IBPS Specialist Officers SO XVI Recruitment 2026

About This Recruitment

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection conducts the Common Recruitment Process (CRP SPL-XVI) to select qualified domain experts for Scale-I Specialist Officer roles in various participating public sector banks across India. These officer posts require technical and specialized expertise in domains like Information Technology, Agriculture, Legal Advisory, Corporate Communications, Human Resource Management, and Marketing.

Originally notified for 745 posts, IBPS officially updated the vacancy count to 1035 posts while extending the application deadline to 26 July 2026. Candidates meeting the professional qualification criteria for their respective streams can complete online registration, upload required documents including photograph, signature, left thumb impression, and handwritten declaration, and pay the fee online.

The selection framework follows a three-tier process: an Online Preliminary Examination, an Online Main Examination assessing specialized domain knowledge, and a Personal Interview. Selected candidates receive structured officer grade pay with standard public sector banking allowances, serving across various bank branches and corporate offices nationwide.

Recruitment Snapshot

Important Dates and Application Fee

Age Limit

Age limit is calculated as on 01.07.2026. Candidates must be born not earlier than 02.07.1996 and not later than 01.07.2006 (both dates inclusive).

Vacancy Details

Total revised vacancies: 1035 Posts.

Eligibility and Qualification

• IT Officer (Scale-I): 4-year Engineering/Technology degree in CS/ Computer Applications/ IT/ Electronics/ Electronics & Telecommunications/ Electronics & Communication/ Electronics & Instrumentation OR Post Graduate degree in relevant field OR DOEACC 'B' Level certificate.
• Agriculture Field Officer (AFO) (Scale-I): 4-year Degree (Graduation) in Agriculture/ Horticulture/ Animal Husbandry/ Veterinary Science/ Dairy Science/ Fishery Science/ Agri Engineering/ Cooperation & Banking/ Agro-Forestry/ Forestry/ Agri Biotechnology/ Food Science/ Agriculture Business Management.
• Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale-I): Post Graduate Degree in Hindi with English as a subject at degree level OR Post Graduate Degree in Sanskrit with Hindi and English as subjects at degree level.
• Law Officer (Scale-I): Bachelor Degree in Law (LLB) and enrolled as an advocate with the Bar Council.
• HR / Personnel Officer (Scale-I): Graduate with 2-year Full-Time PG Degree or Diploma in Personnel Management / Industrial Relations / HR / HRD / Social Work / Labour Law.
• Marketing Officer (Scale-I): Graduate with 2-year Full-Time MMS (Marketing) / MBA (Marketing) / PGDBA / PGDBM / PGPM / PGDM with specialization in Marketing.

Selection Process

1. Online Preliminary Examination: Objective test covering Reasoning, English Language, and Quantitative Aptitude / General Awareness (with special reference to Banking).
2. Online Main Examination: Assessment of Professional Knowledge specific to the chosen specialist post.
3. Personal Interview: Conducted by participating banks and coordinated by IBPS for candidates qualifying the Main Exam.
4. Provisional Allotment: Final merit list based on combined performance in Main Examination and Interview.

Exam Pattern

Preliminary Exam Structure (For IT, AFO, HR, Marketing): 150 Questions, 125 Marks, 120 Minutes (40 minutes sectional time).

Preliminary Exam Structure (For Law Officer & Rajbhasha Adhikari): 150 Questions, 125 Marks, 120 Minutes (40 minutes sectional time).

Note: Penalty for wrong answers in objective tests is 0.25 of the marks assigned to that question.

Salary and Benefits

• Basic Pay Scale: Rs. 48480-2000/7-62480-2340/2-67160-2680/7-85920.
• Grade: Junior Management Grade Scale-I (JMGS-I).
• Allowances: Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Special Allowance, City Compensatory Allowance (CCA), and Leased Accommodation options as per bank norms.
• Benefits: Medical Reimbursement, Pension Scheme (NPS), Leave Travel Concession (LTC), and Concessional Loans.

Documents Required

• Scanned Recent Passport Size Photograph (20kb–50kb).
• Scanned Signature on White Paper with Black Ink (10kb–20kb).
• Scanned Left Thumb Impression (20kb–50kb).
• Handwritten Declaration Statement (50kb–100kb).
• 10th Standard / Matriculation Certificate for Date of Birth verification.
• Graduation & Post-Graduation Degree Marksheets / Certificates.
• Caste / Category / EWS / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen Certificate (if applicable).
• Valid Bar Council Enrollment Certificate (For Law Officer candidates).

How to Apply

1. Visit the official portal of IBPS at ibps.in.
2. Click on the link "CRP Specialist Officers (CRP SPL-XVI)".
3. Click on "Click here for New Registration" and provide basic details like Name, Mobile Number, and Email ID.
4. Note down the Registration Number and Password generated on the screen and sent via SMS/Email.
5. Upload scanned photograph, signature, left thumb impression, and handwritten declaration as per guidelines.
6. Fill in personal details, educational qualifications, stream choice, and bank preference order carefully.
7. Verify all details using "Validate Your Details" and save your application.
8. Pay the required application fee using Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
9. Submit the application form and download/print the e-receipt and submitted form for future reference.

Why Apply For This Recruitment

IBPS SO Recruitment offers a prestigious career path for qualified professionals seeking Officer Grade positions within public sector banks. Specialist Officers enjoy faster career progression, competitive pay scales, stability, and domain-specific responsibilities without frequent generalist rotations. With 1035 vacancies available across various domains, candidates with specialized degrees in engineering, agriculture, law, marketing, or management have a focused opportunity to enter the banking sector.

Frequently Asked Questions