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📚 IBPS AFO Syllabus 2026 — Prelims & Mains Topic-wise

IBPS AFO complete syllabus: Prelims (English/Reasoning/Quant, 150Q) and Mains (Agriculture 60Q, 45 min). Subject-wise weightage from 9 years of papers.

The IBPS AFO syllabus is divided into two stages — Prelims tests general aptitude (English, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude) while Mains tests Professional Knowledge in Agriculture. This lesson covers the complete topic-wise syllabus for both stages with expected weightage. The official notification with the authoritative syllabus is published at ibps.in each year.

Read this alongside the IBPS AFO exam pattern and preparation strategy for a complete picture of what to study and how.

Prelims Syllabus Overview

The Preliminary exam has 3 sections with sectional timing (you cannot switch between sections).

Section Questions Marks Time
English Language 50 25 40 min
Reasoning Ability 50 50 40 min
Quantitative Aptitude 50 50 40 min
Total 150 125 120 min

Section 1: English Language (50 Questions, 25 Marks)

Each question carries 0.5 marks. Negative marking: 0.125 per wrong answer.

Topic-wise Breakdown

Topic Expected Questions Priority
Reading Comprehension 10–15 High
Cloze Test 5–7 High
Error Detection / Spotting 5–7 High
Sentence Correction 3–5 Medium
Para Jumbles / Rearrangement 5 Medium
Fill in the Blanks (Single/Double) 5–7 High
Vocabulary (Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms) 3–5 Medium
Column-based / Connector Questions 3–5 Low

Detailed Topics

Reading Comprehension

  • 2–3 passages (300–500 words each)
  • Topics: Economy, Social Issues, Agriculture (occasionally), Technology
  • Question types: Main idea, inference, vocabulary in context, tone, title

Cloze Test

  • A passage with 5–7 blanks
  • Options are contextually similar words — test grammar + vocabulary
  • Variants: New pattern cloze (options are sentences/phrases)

Error Detection & Correction

  • Identify grammatical errors in sentences
  • Common error types: Subject-verb agreement, tense, preposition, article, modifier placement
  • New pattern: Error may be in multiple parts or "No error" option

Para Jumbles & Sentence Rearrangement

  • 5 sentences given in jumbled order — arrange logically
  • Look for: Opening sentence, pronouns, conjunctions, chronological markers

Fill in the Blanks

  • Single blank: Vocabulary-based
  • Double blank: Test both grammar and meaning
  • Phrase replacement: Replace underlined part with correct phrase

Section 2: Reasoning Ability (50 Questions, 50 Marks)

Each question carries 1 mark. Negative marking: 0.25 per wrong answer.

Topic-wise Breakdown

Topic Expected Questions Priority
Seating Arrangement (Linear/Circular) 5–10 Very High
Puzzles (Floor, Box, Scheduling) 5–10 Very High
Syllogism 3–5 High
Inequality 3–5 High
Blood Relations 2–3 Medium
Direction & Distance 2–3 Medium
Coding-Decoding 3–5 Medium
Input-Output 3–5 Medium
Order & Ranking 2–3 Medium
Data Sufficiency 2–3 Low
Alphanumeric Series 2–3 Medium
Miscellaneous (Analogy, Classification) 2–3 Low

Detailed Topics

Seating Arrangement & Puzzles (30–40% of section)

  • Linear Arrangement: 5–8 people in a row (single/double row, facing North/South)
  • Circular Arrangement: 5–8 people around a table (facing center/outside/mixed)
  • Floor/Building Puzzle: People on different floors with multiple parameters
  • Box/Stack Puzzle: Items arranged in order with conditions
  • Scheduling Puzzle: Days of the week / months with assigned activities
  • Complex Puzzles: Combination of 3+ parameters (floor + department + age)

Tip: This is the most time-consuming topic. Practice 3–4 puzzles daily. If a set takes more than 8 minutes, skip and come back.

