IBPS SO Mains Syllabus: The IBPS SO Mains Syllabus has been prepared to test the specialized field knowledge of the aspirants applying for the Specialist Officers position in banks. This syllabus is relevant to the following positions: IT Officer, Marketing Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, Law Officer, Agricultural Field Officer, and Rajbhasha Adhikari. In this article, we shall comprehensively explain the IBPS SO Mains Syllabus and details of topics, how to prepare, and what each position entails.
IBPS SO Mains Exam
This section provides an overview of the exam structure and format, mainly focusing on the IBPS SO Mains syllabus, what it covers, and its overall purpose. There is also mention of the selected candidates showing their expertise during the interview round apart from the mains of the exam, which therefore provides further insight into its importance.
Besides, it is emphasized that the Mains exam is critical and subjects successful candidates to a specialized examination focusing on subjective material – typically how the IBPS SO Mains is structured. This last point is supported by the explanation of the syllabus, whereby more questions tend to follow the format of multi-choice questions.
Key Points:
- Total Marks: 60
- Time: 45 minutes up to one hour
- Medium: English or Hindi, except English papers
- Mode: Online, multiple-choice questions
Each post of IBPS SO Mains has a particular syllabus designed for that post. Following the above, we explain in depth the major topics concerned with each specialty.
Syllabus for Different Positions
The syllabus for the IBPS SO Mains is segregated according to particular job posts, which are reasoned below:
| Specialist Position | Critical Topics in IBPS SO Mains Syllabus |
| IT Officer (Scale I) | Databases, Networking, Software Engineering, Security |
| Marketing Officer (Scale I) | Marketing Basics, Sales, Consumer Behavior, Branding |
| HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I) | HR Development, Labor Laws, Recruitment Processes |
| Law Officer (Scale I) | Banking Laws, RBI Functions, Contract Law, Company Law |
| Agricultural Field Officer (Scale I) | Agriculture, Soil Science, Horticulture |
| Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale I) | Translation, Official Language Policy, Hindi Grammar |
Detailed Topic-Wise Syllabus
Now, we discuss the IBPS SO Mains Syllabus for each specialization, which will be very informative and cover the most important areas in a more user-friendly manner.
IT Officer (Scale I)
For all those wishing to take up the post of IT Officer, the topics included are as follows:
- Database Management: Topics such as SQL, NoSQL, database architecture, indexing, and data formats.
- Networking: This covers topics such as the OSI model and TCP/IP model, IP addressing and routes, protocols, and the basics of Cyber Security.
- Software Engineering: Lifecycle models, SDLC, Agile, DevOps, Software Testing, and Software Metrics.
- Information Security: Protection of information, data privacy, data encryption, cyber security measures, and ethical hacking.
Marketing Officer (Scale I)
The syllabus for Marketing Officers in IBPS SO Mains Syllabus includes:
- Marketing Basics: Product life cycle, market research, and positioning strategies.
- Sales Management: Sales planning, territory management, and sales promotion.
- Digital Marketing: SEO, social media marketing, email marketing, and online advertising.
- Consumer Behavior: Understanding consumer psychology, motives, and buying patterns.
- Brand Management: Brand positioning, brand equity, and brand-building strategies.
HR/Personnel Officer (Scale I)
HR/Personnel Officers are included in the IBPS SO Mains Syllabus under:
- Human Resource Development: Human resource management training programs, development programs, career management, and performance appraisals.
- Industrial Relations: This includes labor relations, trade union activities, industrial relations management, the laws, and dispute resolution.
- Recruitment and Selection: The hiring process, interview skills, selection, and psychometric testing.
- Compensation and Benefits: This includes the salary structure of an organization, employee compensation, and payroll services.
Law Officer (Scale I)
There are other areas in which Law Officers must understand the IBPS SO Mains Syllabus. This includes:
- Banking Laws: Banking laws include the Banking Regulation Act, the Negotiable Instruments Act, and the Guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank of India.
- Corporate Laws: Covers the laws relevant to companies, partnerships, and contracts, and laws that guide the company.
- Commercial Law: Practice laws dealing with businesses, such as the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and the Payment and Settlement Systems Act.
- Constitutional Law: This is an overview of constitutions; it includes basic information on constitutions, their main ideas and provisions, including fundamental human rights principles, and their legal structure.
- Cyber and IT Law: This covers e-commerce law, ITACT, cyber security, and information protection measures.
Agricultural Field Officer (Scale I)
The syllabus includes agriculture and rural banking concepts for Agricultural Field Officers:
- Agriculture Fundamentals: The practice of growing crops, soils and their characteristics, and the use and control of pests.
- Agro-Economics: This branch deals with farming-related economics, rural lending, and agricultural insurance.
- Animal Husbandry and Dairy: The fundamentals of the animal industry, milk production, and the chicken industry.
- Horticulture: Plant development with a focus on fruits and vegetables.
- Agricultural Practices: Dry farming, agricultural enterprises, and eco-friendly farming practices.
Rajbhasha Adhikari SCALE I
In the context of Rajbhasha Adhikari, a candidate has to pay attention to the following IBPS SO Mains Syllabus topics:
- Language Translation Techniques: when translating from Hindi to English and vice versa
- Policy relating to Official languages: Language policy at the Government level and its implementation aspect.
- Grammar and Vocabulary in Hindi: Formation of sentences and words.
- Translated works including literature, technical terminologies, and languages of dialect.
- Knowledge of Languages, including comprehension, precis, and vocabulary.
IBPS SO Mains Preparation – Important tips
You might benefit from these strategies when preparing for the IBPS SO Mains Syllabus:
- Learn the Structure of the Test: The importance and marks assigned to each portion can broadly define the test.
- Weightage on Key Areas: Each post has a specified syllabus; you need to concentrate on that part.
- Practice on the Complex Ones More Often: Of all the areas you might consider revising, the more complex topics are easier to forget if not revised regularly.
- Take Sample Papers: Through sample papers, you sharpen your speed and accuracy while also boosting your confidence.
- Cover Other Topics too: Time taken for every topic needs to be appropriately managed.
- Read and Relax a Bit: It is vital for law and IT Officers to read up-to-date legal materials
Also read: IBPS SO Last Minute Preparation
IBPS SO Mains Syllabus FAQs
Q1: How many questions are contained in each role’s IBPS SO Mains Syllabus?
Ans: It varies by specialization, but the IBPS SO Mains can have as many as 60 question cards. Not more than that limit.
Q2: Is Negative Marking applicable in the main examination?
Ans: The negative marking of 0.25 marks is in play for every wrong answer given.
Q3: Can I write the IBPS SO Mains exam paper in Hindi?
Ans Yes, other parts expect English or Rajbhasha Adhikari-specific parts.
