This article has been written by Oishika Banerji of Amity Law School, Kolkata. This article discusses the necessary details of the IBPS SO exam.
It has been published by Rachit Garg.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Are you still in a daze when it comes to deciding what to do post-graduation? You must be amazed to know that law graduates have fascinating opportunities when it comes to government jobs. The IBPS examination is one such government job examination that is appeared by several aspirants every year for the post of specialist officer (SO) in different public sector banks in India.
Before thinking of appearing for this examination, let us know everything surrounding it.
What is the IBPS SO exam
The IBPS SO Exam is conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) to select eligible candidates for the post of Probationary Officers in different public sector banks in India. The IBPS SO exam has been conducted every year since 2011, and this year it will be in its 12th edition. The IBPS SO is for the selection of candidates for the 11 public sector banks.
IBPS provides its services to all Public-Sector Banks (PNB, BOB, etc.), SBI, RBI, NABARD, SIDBI, LIC and insurance companies, and other banks which are regular members of the IBPS society. In order to employ officers and clerks for Indian banks, IBPS launched the Common Recruitment Process (CRP) in 2011. The CRP accepts online applications through its official website. The IBPS SO exam is exclusively offered online and is administered in a number of locations across India.
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection conducts IBPS SO Recruitment every year to select eligible candidates for the posts mentioned below:
- Agriculture Field Officer.
- Marketing Officer (Scale I).
- HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I).
- IT Officer (Scale I).
- Law Officer (Scale I).
- Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I)
IBPS SO eligibility criteria
IBPS SO educational qualification
| S No. | Name of the Post | Educational Qualification |
| 1. | I.T. Officer (Scale I) | 1)Four years engineering/Technology degree in Computer Science/IT/Computer Application/Electronics and Communication Engineering/Electronics and Telecommunication/ Electronics and Instrumentation OR 2) Post Graduate Degree in Computer Science/IT/Computer Application/Electronics and Communication Engineering/Electronics and Telecommunication/ Electronics and Instrumentation ORGraduates having passed DOEACC ‘B’ level exam |
| 2. | Agricultural Field Officer (Scale-I) | 4 years 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 |
| 3. | Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I) | Post Graduate in Hindi with English as a subject at the graduation or degree level OR Post Graduate Degree in Sanskrit with English and Hindi as a subject at graduation level |
| 4. | Law Office (Scale I) | A bachelor’s degree in Law and enrolled as an advocate with Bar Council |
| 5. | HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I) | Graduate and Full Time Post Graduate Degree or Full time Diploma in Personnel Management/ Industrial Relation/ HR/ HRD/ Social Work/ Labour Law |
| 6. | Marketing Officer (Scale I) | Graduate and Full-Time MMS (Marketing)/ MBA (Marketing)/Full time PGDBA/ PGDBM with specialization in Marketing |
Nationality / citizenship of applicants
A candidate applying for the IBPS SO Examination must be one of the following:
- Citizen of India.
- Subject of Nepal or Bhutan.
- Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanent settlement.
- Person of Indian Origin (PIO) who has migrated from Burma, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam or East African countries of Zaire, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Ethiopia, Malawi, with the intention of permanent settlement in India
Candidates belonging to the categories 2, 3 and 4 must have a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India in their favour.
IBPS SO age limit
Any applicant who intends to sit for the IBPS SO exam must be at least 20 years old and not older than 30 at the time of registration. In addition, candidates may apply for an age reduction based on their category in accordance with government regulations:
- Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST): 5 years.
- Other Backward Classes (OBC Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years.
- Persons with Disabilities (PWD): 10 years.
- Ex-Servicemen (Army personnel): 5 years.
- Widows/Divorced Women: 9 years.
- Persons with Domicile of Jammu and Kashmir during the period of 1-1-1980 to 31-12-1989: 5 years.
- Persons affected by 1984 riots: 5 years.
