IBPS Specialist Officer Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for CRP SPL-XVI Vacancies
IBPS Specialist Officer Recruitment 2026: The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has released the official notification for the Common Recruitment Process (CRP SPL-XVI) for the recruitment of Specialist Officers (Scale-I) across participating Public Sector Banks for the vacancies of 2027-28.
Through this IBPS SO Recruitment 2026, dynamic professionals will be recruited for specialized roles including IT Officer, Agricultural Field Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari, Law Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer. Eligible candidates can submit their online applications from 01st July 2026 to 21st July 2026. Keep reading to explore detailed eligibility criteria, age limits, the robust three-phase selection process, and the direct application link.
IBPS SO Recruitment 2026 Overview
Candidates must carefully check their eligibility criteria before registering on the official IBPS portal. The selection involves Prelims, Mains, and an Interview phase.
| Organization Name | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | CRP SPL-XVI (Specialist Officers) |
| Posts Offered | IT Officer, AFO, Rajbhasha Adhikari, Law Officer, HR Officer, Marketing Officer |
| Scale of Pay | Scale-I (Basic: Rs. 48,480 – 85,920/- plus allowances) |
| Job Location | All India (Participating Banks) |
| Official Website | ibps.in |
| Notification PDF | Download PDF |
Important Dates for IBPS SO 2026
The online registration portal will be active for a specific duration. Candidates are advised to apply early and prepare according to the tentative exam schedule.
| Activity | Tentative Schedule |
|---|---|
| Online Registration & Edit/Modification | 01.07.2026 to 21.07.2026 |
| Payment of Application Fees | 01.07.2026 to 21.07.2026 |
| Online Examination – Preliminary | August 2026 |
| Result of Online Examination – Preliminary | September / October 2026 |
| Online Examination – Main | November 2026 |
| Declaration of Result – Main Examination | November 2026 |
| Conduct of Interview | November / December 2026 |
| Provisional Allotment | January 2027 |
Participating Banks & Posts
The recruitment is being conducted to fill Specialist Officer vacancies across various participating banks, including 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, and Union Bank of India. Refer to Annexure I in the official notification for bank-wise and category-wise tentative vacancy distributions.
Eligibility Criteria & Age Limit
1. Age Limit (As on 01.07.2026)
Candidates must be aged between 20 years and 30 years. (i.e., born not earlier than 02.07.1996 and not later than 01.07.2006, both dates inclusive).
Age Relaxation:
- SC/ST Candidates: 5 Years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Candidates: 3 Years
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 10 Years
- Ex-Servicemen: 5 Years
2. Educational Qualifications (As on 21.07.2026)
Candidates must possess the requisite educational qualifications for the specific post they are applying for:
| Post Name | Educational Qualifications |
|---|---|
| IT Officer (Scale-I) | 4-year Engineering/Technology Degree in Computer Science/Computer Applications/Information Technology/Telecommunications/Electronics/Electronics & Communication/Electronics & Instrumentation OR Post Graduate Degree in relevant tech fields 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 & Cooperation/ Co-operation & Banking/ Agro-Forestry/Forestry/ Agricultural Biotechnology/ B.Tech Biotechnology/ Food Science/ Agriculture Business Management/ Food Technology/ Dairy Technology/ Agricultural Engineering/ Sericulture / Fisheries Engineering. |
| 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 Degree in Law (LL.B) 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)/ Two Years Full time MBA (Marketing)/ Two Years Full time PGDBA / PGDBM/ PGPM/ PGDM with specialization in Marketing. |
Application Fees & Intimation Charges
The application fee must be paid online between 01.07.2026 and 21.07.2026.
- General / OBC / EWS candidates: Rs. 850/- (inclusive of GST)
- SC / ST / PwBD candidates: Rs. 175/- (inclusive of GST)
Exam Pattern & Selection Process
The selection process comprises an Online Preliminary Examination, an Online Main Examination, and a Common Interview.