Syllogism

  • 2–3 statements followed by conclusions
  • Types: Possibility-based, "Either-or" conclusions
  • New pattern: Reverse syllogism (conclusions given, find valid statements)

Inequality

  • Direct inequality: A > B >= C = D < E — check if A > D?
  • Coded inequality: Symbols represent >, <, =, >=, <=
  • Either-or type conclusions

Coding-Decoding

  • Letter shifting codes
  • Word-based coding (in a fictitious language)
  • Number/symbol-based coding

Input-Output

  • Machine rearranges words/numbers step-by-step
  • Identify the pattern and predict output at a given step

Section 3: Quantitative Aptitude (50 Questions, 50 Marks)

Each question carries 1 mark. Negative marking: 0.25 per wrong answer.

Topic-wise Breakdown

Topic Expected Questions Priority
Data Interpretation (Table/Bar/Line/Pie) 10–15 Very High
Number Series 5 High
Simplification / Approximation 5–7 High
Percentage 2–3 High
Ratio & Proportion 2–3 Medium
Profit & Loss 2–3 Medium
Simple & Compound Interest 2–3 Medium
Time & Work 2–3 Medium
Speed, Distance & Time 2–3 Medium
Average 1–2 Medium
Mixture & Alligation 1–2 Medium
Partnership 1–2 Low
Probability 1–2 Low
Permutation & Combination 1–2 Low
Mensuration 1–2 Low
Quadratic Equations 3–5 High

Detailed Topics

Data Interpretation (20–30% of section)

  • Table-based DI: Data in rows and columns — calculate %, ratio, average
  • Bar Graph: Single/double/stacked bars
  • Line Graph: Single/multiple lines showing trends
  • Pie Chart: Percentage/degree-based distribution
  • Caselet DI: Data given in paragraph form (no chart/table)
  • Mixed DI: Combination of bar + table, pie + line, etc.

Tip: Start DI practice early. Focus on calculation speed — learn percentage-to-fraction shortcuts, squares (1–30), cubes (1–15).

Number Series

  • Find the missing / wrong number in a series
  • Common patterns: +/- increasing/decreasing, ×/÷ patterns, squares, cubes, prime numbers, alternating patterns

Simplification / Approximation

  • BODMAS-based calculations
  • Approximation: Round off numbers and calculate quickly
  • These are the easiest marks in the section — aim for 100% accuracy

Arithmetic Topics

  • Percentage, Ratio, Profit & Loss, SI/CI, Time & Work, Speed & Distance
  • These appear as word problems (2–3 each)
  • Focus on shortcut methods and formulae

Mains Syllabus — Professional Knowledge (Agriculture)

The Mains exam has 60 questions, 60 marks, 45 minutes — covering 16 agriculture and allied subjects.

This is the most important phase. The Mains score carries 80% weightage in the final merit.

Subject-wise Weightage Analysis (Based on Past Papers 2017–2025)

Subject Expected Questions Weightage
Agronomy 12–15 20–25%
Soil Science 6–8 10–13%
Horticulture 6–8 10–13%
Plant Pathology 4–6 7–10%
Entomology 4–6 7–10%
Genetics & Plant Breeding 3–5 5–8%
Plant Physiology 3–4 5–7%
Animal Husbandry 3–5 5–8%
Agricultural Economics 2–4 3–7%
Extension & Rural Development 2–3 3–5%
Forestry & Agroforestry 1–3 2–5%
Fisheries 1–2 2–3%
Agricultural Engineering 1–2 2–3%
Seed Technology 1–2 2–3%
Govt. Schemes & Current Agri 2–4 3–7%
Miscellaneous 1–2 2–3%

1. Agronomy (Highest Weightage — 12–15 Questions)

A. Basic Agriculture & Crop Classification

  • Kharif, Rabi, Zaid crops — classification and examples
  • Crop classification by economic use (cereals, pulses, oilseeds, fibre, sugar, commercial)
  • Important years, revolutions, and days in Indian agriculture
  • ICAR organizations and their mandates

