IBPS Specialist Officer (CRP SPL-XVI) Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 745 Vacancies
IBPS CRP SPL-XVI (Specialist Officers)
- Recruitment Authority: Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has officially released the CRP SPL-XVI notification for 2026.
- Post Name: Specialist Officers (Scale I) including IT Officer, Agricultural Field Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari, Law Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer.
- Total Vacancies: A total of 745 indicative vacancies are announced across 11 participating public sector banks.
- Application Dates: Online registration starts on 01 July 2026 and closes on 21 July 2026.
- Age Limit: Candidates must be between 20 and 30 years of age as of 01 July 2026, with standard age relaxations applicable.
- Educational Qualification: Varies by post, ranging from 4-year Engineering/Technology degrees, LL.B, Post Graduate degrees, to MBA/PGDM in relevant specializations.
- Selection Process: Comprises a three-stage process: Online Preliminary Exam, Online Main Exam, and a Common Interview.
- Application Fee: ₹175/- for SC/ST/PwBD candidates and ₹850/- for all other categories, payable online.
- Job Location: Selected candidates will be posted across various branches of participating public sector banks in India.
- Pay Scale: Appointed officers will receive a basic pay scale of ₹48,480 – ₹85,920 along with other bank-specific allowances.
- Provisional Allotment: The final allotment of candidates to participating banks is expected to take place in January 2027.
Important Dates
Salary & Pay Scale
Documents Required for Application
- Valid Call Letter for the Online Exam / Interview.
- System-generated printout of the online application form registered for CRP SPL-XVI.
- Proof of Date of Birth (Birth Certificate or Class 10th/SSLC Certificate).
- Photo Identity Proof (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Driving License, Voter’s Card, etc.).
- Mark sheets and certificates for Graduation, Post Graduation, or equivalent qualification.
- Computer Literacy Certificate/Degree/Diploma (if applicable).
- Caste Certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL) issued by the competent authority in the prescribed format (OBC certificate must be issued on or after 01.04.2026).
- Income and Asset Certificate for EWS candidates (valid for the year 2026-27 based on FY 2025-26 income).
- Disability Certificate in the prescribed format issued by an authorized medical board (for PwBD candidates).
- Ex-Servicemen discharge book/certificate (if applicable).
Educational Qualification
- IT Officer (Scale I): 4-year Engineering/Technology degree in Computer Science/ Computer Applications/ Information Technology/ Electronics/ Electronics & Telecommunications/ Electronics & Communication/ Electronics & Instrumentation OR Post Graduate Degree in relevant discipline OR Graduate having passed DOEACC ‘B’ level.
- Agricultural Field Officer (Scale I): 4-year degree (graduation) in Agriculture/ Horticulture/ Animal Husbandry/ Veterinary Science/ Dairy Science/ Fishery Science/ Pisciculture/ Agri. Marketing & Co-operation/ Co-operation & Banking/ Agro-Forestry/ Forestry/ Agricultural Biotechnology/ Food Science/ Agriculture Business Management/ Food Technology/ Dairy Technology/ Agricultural Engineering/ Sericulture.
- Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I): Post Graduate Degree in Hindi with English as a subject at the degree (graduation) level OR Post Graduate degree in Sanskrit with English and Hindi as subjects at the degree (graduation) level.
- Law Officer (Scale I): A Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) and enrolled as an advocate with Bar Council.
- HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I): Graduate and Two Years Full-time Post Graduate degree or Two Years Full-time Post Graduate diploma in Personnel Management / Industrial Relations/ HR / HRD/ Social Work / Labour Law.
- Marketing Officer (Scale I): Graduate and Two Years Full-time MMS (Marketing) / MBA (Marketing) / Two Years Full-time PGDBA / PGDBM/ PGPM/ PGDM with specialization in Marketing.
Vacancy Details – Post Wise
| Post Name | Total Indicative 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 |
Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹850/- |
| SC / ST | ₹175/- |
| PH / PWD | ₹175/- |
| Female | ₹850/- (General/OBC/EWS), ₹175/- (SC/ST/PwBD) |
| Ex-Servicemen | ₹850/- |
| Payment Mode | Online (Debit Cards, Credit Cards, Internet Banking, IMPS, Cash Cards, Mobile Wallets, UPI) |
Age Limit
Selection & Exam Process
Phase I: Online Preliminary Examination
- Objective-type test conducted online.
- Consists of sections on English Language, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude (or General Awareness with special reference to Banking Industry for Law/Rajbhasha posts).
- Candidates must clear sectional and overall cut-offs to qualify for the next phase.
Phase II: Online Main Examination
- Tests professional knowledge related to the specific post applied for.
- Consists of objective questions (and descriptive questions for Rajbhasha Adhikari).
- Marks obtained in the Main Exam are used for shortlisting candidates for the interview and for final merit.
Phase III: Common Interview
- Conducted by participating banks and coordinated by Nodal Banks.
- Total marks allotted: 100. Minimum qualifying marks: 40% (35% for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD).
- The weightage ratio of Online Main Exam and Interview is 80:20.
Phase IV: Provisional Allotment
- Allotment is done based on merit-cum-preference of participating banks.
