IBPS SO Syllabus 2020 for Prelims, Mains and Exam Pattern
IBPS SO Syllabus 2020: Institute of Banking Service Personnel (IBPS) has released the Specialist Officer (SO) notification along with the IBPS SO 2020 syllabus on November 2 at the official website. To crack the exam, candidates need to be thorough with the syllabus of IBPS SO 2020. Aspirants willing to apply for the vacancies can go through the post wise important concepts and topics with the IBPS SO syllabus 2020. Candidates can plan their studies and focus on topics accordingly with the help of IBPS SO 2020 syllabus. To ace IBPS SO, aspirants should follow the syllabus and exam pattern of each stage.

The exam for IBPS SO is held in three stages - prelims, mains and interview. The preliminary exam of IBPS SO 2020 was conducted on December 26-27 and mains on January 24, 2021 in online mode across various centres of the country. IBPS SO is held to recruit eligible candidates in Scale I posts for I.T. Officer, Agricultural Field Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari, Law Officer, HR/Personnel Officer and Marketing Officer in the nationalised banks of India.
Latest - IBPS SO 2020 scorecard for mains exam to be released soon
IBPS SO 2020 Syllabus - Stages
The examination for IBPS SO is conducted in three stages - prelims, mains and interview. IBPS SO preliminary and mains stage is held in computer-based mode. The test for prelims consists of multiple-choice questions. However, questions in IBPS SO mains consist of post-specific objective and descriptive type questions. Candidates are called for IBPS SO interview on the basis of ranks and the choice of preference of banks made during IBPS SO application form 2020.
IBPS SO 2020 Stages
Stages | Preliminary | Mains | Interview |
Mode of exam | Online | Online | - |
IBPS SO Syllabus 2020 - Prelims
Aspirants must know the topics covered under each section of the subjects for IBPS SO 2020 prelims. With the help of IBPS SO syllabus 2020, a candidate is able to plan the studies and focus on topics. Along with the syllabus of IBPS SO 2020, a list of important books is also provided here so that candidates can actually start their preparation for the recruitment test. Candidates need to score sufficiently high marks in IBPS SO tier 1 to qualify for tier 2.
IBPS SO 2020 Syllabus - Stage I Subjects
English Language
General Awareness
Quantitative Aptitude
Reasoning Ability
IBPS SO Prelims 2020 Topics
Subjects | Topics | Best Books |
English Language |
|
|
General Awareness |
|
|
Quantitative Aptitude |
|
|
Reasoning Ability | Verbal and Non-Verbal Types
|
|
IBPS SO Syllabus 2020 - Mains
The syllabus of IBPS SO 2020 exam is post specific. The test for IBPS SO is held for recruiting eligible candidates in Scale I posts for I.T. Officer, Agricultural Field Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari, Law Officer, HR/Personnel Officer and Marketing Officer. The post specific IBPS SO syllabus for mains for all the six posts are tabled underneath:
IBPS SO Syllabus 2020 - I.T. Officer
C Programming Basics | MS Office | Windows OS |
Network security | Advantages function | Operating system function |
Web technologies | Software engineering | Basic programming concept |
Programming | Data communication and networking | Basic knowledge of hardware |
Database management system types | - |
IBPS SO Syllabus 2020 - Agricultural Field Officer
Agriculture current events | Women and child development schemes | Rural welfare activities in India |
Crop Horticulture Vegetables | Spacing time of sowing seed rate | Various diseases and its causes |
Herbicides and pesticides | Agriculture small industries | Different varieties of animals |
Important points – plants, fruits and vegetables | Preservation of fruits and vegetables | Types of cropping systems |
Green Manures | Indian soil | Soil resources |
Animal husbandry and technology | Seed technology – different government schemes | Agriculture economics – agriculture costs and schemes |
Different diseases | Various types of agricultural practices | - |
IBPS SO Syllabus 2020 - Rajbhasha Adhikari
Official Language: Brief Intro | Arrangement in Constitution: Use of Hindi | Official Translation of Central Act |
Power of making Rules | Article 343: Official Language of Union | Purpose of Official Act 1976 and main features |
Official Language | Implementation Committees | Difference between National Language and Official Language |
Hindi Grammar and its usages | Translation | Prose |
Knowledge of Administrative Hindi and English | The language of Union, Languages of States, Language of Supreme Court, High Court etc. |
IBPS SO Syllabus 2020 - Law Officer
Foreign Exchange | RTI Act | Consumer Protection Act |
Banking Ombudsman Scheme | Offences and Penalties | SARFAESI |
Constitution | Contract Acts | Information Technology Act |