B. Principles of Agronomy

  • Tillage: Types (primary, secondary), conservation tillage, zero tillage, minimum tillage
  • Cropping systems: Mono, mixed, inter, relay, sequential, ratoon cropping
  • Farming systems: Organic farming, precision farming, sustainable agriculture
  • Crop rotation: Principles, advantages, common rotations

C. Crop Production Technology

  • Detailed agronomy of major crops:
    • Cereals: Rice, Wheat, Maize, Sorghum, Pearl Millet, Minor Millets, Barley
    • Pulses: Chickpea (Gram), Pigeonpea (Arhar), Lentil (Masoor), Mung, Urad, Moth Bean
    • Oilseeds: Groundnut, Mustard, Soybean, Sunflower, Safflower, Sesame, Castor, Niger, Linseed
    • Fibre Crops: Cotton, Jute, Mesta, Sun Hemp
    • Sugar & Commercial: Sugarcane, Tobacco, Potato
  • For each crop: Origin, botanical name, family, varieties, soil & climate, seed rate, spacing, manures & fertilizers, irrigation, harvesting, yield

D. Water Management

  • Irrigation: Types (surface, sub-surface, drip, sprinkler), scheduling, water requirement
  • Irrigation efficiency: Application, conveyance, storage, water use efficiency
  • Soil-water-plant relationship
  • Watershed management
  • Drainage: Types, importance, methods

E. Weed Management

  • Weed classification: Annual, biennial, perennial; monocot, dicot
  • Important weeds of major crops
  • Weed control methods: Cultural, mechanical, chemical, biological, integrated
  • Herbicide classification: Pre-emergence, post-emergence, selective, non-selective
  • Common herbicide names, crops, and doses
  • Allelopathy

F. Meteorology

  • Weather parameters: Temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind
  • Agro-climatic zones of India
  • Drought and flood management
  • Weather forecasting and its importance

2. Soil Science (6–8 Questions)

A. Soil Basics

  • Definition, composition, functions of soil
  • Soil formation: Weathering (physical, chemical, biological), soil-forming processes
  • Soil profile: O, A, B, C, R horizons
  • Soil classification: USDA soil taxonomy, soil orders

B. Physical Properties

  • Soil texture: Sand, silt, clay — textural triangle, classes
  • Soil structure: Types, classification, importance
  • Soil density: Bulk density, particle density, porosity
  • Soil colour: Munsell colour chart
  • Soil water: Types (gravitational, capillary, hygroscopic), constants (FC, PWP, AWC)
  • Soil consistency: Atterberg limits

C. Chemical Properties

  • Soil colloids: Types (silicate clay, oxides, organic), properties (CEC, AEC)
  • Clay minerals: Kaolinite, montmorillonite, illite — properties comparison
  • Ion exchange: Cation exchange capacity (CEC), anion exchange
  • Soil reaction (pH): Acidic, neutral, alkaline soils, buffer capacity
  • Soil organic matter: Humus, decomposition, C:N ratio

D. Soil Fertility & Nutrients

  • Essential plant nutrients: 17 elements (macro, secondary, micro)
  • Nitrogen: Forms, cycle, fixation, deficiency symptoms, critical levels
  • Phosphorus: Forms, availability, fixation, deficiency symptoms
  • Potassium: Forms, luxury consumption, deficiency symptoms
  • Secondary nutrients: Ca, Mg, S — functions, deficiency
  • Micronutrients: Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Mo, Cl — functions, deficiency, toxicity
  • Soil fertility evaluation: Soil testing, plant analysis, critical limits

