The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) is in charge of releasing the IBPS SO syllabus along with the IBPS SO notification. The IBPS SO syllabus is vast. However, the pattern of the exam remains the same every year.
A total of 150 questions are asked in the IBPS SO Prelims examination and candidates are required to answer all of them within 2 hours. For the Mains exam, 60 questions are asked from the candidates appearing for the exam for the post of IT Officer Scale 1, Marketing Officer (Scale 1), Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, Law Officer. However, for the candidates appearing for Rajsabha Adhikari Scale 1 Officer exam, 45 objective questions are asked alongside 2 descriptive questions.
Candidates must note that the IBPS SO notification does not mention the IBPS SO syllabus. Hence, in this article, the Buddy4Study Team provides you with a list of topics as per the previous years’ question papers.
| IBPS SO Registration Dates: 2nd November 2020 – 23rd November 2020 |
IBPS SO Syllabus – Sections
IBPS has not set any specific syllabus for the IBPS SO entrance examination. So based on previous years’ question papers, it can be ascertained that the IBPS SO question paper consists of 4 major sections.
There are 2 common sections in the examination papers set for candidates appearing for IT Officer Scale 1, Marketing Officer (Scale 1), Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, Rajsabha Adhikari Scale 1 Officer and Law Officer. However, the third section varies as per the post and can be seen highlighted in the table below:
IBPS SO Prelims Syllabus – Sections
| For the Post of IT Officer Scale 1, Marketing Officer (Scale 1), Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer | For the Post of Rajsabha Adhikari Scale 1 Officer and Law Officer |
| Reasoning | Reasoning |
| English Language | English Language |
| Quantitative Aptitude | General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry |
IBPS SO Mains
The IBPS SO syllabus for Mains exam varies as per the post. The sections mainly comprise professional banking related topics. Read the section below for complete details.
IBPS SO Syllabus – Section-wise Topics (Preliminary)
IBPS SO syllabus is divided into 3 segments or subjects. It comprises 150 questions on General Awareness/ Quantitative Aptitude (50 marks), Reasoning (50 marks) and English language (50 marks) for Prelims exam.
Find below all the important topics related to each subject covered in the prescribed syllabus of IBPS SO (Prelims).
Reasoning Ability
| Analytical Decision Making | Blood Relations | Scheduling |
| Coding & Decoding | Input Output | Syllogisms |
| Directions & Distances | Seating Arrangements | Coded Inequalities |
| Data Sufficiency | Verbal Reasoning | Ordering & Ranking |
General Awareness
| General Knowledge (updates of last 3-4 months) | Current Affairs | Financial Awareness |
| Currencies | Important days | Static General Knowledge ( Countries, capitals, Countries visited by Prime minister, Countries involved in new treaties ) |
| Headquarters | Books & Authors | Prime Minister Schemes |
Quantitative Aptitude
| Percentage & Ratio Proportion | Time & Work | Data Interpretation | Mensuration & Geometry |
| Simplification | Data Sufficiency | Interest | Number Series |
| Linear Equations | Probability | Profit & Loss | Permutation & Combination |
| Average | Quadratic Equations | Speed, Time & Distance | Number Systems |
English Language
| Closed Test | Phrase Replacement | Error Spotting | Para Jumbles |
| Fill in the Blanks | Sentence completion/ Para completion | Reading Comprehension | Sentence correction/ improvement |
IBPS SO Syllabus – Section-wise Topics (Mains)
IBPS SO Mains exam checks the technical knowledge of the candidates. The candidates are required to go through a subject knowledge test in IBPS SO Mains. The syllabus is completely subject centric.
The standard of IBPS SO syllabus will be of graduation level. Candidates, who will be appearing for the exam set for the post of Rajbhasha Adhikari will have to give both objective and descriptive tests. Others will only sit for the objective test (MCQ). They will be judged based on the professional knowledge in their respective fields.
