📢 IBPS AFO Notification 2026 — Not Out Yet, Exam Date, Vacancy & Apply
IBPS AFO 2026 notification is not out yet as of 2 June 2026. IBPS Calendar 2026-27 lists prelims on 29 Aug 2026 and mains on 1 Nov 2026. Check latest vacancy trend and apply process.
IBPS AFO Notification 2026 — What We Know So Far
The IBPS AFO 2026 notification has not yet been released as of 2 June 2026. It will be part of CRP SPL-XVI (Specialist Officer Cycle XVI), the same drive that covers IT Officers, Law Officers, HR Officers, and Marketing Officers.
Based on the officially released IBPS Exam Calendar 2026–27 published by IBPS in January 2026, here is what is confirmed:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| IBPS SO (CRP SPL-XVI) Prelims | 29 August 2026 |
| IBPS SO (CRP SPL-XVI) Mains | 1 November 2026 |
| Notification Expected | June / July 2026 |
| Application Window (Expected) | June / July 2026 |
Source: IBPS official exam calendar 2026–27 at ibps.in published in January 2026. Prelims and Mains dates are confirmed. Notification and application dates remain pattern-based estimates until the detailed advertisement is released.
Quick Overview
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | IBPS SO 2026 (CRP SPL-XVI) |
| Post | Agriculture Field Officer (AFO) |
| Scale | Officer Scale I |
| Conducting Body | IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection) |
| Official Website | ibps.in |
| Latest published AFO vacancies | 310 in CRP SPL-XV |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Selection Process | Prelims → Mains → Interview |
| Expected Notification | June / July 2026 |
| Prelims Date (Confirmed) | 29 August 2026 |
| Mains Date (Confirmed) | 1 November 2026 |
Vacancy Trend — Historical Data
The notification has not announced 2026 vacancies yet. Here is the recent official vacancy trend:
| Year | Cycle | Total AFO Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | CRP SPL-XV | 310 |
| 2024 | CRP SPL-XIV | 346 |
| 2023 | CRP SPL-XIII | 285 |
| 2022 | CRP SPL-XII | 438 |
| 2021 | CRP SPL-XI | 317 |
Inference: The 2026 count is not out yet, but recent official cycles have stayed in a broad 285-438 range. Treat anything more specific as an estimate until the notification PDF is released.
Participating Banks
The following 11 public sector banks typically participate in IBPS SO recruitment:
| S.No. | Bank |
|---|---|
| 1 | Bank of Baroda |
| 2 | Bank of India |
| 3 | Bank of Maharashtra |
| 4 | Canara Bank |
| 5 | Central Bank of India |
| 6 | Indian Bank |
| 7 | Indian Overseas Bank |
| 8 | Punjab National Bank |
| 9 | Punjab & Sind Bank |
| 10 | UCO Bank |
| 11 | Union Bank of India |
Note: SBI conducts its own Agriculture Officer recruitment separately and does not participate in IBPS SO.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
You need a 4-year degree (graduation) in any of the following from a recognized university:
- Agriculture / Horticulture
- Animal Husbandry / Veterinary Science
- Dairy Science / Dairy Technology
- Fishery Science / Pisciculture / Fisheries Engineering
- Forestry / Agro-Forestry
- Agriculture Marketing & Cooperation / Co-operation & Banking
- Agricultural Biotechnology / Agricultural Engineering
- Food Science / Food Technology
- Agriculture Business Management
- Sericulture
No minimum percentage is required. Your result must be declared before the notification cut-off date. "Result awaited" candidates are not eligible.
Age Limit (Expected — based on the recent IBPS SO pattern)
| Category | Min Age | Max Age |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 20 | 30 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 20 | 33 (+3) |
| SC / ST | 20 | 35 (+5) |
| PwBD (General) | 20 | 40 (+10) |
| Ex-Servicemen | 20 | 35 (+5) |
Age is calculated on the cut-off date specified in the notification, usually tied to the application period.
Experience Requirement
No prior experience is required. IBPS AFO Scale I is an entry-level officer post, so freshers are eligible.
Application Fee (Expected)
Based on the 2024 cycle:
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwBD | ₹175 |
| General / EWS / OBC | ₹850 |
Payment is online only through net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI once the detailed application window opens.
Exam Pattern
The selection has 3 stages: Prelims → Mains → Interview
Stage 1: Preliminary Exam
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability | 50 | 50 | 40 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 40 minutes |
| English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 120 minutes |
Negative marking: 1/4 mark deducted per wrong answer. Prelims is qualifying in nature and its score is not counted in the final merit.
Stage 2: Mains Exam (Professional Knowledge)
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Knowledge (Agriculture) | 60 | 60 | 45 minutes |
Mains marks are counted in final merit along with the interview, which is why this stage decides most of the rank movement.