Phase-I: Online Preliminary Examination
The structure varies slightly depending on the post applied for. Candidates must qualify in each test by securing minimum cut-off marks.
For IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer:
- English Language (25 Qs, 25 Marks, 20 Min)
- Reasoning (25 Qs, 25 Marks, 20 Min)
- Quantitative Aptitude (25 Qs, 25 Marks, 20 Min)
- Professional Knowledge (25 Qs, 50 Marks, 20 Min)
- Total: 100 Qs, 125 Marks, 80 Minutes
For Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari:
- English Language (25 Qs, 25 Marks, 20 Min)
- Reasoning (25 Qs, 25 Marks, 20 Min)
- General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry (25 Qs, 25 Marks, 20 Min)
- Professional Knowledge (25 Qs, 50 Marks, 20 Min)
- Total: 100 Qs, 125 Marks, 80 Minutes
Phase-II: Online Main Examination
The Main exam tests comprehensive professional knowledge and language skills.
For IT Officer, AFO, HR Officer, and Marketing Officer:
- Reasoning (40 Qs, 60 Marks, 45 Min)
- General/Economy/Banking/Digital/Financial Awareness (50 Qs, 60 Marks, 35 Min)
- English Language (40 Qs, 20 Marks, 35 Min)
- Data Analysis & Interpretation (40 Qs, 60 Marks, 45 Min)
- Professional Knowledge (Objective) (50 Qs, 100 Marks, 40 Min)
- Descriptive Paper (English Essay & Comprehension) (2 Qs, 25 Marks, 30 Min)
For Rajbhasha Adhikari and Law Officer: Similar structure with slight variations in duration and subjects (refer to the notification for exact details).
Phase-III: Common Interview
Candidates shortlisted from the Main exam will be called for an Interview (100 Marks). The relative weightage ratio of Online Main Exam and Interview will be 80:20 respectively.
How to Apply Online for IBPS SO 2026?
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the online mode. Follow these steps:
- Visit the official IBPS website: www.ibps.in.
- Click on the link for “CRP SPL-XVI” and then “CLICK HERE TO APPLY ONLINE FOR CRP-SPECIALIST OFFICERS”.
- Click on “CLICK HERE FOR NEW REGISTRATION” to register by entering your basic information.
- Note down your generated Provisional Registration Number and Password.
- Upload your scanned Photograph (4.5cm x 3.5cm), Signature (not in capital letters), Left Thumb Impression, and a Hand-written declaration.
- Live Photo Capture: You will also be required to capture and upload a live photograph using a webcam or mobile phone during registration.
- Carefully fill in the rest of the application form details. Use the “SAVE AND NEXT” facility to verify details before final submission.
- Pay the application fee via the integrated online payment gateway.
- Print the e-receipt and the final submitted online application form for future reference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the last date to apply for IBPS SO Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application and fee payment for IBPS SO (CRP SPL-XVI) is 21 July 2026.
Which posts are included in the IBPS CRP SPL-XVI recruitment?
The recruitment is for Scale-I Specialist Officers including IT Officer, Agricultural Field Officer, Rajbhasha Adhikari, Law Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer.
What is the age limit to apply for IBPS SO 2026?
Candidates must be between 20 to 30 years of age as on 01.07.2026. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories (SC/ST: 5 years, OBC: 3 years, PwBD: 10 years).
What is the selection process for IBPS Specialist Officers?
The selection process involves three main stages: an Online Preliminary Examination, an Online Main Examination (Objective + Descriptive), and a Common Interview.
Final Words on IBPS Specialist Officer Recruitment 2026
The IBPS Specialist Officer Recruitment 2026 (CRP SPL-XVI) is a prime opportunity for professionals in IT, Agriculture, Law, HR, and Marketing to secure a prestigious Scale-I officer role in public sector banks across India. With a rigorous selection process focused heavily on your specific domain knowledge during the Main examination, focused preparation is key. Ensure your documents, live photo, and handwritten declaration meet the exact specifications before you submit your application by the 21st July 2026 deadline. Best of luck with your preparations!