The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the IBPS SO Exam every year to recruit Specialist Officers (SO) in participating banks across India. With lucrative salaries, job security, and career growth opportunities, this exam is one of the most sought-after banking exams for aspirants looking to build a strong career in the financial sector.
In this article, we cover everything about IBPS SO 2025 — from notification, exam date, syllabus, selection process, eligibility, and admit card updates to important links.
What is IBPS SO?
The IBPS Specialist Officer (SO) exam is conducted to recruit candidates for specialist roles in public sector banks such as:
- IT Officer (Scale-I)
- Agricultural Field Officer (Scale-I)
- Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale-I)
- Law Officer (Scale-I)
- HR/Personnel Officer (Scale-I)
- Marketing Officer (Scale-I)
- Section Officer (SO)
This exam is conducted in three phases – Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Interview, followed by Document Verification.
IBPS SO Admit Card 2025 Out – Prelims Exam
The IBPS SO Admit Card 2025 has been released for the Preliminary Examination, which will be held on 30th August 2025 in Computer-Based Online Mode across India.
Candidates can now download IBPS SO Admit Card 2025 from the official website @ibps.in using their login credentials.
IBPS SO Admit Card 2025: Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Exam Date | 30th August 2025 |
| Admit Card Release Date | 22nd August 2025 |
| PET Admit Card Date | August 2025 |
| Answer Key | Available Soon |
| Score Card | Available Soon |
| Result | Available Soon |
Click Here to Download IBPS SO Admit Card 2025
IBPS SO 2025 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Organization | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Post Name | Specialist Officer (SO) |
| Total Vacancies | 1007 Posts |
| Exam Mode | Online (CBT) |
| Exam Type | MCQs |
| Stages | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| Admit Card Status | Available Online |
| Job Location | Pan India |
| Official Website | www.ibps.in |
IBPS SO 2025 Selection Process
The IBPS SO recruitment process involves multiple stages to ensure candidates are thoroughly tested for their subject knowledge, reasoning, and professional skills.
- Preliminary Examination (Online CBT)
- Mains Examination (Online CBT)
- Personal Interview
- Document Verification & Final Merit List
IBPS SO Exam Pattern 2025
Preliminary Exam Pattern (For Rajbhasha Adhikari & Law Officer):
| Sections | Questions | Marks | Time |
| English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 50 | 50 | 40 min |
| General Awareness (Banking) | 50 | 50 | 40 min |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 120 min |
Preliminary Exam Pattern (For IT, Agriculture, HR, Marketing Officers):
| Sections | Questions | Marks | Time |
| English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 50 | 50 | 40 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 40 min |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 120 min |
Candidates qualifying Prelims will be shortlisted for Mains Exam.
IBPS SO Syllabus 2025
The IBPS SO syllabus includes:
- English Language: Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, Error Spotting.
- Reasoning: Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding.
- Quantitative Aptitude: Simplification, Data Interpretation, Profit & Loss, Time & Work.
- General Awareness: Banking Awareness, Current Affairs, Static GK.
- Professional Knowledge (Mains): Based on the specific post (IT, HR, Law, Marketing, Agriculture).
How to Download IBPS SO Admit Card 2025
Follow the step-by-step process:
- Visit the official IBPS website – www.ibps.in
. - Click on the “IBPS SO Admit Card 2025” link on the homepage.
- Enter your Registration Number and Password/Date of Birth.
- Your dashboard will open – click on Admit Card Download.
- Take a printout of the admit card for exam day.
IBPS SO Salary 2025
The IBPS SO salary is based on Scale-I Officer pay level, which includes:
- Basic Pay: ₹36,400 – ₹38,000 (approx)
- Allowances: Dearness Allowance, HRA, Special Allowance, Medical & Travel Allowances.
- In-hand Salary: ₹50,000 – ₹55,000 (approx) per month.
IBPS SO 2025 – Important Links
- IBPS SO Admit Card Download (Link 1) – Click Here
- IBPS SO Admit Card Download (Link 2) – Click Here
- Exam Date Notice Download – Click Here
- Official Website – www.ibps.in
The IBPS SO 2025 Exam is a golden opportunity for aspirants aiming for a stable and rewarding banking career. With 1007 vacancies across different specialist posts, aspirants should focus on preparing strategically with a clear understanding of the syllabus, exam pattern, and previous year papers.
