IBPS SO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out: Apply Online for 745 Specialist Officer Posts

About The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has released an important recruitment notice inviting online applications from eligible candidates for various Specialist Officer (Scale I) posts under the Common Recruitment Process CRP SPL-XVI. This recruitment is aimed at filling vacancies expected during the financial year 2027-28 across eleven Participating Public Sector 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. Unlike the generalist Probationary Officer recruitment, the Specialist Officer exam is designed specifically for candidates holding professional and technical qualifications in fields such as Information Technology, Agriculture, Law, Human Resources and Rajbhasha (Official Language). This recruitment drive offers a unique opportunity for domain experts to build a stable and rewarding career in the public banking sector while applying their specialised knowledge in a professional environment. The online registration process has opened from 1 July 2026, and candidates are strongly advised to go through the detailed notification carefully to confirm that they meet the eligibility conditions related to age, qualification, category and post-specific criteria before submitting their application. Descriptions The selection process for CRP SPL-XVI consists of three stages: an Online Preliminary Examination, an Online Main Examination, and a Common Interview. The Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature and does not contribute to the final merit list, while the Main Examination score, combined with the Interview marks, determines the final selection. Candidates who qualify in the Preliminary Examination will be shortlisted for the Main Examination, and those who succeed in the Main Examination will be invited for a Common Interview conducted by the participating banks and coordinated by the designated Nodal Bank. Depending on the actual requirement reported by each bank, successful candidates will be provisionally allotted to one of the participating banks based on merit-cum-preference and applicable reservation norms. This role offers an attractive starting salary, long-term career stability, and the opportunity to work in a specialised capacity within some of India's most reputed public sector banks. Aspirants should note that the vacancy numbers published in the notification are indicative and may be revised based on the actual business requirements of the participating banks at the time of final allotment. Eligibility Criteria 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 : The applicant must be a citizen of India, or a subject of Nepal or Bhutan, or a Tibetan refugee who settled in India before 1 January 1962, or a person of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries with the intention of permanently settling in India, subject to an eligibility certificate from the Government of India where applicable. 𝗔𝗴𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁 : Minimum 20 years and Maximum 30 years as on the notified cut-off date. Age relaxation is applicable as per Government of India norms – 5 years for SC/ST candidates, 3 years for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates, 10 years for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities, and 5 years for Ex-Servicemen who meet the specified service conditions. 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 : The qualification required differs according to the post applied for. IT Officer candidates need an engineering degree or postgraduate degree in a relevant IT discipline. Agricultural Field Officer candidates require a four-year degree in Agriculture or an allied discipline. Law Officer candidates must hold a Bachelor's Degree in Law (LL.B.). HR/Personnel Officer candidates need a graduate degree along with a two-year postgraduate degree or diploma in HR, Personnel Management, Industrial Relations or Labour Law. Rajbhasha Adhikari candidates must possess a postgraduate degree in Hindi or Sanskrit with the required language subject combination. Candidates are advised to check the exact qualification requirement for their chosen post in the detailed notification before applying. Selection Process (Step by Step) 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 1: 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – A qualifying-in-nature objective test. For IT Officer, Agricultural Field Officer and HR/Personnel Officer, the test covers English Language, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and Professional Knowledge. For Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari, the test covers English Language, Reasoning, General Awareness and Professional Knowledge, with a total of 100 questions carrying 125 marks in 80 minutes. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 2: 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – An objective test (with a descriptive component for Law Officer and Rajbhasha Adhikari posts) covering English Language, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude/General Awareness and Professional Knowledge, carrying up to 225 marks depending on the post, within a duration of up to 155 minutes. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 3: 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 – Conducted by the participating banks and coordinated by the Nodal Bank for candidates who qualify in the Main Examination. 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 4: 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 – Based on the combined score of the Main Examination and Interview, candidates are allotted to one of the participating banks as per merit, preference and reservation policy, with final allotment expected in January 2027. Application Process 1. Visit the official IBPS website www.ibps.in and click on the link for CRP SPL-XVI (Specialist Officers). 2. Click on "New Registration" and enter basic details to generate a provisional registration number and password. 3. Upload the required documents including photograph, signature, left thumb impression, handwritten declaration and educational certificates as per the specified format and size. 4. Select the post you wish to apply for and fill in personal, educational and category-related details carefully. 5. Pay the applicable application fee/intimation charges through the online payment gateway. 6. Verify all entered details before final submission, since changes are not permitted after completing registration. 7. Take a printout of the completed application form and payment receipt for personal record and future reference. 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗸𝘀 Official Notification – www.ibps.in Apply Online – www.ibps.in

Why people want this job Specialist Officer positions in public sector banks are highly sought after because they combine job security with the opportunity to work in one's chosen field of expertise, whether that is technology, agriculture, law, human resources or language services. The role offers a respectable salary structure, along with allowances, medical benefits, pension schemes and other perks typically associated with government and public sector employment. For professionals who have invested years in acquiring specialised qualifications, this recruitment provides a direct pathway into a stable banking career with clear promotion prospects to higher management scales over time. The combination of professional relevance, financial stability and nationwide career exposure makes the CRP SPL-XVI recruitment a much-anticipated opportunity for qualified graduates and postgraduates across India.