The IBPS SO IT Officer (Scale I) exam is conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) to recruit IT professionals for public sector banks. The selection process consists of three stages: Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Interview.
Understanding the latest IBPS SO IT syllabus and updated exam pattern is crucial to crack this competitive banking exam.
The recruitment process includes:
Final merit is based on Mains (80%) + Interview (20%).
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25 | 25 | 20 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 25 | 25 | 20 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 20 min |
| Professional Knowledge (IT) | 25 | 50 | 20 min |
| Total | 100 | 125 | 80 min |
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 25 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 40 | 40 | 35 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 25 min |
| Professional Knowledge (Objective) | 50 | 100 | 40 min |
| Descriptive Paper (English) | 2 | 25 | 30 min |
| Total | 152 | 225 | 155 min |
IBPS SO IT Officer Syllabus 2026 presented in a clear format (based on the latest exam pattern including Prelims + Mains + Interview).
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability | Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Inequalities, Syllogism, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding, Input-Output, Order & Ranking, Direction Sense, Alphanumeric Series, Data Sufficiency, Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning |
| English Language | Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Error Detection, Sentence Improvement, Para Jumbles, Fill in the Blanks, Vocabulary, Parts of Speech, Active/Passive Voice, Direct & Indirect Speech |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Simplification, Number Series, Quadratic Equations, Data Interpretation, Ratio & Proportion, Percentages, Profit & Loss, Time & Work, Speed Distance Time, Averages, Mixtures, Interest, Probability, Permutation & Combination |
Prelims includes 100 questions for 125 marks with sectional timing and negative marking.
| Subject | Topics |
|---|---|
| Database Management System (DBMS) | ER Model, Relational Algebra, SQL Queries, Normalization (1NF, 2NF, 3NF, BCNF), Transactions, Concurrency Control, Indexing, NoSQL basics |
| Operating System | Process Management, Scheduling, Deadlocks, Memory Management, File Systems |
| Computer Networks | OSI Model, TCP/IP, Routing, Switching, Network Security, Protocols |
| Data Structures | Arrays, Linked List, Stack, Queue, Trees, Graphs |
| Software Engineering | SDLC, Agile Model, Testing, Software Design Principles |
| Programming Languages | C, C++, Java, Python (basics, OOP concepts) |
| Web Technologies | HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Web Servers, APIs |
| Cyber Security | Cryptography, Network Security, Firewalls, Malware, Security Protocols |
| Cloud Computing & IT Concepts | Cloud Basics, Virtualization, SaaS/PaaS/IaaS, Emerging Technologies |
Mains exam focuses mainly on technical IT knowledge + objective & descriptive paper.
| Stage | Details |
|---|---|
| Interview | 100 marks |
| Final Merit | 80% Mains + 20% Interview |
| Focus Areas | IT knowledge, Banking awareness, Communication skills, Personality |
The syllabus is divided into:
This is the most important section for IT Officer selection.
| Topic | Expected Questions | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Puzzles & Seating Arrangement | 15–20 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Inequality + Syllogism | 3–5 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Coding-Decoding | 2–3 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Blood Relation & Direction | 2–3 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Misc (Ranking, Input-Output) | 3–5 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Puzzles dominate heavily (most scoring area)
| Topic | Expected Questions | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Data Interpretation (DI) | 8–10 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Simplification/Approximation | 5–7 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Number Series | 3–5 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Arithmetic (Time, Work, Profit, etc.) | 5–7 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Topic | Expected Questions | Priority |
|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 5–8 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Cloze Test | 4–6 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Error Detection | 3–4 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Para Jumbles | 2–3 | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Subject | Weightage |
|---|---|
| DBMS | 15–20 marks |
| Computer Networks | 10–15 marks |
| Operating System | 10–12 marks |
| Data Structures | 8–10 marks |
| Software Engineering | 5–8 marks |
| Programming (C/Java/OOPs) | 5–8 marks |
| Cyber Security | 5–7 marks |
DBMS is the highest-weight topic in IT section
Daily Study Time: 6–8 hours
Focus 70% time on IT subjects (decides selection)
Practice daily mocks after syllabus completion
Strengthen DBMS + OS + Networks (core trio)
Maintain short notes for revision
Aim:
The IBPS SO IT Officer 2026 exam has become more competitive with the inclusion of technical knowledge in both Prelims and Mains. Candidates must adopt a balanced strategy—focusing heavily on IT subjects while maintaining proficiency in aptitude and English.
A well-structured preparation plan with strong conceptual clarity and regular practice can significantly improve your chances of selection.
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