IBPS AFO 2026: Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Selection Process

1. Selection Process & Stages

• Stage 1 — Preliminary Examination (Phase-I CBT):
  • Structure: Screening test comprising English Language, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and Professional Knowledge (100 Questions / 125 Marks / 80 Minutes).
  • Weightage: Qualifying in nature (Marks not added to final merit)
• Stage 2 — Main Examination (Phase-II CBT + Descriptive):
  • Structure: Objective Tests in English, Reasoning, Quants & Professional Knowledge plus English Descriptive Paper (152 Questions / 225 Marks / 155 Minutes).
  • Weightage: 80% Weightage in Final Selection Merit
• Stage 3 — Personal Interview (Phase-III):
  • Structure: Face-to-face evaluation conducted by participating Public Sector Banks and coordinated by IBPS (100 Marks).
  • Weightage: 20% Weightage in Final Selection Merit

2. Exam Pattern 2026

3. Marking Scheme & Evaluation Criteria

• Negative Marking: A penalty of one-fourth (0.25) of the marks assigned to that question is deducted for every incorrect objective answer.
• Unattempted Questions: If a question is left blank, no marks are deducted or awarded.
• Sectional Cutoffs: Candidates must secure minimum qualifying marks in each individual test component as decided by IBPS.
• Score Normalisation: Corrected scores across multi-shift examinations are normalized using the equi-percentile method.
• Screening Status: Preliminary examination marks are qualifying in nature and are not added to final merit ranking.

4. Syllabus

5. Eligibility Criteria & Qualifications

• Educational Qualification:
  • 4-Year Bachelor's Degree 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, or Fisheries Engineering from a recognized University.
  • Passing Cut-off Date: The final result must have been declared on or before 21.07.2026.
  • Candidates must possess a Certificate / Diploma / Degree in computer operations/Language or must have studied Computer / Information Technology as one of the subjects in High School / College / Institute.
• Age Limit & Cut-off:
  • 20 to 30 years as on 01.07.2026 (Candidate must have been born between 02.07.1996 and 01.07.2006, both dates inclusive).
  • Age Relaxations:
    • Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe (SC / ST): 5 Years upper age relaxation.
    • Other Backward Classes (OBC Non-Creamy Layer): 3 Years upper age relaxation (Certificate issued on/after 01.04.2026).
    • Persons With Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 10 Years upper age relaxation.
    • Ex-Servicemen & Commissioned Officers: 5 Years upper age relaxation as per government rules.
• Nationality / Citizenship:Citizen of India, subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or Tibetan refugee settled in India prior to 01.01.1962.

6. Important Dates & Recruitment Overview

• Scale of Pay: Basic Pay ₹48,480 (₹48,480-2,000/7-62,480-2,340/2-67,160-2,680/7-85,920)
• Total Vacancies: 370 Reported Vacancies (Indian Bank: 180, BoB: 100, BoM: 90) + 2 NR Banks (UCO, Union Bank)
• Application Fees: ₹175/- (including GST) for SC/ST/PwBD; ₹850/- (including GST) for all other candidates.