IBPS SO Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 745 Specialist Officer Posts
If you are planning to build a career in the banking sector, the IBPS SO Recruitment 2026 is an excellent opportunity. The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has announced 745 indicative vacancies for Specialist Officer (Scale I) posts under CRP SPL-XVI. Moreover, the last date to apply online has been extended to 26 July 2026, allowing eligible candidates additional time to complete their applications. Interested applicants should submit their forms through the official IBPS website before the deadline.
IBPS SO Recruitment 2026 at a Glance
Before starting your application, review the important recruitment highlights below.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Recruitment Name | IBPS CRP SPL-XVI |
| Post Name | Specialist Officer (Scale I) |
| Total Vacancies | 745 (Indicative) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Online Application Starts | 01 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 26 July 2026 (Extended) |
| Official Website | https://www.ibps.in |
Post-wise Vacancy Distribution
IBPS has released vacancies for six Specialist Officer posts across participating public sector banks. Furthermore, IT Officer has the highest number of vacancies in this recruitment.
| Post Name | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| IT Officer (Scale I) | 301 |
| Agricultural Field Officer (Scale I) | 190 |
| Law Officer (Scale I) | 105 |
| Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I) | 89 |
| HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I) | 60 |
| Marketing Officer (Scale I) | 0 |
| Total | 745 |
Participating 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
Important Dates You Should Remember
Candidates should complete every stage of the recruitment process within the prescribed timeline. Therefore, keep the following schedule handy.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Begins | 01 July 2026 |
| Registration Ends | 26 July 2026 (Extended) |
| Fee Payment | 01 July – 21 July 2026 |
| Application Edit Window | After Registration (2 Days) |
| Preliminary Exam | August 2026 |
| Preliminary Result | September / October 2026 |
| Main Examination | November 2026 |
| Interview | November / December 2026 |
| Provisional Allotment | January 2027 |
Eligibility Requirements for IBPS SO Recruitment 2026
Candidates must satisfy the educational qualification prescribed for the selected Specialist Officer post. However, every post requires a different qualification.
| Post | Required Qualification |
|---|---|
| IT Officer | Engineering Degree in Computer Science, IT, Electronics or related discipline, relevant PG degree, or DOEACC ‘B’ Level |
| Agricultural Field Officer | Degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, Veterinary Science, Dairy Science, Fishery Science or allied fields |
| Rajbhasha Adhikari | Postgraduate Degree in Hindi or Sanskrit with required language subjects |
| Law Officer | Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LL.B.) with Bar Council Enrollment |
| HR/Personnel Officer | Graduate with Full-time PG Degree/Diploma in HR, Personnel Management, Labour Law, Industrial Relations or Social Work |
| Marketing Officer | Graduate with MBA/MMS/PGDM/PGDBA in Marketing |
Additionally, candidates applying for posts other than IT Officer must possess computer knowledge through academic study or a recognized computer certificate.
Age Limit
Applicants should satisfy the prescribed age requirement as on 01 July 2026.
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 20 Years |
| Maximum Age | 30 Years |
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years |
| PwBD | 10 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 Years |
Candidates claiming age relaxation must submit valid supporting documents during the recruitment process.
Salary Structure and Pay Scale
Selected candidates will be appointed as Specialist Officers (Scale I) in participating public sector banks. Moreover, they will receive attractive allowances and benefits in addition to the basic pay.
| Post | Pay Scale |
|---|---|
| Specialist Officer (Scale I) | ₹48,480-2000/7-62,480-2340/2-67,160-2680/7-85,920 |
Apart from the basic salary, selected officers are eligible for Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Special Allowance, Medical Benefits, Leave Fare Concession (LFC), Pension, and other benefits according to the respective participating bank’s rules.
IBPS SO Recruitment 2026 Selection Process
The IBPS SO Recruitment 2026 follows a multi-stage selection process. Furthermore, candidates must qualify at every stage to move to the next round.
The selection process includes:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Common Interview
- Document Verification
- Final Provisional Allotment
Selection Stages
| Stage | Details |
| Preliminary Exam | Objective Test |
| Main Exam | Objective + Descriptive Test |
| Interview | 100 Marks |
| Final Merit | Main Exam (80%) + Interview (20%) |
There is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer in the objective examination. However, unanswered questions do not attract any penalty.
Step-by-Step Guide to Apply Online
Candidates can submit their applications only through the online mode. Therefore, follow the steps below carefully before the registration deadline.
- Visit the official IBPS website.
- Click on CRP SPL-XVI Recruitment.
- Select Apply Online.
- Complete the new registration process.
- Enter personal, educational, and communication details.
- Upload your photograph, signature, left thumb impression, handwritten declaration, and required documents.
- Upload the live photograph using a webcam or mobile device.
- Verify all the information before final submission.
- Pay the application fee through the available online payment methods.
- Submit the application form.
- Download and print the confirmation page for future reference.
Candidates are advised to review every detail carefully because only limited corrections are allowed after registration.
Application Fee Details
Applicants must pay the prescribed application fee while submitting the online application.
| Category | Application Fee |
| SC / ST / PwBD | ₹175 |
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹850 |
Accepted payment methods include:
- Debit Card
- Credit Card
- Internet Banking
- IMPS
- UPI
- Mobile Wallets
Bank transaction charges, if applicable, must be paid by the candidate separately.
Important Links
| Description | Official Link |
| Apply Online | https://www.ibps.in |
| Official Notification PDF | https://www.ibps.in |
| Official Website | https://www.ibps.in |
| IBPS Home Page | https://www.ibps.in |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the last date to apply for IBPS SO Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 26 July 2026 (Extended).
2. How many vacancies are available?
IBPS has announced 745 indicative vacancies for Specialist Officer (Scale I) posts.
3. What is the age limit?
Candidates should be 20 to 30 years of age as on 01 July 2026. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories.
4. What is the application fee?
The application fee is ₹175 for SC/ST/PwBD candidates and ₹850 for General, OBC, and EWS candidates.
5. What is the selection process?
The recruitment process includes the Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, Common Interview, and Final Merit List.
6. What is the salary for IBPS Specialist Officers?
The basic pay scale starts from ₹48,480 and goes up to ₹85,920, excluding allowances and other benefits.
7. Can I apply for more than one post?
No. Candidates can apply for only one Specialist Officer post under IBPS CRP SPL-XVI.
The IBPS SO Recruitment 2026 provides an excellent opportunity for graduates and professionals seeking a career in the banking sector. Moreover, the recruitment offers competitive salaries, career growth, and postings in leading public sector banks across India. Interested candidates should check their eligibility, complete the online application before 26 July 2026, and begin their preparation for the upcoming examination.
