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IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2026 - Check Marking Scheme and Syllabus
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection will provide the IBPS SO exam pattern 2026 in the official brochure, at ibps.in. As per the exam pattern of IBPS SO 2026, the recruitment exam will be conducted in three stages - prelims, mains exam, and interview. IBPS SO exam pattern 2026 includes details about the examination mode, language, marking scheme, form, and number of questions, etc. The IBPS SO exam for prelims and mains exams will be conducted in online mode.
This Story also Contains
- Highlights of IBPS SO 2026 Exam Pattern
- IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2026 For Prelims
- IBPS SO 2026 Exam Pattern for Mains
- IBPS SO Syllabus 2026
- IBPS SO exam pattern 2026: Best books
- How to prepare for IBPS SO 2026?
- IBPS SO Question Paper 2026
The prelim test will be conducted for 120 minutes with questions from Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, Reasoning, and Banking Affairs, according to the IBPS SO 2026 exam pattern. For more details about the IBPS SO exam pattern 2026, candidates can check the article below.
Highlights of IBPS SO 2026 Exam Pattern
The IBPS SO 2026 exam selection procedure includes three stages, namely prelims, mains, and interviews.
The prelims exam will have 150 questions carrying 125 marks, as per the IBPS SO 2026 exam pattern.
For the mains exam, candidates who qualify for the prelims exam will be called.
For 60 minutes, the IBPS SO 2026 mains exam will be carried out
The IBPS SO prelims exam would be objective in nature, as both objective and descriptive problems are included in the mains exam.
Also check - IBPS SO application form 2026
IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2026 For Prelims
The preliminary exam will be objective in nature, according to the IBPS SO 2026 exam pattern. The length of the exam will be 120 minutes with 40 minutes of sectional timing. Candidates can check the IBPS SO exam pattern 2026 from the table given below.
IBPS SO 2026 Exam Pattern for the posts of Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari
Section | Number of questions | Maximum marks | Medium of exam | Duration |
English language | 50 | 25 | English | 40 minutes |
Reasoning | 50 | 50 | English and Hindi | 40 minutes |
General awareness with special reference to the banking industry | 50 | 50 | English and Hindi | 40 minutes |
Total | 150 | 125 | 120 minutes | |
IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2026 For IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer
Section | Number of questions | Maximum marks | Medium of exam | Duration |
English language | 50 | 25 | English | 40 minutes |
Reasoning | 50 | 50 | English and Hindi | 40 minutes |
Quantitative aptitude | 50 | 50 | English and Hindi | 40 minutes |
Total | 150 | 125 | 120 minutes | |
IBPS SO 2026 Exam Pattern for Mains
Candidates who qualify for the prelims exam will be called for the IBPS SO 2026 mains exam. In the official notification, the conducting authorities recommend the IBPS SO 2026 exam pattern for the mains. The main exam consists of questions of both analytical and descriptive forms. Candidates can check the IBPS SO exam pattern 2026 from the table given below.
IBPS SO 2026 Exam Pattern For Law Officer, IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer
Section | Number of questions | Maximum marks | Medium of exam | Duration |
Professional knowledge | 60 | 60 | English and Hindi | 45 minutes |
IBPS SO Exam Pattern For Rajbhasha Adhikari
Section | Number of questions | Maximum marks | Medium of exam | Duration |
Professional Knowledge (Objective) | 45 | 60 | English and Hindi | 30 minutes |
Professional Knowledge (Descriptive) | 2 | English and Hindi | 30 minutes |
IBPS SO 2026 Marking Scheme
IBPS SO 2026 candidates must check the examination marking scheme. There will be a negative 1/4th mark for each incorrect answer, although there is no negative mark for unattempted questions.
IBPS SO Syllabus 2026
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection prescribed the syllabus of IBPS SO 2026 in the official notification. Candidates can check the IBPS SO 2026 syllabus to check the topics and chapters asked in the exam. The IBPS SO syllabus includes subject-wise topics that will be asked in the IBPS SO 2026 exam.
