About the IBPS SO AFO Exam 2027

The IBPS SO AFO (Agriculture Field Officer) exam is one of the most sought-after opportunities for agriculture graduates who want to build a prestigious career in public-sector banking. Conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), this exam recruits Specialist Officers (Scale I) – specifically Agricultural Field Officers – for various public-sector banks across India.

If you hold a 4-year degree in Agriculture or allied fields and dream of combining your subject knowledge with banking, the IBPS SO AFO is your gateway.

Why Choose IBPS SO AFO?

Work closely with farmers and rural economy
Disburse agricultural loans, conduct field appraisals, and promote agri-extension services
Excellent salary + perks + job security in public-sector banks
Opportunity to serve in rural and semi-urban branches

Latest Update (as of May 2026):

The official IBPS SO 2026 Notification (CRP SPL-XV) for vacancies of 2026-27 is expected to be released in June 2026.

Tentative Exam Dates:

Preliminary Exam → 29 August 2026
Main Exam → 1 November 2026

Selection Procedure (3 Stages)

The selection process for IBPS SO AFO consists of three stages:

Preliminary Exam – Qualifying in nature (Online CBT)
Mains Exam (Professional Knowledge) – Selection stage (Online CBT)
Interview – Final selection stage (Face-to-face)

Important: Candidates must clear each stage sequentially. Only those who qualify Prelims appear for Mains, and only Mains qualifiers are called for Interview.

Mode of Exam & Question Type

Mode: Fully Online Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Question Type: Objective Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Marking Scheme

+1 mark for every correct answer
–0.25 mark for every wrong answer
0 marks for unattempted questions

Scheme of Examination

Preliminary Examination (Qualifying)

Total: 150 Questions | 125 Marks | 120 Minutes

Section	No. of Questions	Marks	Duration
English Language	50	25	40 minutes
Reasoning Ability	50	50	40 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude	50	50	40 minutes

Main Examination (Professional Knowledge – Agriculture)

60 Questions | 60 Marks | 45 Minutes

Final Merit List

Prepared on the basis of Mains (80%) + Interview (20%) marks.

Note: Preliminary marks are not added in the final merit.

Important Notes

All sections except English are bilingual (English + Hindi).
Prelims is only qualifying; its marks are not counted for final selection.
Candidates must clear every stage to move to the next.
Final allotment is done as per merit, preference, and vacancies in participating banks.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

A 4-year Graduation Degree in any of the following:

Agriculture
Horticulture
Animal Husbandry / Veterinary Science
Dairy Science
Fishery Science / Pisciculture
Agri Marketing & Cooperation
Co-operation & Banking
Agro-Forestry
Forestry
Agricultural Biotechnology
Food Science / Food Technology
Agriculture Business Management
Dairy Technology
Agricultural Engineering
Sericulture

Age Limit (as per latest pattern)

Minimum: 20 years
Maximum: 30 years (Exact cutoff date will be mentioned in the official 2026 notification – generally 1st July of the exam year)

Age Relaxation

SC/ST → 5 years
OBC (Non-creamy layer) → 3 years
Persons with Benchmark Disability (PwBD) → 10 years
Other categories as per Government of India norms

Nationality

Indian citizens or subjects of Nepal/Bhutan or Tibetan refugees who came to India before 1st January 1962 (as per rules).

Application Fee (Expected to remain same)

General / OBC (NCL) / EWS → ₹850
SC / ST / PwBD → ₹175

Salary & Job Profile

Post: Specialist Officer – Scale I (Agriculture Field Officer)
Basic Pay: Approx. ₹48,480 per month (revised scale)
Gross Salary: ₹55,000 – ₹78,000 per month (including allowances, varies by posting location)
Pay Scale: ₹48,480 – 85,920 (approx.) with annual increments
Key Responsibilities:
- Agricultural loan processing & disbursement
- Field visits and crop/asset valuation
- Promoting government agri-schemes
- Rural banking and farmer advisory services

Ready to Crack IBPS SO AFO 2026?

The IBPS SO AFO exam is your chance to turn your agriculture knowledge into a high-growth banking career. With the notification expected in June 2026 and Prelims in August 2026, this is the perfect time to start structured preparation.

Stay tuned to our blog for the latest updates, syllabus, study plans, and expert tips for IBPS SO AFO 2026.

All the best, future Agriculture Field Officers! 🌾

Start your preparation today and turn your dream into reality.

Note: Always refer to the official IBPS website (www.ibps.in) for the final notification and exact dates.