IBPS AFO 2026 key facts and dates
From official IBPS documents (CRP SPL-XVI). Last verified: 26 October 2026 from ibps.in. Dates marked tentative can change; always check ibps.in.
| Item | Detail | Status | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notification | CRP SPL-XVI detailed notification dated 1 July 2026 | Official | Notification CRP SPL-XVI (01.07.2026) ibps.in: Specialist Officers XVI |
| Application window | 1 July – 21 July 2026 (closed) | Official | Notification CRP SPL-XVI (01.07.2026) |
| Prelims exam | August 2026 (held) | Official | Notification CRP SPL-XVI (01.07.2026) Window notification CRP PO/MT-XVI & SPL-XVI |
| Prelims result | Result status published 15 October 2026 on ibps.in | Official | ibps.in: Specialist Officers XVI |
| Mains admit card | Released 22 October 2026 on ibps.in (Online Main Exam call letter) | Official | Mains call letter CRP SPL-XVI (22.10.2026) ibps.in: Specialist Officers XVI |
| Mains exam | 1 November 2026 (as on the Mains call letter) | Official | Mains call letter CRP SPL-XVI (22.10.2026) |
| Mains result | November 2026 (tentative) | Tentative | Notification CRP SPL-XVI (01.07.2026) |
| Interview | November / December 2026 (tentative); dates to be announced | Tentative | Notification CRP SPL-XVI (01.07.2026) |
| Provisional allotment | January 2027 (tentative) | Tentative | Notification CRP SPL-XVI (01.07.2026) |
| AFO vacancies | 370 (updated 20 July 2026; the 1 July notification had 190). Bank of Baroda 100, Bank of Maharashtra 90, Indian Bank 180; UCO Bank and Union Bank of India: not reported. Indicative; final allotment depends on actual bank vacancies. | Official | Corrigendum: updated vacancies (20.07.2026) Updated Annexure I (20.07.2026) |
| Total CRP SPL-XVI vacancies | 1,035 across 6 posts (updated 20 July 2026; was 745) | Official | Updated Annexure I (20.07.2026) |
| Prelims pattern (AFO) | English 25 Q / 25 marks, Reasoning 25 / 25, Quantitative Aptitude 25 / 25, Professional Knowledge 25 / 50; each test 20 minutes. Total 100 questions, 125 marks, 80 minutes. Each test has its own cut-off. | Official | Notification CRP SPL-XVI (01.07.2026) |
| Mains pattern (AFO) | English 30 Q / 30 marks (25 min), Reasoning 40 / 40 (35 min), Quantitative Aptitude 30 / 30 (25 min), Professional Knowledge (objective) 50 / 100 (40 min): 150 questions, 200 marks, 125 minutes. Plus Descriptive Paper (English): 2 questions, 25 marks, 30 minutes. Total 225 marks, 155 minutes. | Official | Notification CRP SPL-XVI (01.07.2026) |
| Mains merit | In the Mains, all tests except Professional Knowledge are qualifying; the merit list is based on the Professional Knowledge score. | Official | Notification CRP SPL-XVI (01.07.2026) |
| Negative marking | Objective tests: one-fourth of the marks of the question for each wrong answer (0.25 for a 1-mark question, 0.50 for a 2-mark Professional Knowledge question). No penalty for unanswered questions. | Official | Notification CRP SPL-XVI (01.07.2026) |
When is the IBPS AFO Mains exam?
The CRP SPL-XVI Mains, which includes Agriculture Field Officer, is on 1 November 2026. IBPS released the Mains call letters on 22 October 2026 on ibps.in; your call letter shows your shift, reporting time and centre.
How many AFO vacancies are there in IBPS AFO 2026?
IBPS updated the vacancies on 20 July 2026: 370 Agriculture Field Officer (Scale I) posts (Bank of Baroda 100, Bank of Maharashtra 90, Indian Bank 180). The 1 July notification had 190. Vacancies are indicative; all CRP SPL-XVI posts together have 1,035.
What is the IBPS AFO Mains exam pattern?
Mains has four objective tests: English 30 questions / 30 marks, Reasoning 40 / 40, Quantitative Aptitude 30 / 30 and Professional Knowledge 50 / 100 (150 questions, 200 marks, 125 minutes), plus a Descriptive Paper in English with 2 questions for 25 marks in 30 minutes. Total 225 marks, 155 minutes. Wrong answers in objective tests lose one-fourth of the question's marks.
IBPS AFO Mains 2026 Snapshot
152
225
155
Minutes
Objective + Descriptive
🔥 What's New in IBPS AFO Mains 2026?
Descriptive English paper added (25 marks)
Total marks revised to 225 (from 60)
English, Reasoning & Quant now part of Mains too
Professional Knowledge remains the highest-weightage section (100 marks)
Four objective tests (English 30 marks, Reasoning 40, Quantitative Aptitude 30, Professional Knowledge 100: 150 questions, 200 marks, 125 minutes), then a descriptive paper typed in English (essay and comprehension: 2 questions, 25 marks, 30 minutes). Total 225 marks in 155 minutes.
