Introduction
IBPS has released the IBPS AFO Recruitment 2026 notification for 190 Agriculture Field Officer, Scale I posts.
Eligible candidates can apply online from July 1 to July 21, 2026. Therefore, applicants should check the eligibility rules before they fill out the form.
IBPS will conduct this recruitment under CRP SPL-XVI. The recruitment process includes a Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and Interview.
Moreover, IBPS has changed the exam pattern for 2026. Professional Knowledge now appears in both Prelims and Mains. In addition, the Main Examination includes a Descriptive English Paper.
Latest update:
The application process will close on July 21, 2026. IBPS will hold Prelims on August 29 and Mains on November 1, 2026.
IBPS AFO Recruitment 2026 Overview
The table below gives the main recruitment details.
| Particular | Details |
|---|
| Organisation | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection |
| Recruitment process | CRP SPL-XVI |
| Post name | Agriculture Field Officer, Scale I |
| Total vacancies | 190 |
| Application mode | Online |
| Registration dates | July 1–21, 2026 |
| Age limit | 20–30 years |
| Qualification | Four-year degree in an eligible agriculture or allied subject |
| Preliminary Examination | August 29, 2026 |
| Main Examination | November 1, 2026 |
| Selection process | Prelims, Mains and Interview |
| Starting basic pay | ₹48,480 |
| Official portal | IBPS official website |
IBPS AFO Important Links
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These buttons will help readers find the official pages quickly. As a result, they will not need to search through several websites.
IBPS AFO Important Dates 2026
Candidates should note the important dates before they apply.
| Event | Date |
|---|
| Notification release date | July 1, 2026 |
| Online registration starts | July 1, 2026 |
| Last date to apply | July 21, 2026 |
| Last date to pay the fee | July 21, 2026 |
| Last date to print the form | August 5, 2026 |
| Prelims call letter | August 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | August 29, 2026 |
| Prelims result | September or October 2026 |
| Mains call letter | October 2026 |
| Main Examination | November 1, 2026 |
| Mains result | November 2026 |
| Interview | November or December 2026 |
| Provisional allotment | January 2027 |
IBPS may change some dates for official reasons. Therefore, candidates should check the IBPS website regularly.
Also, applicants should not wait until the final day. Heavy website traffic may cause login or payment issues.
IBPS AFO Vacancy 2026
IBPS has announced 190 Agriculture Field Officer vacancies.
The vacancies cover different banks and reservation groups. However, IBPS may change the number of posts based on bank needs.
Therefore, candidates should check the official notification for the final bank-wise and category-wise vacancy details.
IBPS AFO Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates must meet all eligibility rules before they apply.
IBPS will check the applicant’s age, education, nationality and category. Therefore, candidates should enter correct details in the form.
IBPS AFO Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a four-year graduation degree in an approved agriculture or allied subject.
Eligible degree subjects include:
- Agriculture
- Horticulture
- Animal Husbandry
- Veterinary Science
- Dairy Science
- Fishery Science
- Pisciculture
- Agricultural Marketing and Cooperation
- Co-operation and Banking
- Agroforestry
- Forestry
- Agricultural Biotechnology
- B.Tech Biotechnology
- Food Science
- Agriculture Business Management
- Food Technology
- Dairy Technology
- Agricultural Engineering
- Sericulture
- Fisheries Engineering
A recognised university or institution must award the degree.
In addition, the final result must be available on or before July 21, 2026.
Candidates should check the exact name of their degree in the official notice. A similar course name may not meet the rules.
Can Final-Year Students Apply?
Final-year students can apply only when their final result is available by July 21, 2026.
For example, a student whose result comes after July 21 will not meet the deadline.
Therefore, students should not apply based only on an expected result.
IBPS AFO Age Limit 2026
IBPS will calculate age as of July 1, 2026.
Candidates should have been born between July 2, 1996, and July 1, 2006. Both dates count.
IBPS AFO Age Relaxation
IBPS gives age relaxation to eligible reserved groups.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|
| Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe | 5 years |
| OBC, Non-Creamy Layer | 3 years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities | 10 years |
| Eligible ex-servicemen, ECOs and SSCOs | 5 years |
| Persons affected by the 1984 riots | 5 years |
Candidates must provide valid certificates to claim relaxation.
However, OBC candidates from the creamy layer cannot claim OBC benefits. They must apply under the General category.
IBPS AFO Application Fee 2026
Candidates must pay the fee online.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|
| SC, ST and PwBD | ₹175 |
| All other candidates | ₹850 |
The fee includes GST. However, the bank may add transaction charges.
