IBPS SO
IBPS SO Exam Information
Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts annual Specialist Officer (SO) Examination for recruitment to public sector banks. Specialist Officers are recruited particularly for specialist posts such as Law/IT/Marketing Officers [usually of Scale – I]. IBPS conducts the examination as a 3-tier process – Prelim, Mains and Interview.
Registrations for IBPS PO 2018-19 is open till 26th November and IBPS SO Prelim exam is scheduled for the 29th and 30th of December 2018. IBPS SO Mains examination is scheduled to be conducted on 27th January 2019. This is the 8th exam in the SO recruitment series and is officially mentioned as IBPS CRP SPL-VIII.
IBPS SO Vacancies 2018-19
IBPS SO vacancies are limited in number due to the skill specialisation required for these posts. This year there are vacancies for HR/Language Official/Law/Marketing and IT. The vacancies are as listed below:
| Post | Vacancies Available |
|---|---|
|
Agriculture Officer (Scale-I) |
853 |
|
IT Officer (Scale-I) |
219 |
| Marketing Office (Scale-I) | 302 |
| HR/Personnel Officer (Scale-I) | 81 |
|
Law Officer |
75 |
|
Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale-I) |
69 |
IBPS SO 2018 Exam Date
Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has in its notification released the tentative examination process schedule and dates of examinations. Registrations for the exam began on 6th of November and will be open till 26th of November 2018. The exam is scheduled to take place on the 29th and 30th of December, 2018 and the Mains will take place on the 27th of January 2019. The result and interviews are anticipated in February. Provisional allotment of candidates will be declared in April 2019.
| Activity | IBPS SO Dates 2018-19 |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Commences From | 6th November 2018 |
| Last Date for Online Application Submission | 26th November 2018 |
| Download of call letters for Prelim examination | December 2018 |
| Prelim Exam Date | 29th and 30th December 2018 |
| Prelim Result Declaration | January 2019 |
| Mains Call Letter Download | January 2019 |
| Mains Examination to be Conducted on | 27th January 2019 |
| Mains Exam Result Declaration | February 2019 |
| Interview Call Letter Download | February 2019 |
| Interview by IBPS in coordination Nodal Bank | February 2019 |
| Provisional Allotment | April 2019 |
IBPS SO 2018 Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for SO posts is determined by IBPS depending on the nature of specialisation of the post. For example, technical posts will require technical qualification of a particular degree. Hence, educational and age qualification varies from post to post. The eligibility criteria for the various posts available are mentioned below:
1] I.T. Officer (Scale I) Eligibility
Age Qualification
Lower Limit – 20 years | Upper Limit – 30 years
Educational Qualification
1) Bachelors degree* [B.Tech/B.E.] in Comp. Science/IT/Comp. Application/Electronics and Communication Engineering/Electronics and Telecommunication/ Electronics and Instrumentation OR
2) Post Graduate Degree [M.S./M.Tech./M.Eng.] in Computer Science/IT/Computer Application/Electronics and Communication Engineering/Electronics and Telecommunication/ Electronics and Instrumentation OR
3) Graduates who have passed the DOEACC ‘B’ level exam
*Degree should be of minimum 4 years duration
2] Agricultural Field Officer (Scale-I) Eligibility Criteria
Age Qualification
Lower Age Limit – 20 years | Upper Age Limit – 30 years
Educational Qualification
Graduation degree* in Agriculture/ Horticulture/Animal Husbandry/ Veterinary Science/Dairy Science/Agricultural-engineering/ Fishery Science/ Pisciculture/Agri-Marketing and cooperation/ Co-Operation and Banking/Agro-Forestry.