- Regular Employees of Union Carbide Factory, Bhopal retrenched from service (for MP state Only): 5 years
IBPS SO recruitment process
| Organisation | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Post | Specialist Officer (SO) |
| Exam Level | National |
| Participating Banks | 11 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Mode | Online |
| IBPS SO Recruitment Process | Prelims, Main Exams, Interview |
| Education Qualification | Graduates or relevant degree |
| Age Limit | 20 years to 28 years |
| Application Fee | SC/ST/PWD- Rs.175General and Others- Rs. 850 |
| IBPS Official Website | www.ibps.in |
Online preliminary examination
An adequate number of candidates in each category are shortlisted by IBPS depending on the requirements for the online Mains examination.
Online Mains examination
To be qualified for an interview, candidates must meet both the sectional cutoff and the overall cutoff in the main exam.
Interview
The participating organisations will conduct the interview, and the Nodal Bank in each State or UT will coordinate it with IBPS.
Final result
The combined performance of applicants in the IBPS SO Mains and Interview rounds is used to determine the final result.
Provisional allotment
- On the official website, the qualifying candidate’s provisional allotment is made public. Candidates can specify their choices for IBPS banks when submitting an online application.
- IBPS merely contributes to the selection process up until the preliminary allotment of positions to various banks. Following that, it is the various banks’ responsibility to inform qualified candidates of the dates and conditions of their joining.
Syllabus of the IBPS SO examination
IBPS SO Prelims exam syllabus
This comprises Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude and English Language.
| Reasoning | Quantitative Aptitude | English Language |
| Logical Reasoning | Simplification | Reading Comprehension |
| Alphanumeric Series | Profit and Loss | Cloze Test |
| Ranking/Direction/Alphabet Test | Mixtures and Alligations | Para jumbles |
| Data Sufficiency | Simple Interest and Compound Interest and Surds and Indices | Multiple Meaning / Error Spotting |
| Coded Inequalities | Work and Time | Fill in the blanks |
| Seating Arrangement | Time and Distance | Miscellaneous |
| Puzzle | Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere | Paragraph Completion |
| Tabulation | Data Interpretation | |
| Syllogism | Ratio and Proportion, Percentage | |
| Blood Relations | Number Systems | |
| Input-Output | Sequence and Series | |
| Coding-Decoding | Permutation, Combination and Probability |
IBPS PO Mains exam syllabus
The IBPS PO Mains exam comprises 5 sections, namely, Reasoning, English Language, Quantitative, Aptitude, General Awareness, Computer Aptitude.
IBPS SO exam pattern
For many posts, the IBPS SO prelims test has two alternative patterns. To pass the IBPS SO 2022 preliminary test, candidates must meet a sectional cut-off and pass each component.
For the post of IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer and Marketing Officer:
| S No. | Name of Tests | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Duration |
| 1 | English Language | 50 | 25 | English | 40 minutes |
| 2 | Reasoning | 50 | 50 | English and Hindi | 40 minutes |
| 3 | Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | English and Hindi | 40 minutes |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 120 minutes |
For the post of Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari:
| S No. | Name of Tests | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Medium of Exam | Duration |
| 1 | English Language | 50 | 25 | English | 40 minutes |
| 2 | Reasoning | 50 | 50 | English and Hindi | 40 minutes |
| 3 | General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry | 50 | 50 | English and Hindi | 40 minutes |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 120 minutes |
IBPS SO Interview
- For a face-to-face interview worth up to 100 marks, candidates who advanced to the main exam are contacted. The required percentage to advance to the interview is 40% (or 35% for those who are SC, ST, OBC, or have a disability).
- Typically lasting 15 to 20 minutes, the interview involves questions on the candidates’ backgrounds, the banking industry, current events, general knowledge, etc. from a panel of bank employees. The candidates must arrive at the interview in neat clothing, with confidence, and with all the necessary paperwork.
- The final merit list is created using the results of the main exam and the interview. IBPS determines the final result by allocating 80:20 of the total marks to the main exam and interview, respectively.