E. Manures & Fertilizers

  • Organic manures: FYM, compost, vermicompost, green manure, oilcakes
  • Nitrogenous fertilizers: Urea, ammonium sulphate, CAN, ammonium nitrate
  • Phosphatic fertilizers: SSP, DAP, TSP, rock phosphate
  • Potassic fertilizers: MOP, SOP
  • Complex fertilizers: NPK grades
  • Biofertilizers: Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Azospirillum, PSB, mycorrhiza, BGA, Azolla

F. Problematic Soils

  • Saline soils: Characteristics, reclamation
  • Sodic/Alkaline soils: Characteristics, reclamation (gypsum requirement)
  • Acid soils: Characteristics, liming, lime requirement
  • Waterlogged soils: Drainage, reclamation

G. Soils of India

  • Alluvial, Black (Regur), Red, Laterite, Desert, Mountain, Peaty soils
  • Distribution, characteristics, crops suitable

3. Horticulture (6–8 Questions)

A. Pomology (Fruit Crops)

  • Mango, Banana, Citrus (Orange, Lemon), Grapes, Guava, Papaya, Apple, Litchi, Pomegranate, Ber, Sapota
  • For each: Varieties, rootstocks, propagation, training/pruning, physiological disorders
  • Tropical, subtropical, temperate fruit classification
  • Orchard management: Layout systems, high-density planting

B. Olericulture (Vegetable Crops)

  • Tomato, Brinjal, Chilli, Onion, Potato, Okra, Pea, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot, Radish, Cucurbits
  • Solanaceous, Cruciferous, Cucurbitaceous families
  • Seed production in vegetables
  • Protected cultivation: Polyhouse, shade net, mulching

C. Floriculture

  • Rose, Jasmine, Marigold, Chrysanthemum, Tuberose, Gladiolus, Orchids
  • Cut flower production, post-harvest handling

D. Spices & Medicinal Plants

  • Turmeric, Ginger, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Coriander, Cumin, Fenugreek, Fennel, Saffron
  • Aloe vera, Ashwagandha, Tulsi, Neem — medicinal uses

E. Post-Harvest Technology

  • Maturity indices, harvesting methods
  • Cold storage, controlled/modified atmosphere storage
  • Processing: Jam, jelly, squash, pickle, ketchup — FPO standards
  • Preservation methods: Canning, drying, freezing, irradiation, chemical preservation

F. Plantation Crops

  • Tea, Coffee, Rubber, Coconut, Arecanut, Oil Palm, Cashew
  • Distribution, varieties, processing

4. Plant Pathology (4–6 Questions)

  • Fungi: Classification, important fungal diseases of crops
  • Bacteria: Bacterial diseases of rice, potato, citrus
  • Viruses: Viral diseases, transmission (insect vectors, mechanical, seed-borne)
  • Mycoplasma: Diseases caused by phytoplasma
  • Nematodes: Root-knot, cyst nematodes, management
  • Disease Cycle: Inoculation, penetration, infection, dissemination
  • Disease Management: Cultural, biological, chemical (fungicides), IDM
  • Important Crop Diseases: Blast & BLB of rice, rust & smut of wheat, wilt of chickpea/pigeonpea, late blight of potato, powdery/downy mildew, damping off
  • Fungicide Classification: Contact, systemic, protective, eradicant

5. Entomology (4–6 Questions)

  • Insect Classification: Orders — Lepidoptera, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera, Orthoptera, Isoptera
  • Pest Management: IPM (Integrated Pest Management), biological control, cultural control
  • Chemical Control: Insecticide classification (organochlorine, organophosphate, carbamate, synthetic pyrethroid, neonicotinoid)
  • Major Crop Pests: Stem borer, leaf folder, BPH (rice); aphid, termite (wheat); bollworm, whitefly (cotton); pod borer (chickpea/pigeonpea); fruit fly; shoot fly
  • Storage Pests: Rice weevil, khapra beetle, pulse beetle, grain moth
  • Beneficial Insects: Honey bee (apiculture), silkworm (sericulture), lac insect (lac culture)
  • Biological Control Agents: Trichogramma, Chrysoperla, NPV, Bt, ladybird beetle
  • Pest Surveillance: ETL (Economic Threshold Level), EIL (Economic Injury Level)

