Banking
IBPS SO
The IBPS Specialist Officer (SO) exam is conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) to recruit specialist officers in various public sector banks across India. The selection process includes three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Candidates must clear all stages to be considered for the final merit list.
| Features | Simple Card | Green Card | Green Plus Card | Premium Green Plus Card | Premium Green Card |
| Courses | BANK | BANK | BANK+SSC | BANK + SSC + STATE LEVEL | BANK + STATE LEVEL |
| Card Validity | Six Months | Up to Selection | Up to Selection | Up to Selection | Up to Selection |
| Admission Mode | Offline and Online | Offline and Online | Offline and Online | Offline and Online | Offline and Online |
| Course Module (in Months) | 3 Months | 3 Months | 3 + 5 = 8 Months | 3 + 5 + 3= 11 Months | 3 + 3= 6 Months |
| Offline Class Duration (in Hours) | 230 Hrs | 230 Hrs | 610 Hrs | 850 Hrs | 470 Hrs |
| Classes Mode | Offline and Online Both | Offline and Online Both | Offline and Online Both | Offline and Online Both | Offline and Online Both |
| Class Schedule | 7 days in a week (6+1) | 7 days in a week (6+1) | 7 days in a week (6+1) | 7 days in a week (6+1) | 7 days in a week (6+1) |
| Student Bag | Free of Cost | Free of Cost | Free of Cost | Free of Cost | Free of Cost |
| Study Material Kit | Bank Course Material Kits | Bank Course Material Kits | All 2 Courses Material Kits | Bank,SSC & State Course Material Kits | BANK & State Course Material Kits |
| E-Books | Bank Course Material Kits | Bank Course Material Kits | All 2 Courses Material Kits | Bank,SSC & State Course Material Kits | BANK & State Course Material Kits |
| Topic wise Test | Yes - Online | Yes - Online | Yes - Online | Yes - Online | Yes - Online |
| E-MICA (Monthly Current Affairs Magzine) | Yes - Online | Yes - Online | Yes - Online | Yes - Online | Yes - Online |
| Speed Test/ Mock test | Online & Offline Weekly Once and as per the mode of Upcoming Examination | Online & Offline Weekly Once and as per the mode of Upcoming Examination | Online & Offline Weekly Once and as per the mode of Upcoming Examination | Online & Offline Weekly Once and as per the mode of Upcoming Examination | Online & Offline Weekly Once and as per the mode of Upcoming Examination |
| Smart Lab | Free of Cost | Free of Cost | Free of Cost | Free of Cost | Free of Cost |
| Problem Solving Session (PSS) | As per availability of Faculty Members in Branch | As per availability of Faculty Members in Branch | As per availability of Faculty Members in Branch | As per availability of Faculty Members in Branch | As per availability of Faculty Members in Branch |
| Card Upgrade (course upgrade) | Yes - Nominal Charges Applicable | Yes - Nominal Charges Applicable | Yes - Nominal Charges Applicable | Yes - Nominal Charges Applicable | Yes - Nominal Charges Applicable |
| Rejoining (Batch repetition) | Free of Cost | Free of Cost | Free of Cost | Free of Cost | Free of Cost |
| Branch Transfer | Yes - Chargeable Applicable as Per Policy | Yes - Chargeable Applicable as Per Policy | Yes - Chargeable Applicable as Per Policy | Yes - Chargeable Applicable as Per Policy | Yes - Chargeable Applicable as Per Policy |
| Interview Admission | Free of Cost | Free of Cost | Free of Cost | Free of Cost | Free of Cost |
| App Subscription | YES | YES | YES | YES | YES |
About Exam
Overview
The IBPS Specialist Officer (SO) exam is conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) to recruit specialist officers in various public sector banks across India. The selection process includes three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Candidates must clear all stages to be considered for the final merit list.
The IBPS Specialist Officer Cut Off
Last 3 Years Cut-offs (Prelims and Mains)
| Year | Post | Category | Prelims Cut-off | Mains Cut-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | IT Officer | General | 45.00 | 80.00 |
| OBC | 42.00 | 75.00 | ||
| SC | 38.00 | 70.00 | ||
| ST | 33.00 | 65.00 | ||
| 2022 | HR/Personnel | General | 47.00 | 82.00 |
| Officer | OBC | 44.00 | 78.00 | |
| SC | 39.00 | 72.00 | ||
| ST | 34.00 | 67.00 | ||
| 2021 | Marketing Officer | General | 50.00 | 85.00 |
| OBC | 47.00 | 81.00 | ||
| SC | 42.00 | 75.00 | ||
| ST | 37.00 | 70.00 |
The IBPS Specialist Officer Exam Syllabus
Prelims:
- English Language: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Fill in the Blanks, Error Spotting.
- Reasoning: Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Coding-Decoding, Syllogism, Blood Relations, Inequalities.
- Quantitative Aptitude: Simplification, Number Series, Data Interpretation, Quadratic Equations, Miscellaneous.
Mains:
- Professional Knowledge: This section varies according to the post applied for and includes subject-specific questions.
The IBPS Specialist Officer Exam Pattern
Prelims:
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 mins |
| Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 40 mins |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 40 mins |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 120 mins |
Mains:
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Knowledge | 60 | 60 | 45 mins |
The IBPS Specialist Officer Eligibility
- Nationality: Indian citizen.
- Age Limit: 20-30 years (Age relaxation as per categories).
- Educational Qualification: Varies according to the post (e.g., IT Officer requires an engineering degree in Computer Science, Information Technology, etc.).
The IBPS Specialist Officer Salary and Profile
- Basic Pay: ₹23,700/- (Initial pay)
- In-hand Salary: ₹38,000 - ₹42,000 (varies by location and allowances)
- Job Profile: Varies by specialization but generally involves handling the specialized roles like IT, Marketing, HR, Law, Agriculture, etc., depending on the post applied for.
IBPS SO 2024 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Release of Notification | August 2024 |
| Online Registration Starts | September 2024 |
| Prelims Exam Date | November 2024 |
| Prelims Result | December 2024 |
| Mains Exam Date | December 2025 |
| Mains Result | January 2025 |
| Interview | February 2025 |
| Provisional Allotment | March 2025 |
How to Crack IBPS SO Exam
- Understand the Syllabus: Thoroughly go through the syllabus and exam pattern.
- Create a Study Plan: Allocate time wisely to cover all sections.
- Practice Mock Tests: Regular practice with mock tests to manage time and accuracy.
- Focus on Weak Areas: Identify and improve weak areas.
- Stay Updated: Keep track of current affairs and financial news.
IBPS SO Study Plan
- Week 1-2: Focus on English Language and Quantitative Aptitude.
- Week 3-4: Concentrate on Reasoning Ability and start taking sectional tests.
- Week 5-6: Integrate Professional Knowledge with daily study.
- Week 7-8: Full-length mock tests and revision of weak areas.
IBPS SO Application Process
- Registration: Register on the IBPS official website.
- Filling Application Form: Fill in personal, educational details, and upload required documents.
- Payment of Fees: Pay the application fee online.
- Confirmation: Submit and take a printout of the application for future reference.
Importance of Mock Tests
- Exam Simulation: Mock tests simulate real exam conditions.
- Time Management: Helps in practicing time management.
- Self-Assessment: Identifies strengths and weaknesses.
- Accuracy: Improves speed and accuracy.