Make sure to download the IBPS SO Admit Card 2025 on time and keep checking the official IBPS website for the latest updates.
Quick Tips to Crack IBPS SO Exam 2025
Cracking the IBPS Specialist Officer (SO) exam requires smart preparation along with hard work. Here are some proven strategies:
- Understand the Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Go through the Prelims, Mains, and Interview structure carefully. Each post (IT Officer, Law Officer, Marketing Officer, etc.) has a different focus area in the Mains exam. Tailor your preparation accordingly. - Focus on Professional Knowledge
Professional knowledge carries the maximum weightage in the Mains exam. Strengthen your core subject (IT, Agriculture, HR, Marketing, Law, Rajbhasha, etc.) through standard textbooks, online courses, and practice papers. - Work on Speed and Accuracy
The exam is time-bound with negative marking (0.25 per wrong answer). Practice mock tests daily to improve your speed and minimize errors. - Strengthen Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude
In prelims, reasoning and quant are scoring sections. Focus on puzzles, seating arrangements, number series, data interpretation, and shortcut tricks for faster calculations. - Improve English Language Skills
Reading comprehension, error spotting, and vocabulary are key. Make a habit of reading newspapers and practice grammar rules regularly. - Revise Current Affairs and Banking Awareness
For the interview and general awareness section, stay updated with current affairs, banking terms, RBI updates, and financial awareness. Monthly current affairs PDFs are a great help. - Mock Tests and Previous Year Papers
Solve previous years’ IBPS SO papers and take regular mock tests to analyze your weak areas. Track your progress and improve speed with every attempt. - Prepare for the Interview Early
Don’t wait till the last moment. Work on your communication skills, subject knowledge, and confidence. Mock interviews can be a game-changer.
Pro Tip: Create a daily study timetable with fixed hours for prelims, mains, and interview preparation. Consistency and revision are the keys to success in IBPS SO 2025.
Stay connected with us for IBPS SO latest news, exam analysis, cut-off, and result updates.
Read Also: JEE Main 2025: Strategic Plan, Study Tips, and Health Advice for Success
How to download ibps so admit card ?
Visit the official website (www.ibps.in) and click on the admit card download link.
On the login page, enter your Registration Number/Roll Number along with your Password or Date of Birth (in DD-MM-YY format) to access and download your call letter.
Q2. What should I do if the page is taking too long to open?
Sometimes, due to heavy traffic on the IBPS portal, the page may take time to load. In such cases, try after a few minutes, use a different browser, or clear your cache. Accessing the page during off-peak hours (early morning or late night) may also help.
Q3. Where can I find my Registration Number and Password?
Your Registration Number and Password are generated during the time of registration. They are displayed on the screen immediately after successful registration and also sent to your registered email ID and mobile number via an auto-generated email/SMS.
Q4. Why is my Date of Birth not accepted on the login screen?
Make sure you are entering your Date of Birth in the correct format (DD-MM-YY). If it still doesn’t work, cross-check your details with the information provided during registration.
Q5. What should I do if I am unable to log in and see a “Login Failed” message?
Ensure that you are entering the correct Registration Number, Password, and Date of Birth. Check for any typing errors, especially in characters like “0” (zero) and “O” (alphabet O). If the issue persists, try resetting your password through the official IBPS website or contact IBPS helpdesk.
Q6. What is the IBPS SO Exam Pattern?
The IBPS SO exam is conducted in three stages – Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Interview. The prelims test includes reasoning, English, and quantitative aptitude (or professional knowledge for some posts). Candidates who qualify move on to mains and finally the interview.
Q8. What is the salary of an IBPS SO?
The average salary of an IBPS Specialist Officer ranges from Rs. 38,000 to Rs. 44,000 per month (including allowances). The pay scale varies depending on the post, location, and promotions.
Q9. What is the IBPS SO Selection Process?
The selection process involves Prelims → Mains → Interview → Final Merit List. The final selection is based on combined marks scored in the Mains and Interview round.
Q10. Is there negative marking in IBPS SO Exam?
Yes, there is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in both prelims and mains exams. No marks are deducted for unanswered questions.