6. Genetics & Plant Breeding (3–5 Questions)

  • Genetics: Mendel's laws, linkage, crossing over, epistasis, pleiotropy
  • Chromosomal Aberrations: Deletion, duplication, inversion, translocation
  • Polyploidy: Autopolyploidy, allopolyploidy, aneuploidy
  • Plant Breeding Methods: Introduction, selection (mass, pure line), hybridization, backcross, mutation breeding, heterosis breeding, polyploidy breeding
  • Seed Technology: Seed classes (breeder, foundation, certified), seed certification, seed testing, seed dormancy, seed treatment, seed viability and vigour

7. Plant Physiology (3–4 Questions)

  • Water Relations: Osmosis, diffusion, plasmolysis, water potential, turgor pressure
  • Transpiration: Mechanism, stomatal regulation, factors affecting
  • Photosynthesis: Light reactions, dark reactions (Calvin cycle), C3 vs C4 vs CAM plants, photorespiration
  • Respiration: Glycolysis, Krebs cycle, ETC, aerobic vs anaerobic, RQ
  • Growth & Development: Phases, growth curve, growth regulators (auxin, gibberellin, cytokinin, ethylene, ABA)
  • Photoperiodism: SDP, LDP, DNP — examples
  • Vernalization: Definition, mechanism, examples
  • Nitrogen Metabolism: N fixation (symbiotic, non-symbiotic), nitrate reduction

8. Animal Husbandry (3–5 Questions)

  • Cattle Breeds: Indigenous (Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, Gir, Tharparkar, Hariana), Exotic (Jersey, Holstein-Friesian, Brown Swiss), Buffalo (Murrah, Jaffarabadi, Surti, Mehsana)
  • Poultry: Breeds, broiler vs layer, diseases (Ranikhet, Marek's, IBD, coccidiosis)
  • Dairy: Milk composition, pasteurization, homogenization, processed products (ghee, paneer, curd, cheese, SMP)
  • Sheep & Goat: Important breeds, wool classification
  • Swine: Breeds (Yorkshire, Landrace, Hampshire), management
  • Livestock Diseases: FMD, Rinderpest, Mastitis, HS, BQ, Anthrax, Brucellosis
  • Housing: Types, space requirements, ventilation
  • Fodder: Important fodder crops, hay, silage

9. Agricultural Economics (2–4 Questions)

  • Farm management: Factors of production, cost concepts, laws of returns
  • Agricultural marketing: Channels, APMC, e-NAM, contract farming, FPOs
  • MSP & procurement: Process, commission (CACP), crops covered
  • WTO & agriculture: AoA, green/amber/blue boxes, SPS measures
  • Agricultural finance: Crop loans, KCC, PSL norms, NABARD
  • Land reforms: Ceiling, tenancy, consolidation

10. Extension & Rural Development (2–3 Questions)

  • Extension education: Principles, philosophy, teaching methods
  • Adoption & diffusion: Rogers' adoption categories, adoption curve
  • Communication: Models (Shannon-Weaver, Berlo), barriers
  • Rural development: Panchayati Raj, MGNREGA, NRLM, DAY-NRLM
  • KVK (Krishi Vigyan Kendra): Functions, FLDs
  • ATMA: Block-level extension model

11. Forestry & Agroforestry (1–3 Questions)

  • Social forestry, farm forestry, community forestry
  • Agroforestry systems: Agri-silviculture, silvipasture, agri-horti-silviculture
  • Important forest tree species: Teak, Sal, Sheesham, Eucalyptus, Poplar, Subabul, Neem
  • Van Mahotsav, National Forest Policy
  • Wasteland development