IBPS SO Preliminary Exam Pattern
| Post Name | Section | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel, Marketing Officer | English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 Minutes |
| Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 40 Minutes | |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 40 Minutes | |
| Law Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari | English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 Minutes |
| Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 40 Minutes | |
| General Awareness (Banking Industry) | 50 | 50 | 40 Minutes |
IBPS SO Main Exam Pattern
| Post Name | Test Name | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT, Agriculture, Law, HR, Marketing Officers | Professional Knowledge (Objective) | 60 | 60 | 45 Minutes |
| Rajbhasha Adhikari | Professional Knowledge (Objective) | 47 | 60 | 30 Minutes |
| Professional Knowledge (Descriptive) | 30 Minutes |
Note: There is a penalty of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer in objective tests.
How to Apply – Step by Step
- Go to the official website of IBPS at www.ibps.in.
- Click on the link “CRP SPL” on the left-hand side of the homepage.
- Select “Click Here to Apply Online for CRP-Specialist Officers (CRP SPL-XVI)” to open the application portal.
- Click on the “Click Here for New Registration” button and fill in your basic details (Name, Mobile Number, Email ID) to generate your Provisional Registration Number and Password.
- Log in using the generated credentials and fill out the detailed application form, including educational qualifications and bank preferences.
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, left thumb impression, and a handwritten declaration as per the specified dimensions.
- Capture and upload a live photograph using your webcam or mobile camera as required by the system.
- Carefully review all the entered details before clicking “Complete Registration” as no changes will be allowed later.
- Pay the application fee online using Debit/Credit Cards, Net Banking, UPI, or Mobile Wallets.
- Download and print the final submitted application form and fee payment e-receipt for future reference.
Important Links
Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding the IBPS SO Exam Structure
To successfully crack the IBPS Specialist Officer (CRP SPL-XVI) exam, candidates must first understand the multi-tiered selection process. The exam is divided into three distinct phases: the Preliminary Examination, the Main Examination, and the Personal Interview. The Preliminary exam acts as a screening test, meaning its marks are not counted towards the final merit list. However, clearing the sectional and overall cut-offs in the Prelims is mandatory to qualify for the Mains. The Main exam focuses entirely on Professional Knowledge, which tests your core academic and professional expertise in the chosen field (e.g., IT, Agriculture, Law, HR, or Marketing). The final merit list is prepared based on a combined score of the Main Exam and the Interview in an 80:20 ratio.
Syllabus Breakdown and Key Topics
The syllabus varies significantly depending on the post you are applying for. Here is a breakdown of the key areas to focus on:
- IT Officer (Scale I): Focus heavily on Database Management Systems (DBMS), Computer Networks, Operating Systems, Software Engineering, Data Structures, Object-Oriented Programming (OOPs), and Web Technologies.
- Agricultural Field Officer (Scale I): Key topics include Agriculture Economics, Soil Science, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Seed Science, Agronomy, and recent government schemes related to agriculture.
- Law Officer & Rajbhasha Adhikari: Law candidates must master the Indian Constitution, Banking Regulations, Contract Act, Companies Act, and DRT/SARFAESI Acts. Rajbhasha candidates should focus on Hindi-to-English translation, grammar, and official language rules.
- HR/Personnel Officer: Key areas include Human Resource Development (HRD), Industrial Relations, Labour Laws, Performance Appraisal, and Organizational Behaviour.
- Marketing Officer: Focus on Marketing Management, Brand Management, Consumer Behaviour, Market Segmentation, and Digital Marketing trends.
Phase-Wise Preparation Strategy
A structured approach is essential to cover the vast syllabus within the stipulated time. Consider the following phase-wise tips:
- Phase 1: Preliminary Exam Prep: Dedicate the initial months to strengthening your basics in Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language. Since there is sectional timing (40 minutes per section), practice sectional mock tests to improve speed and accuracy. Focus on high-yielding topics like Puzzles, Data Interpretation, and Reading Comprehension.
- Phase 2: Professional Knowledge Mastery: Do not wait for the Prelims results to start preparing for the Mains. Professional Knowledge requires deep conceptual clarity. Refer to standard academic textbooks and solve previous years’ IBPS SO question papers to understand the difficulty level.
- Phase 3: Mock Tests and Analysis: Take at least 2 full-length mock tests every week. Analyze your mistakes, identify weak areas, and work on them. Focus on minimizing negative marking (0.25 marks penalty per wrong answer).
- Phase 4: Interview Preparation: Keep yourself updated with current banking affairs, financial news, and basic concepts of banking operations. Work on your communication skills, body language, and confidence. Be prepared to answer questions related to your professional field and how it applies to the banking sector.
Recommended Study Resources and Tips
Utilize high-quality study materials such as standard reference books, online banking preparation portals, and daily current affairs PDFs. Group study and discussing complex professional topics with peers can also provide new perspectives. Remember, consistency is the key to cracking competitive exams like IBPS SO. Maintain a disciplined daily schedule, balancing both aptitude and professional subjects.
All information is compiled from official notifications for informational purposes only. Applicants must verify all details from the official notification PDF and official website before applying. We are not responsible for any error or inconvenience caused.