*Degree should be of minimum 4 years duration
3] Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I) Eligibility Criteria
Age Qualification
Lower Age Limit – 20 years | Upper Age Limit – 30 years
Educational Qualification
1] Post Graduation Degree in Hindi with English as a subject at the graduation or degree level OR
2] Post Graduate Degree in Sanskrit with English and Hindi as a subject at graduation level OR
4] Law Officer (Scale I) Eligibility Criteria
Age Qualification
Lower Age Limit – 20 years | Upper Age Limit – 30 years
Educational Qualification
A bachelor’s degree in Law and also must be enrolled as an advocate with Bar Council of India
5] HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I) Eligibility Criteria
Age Qualification
Lower Age Limit – 20 years | Upper Age Limit – 30 years
Educational Qualification
Graduation Degree as well as Full Time Post Graduate Degree or Full time Diploma in Personnel Management/ Industrial Relation/ HR/ HRD/ Social Work/ Labour Law
Marketing Officer (Scale I) Eligibility Criteria
Age Qualification
Lower Age Limit – 20 years | Upper Age Limit – 30 years
Educational Qualification
Graduate Degree and Full Time MMS (Marketing)/ MBA (Marketing)/Full time PGDBA/ PGDBM with specialisation in Marketing/MBA (Marketing)/Full time PGDBA/PGDBM with specialisation in Marketing.
Age Relaxation
Certain categories of candidates are granted relaxation in upper age limit as per GoI guidelines. Below are the categories and the number of years relaxation to be granted when candidates of these categories are applying to IBPS SO Posts.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribe | 5 years |
| Other Backward Class | 3 years |
| Person with Disability (PwD Category) | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen/Commissioned Officers | 5 years |
| Persons domiciled in Jammu and Kashmir during the period 1st Jan 1980 and 31st Dec 1989 | 5 years |
| Person affected by 1984 riots | 5 years |
IBPS SO 2018 Registration
Applications for IBPS SO can be made only in ONLINE mode from the official IBPS website – https://ibps.in/. Alternatively the direct application link is mentioned below. Applications for IBPS SO were opened on 6th November 2018 and will be available till 26th November. Candidates who wish to attempt the IBPS CRP SPL-VIII must apply within the deadline.
| Apply for IBPS SO 2018-2019 | IBPS SO Application Link |
Step-by-Step IBPS SO Registration
Step 1: Once you are on the IBPS SO VIII Application Page (link above), click on the “Click here for New Registration Button” on the top most right corner of the page.
Step 2: In the first part of application form, IBPS will require you to enter basic details such as name, contact number, email id, address etc. Once you have filled in required information, click on submit to continue.
Step 3: The next step is document upload. Candidate must upload their photograph and signature in the prescribed format as mentioned below.
| Documents to be Uploaded | Specifications | File Size |
| Passport Size Photograph Scan | 4.5 cm * 3.5 cm | Minimum 20 KB – Maximum 50 KB |
| Signature Scan | – | Minimum 10 KB – Maximum 20 KB |
Step 4: Once this done, the candidate is required to fill academic qualifications and professional experience details.
Step 5: Preview the application form and cross-check for any errors as changing details on Application Form after submission is not permitted. Once verified, save and submit the form.
Step 6: After submitting the details and form, candidate must pay the Application Fee for the form to be processed. The candidate must use the Online Payment Option, i.e. through Credit Card/Debit Card/Net Banking. Application fee varies depending on category of candidate applying, below is the scheme of application fees:
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/PWD | Rs.100/- (Intimation Charges only) |
| General and Others | Rs. 600/- (App. Fee plus intimation charges) |
Step 7: Click on Final Submit Button.Once the application form is submitted successfully, you will be sent an email and text message with IBPS registration ID and password for future login reference. Note this down as it may be required to view other necessary documents like Admit Card/Results etc.
IBPS SO 2018 Exam Pattern
IBPS SO 2018-19 Exam is to be conducted in three stages – Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam and Interview Process. Candidate must clear every stage to finally be recruited as SO to one of the participating Public Sector Banks. Preliminary Exam is open to all eligible candidates.