Professional Knowledge Syllabus for IBPS SO IT Officer (Scale-I)
| Operating System | Object-Oriented Programming | Data Structure | Data Communication and Networking |
| Database Management System | Software Engineering | Computer Organization and Microprocessor |
IBPS SO Syllabus for Agricultural Field Officer (Scale-I)
| Basics of Crop production | Agricultural Practices | Horticulture | Animal Husbandry |
| Seed Science | Agroforestry | Agricultural Economics | Soil resources |
| Agronomy and Irrigation | Government Schemes | Ecology |
IBPS SO Syllabus for Marketing Officer (Scale-I)
| Basics of Marketing Management | Retail | Advertising | Product Life Cycle |
| Sales | Market Segmentation | Corporate Social Responsibility | Brand Management |
| Business Ethics | Service Marketing | Marketing Strategies | PR |
| Market research and forecasting demand | |||
IBPS SO Syllabus for Law Officer (Scale-I)
| Compliance and Legal Aspects | Laws and Actions with a direct link to Banking Sector | Prevention of Money laundering, Limitation Act | Relevant Law and Orders related to negotiable instruments, securities, foreign exchange |
| SARFAES | DRT Act | Bankers Book Evidence Act | Banking Ombudsman Scheme |
| Consumer Protection Act | Banking Regulations |
IBPS SO Syllabus for HR/Personnel Officer (Scale-I)
| Business policy and strategic analysis | Business Policy and Strategic Analysis | Training and Development | Rewards and Recognition |
| Transnational Analysis | Performance Management and Appraisal | Grievance and Conflict Management | Industrial Relations |
| Recruitment and Selection | Human Resource Development |
IBPS SO Syllabus – Sectional Weightage
IBPS SO Prelims
The sections in the IBPS SO syllabus remain the same for the exam for IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer and Marketing Officer.
Marks allotment for the Post of IT Officer Scale 1, Marketing Officer (Scale 1), Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer
| Section | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
| Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 40 min |
| English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 40 min |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 120 min |
Marks allotment for the Post of Rajsabha Adhikari Scale 1 Officer and Law Officer
| Section | No. of Questions | Total Marks | Duration |
| Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 40 min |
| English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 min |
| General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry | 50 | 50 | 40 min |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 120 min |
IBPS SO Mains
Marks allotment for the Post of Rajsabha Adhikari Scale 1 Officer
| Test Name | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Duration |
| Professional Knowledge(Objective) | 45 | 60 | English & Hindi | 30 min |
| Professional Knowledge(Descriptive) | 2 | English & Hindi | 30 min |
Marks allotment for the Post of IT Officer Scale 1, Marketing Officer (Scale 1), Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, Law Officer
| Test Name | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Duration |
| Professional Knowledge | 60 | 60 | English & Hindi | 45 min |
IBPS SO Syllabus –Recommended Books
IBPS SO exam syllabus is vast since the questions asked in this examination are not limited to a fixed course or curriculum, especially in the case of Current Affairs. Candidates need to prepare well from the topics highlighted above to score well in the upcoming IBPS SO exam.
To get a better grip on various IBPS SO subjects, candidates can find several expert-recommended books and online study resources in the tables below.
Important Books for IBPS SO Prelims
IBPS SO Books on Reasoning Ability
| Book Name | Publication/Author |
| Verbal Reasoning | MK Pandey |
| Analytical Reasoning | RS Agarwal |
| A Modern approach Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning | BS Sijwali |
IBPS SO Books on Quantitative Aptitude
| Book Name | Publication/Author |
| Rapid Quantitative Aptitude with Shortcuts & Tricks | Disha Publication |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examination | The Pearson Guide |
| Quantitative Aptitude Book | Wiley’s Publication |
IBPS SO Books on English
| Book Name | Publication/Author |
| Objective English for Competitive Examinations | Hari Mohan Prasad, Uma Rani Sinha, McGraw Hill Education Publication |
| English Grammar & Composition | Wren and Martin |
| Descriptive General English | S P Bakshi and Richa Sharma |
| Word Power Made Easy | Normal Lewis |
IBPS SO Books on General Awareness
| Book Name | Publication/ Author |
| Manorama Yearbook | The Malayala Manorama (Mammen Mathew) |
| Guide to Banking General Awareness | R Gupta |
Important Books for IBPS SO Mains
IT Officer (Scale-I)
| Book Name | Publication/ Author |