IBPS will accept the form only after successful payment. Therefore, applicants should save the payment receipt.
How to Apply for IBPS AFO Recruitment 2026
Candidates can apply through the official IBPS website.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Visit the official IBPS website.
- Open the CRP Specialist Officers section.
- Select CRP SPL-XVI.
- Open the online application page.
- Click the new-registration option.
- Enter your name, mobile number and email address.
- Save your registration number and password.
- Log in to the application page.
- Enter your personal and education details.
- Add your category details, if needed.
- Select Agriculture Field Officer, Scale I.
- Upload the required documents.
- Check every entry in the form.
- Pay the fee online.
- Submit the application.
- Download the final form and payment receipt.
Candidates should check their name, birth date, category, degree title and marks before submission.
Once they submit the form, IBPS may not allow them to change every detail.
Documents Required for the Application
Candidates should prepare the following files:
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Signature
- Left-thumb impression
- Handwritten declaration
- Live photograph
- Class 10 certificate
- Degree details
- Valid identity proof
- Category certificate, if needed
- Disability certificate, if needed
IBPS will show the required file sizes on the application page.
Therefore, candidates should scan each document clearly before they start the form.
Important Instructions for Applicants
Candidates should follow these points:
- Submit only one application.
- Use an active mobile number.
- Use an active email address.
- Select the correct post.
- Upload clear documents.
- Pay the fee before the deadline.
- Check the form before submission.
- Save the final form and receipt.
Also, an application does not confirm eligibility. IBPS can reject a form when a candidate fails to meet any rule.
IBPS AFO Selection Process 2026
The selection process has three stages:
Preliminary Examination
Main Examination
Interview
Candidates must clear each stage to move forward.
Preliminary Examination
Prelims acts as the first screening stage.
Candidates must clear the required section-wise and overall cut-offs. After that, IBPS will invite successful candidates to Mains.
Main Examination
Mains includes objective questions and a Descriptive English Paper.
Most importantly, Mains marks count toward the final result.
Interview
IBPS will invite successful Mains candidates to the Interview.
The final score uses the following weightage:
Therefore, candidates must perform well in both stages.
IBPS AFO Preliminary Exam Pattern 2026
IBPS has changed the Prelims pattern.
Professional Knowledge now forms part of the first exam.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|
| English Language | 25 | 25 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning | 25 | 25 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 20 minutes |
| Professional Knowledge | 25 | 50 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 125 | 80 minutes |
Key Points About Prelims
- IBPS will hold the exam online.
- Each section has a fixed time limit.
- English Language will appear only in English.
- Other sections will appear in English and Hindi.
- Professional Knowledge carries 50 marks.
- Candidates must clear the set cut-offs.
Therefore, candidates should start agriculture preparation before Prelims.
IBPS AFO Main Exam Pattern 2026
IBPS has also changed the Mains pattern.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 25 minutes |
| Reasoning | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 25 minutes |
| Professional Knowledge | 50 | 100 | 40 minutes |
| Descriptive English | 2 | 25 | 30 minutes |
| Total | 152 | 225 | 155 minutes |
Key Points About Mains
- The objective part has 150 questions.
- Professional Knowledge carries 100 marks.
- Descriptive English carries 25 marks.
- Candidates must type their descriptive answers.
- Each section has a fixed time limit.
- The full exam lasts 155 minutes.
As a result, candidates must prepare subject knowledge and typing skills.
IBPS AFO Negative Marking
IBPS will cut marks for wrong objective answers.
For each wrong answer, IBPS will deduct one-fourth of the marks given to that question.
However, IBPS will not cut marks for unanswered questions.
Therefore, candidates should avoid blind guesses.
Major Changes in the IBPS AFO Exam Pattern
Candidates should not follow the old AFO pattern.
The 2026 pattern includes these changes:
- Professional Knowledge now appears in Prelims.
- Prelims has 100 questions.
- Prelims lasts 80 minutes.
- Mains includes English, Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude.
- Professional Knowledge carries 100 marks in Mains.
- Mains includes a Descriptive English Paper.
- Mains carries 225 marks.
- Mains lasts 155 minutes.
Because of these changes, old cut-offs may not show the level of the 2026 exam.
Instead, candidates should plan their studies around the new pattern.
IBPS AFO Syllabus 2026
IBPS has named the test sections. However, it has not shared a full chapter-wise syllabus.
The topics below can help candidates plan their studies.
