The IBPS SO Notification 2026 has been officially released by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) under the Common Recruitment Process for Specialist Officers. This recruitment drive is for six categories of Specialist Officer (Scale I) posts in Participating Public Sector Banks, for vacancies belonging to the 2027-28 cycle.
If you’re targeting a specialist banking career, this notification is one of the most important releases of the year. In this post, we break down everything from IBPS SO important dates and vacancies to eligibility, exam pattern, and the application process all sourced directly from the official notification, dated 01.07.2026.
IBPS CRP SPL-XVI Notification 2026 Overview
IBPS SO(CRP SPL-XVI) is a two-tier online examination process (Preliminary and Main), followed by a Common Interview conducted by the Participating Banks. As per the official notification, a total of 745 vacancies have been announced across six Specialist Officer posts. Candidates holding the post-specific educational qualification and falling within the age bracket of 20 to 30 years (as on 01.07.2026) are eligible to apply online. The IBPS SO Apply Online 2026 process begins on 1st July 2026 and will remain open until 21st July 2026. Candidates who clear all stages are provisionally allotted to one of the Participating Banks based on merit-cum-preference, and the Basic Pay for Specialist Officers (Scale I) is ₹48,480 plus allowances and perquisites as per the concerned bank’s rules, in line with government reservation policy.
Key highlights:
- Recruitment cycle: Vacancies of 2027-28
- Conducting body: IBPS (mandate received from Participating Banks)
- Posts: IT Officer, Agricultural Field Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari, Law Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, Marketing Officer (all Scale I)
- Selection stages: Online Prelims → Online Mains → Common Interview → Provisional Allotment
- Official website: www.ibps.in
- Grievance portal: cgrs.ibps.in
Provisional allotment is made on a merit-cum-preference basis, keeping reservation policy and administrative needs in view. A reserve list of approximately 20% of vacancies under each category may also be maintained, subject to availability of candidates, and this list is valid for one year from the date of provisional allotment (or until a fresh allotment is made).
Important Dates to Remember
| Activity | Tentative Schedule |
|---|---|
| Online registration & edit/modification of application | 01-07-2026 to 21-07-2026 |
| Payment of application fee/intimation charges | 01-07-2026 to 21-07-2026 |
| Edit window for modifying application |
2 days after registration closes (to be notified) |
| Download of Prelims call letter |
August 2026 |
| Online Preliminary Examination |
August 2026 |
|
Prelims result |
September/October 2026 |
|
Download of Mains call letter |
October 2026 |
|
Online Main Examination |
November 2026 |
|
Mains result |
November 2026 |
|
Interview |
November/December 2026 |
|
Provisional allotment |
January 2027 |
These are tentative dates as per the notification; candidates should keep checking www.ibps.in for updates.
Posts, Participating Banks and Vacancies
IBPS SO covers 11 Participating Public Sector Banks:
- Bank of Baroda
- Bank of India
- Bank of Maharashtra
- Canara Bank
- Central Bank of India
- Indian Bank
- Indian Overseas Bank
- Punjab National Bank
- Punjab & Sind Bank
- UCO Bank
- Union Bank of India
The six Specialist Officer posts on offer are:
| Post Code | Posts |
|---|---|
| 01 |
IT Officer (Scale I) |
| 02 | Agricultural Field Officer (Scale I) |
| 03 | Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I) |
| 04 |
Law Officer (Scale I) |
| 05 | HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I) |
|
06 |
Marketing Officer (Scale I) |
The indicative, category-wise IBPS CRP SPL-XVI vacancies for 2027-28 are as follows:
| Post | SC | ST | OBC | EWS | UR | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Field Officer | 28 | 13 | 51 | 19 | 79 | 190 |
| HR/Personnel Officer | 8 | 3 | 15 | 6 | 28 | 60 |
| IT Officer | 46 | 23 | 82 | 28 | 122 | 301 |
| Law Officer | 14 | 6 | 26 | 10 | 49 | 105 |
| Marketing Officer | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rajbhasha Adhikari | 11 | 6 | 21 | 8 | 43 | 89 |
|
Total |
107 | 51 | 195 | 71 | 321 | 745 |
Note: Indian Bank, UCO Bank, and Union Bank of India have not reported (NR) vacancy numbers yet for any post. No vacancies have currently been reported by banks for the Marketing Officer post. Vacancies mentioned are indicative and subject to change based on actual business needs reported by banks.
IBPS CRP SPL-XVI Eligibility Criteria
Nationality/Citizenship
A candidate must be:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with intent to settle permanently, or
- A person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or specified East African/other countries, intending to settle in India (with a government eligibility certificate for these categories).
Age Limit and Relaxation (as on 01.07.2026)
- Minimum age: 20 years
- Maximum age: 30 years
- Candidates must be born between 02.07.1996 and 01.07.2006 (both dates inclusive).
