Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for IBPS SO 2021 Exam
By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: September 25th, 2023
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for IBPS SO 2021 Exam: IBPS Specialist Officers (SO) 2021 Notification is out now. The notification has been released by IBPS for a total of 1828 vacancies in various posts in Indian Public sector banks for the year 2021. The vacancies are more in comparison to IBPS SO Previous year vacancies.
Interested students must be searching for all the little details before applying for the exam. Here we are sharing important frequently asked questions related to the IBPS SO exam notification here.
Table of content
FAQs for IBPS Specialist Officers Recruitment 2021
1. When will the online registrations for IBPS Specialist Officer recruitment 2021 start?
The start date of online registrations for IBPS SO Recruitment is 3rd November 2021.
2. When will the online registrations of IBPS SO recruitment 2021 close?
The last date for IBPS SO recruitment is 23rd November 2021 for the online registrations as well as fee payment.
3. What are the posts available under IBPS SO Recruitment 2021?
The total number of posts available under this recruitment is 6, which are as follows –
- I.T. Officer (Scale-I)
- Agricultural Field Officer (Scale I)
- HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I)
- Marketing Officer (Scale I)
- Law Officer (Scale I)
- Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I)
You can practice most expected IBPS SO Mock tests in BYJU’S Exam Prep.
4. How many phases are there in IBPS SO recruitment 2021?
There is a total of 3 phases in this recruitment 2021, which are :
1. Preliminary Exam
2. Mains Exam
3. Interview Round
You should go through the IBPS SO 2021 selection process before starting your preparation.
5. How many vacancies are available for various posts this year as per IBPS SO notification?
IBPS has announced the notification for a total of 1828 vacancies. This is an All India level exam, hence there are no state-wise vacancies. The post wise and category wise vacancies are depicted in the below table –
Name of the Profile | Total Vacancies |
IBPS SO I.T.OFFICER (SCALE-I) | 220 |
IBPS SO AGRICULTURAL FIELD OFFICER (SCALE-I) | 884 |
IBPS SO RAJBHASHA ADHIKARI (SCALE-I) | 84 |
IBPS SO LAW OFFICER (SCALE-I) | 44 |
IBPS SO HR/PERSONNEL OFFICER (SCALE-I) | 61 |
IBPS SO MARKETING OFFICER (SCALE-I) | 535 |
Total | 1828 |
6. What are the exam dates for IBPS SO recruitment 2021?
IBPS SO Prelims Exam 2021 will be conducted on 26th December 2021 tentatively.
You may check the IBPS SO 2021 Exam date before proceeding ahead.
7. What are the educational eligibility criteria to be eligible for all posts under IBPS SO recruitment 2021?
The educational eligibility criteria for the different post under IBPS SO recruitment 2021 is different. Find out below the details of Educational eligibility criteria for all the six posts –
All the educational qualifications mentioned should be from a University/ Institution/ Board recognized by Govt. Of India/ approved by Govt. Regulatory Bodies and the final result should have been declared on or before 23.11.2021.
You may check the IBPS SO 2021 eligibility criteria before applying.
Post Code |
Name of the Post |
Age |
Educational Qualifications (from a University/ Institution/ Board recognised by Govt. Of India/ approved by Govt. Regulatory Bodies) |
01 |
I.T. Officer (Scale-I) |
Min- 20 Years Max-30 Years |
a) 4 year Engineering/ Technology Degree in Computer Science/ Computer Applications/ Information Technology/ Electronics/ Electronics & Telecommunications/ Electronics & Communication/ Electronics & Instrumentation OR b) Post Graduate Degree in Electronics/ Electronics & Tele Communication/ Electronics & Communication/ Electronics & Instrumentation/ Computer Science/ Information Technology/ Computer Applications OR Graduate having passed DOEACC ‘B’ level |
02 |
Agricultural Field Officer (Scale I) |
Min- 20 Years Max-30 Years |
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/ Food Science/ Agriculture Business Management/ Food Technology/ Dairy Technology/ Agricultural Engineering/ Sericulture |
03 |
Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I) |
Min- 20 Years Max-30 Years |
Post Graduate Degree in Hindi with English as a subject at the degree (graduation) level OR Postgraduate degree in Sanskrit with English and Hindi as subjects at the degree (graduation) level. |
04 |
Law Officer (Scale I) |
Min- 20 Years Max-30 Years |
A Bachelor Degree in Law (LLB) and enrolled as an advocate with Bar Council |
05 |
HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I) |
Min- 20 years Max- 30 years |
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. |
06 |
Marketing Officer (Scale I) |
Min- 20 years Max- 30 years |
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 |
8. Is there any percentage criteria in IBPS SO recruitment 2021?
No. There are no percentage criteria defined by IBPS to sit for IBPS SO recruitment. A candidate needs to fulfill the above-mentioned eligibilities to be eligible to apply for the IBPS SO Exam.
