Introduction: The Gateway to a Banking Career
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has announced the Common Recruitment Process (CRP SPL-XV) for the recruitment of Specialist Officers (SO) across various public sector banks in India for the year 2026-27. Alongside, many aspirants are also eyeing the IBPS PO 2025 exam, another prestigious banking opportunity.
This ultimate guide offers complete details about the Specialist Officer recruitment, while also comparing and integrating the IBPS PO syllabus & exam pattern, enabling dual preparation and smarter strategy.
Important Dates: IBPS CRP SPL-XV
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Starts | 01 July 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 21 July 2025 |
| Prelims Call Letter | August 2025 |
| Preliminary Exam | August 2025 |
| Result – Prelims | September 2025 |
| Main Exam | November 2025 |
| Interview | December 2025 / January 2026 |
| Provisional Allotment | January/February 2026 |
📢 Apply early to avoid last-minute technical issues on the IBPS portal.
Participating Banks
11 leading Public Sector Banks (PSBs) are recruiting under CRP SPL-XV:
- 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
Specialist Officer Posts (Scale-I)
A total of 6 positions are offered under the Specialist Officer Cadre:
- IT Officer
- Agricultural Field Officer
- Rajbhasha Adhikari
- Law Officer
- HR/Personnel Officer
- Marketing Officer
Each role requires domain-specific expertise and academic qualifications.
Eligibility Criteria
Nationality:
- Indian Citizen or
- Subject of Nepal/Bhutan or
- Tibetan Refugee (before 01.01.1962) or
- PIO from select countries with a Govt. eligibility certificate
Age Limit (as of 01.07.2025):
- Minimum: 20 years
- Maximum: 30 years
- Born between 02.07.1995 and 01.07.2005
Age Relaxation:
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-creamy layer) | 3 years |
| PwBD | 10 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 years |
Educational Qualifications (As on 21.07.2025)
| Post | Qualification |
|---|---|
| IT Officer | 4-year Engg. in IT/CS/Electronics or PG in same |
| Agricultural Officer | 4-year degree in Agriculture/Allied Fields |
| Rajbhasha Adhikari | PG in Hindi/Sanskrit with English |
| Law Officer | LLB with Bar enrollment |
| HR Officer | Graduate + PG in HR/IR/PM |
| Marketing Officer | Graduate + MBA/MMS/PGDBM in Marketing |
📝 Final results must be declared before 21.07.2025.
Application Fees
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/PwBD | ₹175 |
| General/OBC/EWS | ₹850 |
💳 Payment is accepted online only via debit/credit card, UPI, or net banking.
Application Process
- Visit www.ibps.in
- Click on “CRP SPL-XV → Apply Online”
- Register and note down the Registration ID & Password
- Upload:
- Photograph & Signature
- Thumb Impression
- Handwritten Declaration
- SSC Certificate
- Pay fees and submit
Important Links – IBPS CRP SPL-XV & IBPS PO
| Resource | Official Link |
|---|---|
| IBPS Official Website | https://www.ibps.in |
| IBPS CRP SPL-XV Official Notification PDF | Click Here to View |
| IBPS Online Application Portal (CRP SPL-XV) | Apply Now |
| Grievance Redressal Portal (IBPS) | http://cgrs.ibps.in |
IBPS CRP SPL-XV – Exam Structure
Preliminary Exam (SO)
For Law Officer & Rajbhasha:
| Subject | Qs | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 50 | 25 | 40 min |
| Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 40 min |
| General Awareness (Banking) | 50 | 50 | 40 min |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 2 hrs |
For Others (IT, Agri, HR, Marketing):
| Subject | Qs | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 50 | 25 | 40 min |
| Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 40 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 40 min |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 2 hrs |
Main Exam (SO)
- 60 Questions (Professional Knowledge)
- 60 Marks
- Duration: 45 Minutes
- Rajbhasha Adhikari: 45 Objective + 2 Descriptive
Interview (SO)
- 100 Marks
- Minimum Qualifying: 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD)
- Weightage: Main Exam – 80% + Interview – 20%
IBPS PO 2025 – Syllabus & Exam Pattern
Preliminary Exam Pattern
| Section | Qs | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 Hour |
Mains Exam Pattern
| Section | Qs | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer | 45 | 60 | 60 min |
| Data Analysis | 35 | 60 | 45 min |
| Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 min |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 min |
| Descriptive (Essay & Letter) | 2 | 25 | 30 min |
| Total | 157 | 225 | 3.5 hrs |
IBPS PO 2025 – Full Syllabus
English Language
- Comprehension, Cloze test, Para jumbles
- Error spotting, Vocabulary
Quantitative Aptitude
- Simplification, DI, Time & Work
- Profit & Loss, SI & CI, Percentages
Reasoning
- Puzzles, Seating, Coding-Decoding
- Syllogisms, Input-Output, Direction sense
Computer Aptitude
- Basics, Networking, MS Office
Banking Awareness
- RBI Policies, Financial Terminology, Schemes
Descriptive English
- Essay and Letter writing
PO vs SO – Key Differences & Synergies
| Feature | SO (CRP SPL-XV) | PO 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Specialized Degrees | Any Graduate |
| Exam Focus | Domain Knowledge | General Aptitude |
| Mains | Professional Knowledge | Mixed + Descriptive |
| Descriptive Section | Only Rajbhasha | All candidates |
| Ideal for | Domain Experts | General Graduates |
| Career Path | Specialist Roles | General Banking |
🎯 You can prepare both exams in parallel for shared sections like Reasoning, English, and Banking Awareness.
