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    IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2025 - Check Marking Scheme and Syllabus

    IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2025 - Check Marking Scheme and Syllabus

    Vishnukumar VUpdated on 11 Jun 2026, 11:58 AM IST

    Institute of Banking Personnel Selection has provided the IBPS SO exam pattern 2025 in the official brochure which has been released at ibps.in. As per the exam pattern of IBPS SO 2025, the recruitment exam will be conducted in three stages - prelims, mains exam and interview. IBPS SO exam pattern 2025 includes details about the examination mode, language, marking scheme, form and number of questions, etc. The IBPS SO exam for prelims and mains exam will be conducted in online mode.

    This Story also Contains

    1. Highlights of IBPS SO 2025 Exam Pattern
    2. IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2025 For Prelims
    3. IBPS SO 2025 Exam Pattern for Mains
    4. IBPS SO Syllabus 2025
    5. IBPS SO exam pattern 2025: Best books
    6. How to prepare for IBPS SO 2025?
    7. IBPS SO Question Paper 2025
    IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2025 - Check Marking Scheme and Syllabus
    IBPS SO exam pattern

    The prelim test will be conducted for 120 minutes with questions from Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, Reasoning and Banking Affairs, according to IBPS SO 2025 exam pattern. For more details about IBPS SO exam pattern 2025, candidates can check the article below.

    Highlights of IBPS SO 2025 Exam Pattern

    • The IBPS SO 2025 exam selection procedure includes three stages namely prelims, main and interview.

    • The prelims exam will have 150 questions carrying 125 marks, as per the IBPS SO 2025 exam pattern.

    • For the mains exam, candidates who qualify for the prelims exam will be called.

    • For 60 minutes, the IBPS SO 2025 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 2025

    IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2025 For Prelims

    The preliminary exam will be objective in nature, according to the IBPS SO 2025 exam pattern. The length of the exam will be 120 minutes with 40 minutes of sectional timing. Candidates can check IBPS SO exam pattern 2025 from the table given below.

    IBPS SO 2025 Exam Pattern For the post 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 2025 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 2025 Exam Pattern for Mains

    Candidates who qualify for the prelims exam will be called for the IBPS SO 2025 mains exam. In the official notification, the conducting authorities recommend the IBPS SO 2025 exam pattern for mains. The main exam consists of questions of both analytical and descriptive forms. Candidates can check IBPS SO exam pattern 2025 from the table given below.

    IBPS SO 2025 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 2025 Marking Scheme

    IBPS SO 2025 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 2025

    Institute of Banking Personnel Selection prescribed the syllabus of IBPS SO 2025 in the official notification. Candidates can check IBPS SO 2025 syllabus to check topics and chapters asked in the exam. The IBPS SO syllabus includes subject-wise topics that will be asked in the IBPS SO 2025 exam.

    IBPS SO exam pattern 2025: Best books

    While preparing for the IBPS SO 2025 exam, one of the major aspects is choosing the best books for IBPS SO 2025. The best book of IBPS SO exam must be based on the latest exam pattern and syllabus. Check below the table to know more about IBPS SO best books 2025.

    Best books for IBPS SO 2025

    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 2025?

    Candidates who apply for IBPS SO 2025 need to have a better preparation in order to crack the IBPS SO examination. Check below a few tips that must be followed while preparing for IBPS SO 2025.

    • Go through IBPS SO exam pattern thoroughly before starting your preparations.

    • Check 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 2025

    IBPS does not provide any official question paper of IBPS SO as the exam is conducted in online mode for both prelims and mains round. 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 2025.

    Check Here 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 ?

    If you fill out the IBPS SO (Specialist Officer) form twice using the same email ID and mobile number but with some mistakes, the admit card will generally be generated based on the latest valid application form.

    However, here are the key points to consider:

    1. Duplicate Applications: The IBPS

    Hello Sachin,

    It’s generally important for the name on your registration and ID proof to match exactly to avoid any issues. Discrepancies between the name you provided in your IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection) registration and the name on your ID proof could lead to complications during verification or

    Hello there,

    The eligibility criteria for IPBS SO HR Exam states that a candidate must have done 2 years Post Graduation or Full-Time Post Graduation Diploma in the field; Personnel Management\Labour Law\HR\HRD\Industrial Relations.

    Yes, you are likely eligible for the IBPS SO IT exam.

    The IBPS SO IT eligibility criteria typically include:

    • A 4-year Engineering/Technology degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electronics, etc.
      (https://byjus.com/bank-exam/ibps-so-eligibility/#:~:text=4%20year%20Engineering%20Degree%20in,%2F%20Electronics%20%26%20Telecommunications%2F%20Electronics%20%26)
    • Or a postgraduate degree in similar fields.

    Since your B.Tech degree in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence falls under

    Hello,

    Yes, with a B.Tech degree in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence from IIIT Naya Raipur, you are generally eligible for the IBPS Specialist Officer (SO) IT Officer exam. The basic eligibility criteria for the IBPS SO IT Officer typically include:

    1. Educational Qualification :
      • A 4-year Engineering/Technology degree in Computer