBPS SO Preliminary Exam Pattern
The IBPS SO Prelims exam is conducted in online mode. It consists of three sections with a total of 150 multiple-choice questions. The duration of the exam is 120 minutes, with separate sectional timing for each part. Below is the detailed pattern for different posts.
For Law Officer & Rajbhasha Adhikari:
The table below provides the section-wise breakdown for the IBPS SO Law Officer & Rajbhasha Adhikari Exam Pattern:
| S No. | Section | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|
| 1 | Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 40 minutes |
| 2 | English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 minutes |
| 3 | General Awareness (with Special Reference to Banking) | 50 | 50 | 40 minutes |
| Total | - | 150 | 125 | 120 minutes |
For Other Specialist Officers (IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, Marketing Officer):
The pattern for these posts is slightly different, as shown in the table below.
| S No. | Section | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
|---|
| 1 | Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 40 minutes |
| 2 | English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 minutes |
| 3 | Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 40 minutes |
| Total | - | 150 | 125 | 120 minutes |
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IBPS SO Mains Exam Pattern
The IBPS SO Mains Exam is designed to test candidates' professional knowledge in their respective fields. The table below highlights the exam pattern for various posts.
For the Posts of Law Officer, IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer:
Check the Mains Exam pattern for Law Officer, IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer below-
| Name of Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Duration |
|---|
| Professional Knowledge | 60 | 60 | English & Hindi | 45 minutes |
For the Post of Rajbhasha Adhikari:
The Rajbhasa Adhikari follows a two-phase exam patten for mains. It includes an objective and a descriptive test.
| Name of Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Duration |
|---|
| Professional Knowledge (Objective) | 45 | 60 | English & Hindi | 30 minutes |
| Professional Knowledge (Descriptive) | 2 | - | English & Hindi | 30 minutes |
IBPS SO Interview Process
Candidates who qualify for the Mains Exam will be invited for the final Interview Process. The interview is conducted by IBPS and participating banks. It carries significant weight in the final selection, and candidates must perform well to secure their appointment as Specialist Officers.
During the interview, candidates will be evaluated on their knowledge, communication skills, confidence, and suitability for the role. The final merit list is prepared based on the combined score of the Mains Exam and the Interview.
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Final Selection for IBPS SO 2025
The final selection of candidates is based on their combined performance in the Mains Exam and the Interview Process. The Preliminary Exam is only qualifying in nature and does not contribute to the final merit list. Candidates who perform well in both Mains and Interview will receive appointment offers from participating banks. Understanding the IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2025 is crucial for candidates to streamline their preparation and maximize their chances of success.
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