IBPS SO exam pattern 2026: Best books
While preparing for the IBPS SO 2026 exam, one of the major aspects is choosing the best books for IBPS SO 2026. The best book for the IBPS SO exam must be based on the latest exam pattern and syllabus. Check the table below to know more about the IBPS SO best books 2026.
Best books for IBPS SO 2026
Section | Books |
Reasoning | A Modern Approach To Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R. S. Aggarwal |
Analytical Reasoning by M K Pandey | |
English language | Objective General English by S P Bakshi |
Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis | |
Quantitative aptitude | Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examinations by R. S. Aggarwal |
Quantitative Aptitude Test by N. K. Singh | |
Professional knowledge | CWE – IBPS Bank – IT Specialist Officer Exam by Chandresh Aggrawal |
Professional Knowledge for IBPS/ SBI Specialist IT Officer Exam by Disha Experts |
How to prepare for IBPS SO 2026?
Candidates who apply for IBPS SO 2026 need to have better preparation to crack the IBPS SO examination. Check below a few tips that must be followed while preparing for IBPS SO 2026.
Go through the IBPS SO exam pattern thoroughly before starting your preparations.
Check the previous year IBPS SO question papers.
Practice online mock tests for better time management.
Prepare short notes for revision purposes.
Maintain a good and healthy lifestyle.
IBPS SO Question Paper 2026
The IBPS does not provide any official question paper of IBPS SO as the exam is conducted in online mode for both the prelims and mains rounds. However, the leading coaching institutes provide the memory-based IBPS SO question paper for the aspirants. With the help of IBPS SO question papers, it is easy to understand the syllabus and exam pattern of IBPS SO 2026.
Check Here the List of Other Government Exams
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is there any negative mark in IBPS SO 2026?
A:
Yes. 0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer in IBPS SO 2026.
Q: How many marks does each question in the ‘Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude’ section carry?
A:
Questions in the Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude section carry 1.2 marks each. Questions in other sections, according to the IBPS SO exam pattern 2026, carry 1 mark each.
Q: What is the difference between IBPS SO Prelims and IBPS SO Main?
A:
Only those candidates who qualify in the prelims results will be able to sit for the mains exam. Marks scored in the mains exam will be considered in the final result.
Q: Can I write the IBPS SO 2026 exam in Hindi?
A:
Yes. Candidates can appear for IBPS SO 2026 in both Hindi and English mediums.
Q: What is the time allotted for IBPS SO 2026?
A:
Candidates will have 60 minutes to complete the prelims paper and 160 minutes to complete the IBPS SO 2026 mains paper.
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Questions related to IBPS SO
On Question asked by student community
Have a question related to IBPS SO ?
Hi
Yes, a 5-year Integrated Dual Degree (Btech+Mtech) in Computer Science is eligible for the IBPS SO IT Officer (Scale-I) post.
Please refer to the link below to get more information.
https://competition.careers360.com/exams/ibps-so
Hi, there are various degree names mentioned in the eligibility criteria for IBPS IT Officer. One of them is Degree in Electronics alone and another one is Electronics and Instrumentation. I think that candidates only having engineering degree in Instrumentation will not be considered eligible for the post. Even CS,
Hello,
Yes, you are likely eligible for the IBPS SO IT exam. Because you completed your bachelor of technology degree in industrial IOT with a minor in CS, which is an important department for this exam. Also, you meet all eligibility criteria for this examination.
I hope it resolves your
I have also same doubt as I am also from industrial ioT but ibps not mentioned any degree or related field confuse should i preper or not if got ans please let me know
Yes, with a PGDM in Finance, you are likely eligible to apply for the IBPS SO (Specialist Officer) exam for the Finance Officer position in 2025, provided you meet the other eligibility criteria.
IBPS SO Eligibility:
The IBPS SO exam recruits Specialist Officers for various positions in participating banks.
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