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IBPS SO Recruitment 2025: 1007 Posts Apply Now
The full form of IBPS SO is Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Specialist Officer. IBPS, an autonomous agency, organizes the national-level SO exam annually to recruit specialist officers for various participating public sector banks across India.
IBPS SO Notification 2025
The IBPS SO notification for 2025 was released on June 30, 2025. The notification includes all details regarding the number of vacancies, eligibility, exam dates, syllabus, and application process. This year, IBPS announced 1,007 vacancies for Specialist Officer positions out of 6,215 total IBPS PO & SO posts. You can access the official notification on the IBPS website.
IBPS SO Salary
Starting Salary Structure
The starting salary of an IBPS SO (Scale I) is attractive, offering both financial stability and growth:
- Basic Pay: ₹36,000/month
- Gross Salary: Ranges from ₹38,000–₹42,000/month (including allowances like HRA, DA, medical, and transport)
- Net In-Hand: Around ₹38,000–₹40,000 after deductions
Allowances include:
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- City Compensatory Allowance (CCA)
- Special Allowance
- Leased accommodation (varies by city and bank)
IBPS SO Salary After 5 Years
With periodic wage revisions and steady increments, the IBPS SO salary rises considerably:
- After 5 years, the basic pay increases to approx. ₹45,000–₹48,000/month
- Gross salary can reach ₹55,000–₹60,000/month or more, depending on promotions and place of posting
- Additional increments and special allowances are often added based on bank performance and tenure
Employees also become eligible for benefits like LTC, medical insurance, pension schemes, and opportunities for internal promotions to Scale II/III posts.
IBPS SO Salary vs. IBPS PO Salary
The difference between IBPS SO (Specialist Officer) and IBPS PO (Probationary Officer) salaries is a popular topic among aspirants. Here’s a comparative table:
| Component | IBPS SO (Scale I) | IBPS PO (Scale I) |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Basic | ₹36,000 | ₹36,000 |
| In-Hand Salary | ₹38,000–₹42,000 | ₹37,000–₹41,000 |
| Gross Monthly | ₹42,000–₹50,000+ | ₹41,000–₹48,000+ |
| Growth Rate | Comparable (based on promotions) | Slightly faster for PO due to frequent promotions |
| Job Role | Specialist (IT, Law, HR, etc.) | Generalist managerial/administrative |
Key Takeaway: Both posts offer similar pay at entry-level, but promotional avenues, job profiles, and growth cycles vary. POs may see slightly faster career progression to higher scales, while SOs enjoy domain-specific roles and stability.
IBPS SO Eligibility
Nationality
- Citizen of India, or
- Subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or
- Tibetan refugee (arrived before Jan 1, 1962), or
- Person of Indian origin migrated from select countries
Age Limit
- Minimum: 20 years
- Maximum: 30 years (as on July 1, 2025)
- Age Relaxation:
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years
- SC/ST: 5 years
- PwBD: 10 years
- Ex-Servicemen, Commissioned Officers, etc.: 5 years
- 1984 riots/ J&K domicile: 5 years
Educational Qualification
Varies by post. Key qualifications include:
| Post | Educational Requirement |
|---|---|
| IT Officer (Scale I) | 4-year Engineering/Technology Degree in relevant fields, or PG |
| Agricultural Officer | 4-year Agriculture or allied degree |
| Rajbhasha Adhikari | PG in Hindi/Sanskrit with English as subject at graduation |
| Law Officer | Bachelor’s in Law (LLB), enrolled as advocate |
| HR/Personnel Officer | Graduate + Full-time PG in HR/related field |
| Marketing Officer | Graduate + Full-time MMS/MBA (Marketing) |
IBPS SO Syllabus
The IBPS SO exam is divided into three phases: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Here’s a comprehensive syllabus outline:
Preliminary Exam
For IT, Agriculture, HR, Marketing Officers:
- English Language
- Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Error Spotting, Fill in the Blanks, Vocabulary
- Reasoning
- Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Simplification, Data Interpretation, Number Series, Arithmetic
For Law and Rajbhasha Adhikari:
- English Language
- Reasoning
- General Awareness (with Special Reference to Banking Industry)
Mains Exam
- Professional Knowledge (PK):
- IT Officer: Networking, DBMS, Programming, Security, Internet
- Agriculture: Agronomy, Seed Science, Horticulture, Current Agri Trends
- Law: Contracts, Civil Law, Constitution, Banking Law
- HR: HRM, Organizational Behaviour, Recruitment, Training
- Marketing: Branding, Advertising, Digital Marketing, Market Segmentation
Interview
- Shortlisted candidates from Mains are tested for domain knowledge, communication skills, and suitability for specialization.
IBPS SO Apply
Aspirants can apply online only through the official IBPS website. Here’s a step-by-step process:
How to Apply for IBPS SO 2025
- Go to IBPS official portal: ibps.in
- Click on ‘CRP Specialist Officers’ link and choose “Registration”.
- Register yourself by providing basic details (name, mobile, email).
- Upload scanned photograph, signature, and other documents.
- Fill in educational, personal, and professional details as required.
- Preview the application to verify all information.
- Pay the application fee:
- General/OBC: ₹850
- SC/ST/PwBD: ₹175
- Submit and print the application for your records.
- Download admit card when released (usually 15 days before exam).
Key Dates for 2025
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | June 30, 2025 |
| Online Registration Start | July 1, 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | July 28, 2025 |
| Last Date to Pay Fees | July 28, 2025 |
| Admit Card Release | August 2025 |
| Prelims Exam | August 30, 2025 |
| Mains Exam | November 9, 2025 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can final-year students apply?
Yes, but they must produce proof of completing the degree at the time of the interview.
Is prior work experience mandatory?
Not for most posts; some roles (e.g., Law Officer) may require enrollment as an advocate.
Number of attempts permitted?
No fixed restriction as long as you meet age and eligibility norms.
Pro Tips for Aspirants
- Start early with the syllabus; focus heavily on Professional Knowledge.
- Practice previous-year papers and attempt mock tests.
- Revise GK with a special focus on banking awareness for Law and Rajbhasha posts.
- Stay updated via IBPS notifications for admit cards and interview calls.
This guide is tailored to give you a complete, hands-on understanding of the IBPS SO 2025 recruitment—from decoding the full form and salary trajectory to application steps, comparative insights, and preparation strategies. Stay proactive, prepare systematically, and good luck in your banking career journey!
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