IBPS Specialist Officer SO 15th Interview Letter 2025 | Score Card

IBPS Specialist Officer (SO) 15th Recruitment – 2025

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has released the official notification for the 15th Specialist Officer (SO) recruitment. If you are planning to apply for a career in banking, this article will give you all the essential information in a friendly, bite‑size format.

What is the Specialist Officer Exam?

The SO examination is a three‑step process:

Pre‑Exam – two objective tests (one in English and one in the candidate’s mother language). Those who score above 30 % advance to the next stage.
Mains Exam – an objective test that determines the score and qualification.
Interview – a personal interview on the final selection basis.

Total vacancies for the 15th recruitment cycle are 1,007 posts across several specializations.

Important Dates 2025

All dates are fixed for this recruitment cycle. Mark them on your calendar:

Online application opens: 1 July 2025
Last day to submit online application (including fee payment): 28 July 2025
Pre‑Exam date: 30 August 2025
Pre‑Exam results: 17 October 2025
Pre‑Exam scorecards: 23 October 2025
Mains Exam: November 2025 (exact date to be announced)
Interview invitations: 17 December 2025

Application Fee

The fee varies by category, as below:

General, OBC, UR, EWS: ₹850
SC, ST, PH: ₹175

Payment can be made online through debit/credit cards, net banking, mobile banking, e‑wallets, or via cash card. Keep your receipt handy – it is required while filling the online form.

Age Limits & Relaxation

Minimum age: 20 years (as of 1 July 2025)
Maximum age: 30 years
Special relaxations are available for SC, ST, EWS, and physically challenged categories as per IBPS policy. Check the official notification for exact numbers.

Vacancy Highlights

The 15th recruitment features a mix of technical and non‑technical posts:

Post	Total Posts	Key Eligibility
IT Officer	203	BBE or Computer Science / IT / Electronics (or Master’s)
Agriculture Field Officer (AFO)	310	B.E. in Agriculture or related discipline
Rajbhasha Adhikari	78	Master’s in Hindi or Sanskrit with English
Law Officer	56	B.L. (3‑year) or 5‑year B.L. with Bar Council enrollment
HR/Personnel Officer	10	Master’s or PG Diploma in HR / Industrial Relations / Social Work
Marketing Officer	350	PG/Diploma in Marketing, Business Administration, or similar

Step‑by‑Step Application Guide

Visit the IBPS official site and open the “Online Application” section for the 15th SO recruitment.
Fill in personal details: name, date of birth, address, nationality, etc. Double‑check that every field matches the documents you will submit later.
Upload scanned copies of:
- Passport‑style photograph (size 200 × 200 px)
- Signature on a white background
- ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID)
- Educational certificates for the required specializations
- Salary certificate or a copy of your last pay‑slip for bank employees
Make sure PDFs or high‑resolution images (300 dpi) are used. Poor quality scans will delay your application.
Check the Application Fee section. If your category qualifies for a discount, you will see the reduced amount. Pay the fee online and grab the receipt.
Re‑review all sections in the “Preview” tab. Mistakes at this stage can cost you in later stages.
Click the “Submit” button. A confirmation screen will appear with your application ID. Print this page and keep it safe; you will need it for the admit card and other documents.

Preparing for the Pre‑Exam

While the syllabus is similar to the previous years, focus on these core areas:

English Language: Grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and writing.
General Knowledge: Current affairs, banking terminology, and basic economics.
Technical/Branch‑specific modules: This depends on your specialization. For IT, brush up on OS, networking, and basic programming.

Daily practice tests and mock exams help build speed and accuracy. Aim for a 30 % score (exact percentile may vary with overall performance across candidates).

What Happens After the Pre‑Exam?

Candidate who pass the pre‑exam receive an admit card for the Mains exam. The Mains exam is objective and covers all topics that were part of the pre‑exam. A score above 30 % will qualify the candidate for the interview.

Final selection for most posts is based on a combination of:

Pre‑Exam score (15 %)
Mains Exam score (60 %)
Interview performance (25 %)

Special provisions exist for reserved categories and for posts that require more skill‑specific assessment.

After Selection – What Next?

Once selected, the candidate receives an interview letter. The interviews are scheduled across multiple dates; the interview invites are posted on the IBPS portal on 17 December 2025. Make sure you read the letter carefully for date, time, and venue. A good first‑hand interview preparation strategy includes:

Reviewing your academic background and any work experience.
Understanding the role’s responsibilities and how your skills fit.
Practicing behavioural questions with peers or mentors.

Keeping Track – Result and Scorecard Access

All official results, admit cards, and scorecards are released through the IBPS portal. Don’t rely on unofficial websites. Use the following link, available after each stage:

IBPS Official Website

Download your documents promptly to avoid any last‑minute technical glitches.

Tips for a Successful Application

Start early. The application window is just a month long; avoid procrastination.

Read the notification fully. It contains all the eligibility criteria, important dates, and special relaxations.

Keep a checklist. Track every scanned file, fee receipt, and confirmation print‑out.

Use a reliable internet connection. Any interruption during submission can lead to incomplete applications.

Stay calm. If you miss a deadline, it’s not your fault; the IBPS cycle repeats annually.

Final Thoughts

The IBPS Specialist Officer recruitment offers a stable, rewarding career in banking. The 15th cycle gives fresh entrants and experienced professionals alike a chance to serve. By following this guide, you can navigate the application process smoothly, stay focused during the preparation, and ultimately secure a post that matches your skills and aspirations.

Good luck, and may your hard work pay off in a successful banking career!