The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the Specialist Officer (SO) examination annually to recruit professionals for various specialized roles in public sector banks across India. For the year 2025, understanding the eligibility criteria is crucial for aspirants aiming to secure positions such as IT Officer, Agricultural Field Officer, Law Officer, and more. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the IBPS SO Eligibility 2025, covering nationality, age limits, educational qualifications, and experience requirements.
Key Highlights 📌
- Organization Name: Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
- Post: Specialist Officer (SO)
- Exam Level: National
- Application Mode: Online
- Selection Process: Prelims, Mains & Interview
- Educational Qualification: Varies by post
- Age Limit: 20 – 30 years
- Official Website: ibps.in
Nationality Criteria 🌍
To be eligible for the IBPS SO 2025 exam, a candidate must be:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962, intending to settle permanently, or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, Vietnam) with the intention of permanent settlement in India.
Candidates from categories other than Indian citizens must possess a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
Age Limit ⏳
As of August 28, 2025, the age criteria for IBPS SO 2025 are:
- Minimum Age: 20 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
This means candidates must have been born between August 29, 1995, and August 28, 2005 (both dates inclusive).
Age Relaxation
Age relaxation is provided for certain categories:
- Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (SC/ST): 5 years
- Other Backward Classes (OBC): 3 years
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD): 10 years
- Ex-Servicemen: 5 years
- Persons affected by 1984 riots: 5 years
Candidates seeking age relaxation must provide the necessary certificates during the interview process.
Educational Qualifications 🎓
The educational requirements vary based on the specific SO position:
- I.T. Officer (Scale-I): Four-year Engineering/Technology degree in Computer Science, Computer Applications, Information Technology, Electronics, Electronics & Telecommunications, Electronics & Communication, Electronics & Instrumentation; or Postgraduate degree in Electronics, Electronics & Telecommunication, Electronics & Communication, Electronics & Instrumentation, Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Applications; or Graduate having passed DOEACC ‘B’ level.
- Agricultural Field Officer (Scale-I): Four-year degree 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, or Sericulture.
- Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale-I): Postgraduate degree in Hindi with English as a subject at the bachelor’s level; or Postgraduate degree in Sanskrit with English and Hindi as subjects at the bachelor’s level.
- Law Officer (Scale-I): Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) and enrollment as an advocate with the Bar Council.
- HR/Personnel Officer (Scale-I): Graduate with two years full-time Postgraduate degree or diploma in Personnel Management, Industrial Relations, HR, HRD, Social Work, or Labor Law.
- Marketing Officer (Scale-I): Graduate with two years full-time MMS (Marketing), MBA (Marketing), PGDBA, PGDBM, PGPM, or PGDM with specialization in Marketing.
Candidates must ensure they meet the educational qualifications as of the specified date in the official notification.
Experience Requirements 🛠️
Generally, for Scale-I positions, prior work experience is not mandatory. However, having relevant experience can be advantageous during the selection process. Candidates are advised to refer to the official notification for any specific experience requirements related to each post.
Important Points to Remember 📝
- Document Verification: Ensure all certificates and documents are authentic and readily available for verification during the interview process.
- Multiple Applications: Candidates can apply for more than one post, provided they meet the eligibility criteria for each. Separate applications and fees are required for each post.
- Application Dates: Keep track of the application start and end dates to ensure timely submission.
For detailed information and updates, visit the official IBPS website: ibps.in.
Understanding and meeting the eligibility criteria is the first step toward a successful application for the IBPS SO 2025 examination. Ensure you fulfill all the requirements before proceeding with the application process.