12. Fisheries (1–2 Questions)

  • Indian major carps: Rohu, Catla, Mrigal
  • Exotic carps: Silver carp, Grass carp, Common carp
  • Composite fish culture: Principles, stocking ratio
  • Pond management: Liming, manuring, supplementary feeding
  • Fish preservation: Icing, freezing, drying, smoking, canning

13. Government Schemes & Current Agriculture (2–4 Questions)

  • PM-KISAN: Rs 6,000/year to farmer families in 3 installments
  • PMFBY: Crop insurance — premium rates (Kharif 2%, Rabi 1.5%, Commercial 5%)
  • KCC: Interest subvention (4% effective), crop + term + consumption loan
  • PM-KUSUM: Solar pump, solar power plants on barren land
  • Soil Health Card Scheme: NPK + micronutrient analysis, recommendations
  • e-NAM: National Agriculture Market — online trading platform
  • NMSA: National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture
  • Zero Budget Natural Farming (ZBNF): Subhash Palekar, Andhra Pradesh model
  • National Food Security Mission (NFSM): Rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals
  • Minimum Support Price: CACP recommendation, 23 crops covered

Quick Reference — Prelims vs Mains Syllabus

Aspect Prelims Mains
Focus General Aptitude Agriculture Professional Knowledge
Sections 3 (Eng + Reasoning + Quant) 1 (Agriculture)
Questions 150 60
Marks 125 60
Time 120 min 45 min
Medium English only English + Hindi
Sectional Timing Yes (40 min each) No
Nature Qualifying Merit-based (80% weightage)

Study Priority Order

Based on weightage and past paper analysis, prioritize your preparation in this order:

  1. Agronomy (crop production + principles) — 15+ questions guaranteed
  2. Soil Science — high-scoring factual questions
  3. Horticulture — fruits, vegetables, post-harvest
  4. Entomology + Pathology — pest & disease management
  5. Animal Husbandry + Genetics — factual, easy to score
  6. Plant Physiology — conceptual but predictable
  7. Economics + Extension — overlap with general awareness
  8. Government Schemes — 2–4 easy marks if you stay updated

Practice the full syllabus with IBPS AFO mock tests and review topic-level question patterns in IBPS AFO PYQ analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many subjects are there in the IBPS AFO Mains paper?

The Mains paper covers 16 agriculture and allied subjects in a single 60-question paper. The top 5 subjects by weightage are: Agronomy (12–15 Qs), Soil Science (6–8 Qs), Horticulture (6–8 Qs), Plant Pathology (4–6 Qs), and Entomology (4–6 Qs). Together they account for roughly 50–55% of the exam.

Is the IBPS AFO Mains syllabus the same every year?

Yes — IBPS has not changed the syllabus structure since 2017. The same 16 subjects are tested every year, though specific topics within subjects may vary. No major pattern change has been announced for 2026. Follow the official notification at ibps.in for any updates.

Is there any difference in Mains syllabus between IBPS AFO and NABARD Grade A Agriculture?

There is significant overlap, but NABARD Grade A tests more theory and policy (agricultural economics, rural development policy, international trade). IBPS AFO Mains is more factual and applied — crop production tables, pest names, fertilizer compositions, disease symptoms. IBPS AFO also includes more banking-related agriculture topics (KCC, PSL, NPA).

Are Government Schemes included in the IBPS AFO syllabus?

Yes. Government schemes like PM-KISAN (₹6,000/year), PMFBY (Kharif 2% premium), KCC, PM-KUSUM, Soil Health Card, e-NAM, and NFSM appear as 2–4 questions per paper. They're easy marks — memorize launch year, key features, and implementing agency for each scheme.

What is the Prelims syllabus for IBPS AFO — is it different from IBPS PO?

The Prelims syllabus is nearly identical to IBPS PO/Clerk — English (50Q), Reasoning (50Q), Quantitative Aptitude (50Q). The key difference is sectional timing: each section has a fixed 40-minute slot, and you cannot switch between sections. Previous IBPS PO papers are excellent practice material for IBPS AFO Prelims.