Prevention of money laundering | Securities | Partnerships |
Companies | Firm | RBI |
Negotiable Instruments | Law and Acts with direct and Indirect Implication on the banking sector |
IBPS SO Syllabus 2020 - HR/Personnel Office
Performance appraisal | Promotion, transfer and demotions | Placement |
Information Technology-Concepts & Issues | Factories act | Gratuity act |
Training and development | Compensation | Industrial relations |
Staffing | HR Introduction | Strategic Role of Information in HRM |
Principles of management | HR Planning | Job analysis |
Job design | Leadership styles | Provident fund act |
Industrial Relations Act | Wage and Salary Administration | Interview |
Job evaluation | Motivation | Information Technology- Concepts & Issues |
IBPS SO Syllabus 2020 - Marketing Officer
Sales Management | Rural Marketing | Distribution |
Social Responsibility and Business Ethics | Marketing Process and Marketing Planning | Consumer/ Buyer Behavior |
International Marketing | Marketing Environment | Advertisement |
Meaning, Functions and Importance of Marketing Management | Marketing Program | Distribution: Definition, Channels |
Marketing Research | Marketing Organization | Marketing Decision-Making |
Insurance Marketing | Product | Bank Marketing |
Services Marketing | Sales Promotion and its Objectives | Personal Selling |
Consumer Protection in India: List of Consumer Rights, Consumer Protection Act | Branding, Packaging, and Labeling | Sales Forecasting |
Market Segmentation: Importance of Market Segmentation | Marketing overview Concept, Nature, Scope, and Importance of Marketing | Pricing Decisions |
Wholesale Trade | Retail Trade | Product Planning and Development |
IBPS SO 2020 Exam Pattern
The recruitment process, as per IBPS SO exam pattern 2020 is 3-staged - prelims, mains and interview. The tests of prelims and mains in IBPS SO are conducted online. As per the IBPS SO 2020 exam pattern, the questions are set in English and Hindi except for the test in English. 1/4th of mark assigned for each question will be deducted for each wrong answer marked in the objective tests. Candidates are required to score a minimum percentage mark on aggregate to be considered IBPS SO 2020 qualified.
Specification | Prelims | Mains |
Exam mode | Online | Online |
Exam duration | 2 hours | Rajbhasha Adhikari: 1 hour All others: 45 mins |
Medium of exam | English/ Hindi | English/ Hindi |
Type of questions | Objective | Rajbhasha Adhikari: Objective+Descriptive All others: Objective |
Total questions | 150 | Rajbhasha Adhikari: 47 All others: 60 |
Total marks | 125 | 60 |
Minimum qualifying marks | To be decided by IBPS |
IBPS SO Question Paper 2020
It is encouraged that an aspirant of IBPS SO solve previous year question papers of both prelims and mains to get an insight about the difficulty level of exam, nature of questions asked and weightage of topics from each section of the topics to form a solid approach and crack IBPS SO. Solving the previous year IBPS SO question papers enhances the ability to know the pattern of questions, sources from where the questions are asked and thereby increase the possibility of selection.
IBPS SO 2020 Preparation Tips
Be acquainted with the IBPS SO syllabus
Get accustomed with the exam pattern of IBPS SO
Solve previous year question papers
Analyse the mistakes
Revise the strengths
Work and refine the weaknesses
Take online mock test
Stay hydrated and trust the process
Read More:
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs) - IBPS SO Syllabus 2020 for Prelims, Mains and Exam Pattern
Question: Who prescribes the IBPS SO syllabus?
Answer:
An indicative IBPS SO syllabus is prescribed by the exam conducting authority, IBPS.
Question: Is the syllabus prescribed for all tiers of the IBPS SO exam?
Answer:
IBPS SO is a three-tier exam, prelims, mains and interview. The syllabus is mentioned for prelims and mains stages in the official notification released by IBPS.
Question: Does IBPS SO syllabus change every year?
Answer:
No, IBPS SO syllabus does not change every year. However, if any changes are made, IBPS will definitely inform the necessary changes made beforehand so that aspirants get sufficient time to prepare for the recruitment test.
Question: What are the required minimum qualifying marks for IBPS SO?
Answer:
The minimum qualifying marks required to be considered for IBPS SO recruitment will be decided by the exam conducting authority as per the number of vacancies in the nodal banks.
Question: How many questions are there in the IBPS SO Tier I exam?
Answer:
There are 150 questions in IBPS SO tier 1 exam.
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Questions related to IBPS SO
should I get a coaching for ibps po or holding an undergraduate degree can I apply for ibps so ? if not then can I prepare these exams at home and how ?