English Language
Candidates can prepare:
- Reading comprehension
- Cloze test
- Error detection
- Sentence correction
- Fill in the blanks
- Para jumbles
- Vocabulary
- Grammar
- Sentence completion
In addition, candidates should read short articles every day. This habit can improve speed and understanding.
Reasoning Ability
Important topics include:
- Seating arrangements
- Puzzles
- Syllogism
- Inequalities
- Input-output
- Blood relations
- Direction sense
- Order and ranking
- Alphanumeric series
- Data sufficiency
- Logical reasoning
Candidates should practise timed sets because every section has a fixed limit.
Quantitative Aptitude
Important topics include:
- Number series
- Simplification
- Approximation
- Quadratic equations
- Data interpretation
- Percentage
- Ratio and proportion
- Average
- Profit and loss
- Simple interest
- Compound interest
- Time and work
- Time, speed and distance
- Probability
- Permutation and combination
- Mensuration
Regular practice can improve speed. Moreover, it can reduce calculation errors.
Professional Knowledge
Candidates should revise graduation-level agriculture topics, such as:
- Agronomy
- Crop production
- Soil science
- Horticulture
- Seed science
- Plant breeding
- Genetics
- Plant pathology
- Entomology
- Irrigation
- Water management
- Agricultural economics
- Agricultural marketing
- Agricultural engineering
- Animal husbandry
- Dairy science
- Fisheries
- Forestry
- Agroforestry
- Agricultural finance
- Rural development
- Agriculture schemes
These topics offer a useful study guide. However, candidates should also read the official exam handout when IBPS releases it.
Descriptive English
Candidates should practise:
- Essay writing
- Formal letters
- Clear paragraph writing
- Grammar
- Vocabulary
- Agriculture topics
- Banking topics
- Rural development
- Economic issues
Moreover, candidates should practise typing. They must write their answers on a computer.
IBPS AFO Salary 2026
IBPS will appoint successful candidates as Scale I officers.
The basic pay scale is:
₹48,480–2,000/7–₹62,480–2,340/2–₹67,160–2,680/7–₹85,920
Thus, the starting basic pay is ₹48,480 per month.
Selected officers may also receive allowances and other benefits under bank rules.
The final salary may change based on:
- Posting location
- Bank rules
- Allowances
- Deductions
- Retirement payments
For this reason, candidates should not depend on an unofficial fixed in-hand salary.
IBPS AFO Preparation Tips
A clear study plan can help candidates prepare for the new exam.
Focus on Professional Knowledge
Professional Knowledge carries 50 marks in Prelims and 100 marks in Mains.
Therefore, candidates should study agriculture subjects every day.
Prepare Aptitude Subjects for Both Stages
English, Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude appear in Prelims and Mains.
As a result, candidates should continue these subjects after Prelims.
Use Section-Wise Time Limits
Every section has its own time limit.
Therefore, candidates should take timed section tests regularly.
Start Descriptive English Early
Candidates should not wait until after Prelims.
Instead, they should write at least one essay or formal letter each week.
Review Every Mock Test
After each test, candidates should check:
- Wrong answers
- Slow questions
- Weak topics
- Random guesses
- Section scores
- Missed questions
This review can help candidates improve faster.
Do Not Depend on Old Cut-Offs
The exam pattern has changed.
Therefore, old cut-offs cannot predict the exact level of the 2026 exam.
Candidates should aim for the highest score they can achieve.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many IBPS AFO vacancies are available in 2026?
IBPS has announced 190 Agriculture Field Officer vacancies.
What is the last date to apply?
Candidates can apply online until July 21, 2026.
When will IBPS hold the Preliminary Examination?
IBPS will hold Prelims on August 29, 2026.
When will IBPS hold the Main Examination?
IBPS will hold Mains on November 1, 2026.
What is the IBPS AFO age limit?
Candidates should be between 20 and 30 years old as of July 1, 2026.
Conclusion
The IBPS AFO Recruitment 2026 offers a good career option for agriculture graduates.
IBPS has announced 190 posts. Moreover, candidates can apply until July 21, 2026.
Before applying, candidates should check their age, degree and certificates. They should also read the official notification.
The new exam pattern requires a fresh study plan. Therefore, candidates must prepare Professional Knowledge for both Prelims and Mains.
In addition, they should practise English, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and Descriptive English.
Apply early, follow the new pattern and begin your preparation today.
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Disclaimer: IBPS may change the dates, vacancies or recruitment rules. Therefore, candidates should confirm every detail through the official IBPS notification.