IBPS has introduced some changes in the Exam Pattern for IBPS SO 2018-19. Below are the highlights of the pattern:
- The exam will be conducted in 3-stage process: Preliminary, Mains and Interview
- For Rajbhasha Adhikari and Law Officer, scheme of Prelim will vary as given below in the table.
- Newly introduced separate sectional timing for each section in prelims exam. In Preliminary exam, 40 mintues will be allotted for each sections.
- Candidates qualifying Prelims will appear for Mains.
- Prelim Exam score is qualifying that means it will not be taken towards score computation during Final Allotment. Mains and Interview score will be combined for this purpose.
- The Mains Examination will be testing candidates on the Professional Knowledge Subjects.
IBPS SO 2018 Preliminary Exam Pattern
For Law Officer and Rajsabha Adhikari Posts (Scale- I)
| Serial 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 Industry | 50 | 50 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 150 | 125 |
For Agriculture /Marketing/HR or Personnel/IT Specialist Officer Posts of Scale-I
| S.No. | Section | No. of MCQs | Total Marks | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 40 minutes |
| 2. | English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 minutes |
| 3. | Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 150 | 125 |
IBPS SO 2018 Mains Exam Pattern
For Rajbhasha Adhikari Post
| Section | Questions | Total Marks | Language Medium | Time Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Knowledge (Objective – MCQs) | 45 | 60 | English & Hindi | 30 minutes |
| Professional Knowledge (Descriptive Answers) | 2 | English & Hindi | 30 minutes |
For Law/IT/Agriculture/HR or Personnel and Marketing Specialist Officer
| Name of Test | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Knowledge – (Objective MCQs) | 60 | 60 | English & Hindi | 45 minutes |
IBPS SO 2018 Syllabus
While the syllabus for Prelims can be generalised and divided into subtopics for preparation, IBPS SO Mains syllabus varies as per the post applied for by the candidate Mains will be a test of professional knowledge relating to the nature of the post. Further information regarding the Mains Syllabus will be provided in the Information Handout, yet to be announced by IBPS.
Candidates may take a look at the material to be prepared for IBPS SO Prelims Syllabus are listed below:
IBPS SO Preliminary Examination Syllabus
A] English Language Syllabus
- Cloze Test/ Fill in the Blanks
- Reading Comprehension
- Text (Paragraph/Sentence) Completion
- Sentence Improvement
- Sentence Correction
- Para Jumbles
- Spotting Errors
B] Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus
- Number Series
- Simplification
- Quadratic Equations
- Data Interpretation (from texts/graphs)
- Data Sufficiency
- Mensuration
- Averages [Measures of Central Tendency]
IBPS SO 2018 Admit Card
IBPS releases Admit Cards for Specialist Officer Examination for all 3 exam stages separately. Admit Cards are made available ONLINE on the IBPS website – https://ibps.in/. Admit Card is mandatorily to be carried to exam venue.
All candidates who have successfully registered will be able to access and download the IBPS SO Prelim Admit Card in the month of December, 2-3 weeks prior to the examination. Only candidates who have qualified the Preliminary Exam will be able to download Mains Admit Card and IBPS SO Interview Call Letter will be made available for those candidates qualifying Mains Examination.
Important Dates for IBPS SO Admit Card
| Admit Card for Exam Stage | Expected Date of Release |
| IBPS SO Prelim Admit Card | December 2018 |
| IBPS SO Mains Admit Card | January 2019 |
| IBPS SO Interview Call Letter | February 2019 |
Step-by-step IBPS SO Admit Card Download
- Using the IBPS official Link which will be updated on Admit Card release, visit the IBPS Admit Card Download Page.
- Log in using Registration ID and DoB/Password.
- You will be able to view your Admit Card as a PDF on this page.
- You are required to download and print out copy of the Admit Card.
- Verify that all details are clearly visible and do not have errors.
Candidates may note that without the Admit Card, they will not be permitted to appear for the examination. Along with admit card, carrying Photo identity proof and passport photograph. Read the Admit Card for instructions pertaining to exam venue and reporting time as well as other necessary instructions.