Final Score Calculation for the IBPS SO Exam
The final score for the IBPS PO exam is calculated keeping the following points in mind:
- Marks obtained in the Preliminary Exam (Tier-1) will not be considered in the final score and are only for qualifying to Mains Exam (Tier-2).
- Candidates must qualify for Phase-2 and interview separately to be eligible for final merit.
- The weightage (ratio) of the IBPS SO Main exam and interview for the final merit list will be 80:20 respectively.
- The aggregate score out of 100 is used for the final merit list for each category. Candidates with the top merit rank in each category are finally selected.
IBPS SO 2022 salary
IBPS SO basic pay is Rs 23,700. The scale-wise IBPS SO salary is mentioned in the table below:
| Grade | IBPS SO Salary |
| Officer Scale I | Monthly Salary – Rs.36400/-Pay Scale – Rs. 23700-980/7-30560-1145/2-32850-1310/7-42020 |
| Officer Scale II | Monthly Salary – Rs.48800/-Pay Scale- Rs. 31705-1145/1-32850-1310/10-45950 |
| Officer Scale III | Monthly Salary – Rs.64600/-Pay Scale- Rs. 42020-1310/5-48570-1460/2-51490 |
IBPS SO exam centre
The IBPS SO exam is given online at many locations throughout India, and candidates can specify their preferences when completing the online application. IBPS may, however, assign an exam centre other than the candidate’s preferences if there are no seats available in the candidate’s first-choice locations. Candidates cannot request changes to the exam centre; IBPS alone has the ability to add or remove exam centres. Any improper conduct at the exam site may result in the withdrawal of the candidate.
IBPS SO pre-exam training
According to the instructions set forth by the Government of India, the Nodal Banks/Participating Organisations may set up pre-examination training for applicants from the SC/ST/Religious Minority Community at specific centres. In this type of orientation session, professionals from training centres inform applicants about the different types of questions, common errors, time management advice, best practices, fundamental recommendations, and strategies. The goal is to give students from lower sections who cannot access coaching a level playing field and to inform them of the common components and recruitment process of the exam.
Candidates from the aforementioned categories can apply for the course by checking the appropriate box on the online application form. Pre-exam preparation is free, however, candidates are responsible for other costs like travel, subsistence, and hotel. The dates are made public on the official website and it typically lasts for five days before the exam. Please find a list of potential training facilities below:
| North India | South India | East India | West India |
| Agra | Bengaluru | Agartala | Ahmedabad |
| Allahabad | Chennai | Balasore | Aurangabad |
| Amritsar | Coimbatore | Behrampur (Ganjam) | Bhopal |
| Bareilly | Gulbarga | Bhubaneshwar | Indore |
| Chandigarh | Hyderabad | Dhanbad | Jabalpur |
| Dehradun | Kavaratti | Guwahati | Jaipur |
| Gorakhpur | Kochi | Hubli | Jodhpur |
| Jammu | Madurai | Kolkata | Mumbai |
| Kanpur | Mangalore | Muzaffarpur | Nagpur |
| Karnal | Mysore | Patna | Panaji (Goa) |
| Lucknow | Port Blair | Ranchi | Pune |
| Ludhiana | Puducherry | Sambalpur | Raipur |
| New Delhi | Thiruchirapalli | Shillong | Rajkot |
| Patiala | Thiruvananthapuram | Siliguri | Vadodara |
| Rohtak | Vijaywada | Tirupati | |
| Shimla | Visakhapatnam | ||
| Varanasi |
IBPS SO 2022 admit card and call letter
Candidates must download the IBPS SO 2022 admit card from the official website of the bank as the hard copy of the IBPS SO Admit Card will not be sent to the candidate via post. To login on to the official website, the candidates will require the following:
- Registration No./Roll No.
- Date of Birth/ Password.
- The admit card will be made available 10 to 15 days before the IBPS SO 2022 Exam. The admit card or call letter for IBPS SO 2022 will be issued in 3 phases:
- Online preliminary examination.
