IBPS SO AFO Mains Exam Syllabus (Agriculture Knowledge)

 

IBPS SO AFO Mains Exam 2027 - Syllabus (Agriculture Knowledge)

The IBPS SO AFO Mains Exam is the deciding stage for recruitment as Agriculture Field Officer (Scale I). Unlike Prelims, the Mains is a selection stage — its marks carry 80% weightage in the final merit list (Mains 80% + Interview 20%).

This paper tests your core professional knowledge in Agriculture and allied subjects.

Latest Update (as of 31 May 2026):

IBPS SO 2026 (CRP SPL-XV) notification is expected in June 2026.

Tentative Mains Exam Date: 1 November 2026

IBPS SO AFO Mains Exam Pattern

• Subject: Professional Knowledge (Agriculture)
• Questions: 60
• Marks: 60
• Duration: 45 Minutes
• Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Marking: +1 for correct | –0.25 for wrong | 0 for unattempted

Detailed Syllabus – IBPS SO AFO Mains (Agriculture)

Basics of Crop Production

• Fundamentals of Crop Production
• Classification of Crops
• Cropping Patterns and Cropping Systems
• Precision Farming
• Integrated Farming Systems
• Organic Farming
• Sustainable Agriculture Practices

Horticulture

• Fruit and Vegetable Production
• Floriculture, Landscaping and Medicinal Plants
• Post-Harvest Management and Value Addition
• Nursery Management
• Protected Cultivation (Greenhouse, Polyhouse Technologies)

Seed Science

• Seed Development and Germination
• Seed Production Techniques
• Seed Processing and Storage
• Seed Certification and Quality Control
• Hybrid Seeds and GM Seeds

Agronomy and Irrigation

• Agronomic Principles and Practices
• Soil-Water-Plant Relationship
• Irrigation Methods and Scheduling
• Water Use Efficiency
• Fertilizer Management
• Crop Nutrition and Nutrient Management

Soil Resources

• Soil Formation and Classification
• Soil Physical, Chemical and Biological Properties
• Soil Fertility and Productivity
• Soil Conservation and Management
• Problem Soils and Their Management

Agricultural Economics

• Principles of Agricultural Economics
• Agricultural Marketing and Pricing
• MSP and Procurement Systems
• Agricultural Credit and Finance
• NABARD and Rural Banking
• Crop Insurance Schemes

Agricultural Practices

• Modern Agricultural Implements and Machinery
• Farm Management and Planning
• Post-harvest Technology and Storage Structures
• Farm Records and Accounting

Animal Husbandry and Dairy Science

• Livestock Production and Management
• Dairy Management and Milk Processing
• Poultry, Goat and Sheep Farming
• Animal Nutrition and Feeding
• Animal Breeding and Genetics
• Common Animal Diseases and Veterinary Practices

Fisheries

• Aquaculture and Fish Farming Techniques
• Freshwater and Marine Fisheries
• Hatchery Management
• Fish Seed Production and Management
• Fish Diseases and Control
• Fisheries Development Programs

Agricultural Engineering

• Farm Machinery and Implements
• Power Sources in Agriculture (Tractors, Engines)
• Post-Harvest Engineering and Storage Structures
• Irrigation and Drainage Engineering
• Greenhouse Technology and Protected Cultivation
• Renewable Energy in Agriculture (Solar, Biogas)

Agroforestry

• Agroforestry Systems and Models
• Role of Trees in Agriculture
• Social Forestry and Farm Forestry
• Silviculture Practices

Ecology

• Ecosystem Structure and Function
• Environmental Pollution and Control Measures
• Biodiversity Conservation
• Climate Change and Its Impact on Agriculture
• Natural Resource Management

Government Schemes

• PM Kisan Samman Nidhi
• Kisan Credit Card (KCC)
• PMFBY (Crop Insurance)
• Soil Health Card Scheme
• PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY)
• E-NAM, FPOs, Agri Startups and Recent Agri Policies

One-Page Visual Syllabus Chart (IBPS AFO Mains 2026)

Main Topics	Key Subtopics
Basics of Crop Production	Crop classification, Cropping systems, Precision & Organic farming, Integrated farming systems
Horticulture	Fruits, Vegetables, Floriculture, Medicinal plants, Post-harvest, Protected cultivation
Seed Science	Seed development, Production, Processing, Certification, Hybrid & GM seeds
Agronomy & Irrigation	Agronomic practices, Soil-water-plant relation, Irrigation methods, Fertilizer management
Soil Resources	Soil formation, Properties, Fertility, Conservation, Problem soils
Agricultural Economics	Marketing, MSP, Procurement, Credit systems, NABARD, Crop insurance
Agricultural Practices	Implements, Machinery, Farm management, Post-harvest storage, Farm records
Animal Husbandry & Dairy Science	Livestock management, Dairy processing, Poultry, Breeding, Nutrition, Animal health
Fisheries	Aquaculture, Marine & Inland fisheries, Hatchery management, Fish diseases
Agricultural Engineering	Farm machinery, Power sources, Irrigation engineering, Post-harvest engineering, Renewable energy
Agroforestry	Agroforestry models, Social forestry, Silviculture
Ecology	Ecosystem function, Pollution control, Biodiversity, Climate change, Resource management
Government Schemes	PM Kisan, KCC, PMFBY, Soil Health Card, PMKSY, RKVY, E-NAM, FPOs

Pro Tip: The Mains paper is purely Agriculture-focused. Questions are conceptual as well as application-based. Focus more on current government schemes, recent developments in agriculture, and practical aspects of farming.

Stay tuned for topic-wise weightage, previous year question analysis, and complete 60-day Mains study plan.

All the best, future Agriculture Field Officers! 🌾

Clear Prelims → Master this syllabus → Crack Mains → Get selected!

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