The IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2026 consists of three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. As per the official schedule, the Prelims exam will be conducted on 29th August 2026, while the Mains exam is scheduled for 1st November 2026. The preliminary exam is a 2-hour test covering reasoning, English language, and either quantitative aptitude or general awareness, depending on the post. The Mains exam focuses on professional knowledge, while the Rajbhasha Adhikari post includes both objective and descriptive tests. The final merit list is prepared by combining mains (80%) and interview (20%) scores, with a penalty of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer.
IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2026
The IBPS SO 2026 exam follows a structured selection process conducted entirely in online mode. The prelims stage evaluates general aptitude, while the mains exam tests candidates on their domain-specific knowledge based on the chosen post. Only those candidates who qualify each stage successfully move ahead in the recruitment process.
| Particular | Details |
|---|
| Exam Conducting Authority | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Exam Name | IBPS SO 2026 |
| Mode of Examination | Online |
| Prelims Exam Date | 29th August 2026 |
| Mains Exam Date | 1st November 2026 |
| Duration | Prelims: 120 minutes, Mains: 45–60 minutes |
| Selection Process | Prelims – Mains – Interview |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer |
| Official Website | ibps.in |
What is the selection process of IBPS SO 2026?
The selection process is carried out in three stages, and candidates must qualify each stage to be considered for final allotment.
- Preliminary Exam: Acts as a qualifying stage to shortlist candidates for Mains
- Mains Exam: Tests professional knowledge related to the applied post
- Interview: Last stage to assess personality, communication, and domain knowledge
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IBPS SO Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
The IBPS SO Prelims exam is conducted online and consists of three sections with a total of 150 multiple-choice questions. The exam duration is 120 minutes, with sectional timing for each section. The pattern varies slightly based on the post.
Law Officer & Rajbhasha Adhikari Exam Pattern
The prelims for these posts focus more on general awareness along with reasoning and English language skills.
| 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 (Banking) | 50 | 50 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 120 minutes |
Exam Pattern For Other Specialist Officers
This is for the IT Officer, AFO, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer posts. For these posts, the third section is Quantitative Aptitude instead of General Awareness.
| 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 2026
The IBPS SO Mains exam is designed to evaluate candidates' professional knowledge in their respective fields. The pattern differs slightly for Rajbhasha Adhikari compared to other posts.
Exam Pattern For Law, IT, AFO, HR, and Marketing Officers
The mains exam consists of a single section focused on professional knowledge.
| Name of Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium | Duration |
|---|
| Professional Knowledge | 60 | 60 | English & Hindi | 45 minutes |
Exam Pattern For Rajbhasha Adhikari
The mains exam includes both objective and descriptive sections to assess translation and language skills.
| Name of Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium | Duration |
|---|
| Professional Knowledge (Objective) | 45 | 60 | English & Hindi | 30 minutes |
| Professional Knowledge (Descriptive) | 2 | - | English & Hindi | 30 minutes |
IBPS SO Interview Process 2026
The Interview is the final stage of the IBPS SO selection process and is conducted for candidates who qualify the Mains exam. It carries 100 marks, with minimum qualifying marks of 40% (35% for reserved categories). The interview evaluates subject knowledge, communication skills, and overall suitability for the Specialist Officer role.
IBPS SO Previous Year Papers 2026
Final Allotment and Provisional Posting
After the Interview round, IBPS prepares the final merit list based on a weightage of 80% for Mains and 20% for Interview. Candidates who qualify are provisionally allotted to participating public sector banks based on their preferences, merit rank, and available vacancies. Final appointment is subject to document verification and fulfillment of eligibility criteria.