9. What are the age eligibility criteria to apply for IBPS SO recruitment 2021?
To apply for the posts under IBPS SO Recruitment 2021, As of 01.11.2021, the minimum age of the candidate must be 20 years and the maximum age must be 30 years. A candidate must have been born not earlier than 02.11.1991 and no later than 01.11.2001 (both dates inclusive)
10. My university/college does not award marks/results in percentage, and it allows aggregate grade points such as CGPA/OGPA/CPI, etc. In this case, how should I calculate my marks in percentage value?
The candidate should indicate the percentage obtained in Graduation calculated to the nearest two decimals in the online application. Where CGPA / OGPA is awarded, the same should be converted into a percentage and indicated in the online application. If called for the interview, the candidate will have to produce a certificate issued by the appropriate authority inter alia stating that the norms of the University regarding the conversion of grade into percentage and the percentage of marks scored by the candidate in terms of norms.
11. How to calculate the Percentage?
The percentage marks shall be arrived at by dividing the total marks obtained by the candidate in all the subjects in all semester(s)/year(s) by aggregate maximum marks (in all the subjects irrespective of honors / optional/additional optional subject, if any) multiplied by 100. This will be applicable for those Universities also where Class / Grade is decided on basis of Honours marks only. The fraction of percentage so arrived will be ignored i.e. 59.99% will be treated as less than 60% and 54.99% will be treated as less than 55%
12. I am in the final year of my graduation, am I eligible to apply for this recruitment?
If you are in the final year or your final year exam result is not announced on or before 23rd November 2021 then you cannot apply for the exam as the candidate must possess a valid Mark-sheet / Degree Certificate that he/ she is a graduate on the day he/she registers and indicate the percentage of marks obtained in Graduation while registering online for this recruitment.
13. What is the Application fee for IBPS SO recruitment 2021?
The application fee is 175/- rupees for SC/ST/PWD/EXSM candidates. For candidates of all other categories, the application fee is Rs. 850 /-
14. How many times can I appear for this IBPS SO Exam?
There is no restriction related to the number of attempts in IBPS SO Recruitment. A candidate (all categories) can appear any number of times in the Examination.
15. What is the structure of the Prelims Examination in IBPS SO Recruitment 2021?
The Prelims Exam pattern for IBPS SO Recruitment 2021 is as follows :
A) For the post of IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer –
S. No. | Name of Test | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration | Medium of Exam |
1. | English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 Minutes | English |
2. | Reasoning Ability | 50 | 50 | 40 Minutes | English and Hindi |
3. | Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 40 Minutes | English and Hindi |
Total | 150 | 125 |
You should understand the IBPS SO 2021 Exam Pattern before preparing your strategy.
B) Rajbhasha Adhikari and Law Officer
S. No. | Name of Test | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration | Medium of Exam |
1. | English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 Minutes | English |
2. | Reasoning Ability | 50 | 50 | 40 Minutes | English and Hindi |
3. | General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry | 50 | 50 | 40 Minutes | English and Hindi |
Total | 150 | 125 |
- Candidates have to qualify in each of the three tests by securing minimum cut-off marks to be decided by IBPS.
- Adequate number of candidates in each category as decided by IBPS depending upon requirements will be shortlisted for Online Main Examination
To watch concept classes and chapter-wise sessions by exam-qualified experts, you can try our IBPS SO 2021 Online Coaching.
16. What is the structure of the Main Examination in IBPS SO Recruitment 2021:
There is only one section in IBPS SO Mains Exam, which is Professional Knowledge.
A) For the Post of Law Officer, IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer
Name of test |
Number of questions |
Maximum Marks |
Exam Language |
Total Time Allotted |
Professional Knowledge |
60 |
60 |
English & Hindi |
45 Minutes |
B) For the Post of Rajbhasha Adhikari –
Name of test |
Number of questions |
Maximum Marks |
Exam Language |
Total Time Allotted |
Profession Knowledge (Objective) |
45 |
60
|
English & Hindi |
30 Minutes |
Profession Knowledge (Descriptive) |
2 |
English & Hindi |
30 Minutes |
17. What are the criteria for negative marking in IBPS SO Recruitment 2021?
In Prelims as well as in Mains examination in IBPS SO recruitment 2021, there is a penalty of 1/4th mark for wrong answers marked by the candidate. It means one-fourth of marks will be deducted for every wrong answer marked by the candidate in IBPS SO Prelims and Mains examination. However, there is no penalty if any question is left blank/No answer marked by the candidate.
18. When will the result be declared?
The result of the IBPS SO Preliminary exam will be declared in January 2021. The Final Result will declare on 1st April 2021.
If you have any other doubt related to IBPS SO Recruitment 2021, then you can ask in the comment section. We will try to address your queries at the earliest.
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