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IBPS AFO 2026 Exam: Detailed Syllabus, Exam Pattern, and Expert Preparation Strategy

Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)

📍
Location
All India
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Last Date
25 Jun 2026
💼
Salary
As per Industry Standards (Scale I)

IBPS AFO 2026 Exam: Detailed Syllabus, Exam Pattern, and Expert Preparation Strategy

Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)

VR
By Vikram Reddy • 25 Jun 2026
Syllabus Bank Jobs Exam Pattern 📍 All India

📋 Vacancy Details

Post NameAgriculture Field Officer (AFO) Scale I
QualificationDegree in Agriculture or allied sciences
Age Limit20-30 years (with standard category relaxations)
SalaryAs per Industry Standards (Scale I)
Selection ProcessPrelims, Mains, and Interview

📝 Detailed Notification Information

Overview of the IBPS AFO 2026 Recruitment

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the Agriculture Field Officer (AFO) exam to recruit specialized professionals for Scale I roles in public sector banks. Given the specialized nature of the role, the selection process is rigorous, focusing on both aptitude and deep domain expertise in agriculture.

IBPS AFO 2026 Exam Pattern

The selection is conducted in three distinct stages: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and a Personal Interview. A negative marking of 0.25 is applicable for every incorrect answer.

Preliminary Exam Structure

SectionQuestionsMarksDuration
Reasoning505040 Minutes
English Language502540 Minutes
Quantitative Aptitude505040 Minutes
Total150125120 Minutes

Mains Exam Pattern

The Mains is highly specialized and focuses entirely on Professional Knowledge (Agriculture).

SectionNo. of QuestionsMarksDuration
Professional Knowledge606045 Minutes

Detailed Syllabus Breakdown

Prelims Syllabus

  • Reasoning: Focus on Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Blood Relations, and Data Sufficiency.
  • Quantitative Aptitude: Master Data Interpretation, Simplification, Quadratic Equations, and Arithmetic topics like Percentage, Profit & Loss, and Time & Work.
  • English: Enhance Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, and Error Detection skills.

Mains: Professional Knowledge (Agriculture)

Success in the AFO exam relies heavily on your grip over agricultural science:

  • Core Agriculture: Agronomy, Soil Science, Horticulture, and Crop Production.
  • Agricultural Finance: Important for banking roles—study Kisan Credit Cards, Crop Insurance schemes, NABARD initiatives, and priority sector lending.
  • Government Schemes: Keep updated with current schemes like PM-KISAN, PMEGP, and various rural development programs.
  • Technology & Miscellaneous: Basic Seed Science, Entomology, Plant Pathology, and recent advancements in farming technology.

Expert Preparation Strategy

  1. Prioritize Mains: Allocate 70% of your study time to the Professional Knowledge section, as it holds the weight for the final merit list.
  2. Strengthen Basics: Refer to standard agricultural textbooks for soil science and horticulture basics.
  3. Stay Current: Agriculture is a dynamic field. Regularly follow the Union Budget (Agriculture section) and latest government policy announcements.
  4. Mock Tests: Practice time-bound sectional tests to improve your speed in the Prelims and conceptual accuracy in the Mains.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  • Q: Is there negative marking in the IBPS AFO exam?
    A: Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer in both Prelims and Mains.
  • Q: Which section is most important for the AFO selection?
    A: The Professional Knowledge (Agriculture) section in the Mains is the decider for final selection.
  • Q: Can I use basic calculators in the exam?
    A: No, the use of calculators or any electronic devices is strictly prohibited during the exam.
  • Q: What is the primary focus of the professional knowledge section?
    A: It focuses on Agronomy, Soil Science, Horticulture, Agricultural Finance, and Government Schemes.
  • Q: How many stages are there in the selection process?
    A: There are three stages: Prelims (Objective), Mains (Objective), and the Final Interview.

📝 How to Apply

Applications are to be submitted online via the official IBPS portal.
Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) — Exam Preparation & Verification Guide

📚 Preparation Strategy for Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)

Securing a government position under Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) requires a disciplined and strategic approach. Candidates with Degree in Agriculture or allied sciences qualifications should focus on the following:

  • Analyze Syllabus & Pattern: Thoroughly review the official Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) exam syllabus. Understand the marking scheme, sectional cutoffs, and whether negative marking applies.
  • Practice Previous Papers: Solving past Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) exam papers and taking timed mock tests is the most effective way to improve speed and accuracy.
  • Time Management: Dedicate fixed study hours for quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, general awareness, and language tests based on the weightage of marks in the Agriculture Field Officer (AFO) Scale I examination.

⚠️ Safe Application Checklist

To avoid fraud and secure your candidature for the Agriculture Field Officer (AFO) Scale I position, always complete the following checks before submitting your application:

  • Verify Official Domains: Ensure you apply only on official government portals. Check that the website URL ends in .gov.in, .nic.in, or .ac.in.
  • Read PDF Notification: Always download and thoroughly read the official Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) notification PDF to check specific eligibility details, reservations, and document formats.
  • Beware of Agents: Government recruitments by Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) are strictly based on merit. Never pay money to unauthorized agents promising guaranteed jobs.
Frequently Asked Questions — Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
How can I confirm if this Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) job posting is genuine?

Every job notification listed on ApplySarkariJob.com is cross-verified with official government gazettes, department portals, and national employment newspapers. We provide direct links to the official Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) website and the original notification PDF in the "Source/Official Links" section above. Candidates are strongly advised to verify all information on the official portal before applying for the Agriculture Field Officer (AFO) Scale I post.

What should I do if the official application link or PDF does not open?

Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) portals often experience extremely high traffic when notifications are released or close to the deadline, causing official servers to slow down or crash. If a link or official PDF is unresponsive, please try accessing it during off-peak hours (early morning or late night) or check your internet connection.

Does ApplySarkariJob charge any fees for recruitment updates or alerts?

No. ApplySarkariJob.com is a 100% free informational portal. We never charge job seekers for notifications, study materials, or push alerts. If you receive any calls, emails, or messages requesting payment under our name, please ignore them as they are fraudulent.

What qualifications do I need for this Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) recruitment?

The educational qualification required for this recruitment is: Degree in Agriculture or allied sciences. Please always refer to the official notification PDF linked in the "Source/Official Links" section above for the most accurate and complete eligibility criteria, including age limits, experience requirements, and category-specific relaxations.

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✍️ Reviewed & Verified By
VR
Vikram Reddy
Public Sector Recruitment Analyst

Vikram Reddy has been tracking public sector recruitment across India for over 9 years. His expertise lies in banking sector jobs (SBI, IBPS, RBI) and financial institution recruitment processes.

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