The IBPS SO (Specialist Officer) exam is one of the most sought-after banking recruitment tests in India. Every year, lakhs of aspirants compete for specialist roles like IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, Law Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, Marketing Officer, and Rajbhasha Adhikari in public sector banks.
If you’re aiming to crack IBPS SO 2025, understanding the exam pattern, syllabus, and preparation strategy is crucial. This guide breaks down everything—from section-wise marks to last-minute tips—so you can prepare smartly and boost your chances of selection.
Key Highlights of IBPS SO 2025 
Key Point | Details |
---|---|
Organization | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
Exam Name | IBPS SO 2025 (CRP SPL-XV) |
Posts | IT Officer, Agriculture Officer, Law Officer, HR Officer, Marketing Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari |
Selection Stages | Prelims → Mains → Interview |
Exam Mode | Online (CBT) |
Negative Marking | 0.25 marks per wrong answer |
Prelims Exam Date | 22nd & 23rd November 2025 |
Mains Exam Date | 4th January 2026 |
Official Website | ibps.in |
IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2025 
The IBPS SO selection process has three stages:
- Preliminary Exam (Qualifying)
- Mains Exam (Professional Knowledge + Descriptive for Rajbhasha)
- Interview (100 marks)
1. IBPS SO Prelims Exam Pattern
The Prelims exam has two different patterns based on the post:
For Law Officer & Rajbhasha Adhikari
Section | No. of Qs | Marks | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 40 mins |
English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 mins |
General Awareness (Banking) | 50 | 50 | 40 mins |
Total | 150 | 125 | 120 mins |
For Other Specialist Officers (IT, Agriculture, HR, Marketing)
Section | No. of Qs | Marks | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 40 mins |
English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 mins |
Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 40 mins |
Total | 150 | 125 | 120 mins |
Note: Prelims is qualifying—marks aren’t added to the final score.
2. IBPS SO Mains Exam Pattern
The Mains exam focuses on Professional Knowledge (except Rajbhasha Adhikari, which has an extra descriptive test).
For IT, Law, Agriculture, HR, Marketing Officers
Section | No. of Qs | Marks | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
Professional Knowledge | 60 | 60 | 45 mins |
For Rajbhasha Adhikari
Section | No. of Qs | Marks | Duration |
---|---|---|---|
Professional Knowledge (Objective) | 45 | 60 | 30 mins |
Professional Knowledge (Descriptive) | 2 | – | 30 mins |
Final selection depends on Mains (60%) + Interview (40%).
IBPS SO Syllabus 2025 
1. Prelims Syllabus
Reasoning
- Seating Arrangements
- Puzzles
- Syllogism
- Blood Relations
- Input-Output
- Alphanumeric Series
English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Para Jumbles
- Error Spotting
- Sentence Rearrangement
Quantitative Aptitude
- Number Series
- Data Interpretation
- Simplification
- Profit & Loss
- Time & Work
General Awareness (Banking Focus)
- Current Affairs (Last 6 months)
- Banking Terms
- RBI Policies
- Government Schemes
2. Mains Syllabus (Professional Knowledge)
IT Officer
- Database Management
- Networking
- Operating Systems
- Cyber Security
Agriculture Field Officer
- Agronomy
- Soil Science
- Government Schemes
- Horticulture
Law Officer
- Banking Regulations
- SARFAESI Act
- Consumer Protection Act
Pro Tip: Rajbhasha Adhikari candidates must practice Hindi essay & letter writing.
IBPS SO Preparation Strategy 2025 
1. 3-Month Study Plan
Month | Focus Areas |
---|---|
Month 1 | Concept Building (Basics of Reasoning, Quants, English) |
Month 2 | Professional Knowledge + Mock Tests |
Month 3 | Full-Length Mocks + Revision |
2. Daily Routine (6-8 Hours)
Time | Activity |
---|---|
Morning (2 hrs) | Current Affairs + Banking GK |
Afternoon (3 hrs) | Quant + Reasoning Practice |
Evening (2 hrs) | Professional Knowledge + Mock Tests |
Expert Tip: Solve previous year papers—30% of questions repeat!
Common Mistakes to Avoid 
- Ignoring Sectional Timing → Manage 40 mins per section.
- Overlooking Professional Knowledge → Mains is domain-specific.
- Skipping Mock Tests → Speed & accuracy matter.
Real-Life Example:
Rahul, an IT Officer topper, practiced 20+ mocks before the exam. His strategy? “First attempt easy questions, then tricky ones.”
Final Thoughts
The IBPS SO 2025 exam is challenging but crackable with the right plan. Focus on: Strong Basics (Prelims)
Domain Expertise (Mains)
Mock Tests & Time Management
Official Website: ibps.in
Now, start preparing today—your dream banking job is just a few months away!
Pooja Patel is an education consultant specializing in exam results and admit cards. With a Master’s in Education and 6+ years of experience, Pooja loves helping students achieve their goals. She enjoys reading and practicing meditation.