- Online mains examination.
- Interview.
IBPS SO 2022 result
After each phase of the examination is over, IBPS will announce the results. The candidates’ scores in the online main examination and interview will be listed in descending order to create the final merit state and category-specific lists. Candidates who are on the merit list and fit the number of openings will be given consideration for appointments pending medical fitness.
Major banks participating in IBPS SO Recruitment 2022
Let’s take a look at all the banks that have participated in this year for IBPS SO recruitment process:
- Punjab National Bank.
- Union Bank of India.
- Bank of India.
- Indian Bank.
- Canara Bank.
- Indian Overseas Bank.
- Central Bank of India.
- UCO Bank.
- Bank of Baroda.
- Punjab and Sind Bank.
- Bank of Maharashtra.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is IBPS a government job?
The Ministry of Finance, Government of India, owns the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), a central hiring organisation that was established with the goal of promoting the hiring and placement of young undergraduates, postgraduates, and doctorates.
What is the salary of an IBPS SO?
The Initial basic salary of an IBPS SO is INR 36,300/- to Rs.64,600. T .
Can an engineering graduate apply for the IBPS SO Exam?
Yes, any candidate who has a graduation degree can apply for the IBPS SO exam.
Is the IBPS SO exam bilingual?
All tests are bilingual, i.e. available in both English and Hindi.
How many subjects are there in the IBPS SO exam?
This part of the exam mainly consists of 4 subjects, namely, reasoning and computer aptitude, English language, data analysis and interpretation, and general economy and banking awareness.
Is IBPS SO difficult?
The IBPS SO test has a challenging overall difficulty level. The component on data interpretation and analysis was the most challenging, and the sections on reasoning ability and computer aptitude were moderate to challenging. The General/Economy/Banking Awareness section was moderate, whilst the English Language section was moderate to challenging.
Is there any negative marking?
Yes, there is negative marking for wrong answers in the objective tests of both Preliminary and Mains Exam of IBPS SO 2022. One-fourth of the total marks allotted for that question will be deducted for marking a wrong answer.
Are there fixed timings for different sections?
Yes, both in prelims & mains exam.
Is SBI under IBPS?
No SBI is a different organisation. It is not one of the IBPS’s participating banks. Except for SBI, the other 11 public sector banks are represented in the IBPS hiring process. Both SOs and CLERKS are recruited by SBI through separate exams.
Is maths compulsory for bank SO?
No, not necessary for the IBPS SO or any banking exams.
What is the age limit for IBPS?
IBPS set up the lower and upper age limit for the IBPS SO exam which is 20 years and 30 years respectively. However, age relaxation is provided to candidates belonging to reservation categories.
Which is the highest post in the bank?
Managing Director and CEO.
Can a 12th pass student apply for IBPS?
All applicants who have completed their undergraduate degree from a government-recognized university are eligible for the IBPS Clerk recruitment 2022, according to the official notification given by the IBPS for IBPS Clerk 2022. Therefore, individuals with a 12th-grade diploma are ineligible to apply for the IBPS Clerk 2022.
How many times can the IBPS exam be attempted?
There is no restriction on how many times a candidate can take the IBPS SO exam. Exams may be taken as many times as necessary until the candidate meets the requirements for eligibility.
What is the qualification of an IBPS clerk?
According to the IBPS Clerk criteria, applicants who desire to sit for the bank clerk test must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution at the very least. Computer proficiency is a prerequisite.
Can a final year student apply for the position of an IBPS Clerk?
In order to be eligible for IBPS clerk, the candidate must be a graduate. That means final-year students cannot apply for the exam.
What is the minimum percentage required for the position of an IBPS Clerk?
For the IBPS SO, and clerical tests, there is no required minimum percentage, graduates from any discipline, including recently completed SBI candidates, are welcome to apply. However, for the BOB PGDM and comparable exams, a graduation rate of at least 60% is required.
All the best!
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