Age relaxation:
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
|
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) |
3 years |
|
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) |
10 years |
| Ex-servicemen/Commissioned Officers (min. 5 years service) | 5 years |
Relaxation for SC/ST/OBC is cumulative with only one other applicable relaxation category. The maximum age limit applies to General and EWS candidates. There is no reservation for ex-servicemen in the Officers’ cadre, though age relaxation still applies.
Reservation Categories
The notification covers reservation and relaxation rules for PwBD candidates (Visual Impairment, Hearing Impairment, Locomotor Disability/Cerebral Palsy, Intellectual Disability, and Multiple Disabilities),
EWS candidates (family income below ₹8 lakh/year, with specified asset exclusions)
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates, who must submit a valid NCL certificate issued on or after 01.04.2026 up to the date of interview. Compensatory time (20 minutes/hour) and scribe facility are available for eligible PwBD/specified disability candidates, subject to prior declaration in the application form and submission of prescribed certificates.
Educational Qualification (As on 21.07.2026)
Educational qualification is post-specific:
| Post | Educational Qualification |
|---|---|
| IT Officer |
4-year Engineering/Technology degree in Computer Science/IT/Electronics-related streams, OR a relevant Post Graduate Degree, OR Graduate with DOEACC ‘B’ level |
| Agricultural Field Officer |
4-year degree in Agriculture/Horticulture/Animal Husbandry/Veterinary Science/Dairy/Fishery Science and related agri-disciplines |
|
Rajbhasha Adhikari |
PG Degree in Hindi with English as a subject at graduation, OR PG in Sanskrit with English and Hindi as subjects at graduation |
| Law Officer |
Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LL.B) and enrolment as an advocate with a Bar Council |
| HR/Personnel Officer | Graduate + 2-year full-time PG degree/diploma in Personnel Management/Industrial Relations/HR/HRD/Social Work/Labour Law |
| Marketing Officer | Graduate + 2-year full-time MMS/MBA/PGDBA/PGDBM/PGPM/PGDM with specialization in Marketing |
All qualifications must be from a University/Institution/Board recognised by the Government of India, with results declared on or before 21.07.2026. No equivalent qualification is considered eligible. Candidates can apply for only one post; multiple applications will be summarily rejected. For posts other than IT Officer, candidates should also have studied Computer/Information Technology as a subject, or hold a certificate/diploma/degree in computer operations.
Application Fee and How to Apply
Application fee/intimation charges (payable online only, from 01.07.2026 to 21.07.2026):
- Rs. 175/- (inclusive of GST) for SC/ST/PwBD candidates
- Rs. 850/- (inclusive of GST) for all other candidates
Bank transaction charges for online payment are to be borne by the candidate.
How to apply for IBPS CRP SPL-XVI 2026:
- Visit www.ibps.in and open the CRP SPL link.
- Click “New Registration” and fill in basic details to generate a provisional registration number and password.
- Upload photograph, signature, left thumb impression, handwritten declaration, and SSC/SSLC/10th certificate as per prescribed specifications (Annexure III of the notification).
- Fill in the application form carefully using “Save and Next,” then complete registration and pay the fee online.
- Take a printout of the system-generated application form and e-receipt for future reference.
Note that fields like Name, Email ID, Mobile Number, State/UT, Post, and Nationality cannot be edited after submission. A separate two-day Edit Window (with a Rs. 200/- correction fee) is provided after the registration period closes for other corrections.
IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2026
The exam pattern consists of a Preliminary Exam, Main Exam (Objective, plus a Descriptive component for Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari), and a Common Interview.
Preliminary Exam (Objective, 80 minutes)
For IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer and Marketing Officer:
| Test | Questions | Marks | Medium | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25 | 25 | English | 20 min |
| Reasoning | 25 | 25 | English & Hindi | 20 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 | English & Hindi | 20 min |
| Professional Knowledge | 25 | 50 | English & Hindi | 20 min |
| Total | 100 | 125 | – | 80 min |
For Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari:
| Test | Questions | Marks | Medium | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25 | 25 | English | 20 min |
| Reasoning | 25 | 25 | English & Hindi | 20 min |
| General Awareness (Banking Industry) | 25 | 25 | English & Hindi | 20 min |
| Professional Knowledge | 25 | 50 | English & Hindi | 20 min |
| Total | 100 | 125 | – | 80 min |
Candidates have to qualify in each of the four tests by securing minimum cut-off marks decided by IBPS. Adequate numbers of candidates in each category will be shortlisted for the Online Main Examination.
