The IBPS AFO (Agriculture Field Officer) 2026 exam is conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) to recruit agriculture graduates for Scale-I officer posts in public sector banks. It is one of the most popular government jobs for agriculture students in India.
This article provides a complete syllabus, latest exam pattern, marking scheme, and preparation insights based on the latest updates.
IBPS AFO 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | IBPS SO (AFO) 2026 |
| Conducting Body | IBPS |
| Post | Agriculture Field Officer (Scale I) |
| Selection Process | Prelims → Mains → Interview |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 marks |
| Official Website | IBPS Official Website |
Candidates must clear all three stages to get selected.
IBPS AFO Exam Pattern 2026
1. Preliminary Exam Pattern
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability | 50 | 50 | 40 min |
| English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 40 min |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 120 min |
Key Points:
- Objective-type questions
- Sectional timing applicable
- Qualifying in nature (marks not counted in final merit)
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks
Some updates also indicate Professional Knowledge added in prelims in newer patterns, so candidates should prepare agriculture topics early.
2. Mains Exam Pattern
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Knowledge (Agriculture) | 60 | 60 | 45 minutes |
Key Points:
- Core subject-based paper
- Most important stage for selection
- Marks counted in final merit
- Negative marking applicable
3. Interview
| Component | Marks |
|---|---|
| Interview | 100 |
- Final merit = Mains (80%) + Interview (20%)
- Minimum qualifying marks required
IBPS Agriculture Field Officer Syllabus 2026
IBPS AFO (Agriculture Field Officer) Syllabus 2026 presented in a clear and easy format for both Prelims and Mains:
Prelims Syllabus
| Section | Key Topics |
|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability | Seating Arrangement, Puzzles, Syllogism, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Inequality, Input-Output, Order & Ranking |
| English Language | Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Error Detection, Sentence Improvement, Vocabulary, Fill in the Blanks |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Simplification, Number Series, Data Interpretation, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Time-Speed-Distance, Ratio & Proportion, Percentage, Average |
| Professional Knowledge (Agriculture Basics) | Basic Agriculture Concepts, Crop Production, Soil Science Basics, Irrigation, Fertilizers, Animal Husbandry (Basic Level) |
Prelims includes Reasoning, English, Quant & Professional Knowledge, with objective questions and negative marking.
Mains Syllabus (Professional Knowledge – Agriculture)
| Subject Area | Detailed Topics |
|---|---|
| Agriculture in India | Types of Farming, Cropping Patterns, Major Crops, Irrigation Systems, Agricultural Research Institutes, GM Crops |
| Agronomy | Soil Preparation, Sowing Methods, Manures & Fertilizers, Irrigation Techniques, Weed Control, Harvesting & Storage |
| Soil Science | Soil Types, Soil Fertility, Soil Conservation, Nutrient Management |
| Horticulture | Fruits & Vegetables, Plantation Crops, Floriculture, Commercial Horticulture |
| Animal Husbandry | Dairy Farming, Livestock Management, Poultry, Fisheries, Animal Nutrition & Diseases |
| Agricultural Engineering | Farm Machinery, Irrigation Engineering, Post-Harvest Technology |
| Plant Protection | Plant Diseases, Pest Control, Entomology Basics |
| Agricultural Economics | Agricultural Finance, Rural Banking, Kisan Credit Card, Crop Loans, Marketing, Insurance Schemes |
| Current Affairs (Agriculture) | Government Schemes, Policies, Recent Developments in Agriculture |
Mains focuses mainly on Professional Knowledge (Agriculture domain).
Descriptive Paper (Mains)
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| English Descriptive | Essay Writing (Agriculture/Rural Topics), Letter Writing (Formal/Informal) |
Interview
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Interview | 100 Marks, Focus on Agriculture Knowledge, Banking Awareness, Communication Skills |
Quick Summary
| Stage | Subjects |
|---|---|
| Prelims | Reasoning + English + Quant + Professional Knowledge |
| Mains | Agriculture Professional Knowledge + Descriptive English |
| Final Selection | Mains + Interview (80:20 ratio) |
- Selection Process: Prelims → Mains → Interview
- Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer
- Mains focuses heavily on core agriculture subjects
IBPS AFO Syllabus 2026
Prelims Syllabus
1. Reasoning Ability
- Puzzles & Seating Arrangement
- Syllogism
- Coding-Decoding
- Blood Relations
- Inequality
- Direction Sense
- Data Sufficiency
2. English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Error Detection
- Sentence Improvement
- Para Jumbles
- Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms)
3. Quantitative Aptitude
- Simplification & Approximation
- Number Series
- Data Interpretation (DI)
- Percentage, Profit & Loss
- Ratio & Proportion
- Time & Work
- Speed, Distance & Time
Mains Syllabus (Professional Knowledge – Agriculture)
This is the most important section for AFO selection.
Agriculture Basics
- Agronomy & Soil Science
- Agricultural Meteorology
- Irrigation & Water Management
- Cropping Systems
Crop Science
- Field Crops (Rice, Wheat, Pulses, Oilseeds)
- Horticulture (Fruits, Vegetables, Floriculture)
- Weed Management
- Crop Production & Protection
Animal Husbandry & Dairy
- Livestock Production
- Dairy Science
- Poultry Farming
- Fisheries
Plant Science
- Plant Breeding & Genetics
- Plant Pathology
- Entomology (Insects & Pests)
Agriculture Economics & Banking
- Agricultural Finance
- Rural Development Schemes
- Crop Insurance
- NABARD & Banking Policies
Miscellaneous Topics
- Agricultural Current Affairs
- Government Schemes (PMFBY, PM-KISAN, etc.)
- Agri Marketing & Storage
- Food Processing & Technology
Mains focuses entirely on professional agricultural knowledge, making subject clarity essential.
Important Highlights of IBPS AFO 2026
- Prelims is qualifying only, mains decides rank
- Professional knowledge is key scoring area
- Exam pattern has seen recent changes, so stay updated
- Agriculture graduates have a strong advantage
Preparation Tips for IBPS AFO 2026
Focus heavily on Agriculture subjects (60–70% preparation time)
Practice previous year papers & mock tests
Revise basic banking awareness related to agriculture
Stay updated with agriculture schemes & current affairs
Strengthen Reasoning + Quant for prelims cutoff
Conclusion
The IBPS AFO Syllabus 2026 is a balanced mix of banking aptitude (Prelims) and core agriculture knowledge (Mains). While prelims help shortlist candidates, the mains exam plays a decisive role in final selection. With a strong grip on agriculture subjects and consistent practice, candidates can significantly improve their chances of success.
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