Sources: IBPS: Notification CRP SPL-XVI · Information Handout, Online Main Exam
Full Mains pattern & negative markingImportant
In the Main Examination, all tests except Professional Knowledge are qualifying in nature. Merit listing will be prepared on the basis of the Professional Knowledge test, subject to candidates qualifying the other objective tests, the Descriptive English paper, and the Interview as per IBPS rules.
What Comes in IBPS AFO Mains?
The IBPS AFO mains examination covers five sections — English, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, Professional Knowledge, and a Descriptive English paper — but Agriculture Professional Knowledge carries the highest weightage at 100 of 225 marks. Candidates are expected to prepare core agriculture subjects including Agronomy, Soil Science, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Agricultural Economics, Genetics, Irrigation and Agriculture Schemes. Unlike prelims, this section is more conceptual and agriculture focused. Students should strengthen fundamentals, practice agriculture MCQs through the Agriculture Core Portal, solve previous year papers, and revise static concepts consistently — without neglecting English, Reasoning, Quant and the Descriptive paper.
Mains Topic Wise Weightage
IBPS AFO Mains Professional Knowledge is worth 100 of 225 marks and is the only test used for the merit list. Our expected split of its 50 questions comes from about 820 questions in past AFO Mains papers (2012–2024): Agronomy and Soil Science lead, then Horticulture and Animal Husbandry. Government schemes are tested every year, so learn their current numbers from official sources. Practise in the Agriculture Core portal and with previous year papers.
| Subject | Expected questions | Share in past papers | Easy · Medium · Hard | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agronomyincl. seed technology, weeds, water management, sustainable farming | 9 | ~23% | 243 | Must prepare |
| Soil Sciencefertility, problem soils, biofertilisers | 8 | ~20% | 242 | Must prepare |
| Horticulturefruits, vegetables, plantation, post-harvest | 6 | ~13% | 132 | Important |
| Animal Husbandry & Dairy | 5 | ~11% | 131 | Important |
| Plant Pathology | 3 | ~7% | 111 | Practise |
| Entomologyincl. apiculture, sericulture | 3 | ~5% | 111 | Practise |
| Fisheries | 3 | ~3% | 111 | Practise |
| Government schemes & agri current affairs | 3 | – | 030 | Practise |
| Agricultural economics, marketing & finance | 3 | ~5% | 021 | Practise |
| Genetics & Plant Breeding | 2 | ~3% | 011 | Revise |
| Agricultural Engineering | 2 | ~3% | 011 | Revise |
| Plant Physiology | 1 | ~1% | 010 | Revise |
| Forestry & agroforestry | 1 | ~3% | 010 | Revise |
| Agricultural Extension | 1 | ~1% | 100 | Revise |
| Total | 50 questions · 100 marks | 102614 |
Scroll sideways on a phone to see every column. "Share in past papers" is approximate (±3 points); scheme questions are hard to count from old papers because scheme figures change every year.
English, Reasoning & Quant: expected blueprint
These three tests are qualifying: you need the minimum score IBPS sets in each, but they don't count for merit. They are new in the AFO Mains, so there are no past AFO Mains papers for them yet. Our blueprint follows the topics asked in AFO Prelims and the usual IBPS Mains formats, which have more sets and puzzles and fewer one-line questions.
English Language
Qualifying- Reading comprehension: passage 1set6 Q
- Reading comprehension: passage 2set4 Q
- Cloze testset5 Q
- Error detection4 Q
- Sentence rearrangement / para jumble4 Q
- Fillers (double / triple)3 Q
- Word swap / phrase replacement2 Q
- Connectors / column-based2 Q
Reasoning
Qualifying- Puzzle / seating: linear or circular (facing, attributes)set5 Q
- Puzzle: floor/flat, box or scheduling (easy–medium set)set5 Q
- Puzzle: comparison / multi-attribute / uncertain countset5 Q
- Input–Outputset5 Q
- Syllogism (only a few, possibility)3 Q
- Inequality (direct and coded)3 Q
- Blood relations3 Q
- Direction & distance3 Q
- Data sufficiency3 Q
- Logical reasoning (assumption, inference, course of action)3 Q
- Alphanumeric series / coding–decoding2 Q
Quantitative Aptitude
Qualifying- Data interpretation: chart or tableset5 Q
- Data interpretation: caselet or missing DIset5 Q
- Percentage, profit & loss2 Q
- Simple & compound interest1 Q
- Ratio, partnership, mixture2 Q
- Time–speed–distance, boats, trains2 Q
- Time & work, pipes1 Q
- Averages, ages, probability1 Q
- Quantity I vs II / quadratic equations3 Q
- Number series (missing / wrong)3 Q
- Data sufficiency3 Q
- Simplification / approximation2 Q
AgriPrep's estimate, not an official breakdown. IBPS publishes the number of questions, marks and time for each test (see the pattern above) but not how they split by topic. The topic split is our analysis of past papers and can change on exam day. Merit is decided by Professional Knowledge alone; the other tests are qualifying.
