The IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2026 has been revised for CRP SPL-XVI. The selection process continues to include three stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Interview. However, the structure of both Prelims and Mains has changed as per the latest notification. The Prelims now consists of 100 questions for 125 marks, while the Mains examination includes qualifying sections along with Professional Knowledge and a descriptive paper for specific posts. Candidates lose one-fourth or 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer in the objective papers. The final selection is based on the Online Main Examination and Interview in the ratio of 80:20.
IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2026
Understanding the latest IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2026 is essential for effective preparation as it provides complete clarity on the selection process, sectional weightage, exam duration, and marking scheme. Familiarity with the revised pattern helps candidates prepare strategically, improve time management, and focus on the sections that matter most for shortlisting and final selection. Since the exam pattern differs according to the Specialist Officer post, candidates should carefully check the pattern applicable to their chosen discipline.
Check IBPS SO Syllabus
Is the IBPS SO exam pattern revised?
Yes, the IBPS SO exam pattern has been revised for the 2026 recruitment cycle. The recruitment process still follows a three-stage selection procedure:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Interview
However, the preliminary examination now includes professional knowledge as a separate section for all posts. The number of questions in prelims has been reduced to 100, while the total marks remain 125. The Main Examination has also been revised. It now includes:
- English Language
- Reasoning
- Quantitative Aptitude or General Awareness
- Professional Knowledge
- Descriptive Paper, depending on the post
In the Main Examination, all tests except Professional Knowledge are qualifying in nature, and merit listing is done on the basis of candidates' scores in Professional Knowledge.
Attempt IBPS SO Mock Test
What is the IBPS SO prelims exam pattern?
The IBPS SO Preliminary Examination is conducted online and consists of 100 objective-type questions carrying 125 marks. The total duration of the exam is 80 minutes, with 20 minutes allotted to each section. The fourth section is Professional Knowledge, which carries 50 marks. Candidates must qualify in each of the four tests by securing minimum cut-off marks decided by IBPS to be shortlisted for the Online Main Examination.
- Mode of Examination: Online Objective Type
- Total Questions: 100
- Total Marks: 125
- Duration: 80 minutes
- Sectional Timing: 20 minutes per section
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for every incorrect answer
- Candidates must qualify in each section as per the cut-off decided by IBPS.
IBPS SO Prelims Exam Pattern for Law Officer & Rajbhasha Adhikari
Candidates applying for Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari are tested on English Language, Reasoning, General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry, and Professional Knowledge. Each section has a separate time limit of 20 minutes, making the total exam duration 80 minutes.
| Section | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
|---|
| English Language | 25 | 25 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning | 25 | 25 | 20 minutes |
| General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry | 25 | 25 | 20 minutes |
| Professional Knowledge | 25 | 50 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 125 | 80 minutes |
IBPS SO Prelims Exam Pattern for IT Officer, AFO, HR & Marketing Officer
Candidates appearing for IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer have Quantitative Aptitude instead of General Awareness in the Preliminary Examination. The number of questions, marks, and duration remain the same.
| Section | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Time Duration |
|---|
| English Language | 25 | 25 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning | 25 | 25 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 20 minutes |
| Professional Knowledge | 25 | 50 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 125 | 80 minutes |
What is the IBPS SO mains exam pattern?
The IBPS SO Main Examination has been revised for CRP SPL-XVI. The Mains now includes multiple sections, including English Language, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude or General Awareness, Professional Knowledge, and a descriptive paper depending on the post. In the Main Examination:
- All tests except Professional Knowledge are qualifying in nature.
- Merit listing is done on the basis of candidates' scores in Professional Knowledge.
- Candidates must secure the minimum cut-off marks decided by IBPS.
- Candidates scoring sufficiently high in Professional Knowledge are shortlisted for the Interview.
The Main Examination pattern differs for different posts. Candidates must check the post-wise structure before beginning their preparation.
IBPS SO Mains Exam Pattern for IT Officer, AFO, HR & Marketing Officer
For IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer, the Main Examination includes English Language, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, Professional Knowledge Objective Test, and a Descriptive Paper in English. The objective test carries 200 marks, and the descriptive paper carries 25 marks.
| Name of Test | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium | Time Duration |
|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | English | 25 minutes |
| Reasoning | 40 | 40 | English & Hindi | 35 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | English & Hindi | 25 minutes |
| Professional Knowledge Objective | 50 | 100 | English & Hindi | 40 minutes |
| Total Objective Test | 150 | 200 | — | 125 minutes |
| Descriptive Paper English | 2 | 25 | English | 30 minutes |
| Total | — | 225 | — | 155 minutes |
IBPS SO Mains Exam Pattern for Rajbhasha Adhikari
The Rajbhasha Adhikari Main Examination includes English Language, Reasoning, General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry, Professional Knowledge Objective Test, and Professional Knowledge Descriptive Paper. The descriptive paper is conducted in English and Hindi.
| Name of Test | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium | Time Duration |
|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | English | 25 minutes |
| Reasoning | 40 | 40 | English & Hindi | 35 minutes |
| General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry | 30 | 30 | English & Hindi | 20 minutes |
| Professional Knowledge Objective | 50 | 100 | English & Hindi | 45 minutes |
| Total Objective Test | 150 | 200 | — | 125 minutes |
| Professional Knowledge Descriptive Paper | 2 | 25 | English & Hindi | 30 minutes |
| Total | — | 225 | — | 155 minutes |
IBPS SO Mains Exam Pattern for Law Officer
For the Law Officer post, the Main Examination includes English Language, Reasoning, General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry, Professional Knowledge Objective Test, and a Descriptive Paper in English.
| Name of Test | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium | Time Duration |
|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | English | 25 minutes |
| Reasoning | 40 | 40 | English & Hindi | 35 minutes |
| General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry | 30 | 30 | English & Hindi | 20 minutes |
| Professional Knowledge Objective | 50 | 100 | English & Hindi | 45 minutes |
| Total Objective Test | 150 | 200 | — | 125 minutes |
| Descriptive Paper English | 2 | 25 | English | 30 minutes |
| Total | — | 225 | — | 155 minutes |
What is the IBPS SO interview process?
Candidates who qualify the Online Main Examination are shortlisted for the Interview, which is the final stage of the recruitment process. The interview is conducted by the Participating Banks and coordinated by the Nodal Banks in each State, Union Territory, or Region with the help of IBPS. The important details of the Interview are:
- Total Marks: 100
- Qualifying Marks for General category candidates: 40%
- Qualifying Marks for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates: 35%
- Interview call letters will be available on the official IBPS website.
- Candidates must carry the required documents at the time of interview.
- Candidates must qualify both the Online Main Examination and Interview for final selection.
What are the IBPS SO final selection criteria?
The final selection of candidates is based on their combined performance in the Online Main Examination and Interview. Marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are used only for shortlisting candidates for the Main Examination and are not considered for final merit listing. The final merit list is prepared using the following weightage:
- Mains Examination – 80%
- Interview – 20%
Candidates must:
- Qualify the Online Main Examination
- Qualify the Interview
- Score sufficiently high in the final merit list
- Fulfil the document verification and eligibility requirements
- Meet the provisional allotment criteria as decided by IBPS and participating banks
What is the marking scheme for IBPS SO?
For every correct answer in the objective examinations, candidates receive the marks allotted to that question. For every wrong answer, one-fourth or 0.25 of the marks assigned to that question is deducted as a penalty. There is no penalty for unanswered questions. The negative marking rule is applicable to:
- Online Preliminary Examination
- Online Main Examination objective tests
