The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection conducts recruitment for specialized cadres through examinations like IBPS SO 2026. For aspiring agricultural graduates looking to build a career in the banking sector as Agriculture Field Officers, understanding the examination blueprint is crucial. Whether you are tracking updates or waiting for your IBPS SO Admit Card 2026 Out - Click to Download, having a clear roadmap of the syllabus and test structure will maximize your success rate.
Overview of the IBPS SO Examination Stages
The IBPS SO 2026 exam for Agriculture Field Officers is conducted in three stages: Preliminary exam, Main examination, and Interview. Both the Preliminary and Main examinations are conducted entirely online. Candidates who successfully clear the online tests proceed to the final interview stage.
IBPS AFO Prelims Exam Pattern & Subjects
The Preliminary examination serves as a screening test and evaluates candidates across three core sections. The exam mode is fully online, featuring a sectional time limit of 40 minutes per section. A negative marking scheme applies where 1/4th (0.25) of a mark is deducted for every incorrect answer.
IBPS AFO Prelims Subjects Checklist
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Reasoning
- English Language
| IBPS AFO Prelims Exam Pattern 2026 | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 40 minutes |
| English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 120 minutes |
Detailed Prelims Syllabus and Topic Checklists
To clear the preliminary examination, candidates need to master specific topics across quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and English language proficiency.
Quantitative Aptitude Topics
- Number Series
- Data Interpretation
- Simplification
- Quadratic Equations
- Data Sufficiency
- Ratio and Proportion
- Discounts
- Averages
- Mixtures
- Percentages
- Profit and Loss
- Time Work and Distance
- Rate of Interest
- Probability
- Permutation and Combination
Reasoning Topics
- Puzzles
- Seating Arrangement
- Inequalities
- Blood Relations
- Syllogism
- Order and Ranking
- Input-Output
- Alphanumeric Series
- Data Sufficiency
- Coding-Decoding
- Distance and Direction
- Verbal and Non Verbal Reasoning
English Language Topics
- Cloze Test
- Reading Comprehension
- Improving Sentences and paragraphs
- Completion of paragraphs
- Para jumbling
- Detection of Errors
- Fill in the blanks
- Parts of speech
- Prepositions
- Modes of narration
- Voice Change
| Subjects | Topics |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude | Number Series Data Interpretation Simplification Quadratic Equations Data Sufficiency Ratio and Proportion Discounts Averages Mixtures Percentages Profit and Loss Time Work and Distance Rate of Interest Probability Permutation and Combination |
| Reasoning | Puzzles Seating Arrangement Inequalities Blood Relations Syllogism Order and Ranking Input-Output Alphanumeric Series Data Sufficiency Coding-Decoding Distance and Direction Verbal and Non Verbal Reasoning |
| English Language | Cloze Test Reading Comprehension Improving Sentences and paragraphs Completion of paragraphs Para jumbling Detection of Errors Fill in the blanks Parts of speech Prepositions Modes of narration Voice Change |
IBPS AFO Mains Exam Pattern & Professional Knowledge Syllabus
The Main examination consists of 60 objective-type questions to test Professional Knowledge, with a duration of 45 minutes. The exam mode is fully online, and incorrect answers attract a penalty of 1/4th (0.25) marks deduction.
IBPS AFO Mains Topics Checklist
- Agriculture in India
- Agricultural Practices
- Horticulture
- Agriculture Finance
- Cultivation and Harvesting
- Soil Science
- Agriculture Economics
- Irrigation Methods
- Self Help Groups
- Government Schemes
- Seed Technology
- Miscellaneous
| Topics | Sub-Topics |
|---|---|
| Agriculture in India | Agriculture in India Types of Cultivation Major Crops of India Irrigation in India Agriculture-based Research Institutes in India Animal Husbandry in India Genetically Modified Crops, etc. |
| Agricultural Practices | Soil preparation Sowing Manuring Irrigation Weeding Harvesting Storage |
| Horticulture | Amateur horticulture Commercial horticulture Horticulture fruits and vegetables |
| Agriculture Finance | Short-term Loans Medium/Long-terms Loan Crop Loan and Kisan Credit Card Agricultural Term Loan Land Development Minor Irrigation Farm Mechanisation Finance to Horticulture Land Purchase Lead Bank Scheme Agriculture Advances Advance Against Warehouse, Receipts Produce Marketing Scheme Crop Insurance Scheme Rashtriya Krishi Bima Yojana Financing of combine harvesters Financing of Tractors and Old Tractors Advance against Gold//Silver ornaments River Lift Irrigation Schemes Forums for Coordination Service Area Approach State Level Bankers Committee (SLBC), Preparation of Credit Plan |
| Cultivation and Harvesting | Cultivation Techniques and Practices Harvesting Techniques and Practices Post-Harvest Technology |
| Soil Science | Tillage, Nutrient deficiencies, Fertilizer and fertilizer consumption Soil Types and characters Indian soil Type of facts soil-related fact Green manure |
| Agriculture Economics | Basics of Agriculture Economics Agriculture cost and scheme |
| Irrigation Methods | Lift Irrigation Drip Irrigation Sprinkler Irrigation |
| Self Help Groups | Introduction Need Structure and Functions of Self Help Group Self-Help Groups and SGSY Scheme |
| Government Schemes | Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY) Million Wells Scheme (MWS) Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana Urban Self Employment Programme (USEP) Urban Women Self-Help Programme (Revolving Fund) Skill training For Employment Promotion Amongst Urban Poor (STEP-UP) Urban Wage Employment Programme (UWEP) Urban Community Development Network (UCDN) Community Structures Urban Programme for Poverty Reduction amongst SCs and STs (UPPS) Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojana (PMRY) Scheme of Liberation and Rehabilitation of Scavengers (SLRS) Self-Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) |
| Seed Technology | Basics of Seed Science Different Seed Tests |
| Miscellaneous | Plant Pathology Entomology Rearing of animals Agricultural Machinery Dairy Science Important points regarding plants, fruits vegetables Different Diseases Agriculture Current Affairs Different insurance schemes regarding agriculture Animal husbandry and technology |
IBPS AFO Mains Topic Priorities
To optimize your preparation time, focus on high-yield areas identified from previous trends.
IBPS AFO Mains Topic Priority Checklist
- Agricultural Finance - Very High
- Government Schemes - High
- Crop Production & Agronomy - High
- Soil Science - Medium High
- Irrigation Methods - Medium
- Horticulture - Medium
- Animal Husbandry & Dairy - Low-Medium
- Seed Technology - Low-Medium
- Self Help Groups - Low
| Topics | Priority |
|---|---|
| Agricultural Finance | Very High |
| Government Schemes | High |
| Crop Production & Agronomy | High |
| Soil Science | Medium High |
| Irrigation Methods | Medium |
| Horticulture | Medium |
| Animal Husbandry & Dairy | Low-Medium |
| Seed Technology | Low-Medium |
| Self Help Groups | Low |
Interview Criteria and Weightage
IBPS AFO Interviews are conducted by Participating Banks and coordinated by the Nodal Bank in each state/UT/region. The total marks allotted for the interview are 100.
The weightage ratio of the Online Main Examination and Interview is 80:20.
Interview Qualifying Marks Checklist
- General category: 40%
- SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates: 35%
Candidates seeking age relaxation must submit necessary certificate(s) in original along with photocopies during the interview.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Negative Marking & Net Score Calculator
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