Preparation Tips for SO + PO
- Section-wise Mastery
Use books like:- Quantitative Aptitude – RS Aggarwal
- Banking Awareness – Arihant
- Professional Knowledge – Kiran/Oliveboard
- Mock Tests & Timing Practice
Subscribe to platforms like:- Testbook
- Oliveboard
- Adda247
- Daily GK Updates
Follow:- AffairsCloud
- BankersAdda
- Descriptive Practice
Use writing prompts for essays and letters (for PO & Rajbhasha). - Revise Computer Knowledge
Important for both PO and indirectly for SO posts.
Expected Cut-Off Trends (Based on Previous Years)
While exact cut-offs for IBPS CRP SPL-XV and PO 2025 will be known only after exams, here’s a reference from past years:
| Exam | Post | Prelims Cut-Off (General) | Mains Cut-Off (General) |
|---|---|---|---|
| IBPS SO 2023 | IT Officer | 54–58 | 72–75 |
| IBPS SO 2023 | Law Officer | 36–40 | 60–65 |
| IBPS PO 2023 | PO | 56–60 | 82–88 |
📌 Cut-offs vary by state, post, and category. Always aim higher than previous cut-offs.
Top Resources & Books – Recommended by Toppers
| Section | Recommended Book |
|---|---|
| Quantitative Aptitude | Fast Track Arithmetic – Rajesh Verma |
| Reasoning Ability | A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning – R.S. Aggarwal |
| English Language | Word Power Made Easy – Norman Lewis |
| Banking Awareness | Lucent’s General Knowledge + Banking Digest – Adda247 |
| Professional Knowledge (SO) | Kiran’s IBPS SO IT/Law/Agriculture Books |
| Mock Tests | Oliveboard, PracticeMock, Testzone |
IBPS Selection Ratio Insights
Aspirants often ask: What are my real chances of selection?
Typical selection ratios (based on past cycles):
| Stage | Approx. % Shortlisted |
|---|---|
| Applied → Prelims | 100% |
| Prelims → Mains | 10–15% |
| Mains → Interview | 40–50% of mains qualifiers |
| Final Allotment | Top 10–15% overall (based on vacancies) |
🎯 That’s why consistent prep and accuracy are critical.
Role Insights – What Do SOs Actually Do?
A quick look at real job responsibilities after selection:
| Post | Daily Work |
|---|---|
| IT Officer | Managing Core Banking Systems, Security Patches |
| Agricultural Officer | Promoting Agri Loans, Field Visits |
| Law Officer | Drafting Notices, Legal Vetting |
| Rajbhasha Adhikari | Hindi Translation, Compliance |
| HR Officer | Recruitment, Employee Grievance Handling |
| Marketing Officer | Loan Campaigns, Digital Promotions |
Credit Score & Document Advisory
- CIBIL/Credit Score: Must be clean; defaulters may be disqualified at joining.
- Essential Docs: Caste/Income Certificate (valid format), PwBD ID, Graduation Degree (conferred before 21 July 2025).
Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting incomplete documents
- Wrong category selection
- Uploading blurred photos/signatures
- Failing to convert CGPA to percentage
- Ignoring Professional Knowledge prep (SO)
Quick Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | IBPS CRP SPL-XV & IBPS PO 2025 |
| Posts Available | SO (IT, Law, Agri, HR, Marketing, Rajbhasha), PO |
| Application Dates | 01 July 2025 to 21 July 2025 |
| Selection Stages | Prelims → Mains → Interview |
| Exam Mode | Online (CBT) |
| Age Limit | 20–30 years (Relaxation applicable) |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation + Specialization (for SO), Graduation (for PO) |
| Application Fees | ₹175 (SC/ST/PwBD), ₹850 (Others) |
| Final Result Basis | Mains (80%) + Interview (20%) |
| Website to Apply | https://www.ibps.in |
FAQs – Specialist Officer & PO Exams
Q1. Can I apply for both SO and PO exams?
Yes, but only one post per exam is allowed.
Q2. Is Prelims score used in final selection?
No, only Main + Interview scores count.
Q3. Is there a descriptive section in SO?
Yes, only for Rajbhasha Adhikari post.
Q4. Are final-year students eligible?
Only if final results are declared before 21.07.2025.
Q5. Can I choose exam center?
Yes, during registration – but changes are not allowed later.
Conclusion – Gear Up for a Dual Banking Success!
The IBPS CRP SPL-XV Specialist Officer Recruitment 2026-27 is a powerful career opportunity for skilled professionals in IT, Law, HR, Marketing, and Agriculture. Combined with the IBPS PO 2025 preparation strategy, aspirants can aim high and build a rewarding career in India’s dynamic public banking sector.
Whether you aim to be a Specialist or a Generalist PO, the road to success starts with smart planning, consistent preparation, and timely action.