| Data Communications and Networking | Behrouz. A Forouzan |
| Objective Computer Knowledge | R Pillai |
| A computer for Competitive Exams: Fundamental of Computer with MCQ’s | RPH Editorial Board |
Agricultural Field Officer (Scale-I)
| Book Name | Publication/ Author |
| IBPS – SO Agricultural Field Officer (Main) Exam | Dr. Lalita Gaur |
| Agriculture Field Officer | R.Gupta |
| Science Textbooks: Classes VI-IX | NCERT |
| Agriculture Field Officer IBPS | New Vishal’s Editorial Board |
Marketing Officer (Scale-I)
| Book Name | Publication/ Author |
| CWE-IBPS Bank-Marketing Specialist Officer Exam: Complete Book | Priyanka Prakashan |
| Principles of Marketing | Kavita Sharma |
| Marketing Specialist Exam book | Upkar Prakashan |
Law Officer (Scale-I)
| Book Name | Publication/ Author |
| IBPS Specialist Officer CWE LAW Officer Online Exam Practice Work Book | Kiran Prakashan |
HR/Personnel Officer (Scale-I)
| Book Name | Publication/ Author |
| CWE-IBPS Bank-HR Specialist/Personal Officer Complete Book | Priyanka Prakashan |
| Human Resource Management | K Aswathappa |
| Bank HR Specialist book | Kiran Prakashan |
Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale-I)
| Book Name | Publication/ Author |
| Rajbhasha Adhikari Guide | R.Gupta |
| Hindi Vyakaran | Prakashan Upkar |
| Rajbhasha/Hindi (Officers, Assistant, Managers) Recruitment Exam Guide (Popular Master Guide) | RPH Editorial Board |
IBPS SO Exam Pattern
Candidates who have registered and applied for the IBPS SO exam 2020 should go through the exam pattern thoroughly and practice well with the help of online mock tests before attempting the exam. Here are a few key points that they should definitely keep in mind:
IBPS SO Exam Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam name | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) Specialist Officer (SO) (CRP SPL-X 2021-22) |
| Exam Conducting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Official Website | http://www.ibps.in/ |
| Duration of Exam | Prelims – 2 hours (120 minutes)
Mains – IT Officer Scale 1, Marketing Officer (Scale 1), Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer – 45 minutes Rajsabha Adhikari Scale 1 Officer and Law Officer – 60 minutes |
| Examination Mode | CBT/ Computer Based Test (Online) |
| Medium of Exam | English or Hindi |
| Type of Questions | Objective/Multiple-Choice (MCQ) |
| Number of Questions | 150 questions (Prelims)
47 questions (Mains – Rajbhasha Adhikari) 60 questions (Mains – Law Officer, IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer and Marketing Officer) |
| Total Marks | Prelims – 125 marks
Mains – 60 marks |
| Marking Scheme | +1 for every correct answer (objective)
– 0.25 for every incorrect answer |
| Posts | IT Officer Scale 1, Marketing Officer (Scale 1), Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, Rajsabha Adhikari Scale 1 Officer and Law Officer |
| Age Limit for Candidates | Between 20 to 30 years |
IBPS SO Syllabus – Previous Year’s Question Papers
Buddy4Study has compiled previous years’ question papers (2019) in the below table. Candidates can download these to understand the IBPS SO exam pattern thoroughly and prepare for the upcoming examination accordingly.
| IBPS SO Prelims Question Paper 1 (2019) | IBPS SO Prelims Paper 2 (2015) |
| IBPS SO Prelims Question Paper 3 (2013) | IBPS SO Prelims Question Paper 4 |
IBPS SO Syllabus – FAQs
How many questions will be asked in the IBPS SO exam 2020?
A total of 150 questions will be asked in the IBPS SO Prelims exam, while 60 questions will be asked in the Mains exam for the Post of Law Officer, IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer, and 45 questions will be asked for the post of Rajbhasha Adhikari in the IBPS SO Mains exam. These questions will be asked in MCQ format.
Candidates appearing for the exam (Rajbhasha Adhikari) will also be asked 2 descriptive questions of a total 15 marks.
What are the different sections of IBPS SO syllabus?
IBPS SO exam consists of subjects such as Reasoning, English Language, General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry/ Quantitative Aptitude in the Prelims exam. For the Mains exam, the topics are subject-specific. Candidates will find those topics in the article above.
What is the standard of questions asked in the IBPS SO Exam?
The basic standard of questions asked in the IBPS SO exam is up to the level of graduation.
What is the negative marking scheme in the IBPS SO exam?
1/4th mark is deducted for every incorrect answer in the IBPS SO exam, which means -1 mark for every 4 wrong answers. It is applicable for both IBPS SO Prelims and Mains examinations.
Is it useful to solve sample papers or previous years' question papers?
IBPS SO previous years' question papers and sample papers help candidates to get a better idea about the types of questions asked in the exam and prepare well for it.