Descriptive English (25 Marks)
2 questions, 30 minutes — a compulsory part of Mains that's easy to underprepare for while focused on agriculture.
Essay Writing
Practice essays on agriculture, banking, economy, and current affairs topics. Focus on a clear structure — introduction, body paragraphs with examples, and a conclusion — within a 20-minute window.
- • Stick to 200–250 words
- • Use agriculture-specific examples where relevant
- • Avoid grammatical errors over flowery language
Comprehension
The IBPS main-exam handout names the paper “Essay and Comprehension”: read a short passage and answer its questions in your own words. Practise on passages about rural credit, irrigation, farmer groups and soil health.
- • Number your answers and use only what the passage says
- • Put it in your own words: copied sentences cost marks
- • Keep it concise: about 150 words in total is usually enough
Time Management
With only 30 minutes for 2 questions, plan roughly 18 minutes for the essay and 12 minutes for the comprehension. Practice writing by hand or on-screen within these limits so timing feels natural on exam day — don't let this compulsory paper eat into time you've budgeted mentally for Professional Knowledge.
Weekly Practice Tip: Write one essay and one comprehension every week from Day 1 — don't leave Descriptive English for the final week before Mains.
AFO Mains Preparation Strategy
Core Subjects
- ✓ Master Agronomy fundamentals first
- ✓ Deep dive into Soil Science
- ✓ Cover Horticulture crop-wise
- ✓ Revise Plant Pathology diseases
- ⚡ Allocate 60% time to top 3 subjects
Current Affairs
- ✓ Follow Govt Agriculture Schemes
- ✓ Track PM-KISAN, MSP updates
- ✓ Note crop production statistics
- ✓ Read agriculture ministry news
- ⚡ Last 6 months current affairs critical
Revision Plan
- ✓ Solve 20+ MCQs daily per topic
- ✓ Attempt PYQ papers weekly
- ✓ Make short notes for formulas
- ✓ Revise weak areas every weekend
- ⚡ Mock test every 3 days minimum
Don't Neglect the Other Sections
While Professional Knowledge deserves the most prep time, English, Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude together carry 100 marks in Mains, and the Descriptive English paper (25 marks) is compulsory. Practise the essay and comprehension weekly alongside your agriculture revision.
Continue Your AFO Mains Preparation
Strengthen your agriculture preparation with topic-wise quizzes, PYQs, cut-off trends and prelims resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the IBPS AFO mains exam pattern 2026?
IBPS AFO Mains 2026 consists of English Language (30Q/30M), Reasoning (40Q/40M), Quantitative Aptitude (30Q/30M), Professional Knowledge Objective (50Q/100M), and a Descriptive English paper (2Q/25M). Total: 152 questions, 225 marks, 155 minutes.
How many Professional Knowledge questions are asked in IBPS AFO mains?
50 Professional Knowledge questions are asked in the objective section, carrying 100 marks — the highest weightage of any section in Mains.
Are English, Reasoning and Quant also part of IBPS AFO Mains?
Yes. Unlike a Professional-Knowledge-only paper, IBPS AFO Mains 2026 includes English Language, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude sections in addition to Professional Knowledge and the Descriptive paper.
Is the Descriptive English paper compulsory in IBPS AFO Mains?
Yes, the Descriptive English paper (25 marks, 30 minutes) is a compulsory part of the Main Examination for all candidates.
Does Professional Knowledge decide merit in IBPS AFO Mains?
Yes. All Main Examination tests except Professional Knowledge are qualifying in nature. Merit listing is prepared on the basis of the Professional Knowledge test, subject to candidates qualifying the other objective tests, the Descriptive English paper, and the Interview as per IBPS rules.
Which agriculture topics are important for AFO mains?
Agronomy and Soil Science carry the most questions in past AFO Mains papers (together about 40%), followed by Horticulture and Animal Husbandry. Our expected split of the 50 Professional Knowledge questions is Agronomy 9, Soil Science 8, Horticulture 6, Animal Husbandry 5, and 3 each from Plant Pathology, Entomology, Fisheries, Government Schemes and Agricultural Economics. This is AgriPrep's estimate; IBPS does not publish a topic-wise breakdown.
Is current affairs important in IBPS AFO mains?
Yes, agriculture current affairs and government schemes are important for IBPS AFO mains preparation.
How should I prepare for IBPS AFO mains?
Candidates should focus on agriculture fundamentals for Professional Knowledge, without neglecting English, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and the Descriptive paper. Practice MCQs, solve previous year papers and revise core concepts regularly.
Is IBPS AFO mains difficult?
The difficulty level of IBPS AFO mains is generally moderate to hard, particularly the Professional Knowledge section, because it focuses on conceptual agriculture knowledge.