Main Exam
For IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer and Marketing Officer (155 minutes total):
| Test | Questions | Marks | Medium | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | English | 25 min |
| Reasoning | 40 | 40 | English & Hindi | 35 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | English & Hindi | 25 min |
| Professional Knowledge (Objective) | 50 | 100 | English & Hindi | 40 min |
| Descriptive Paper (English) | 2 | 25 | English | 30 min |
| Total | – | 225 | – | 155 min |
For Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari (155 minutes total):
| Test | Questions | Marks | Medium | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | English | 25 min |
| Reasoning | 40 | 40 | English & Hindi | 35 min |
| General Awareness (Banking Industry) | 30 | 30 | English & Hindi | 20 min |
| Professional Knowledge (Objective) | 50 | 100 | English & Hindi | 45 min |
| Professional Knowledge/Descriptive Paper | 2 | 25 | English (Law Officer) / English & Hindi (Rajbhasha Adhikari) | 30 min |
| Total | – | 225 | – | 155 min |
In the Main Examination, all tests except Professional Knowledge are qualifying in nature, and merit listing is done on the basis of a candidate’s score in the Professional Knowledge test. Only Main exam scores count toward shortlisting for the Interview and the final merit list.
Common Interview
Candidates shortlisted in the Online Main Examination are called for a Common Interview conducted by the Participating Banks and coordinated by the Nodal Bank in each State/UT/Region. The Interview carries 100 marks, with minimum qualifying marks of 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD). The final weightage is 80:20 (Mains score : Interview score).
Preparation Guideline Against the Official Dates
Important Instructions for Candidates
- Negative marking: One-fourth (0.25) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer in the Objective Tests; unattempted questions carry no penalty.
- Documents: Candidates must carry a valid call letter and original photo ID (matching the name on the application) at every stage; no documents are accepted separately by IBPS.
- Call letters: The Prelims call letter is authenticated/stamped, not collected, at the venue so it can be retained for the Mains exam along with the stamped ID photocopy.
- Biometric verification: Photograph and biometric (thumb impression) data may be captured/verified at various stages; candidates must not alter their appearance from the uploaded photo.
- Scribe facility: Available only for eligible PwBD/specified disability candidates who declare this in the application form and submit the prescribed medical certificate; compensatory time of 20 minutes/hour applies.
- No change requests: IBPS does not entertain requests for change of exam centre, date, time, venue, or category after submission.
- Prohibited items: Mobile phones, calculators, watches, ornaments, bags, and similar items are not allowed inside the exam hall.
- Unfair means: Any impersonation, use of unfair means, or violation under the Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024, can lead to disqualification and legal action.
- One post only: Candidates can apply for only one post; multiple applications will be summarily rejected.
Start Your IBPS PO 2026 Preparation
Now that the IBPS CRP SPL-XVI 2026 notification has been released, it’s the right time to begin your preparation with a structured study plan. Explore our comprehensive Specialist Officer preparation resources, including updated syllabus, exam pattern, study materials, mock tests, and expert guidance to boost your chances of success.
Conclusion
The IBPS CRP SPL-XVI Notification 2026 opens the door to 745 indicative vacancies across six Specialist Officer posts in 11 public sector banks for the 2027-28 cycle. With registration open from 01.07.2026 to 21.07.2026, candidates should confirm their eligibility, keep documents ready, and complete the IBPS CRP SPL-XVI application form well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues. Read the official notification carefully, prepare a study plan around the exam pattern shared above, and apply online at www.ibps.in within the given timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions about IBPS SO Notification 2026
It is the official notification for the Common Recruitment Process (CRP SPL-XVI), inviting applications for six Specialist Officer (Scale I) posts in 11 Participating Public Sector Banks for vacancies of 2027-28.
Online registration and fee payment run from 01.07.2026 to 21.07.2026. Prelims are tentatively in August 2026, Mains in November 2026, and provisional allotment in January 2027.
The notification lists 745 indicative vacancies (SC: 107, ST: 51, OBC: 195, EWS: 71, UR: 321) across IT Officer, Agricultural Field Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari, Law Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer posts, though three banks have not yet reported their numbers and no vacancies have been reported for Marketing Officer.
Candidates must be between 20 and 30 years as on 01.07.2026, with age relaxation for SC/ST (5 years), OBC-NCL (3 years), PwBD (10 years), and eligible ex-servicemen (5 years).
Qualification is post-specific — for example, an engineering/PG degree for IT Officer, an agriculture degree for Agricultural Field Officer, an LL.B for Law Officer, and relevant PG degrees for Rajbhasha Adhikari, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer — with results declared on or before 21.07.2026.
Rs. 175/- for SC/ST/PwBD candidates and Rs. 850/- for all other candidates, payable online only.
Prelims (125 marks, 80 minutes) followed by Mains (200 marks objective, plus a 25-mark descriptive/professional knowledge paper) and a Common Interview weighted 80:20 with Mains
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in the Objective Tests (both Prelims and Mains).