Hello Aspirant,
See if you have undergraduate degree only then you can go for IBPS SO but for some specific posts like I.T. Officer (Scale-I), Agricultural Field Officer (Scale) and Law Officer (Scale I). But they also have some particular eligibility conditions which are described below :-
@I.T. Officer (Scale-1) :-
a) Either you should have passed 4 year Engineering/Technology Degree in Computer Science/Computer Applications/Electronics & Instrumentation/Information Technology/Electronics/Electronics & Communication/Electronics & telecommunications
OR
Post Graduate Degree in Electronics/Electronics & Communication/ Electronics & Tele Communication/Electronics & Instrumentation/ Information Technology/Computer Science/Computer Applications
OR
Graduation with DOEACC ‘B’ level
Agricultural Field Officer (Scale) :-
A candidate should have graduation (4 year) degree in any one of the mentioned courses :-
Agriculture/Veterinary Science/Animal Husbandry/Fishery Science/Agri/Pisciculture/Dairy Science/Marketing & Cooperation/Co-operation & Banking/Agro-Forestry/Forestry/Horticulture/Agricultural/Biotechnology/Agriculture Business Management/Food Science/Food Technology/Dairy Technology/Agricultural Engineering
Law Officer (Scale I) :-
A candidate should have undergraduate degree in Law (LLB) along with mandatory enrolment with Bar Council as an advocate.
For complete details about eligibility criteria for IBPS SO kindly check out the link given below :-
IBPS SO Eligibility Criteria 2020 - Check Age Limit & Qualification (careers360.com)
If you want to go for IBPS PO then the correct path of preparation is needed for which any coaching is not needed but your determination and smart planning is needed. You can get complete preparation tips and effective ways for preparing for IBPS PO from the link given below :-
How to prepare for IBPS PO 2020 - Section-Wise Strategy & Tips (careers360.com)
I hope this information helps you.
Good Luck!!
i have done MBA in SYSTEM can i apply for ibps so IT officer post?
Hello aspirant,
I am providing you a list of the eligibility criteria for IBPS SO IT Officer Post:
- Candidates should have an engineering or technology Degree in Computer Science/ Applications, IT, Electronics, Electronics & Telecommunications, Electronics & Communication or Electronics & Instrumentation
OR
- Aspirants having a PG degree in Computer Science/IT/Computer Application/Electronics and Communication Engineering/Electronics and Telecommunication/ Electronics and Instrumentation are also eligible
OR
- A graduate who has passed DOEACC ‘B’ level can also apply for IBPS SO 2020
I hope it helps.
Best of Luck!
Hello sir, I am a graduate in BE Information Science. Am I eligible for IBPS SO IT officer exam? I dont find Information science option in the application. What can I do?
Dear Applicant,
I hope you ate doing well. About your question,
Basic eligibility for IBPS exam is
- Candidates should have a valid Mark-sheet / Degree
- The certificate which supports that they are graduates on the day they were registered for the exam.
- Computer Literacy: Knowledge of computer operation is a must as IBPS SO exam is conducted online.
- Should be a Citizen of India
- The subject of Nepal or Bhutan
- Tibetan Refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanent settlement
-
Special eligibility for IBPS SO - IT (Grade -1) officer exam is:
- A 4 year long Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or Technology (BE/ B.Tech) in one of the following branches (only):
- I.e. Computer Science/ Applications
- Information Technology
- Electronics
- Electronics and Telecommunication
- Electronics and Instrumentation
- Electronics and Communication
Or
A Post Graduate Degree in one of the following branches (only) :
- Computer Science/ Applications
- Information Technology
- Electronics
- Electronics and Telecommunication
- Electronics and Instrumentation
- Electronics and Communication
OR
– A graduate who has passed the DOEACC ‘B’ Level i.e. DOEACC (Department of Electronics and Accreditation of Computer Classes) ‘B’ Level is a government recognised course that is considered equivalent to an MCA degree course.
The examination for this course is conducted by NIELIT.
So yes you are Applicable for this exam.
Hope this helps all the best...
Hello, I have completed my M.COM in business management from distance education Mumbai university. can I apply for IBPS SO (HR)? If yes then for which I am eligible for Personnel management,HR,HRD? Plz guide me.
HR/ Personnel Officer (Scale I)-
- A graduate with 2-years full-time PG degree or diploma in Personnel Management, Industrial Relations, HR, HRD, Social Work or Labor Law can apply for this post.
- There are total 35 vacancies for this post.
*Registration will start from 2nd November.
*For more information, visit IBPS offical website- https://www.ibps.in/
Best of Luck!!
sir i am doing mba major in finance and minor hr.i am eligible for ibps so for the post of HR officer
Dear aspirant,
The eligibility for IBPS SO for the post of HR office is
The candidate should have a graduation degree.
Two years full time post graduation degree in personal management / labour laws /industrial relations/ HR/ HRD / social work.
Or two year full time post graduate diploma in personal management / industrial relations / HR / HRD / Social work/ labour law.
Since you are doing MBA from finance major and HR minor you are not eligible for this post because eligibility criteria specifically mentioned the full time course and here HR is a minor subject. Even if you cleared 2 phases , during interview you may not be selected .
But here is one option for you to become eligible for this post . If you could ask your college to make an affidavit mentioning that the course of finance and HR which you have pursued from that college gives equal weight age to both the subjects. Presenting this affidavit in the interview or at the time of document validation could make authorities to consider you eligible.
Otherwise there are many better opportunities which you can consider . You can prepare for govt. Job which require finance as a subject in MBA.
Hope this helps.