How to become an IBPS SO: Know everything here

IBPS SO examination is approaching and will be held soon for the eligible candidates. Those who possess professional qualifications are considered for the role of Specialist Officer in PSBs. The major professional domain includes Law, Human Resource Management, and Marketing. However, becoming an IBPS SO is not an easy task and one requires to adhere to all the eligibility criteria prescribed for this exam. In this article, we have discussed the ways in which one can become an IBPS SO.

Table of Contents

IBPS SO 2023 Highlights

IBPS SO exam will be held soon for the candidates the following table can be checked to know about the highlights of the same.

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	The educational qualification of a post depends on the minimum qualification as prescribed by the IBPS.
Age Limit	20 years to 30 years
Application Fee	SC/ST/PWD- Rs.175General and Others- Rs. 850

IBPS SO Eligibility Criteria 2023

The authorities have announced the IBPS SO eligibility criteria for all the candidates. Candidates who qualify for all the basic eligibility will be called to appear in the examination. The following section can be checked to know about the details related to the IBPS SO eligibility criteria.

Age Limit

The prescribed IBPS SO age limit is 20 years to 30 years for all candidates. The candidates who belong to the reserved category will enjoy the benefits of age relaxation and reservation criteria. Here is the category-wise IBPS SO age limit relaxation.

Category	Upper Age Relaxation
SC/ST Candidates	5 years
OBC category from the non-creamy layer	3 years
Persons With Disabilities	10 years
Ex-Servicemen (Army Personnel)	5 years
Person Domiciled in Jammu and Kashmir Between 1980-1989	5 years
1984 Riot Victims	5 years

Educational Qualification

The IBPS SO educational qualification has been prescribed for all the posts. The candidates who possess all the basic eligibility will be allowed to write the examination. Know more about the post wise educational qualification in the table below.

Post Name	Educational Qualification
I.T. Officer Job Grade	Computer science, computer applications, information technology, electronics, electronics & telecommunications, electronics & communication, and electronics & instrumentation are all available as four-year engineering degrees. OR Postgraduate degree in computer science, information technology, computer applications, electronics, electronics and telecommunication, communication, and instrumentation OR Complete the DOEACC “B” level.
Scale IN Agricultural Field Officer	Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Science, Dairy Science, Fishery Science, Pisciculture, Agri. Marketing & Cooperation, cooperation & Banking, Agroforestry, Forestry, Agricultural Biotechnology, Food Science, Agriculture Business Management, Food Technology, Dairy Technology, Agricultural Engineering, Sericulture, and Sericulture all require a four-year degree (graduation).
Scale I Brajbhasha Adhikari	Graduate-level postgraduate degree in Hindi with English as a subject. OR A Sanskrit postgraduate degree at the degree (graduation) level includes English and Hindi as subjects.
Scale I law enforcement	A Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and registration with the Bar Council as an advocate.
Scale I HR/Personnel Officer	Graduating and working for two full years’ worth of a graduate degree or postgraduate diploma in labour law, industrial relations, human resources, or personnel management.
Scale I Marketing Officer	Graduate with a Full-Time MBA in Marketing after 2 years of PGDBA/PGDBM with a marketing concentration.

Nationality

The candidate should be a permanent citizen of India.

IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2023

The candidates have to refer to the IBPS SO exam pattern as prescribed by the competent authorities. The exam pattern has been prescribed for all the posts separately. Candidates can know about the detailed exam pattern 2023 in the section below.

For the post of IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer and Marketing Officer

The exam is going to be held in online mode
For every wrong answer, 0.25 marks will be deducted
The questions in the exam will be asked in Hindi and English language

Name of Tests	No. 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

For the post of Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari

The exam is going to be held in online mode
For every wrong answer, 0.25 marks will be deducted
The questions in the exam will be asked in Hindi and English language

Name of Tests	No. 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 Banking Industry	50	50	English and Hindi	40 minutes
Total	150	125		120 minutes

IBPS SO Preparation Tips

The following are the major IBPS SO preparation tips that should be followed to maximise the marks in the exam.

Identify your IBPS SO specialisation and focus on in-depth preparation for that particular field, whether it’s IT, HR, Marketing, or Agriculture. Tailor your study material and practice to target the specific subjects and topics relevant to your chosen specialisation.
Stay updated with the latest IBPS SO syllabus and exam pattern changes. Refer to official sources for accurate information and ensure your preparation aligns with the current requirements
Solve previous year’s IBPS SO question papers to understand the exam pattern, difficulty level, and frequently asked topics. This practice enhances your time management and problem-solving abilities
Take regular IBPS SO mock tests to create the exam environment and assess your performance. Analyse the results to identify strengths and weaknesses, helping you prioritize your revision and focus on improving weak areas
Maintain a consistent study routine and stay positive throughout your preparation. Break down complex topics, seek help when needed, and believe in your abilities. A positive mindset and determination contribute significantly to your success in the IBPS SO exam.

We hope with this article we were able to solve your query regarding the IBPS SO 2023. For more such blogs on IBPS SO, preparation tips and resources keep a tab on this space.