Stage 3: Interview
- Conducted by participating banks at regional offices
- Weightage: 80% Mains + 20% Interview for final merit
- Tests domain knowledge, communication, and banking awareness
Mains Syllabus — Professional Knowledge
The Agriculture professional knowledge paper covers:
| Domain | Key Topics |
|---|---|
| Agronomy | Crop production, Kharif/Rabi crops, Cropping systems, Seed technology |
| Soil Science | Soil types, pH, NPK, micronutrients, soil conservation |
| Horticulture | Fruits, vegetables, flowers, post-harvest management |
| Plant Protection | Pests, diseases, IPM, fungicides, insecticides |
| Agricultural Economics | Farm management, cost-benefit analysis, market regulations |
| Animal Husbandry | Breeds, dairy farming, poultry, fisheries |
| Agricultural Engineering | Irrigation systems, farm machinery, watershed management |
| Government Schemes | PM-KISAN, PMFBY, KCC, NABARD-linked schemes, agricultural credit |
| Agricultural Banking | KCC, crop loans, Scale of Finance, NPA in agri sector |
| Current Affairs (Agri) | Budget allocations, MSP, recent policy changes |
Salary & Benefits
Pay Scale (12th Bipartite Settlement)
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay (Entry) | ₹48,480/month |
| Pay Scale | ₹48,480 → ₹85,920 |
Approximate In-Hand Salary at Joining
| Location | Gross | Net In-Hand |
|---|---|---|
| Metro City | ~₹66,000 | ~₹58,000 |
| Semi-Urban | ~₹64,000 | ~₹56,000 |
| Rural | ~₹63,000 | ~₹55,000 |
Additional Perks
- Dearness Allowance (DA), revised quarterly
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- City Compensatory Allowance (CCA)
- Medical insurance for self and family
- Leave Fare Concession
- Leased accommodation in many banks
- NPS contribution by bank
- Festival advance
Important Dates — At a Glance
| Event | Status | Expected/Confirmed Date |
|---|---|---|
| IBPS Exam Calendar 2026 Released | ✅ Done | January 2026 |
| IBPS AFO 2026 Notification | ⏳ Not released | June / July 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | ⏳ Not released | June / July 2026 |
| Online Application Closes | ⏳ Not released | July 2026 |
| Admit Card — Prelims | ⏳ Not released | ~August 2026 |
| Prelims Exam | ✅ Confirmed | 29 August 2026 |
| Prelims Result | ⏳ Not released | ~September 2026 |
| Admit Card — Mains | ⏳ Not released | ~October 2026 |
| Mains Exam | ✅ Confirmed | 1 November 2026 |
| Interview | ⏳ Not released | ~December 2026 / January 2027 |
| Final Result / Allotment | ⏳ Not released | ~January / February 2027 |
Previous Year Cutoffs (IBPS SO AFO — Mains)
| Year | General | OBC | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 (SPL-XIV) | ~30–35 | ~28–32 | ~24–28 | ~20–25 |
| 2023 (SPL-XIII) | ~28–33 | ~26–30 | ~22–27 | ~18–24 |
| 2022 (SPL-XII) | ~32–38 | ~30–35 | ~26–30 | ~22–26 |
Cutoffs vary by bank and category. Treat these as approximate directional ranges rather than exact official bank-wise allotment cutoffs.
How to Apply (When Notification Releases)
- Visit ibps.in
- Open the CRP SPL-XVI / IBPS SO 2026 recruitment link
- Register with a valid email ID and mobile number
- Fill personal details, educational details, and bank preferences
- Upload photo, signature, and thumb impression as per specifications
- Pay the application fee online
- Download and save the confirmation page
Bank preference: You can rank participating banks during the form fill. Final allotment depends on merit rank and available vacancies, so preference order matters but does not guarantee placement.
Should You Start Preparing Now?
Yes. Today is 2 June 2026, and the Prelims is already fixed for 29 August 2026. That means the moment the form opens, the runway to the first stage will already be short.
- June 2026: Strengthen Agriculture fundamentals, especially agronomy, soil science, plant protection, and agri schemes. Follow the IBPS AFO preparation strategy.
- June / July 2026: Once the notification releases, finalize eligibility documents, bank preferences, and begin timed mocks.
- July–August 2026: Push Prelims speed and accuracy. Review the complete IBPS AFO syllabus.
- After Prelims: Shift fully to Agriculture Mains and target a safe score above recent cutoff zones. The cutoff analysis should guide the target range.
Practice with IBPS AFO mock tests to benchmark readiness before the actual exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IBPS AFO 2026 notification out yet?
No. As of 2 June 2026, the detailed IBPS AFO 2026 notification has not been released. What is officially confirmed right now is the IBPS SO calendar date for prelims on 29 August 2026 and mains on 1 November 2026.
When is the IBPS AFO 2026 exam?
The official IBPS Calendar 2026-27 lists Specialist Officer prelims on 29 August 2026 and mains on 1 November 2026. The detailed AFO notification should confirm the application window and post-wise instructions.
How many vacancies were announced in the latest published IBPS AFO cycle?
The latest published CRP SPL-XV cycle listed 310 AFO vacancies. The 2026 notification has not announced its vacancy count yet.
What is the likely application fee for IBPS AFO 2026?
In the latest published cycle, the fee was ₹850 for General, OBC, and EWS candidates and ₹175 for SC, ST, and PwBD candidates. Candidates should verify the final 2026 fee in the notification.
How do I apply for IBPS AFO 2026?
IBPS AFO application is online only through ibps.in. Candidates need to register, fill the form carefully, upload the required documents, capture the live photo, and complete the online fee payment before final submission.
Can final-year students apply for IBPS AFO 2026?
No. Your degree result must be declared before the cut-off date mentioned in the notification. If your result is still awaited on that date, you are not eligible.
Has the IBPS AFO exam pattern changed for 2026?
No official change has been announced. The expected structure remains Prelims, then a 60-question Agriculture Mains paper, followed by interview. You can review the full IBPS AFO exam pattern for the detailed breakup.
Can I apply for both IBPS AFO and IBPS RRB SO AFO in 2026?
Yes. They are separate IBPS recruitments with different eligibility conditions. IBPS AFO Scale I is an entry-level officer exam, while IBPS RRB SO AFO Scale II has a stricter profile and experience requirement.