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.
🔥 What's New in IBPS AFO Prelims 2026 New Pattern?
If you prepared using old material, these changes affect your prelims strategy directly.
Professional Knowledge added to Prelims
Four sections instead of three
Total Questions: 100
Total Marks: 125
Duration reduced to 80 Minutes
Candidates must qualify in all four sections
IBPS AFO Prelims 2026 New Pattern Preparation Guide
The IBPS AFO Prelims 2026 is the first stage of the Agriculture Field Officer selection process. Under the new IBPS AFO exam pattern 2026, the Preliminary Examination now consists of four sections: Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and the newly introduced Professional Knowledge. Candidates should prepare according to the latest IBPS AFO syllabus 2026 and regularly practice mock tests, previous year papers, and section-wise questions to perform well in the revised prelims examination.
IBPS AFO Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
100 questions, 125 marks, 80 minutes, in four tests of 20 minutes each: English, Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude (25 questions, 25 marks each) and Professional Knowledge (25 questions, 50 marks). You must clear the cut-off in each test, and a wrong answer costs one-fourth of the question’s marks.
Source: IBPS: Notification CRP SPL-XVI (01.07.2026)
Full exam pattern: Prelims, Mains & interviewSection Priority
Where to focus your Prelims prep time
| Section | Priority |
|---|---|
| Professional Knowledge | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Reasoning | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Quantitative Aptitude | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| English Language | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Professional Knowledge deserves the highest focus — it carries 50 marks, the highest single-section weightage in Prelims, and directly carries forward into Mains where it's worth even more (100 of 225 marks).
How to Prepare for Prelims 2026
A sample daily study block for the Prelims phase
English
30 Minutes
Reasoning
45 Minutes
Quant
45 Minutes
Professional Knowledge
90 Minutes
Daily Mock
80 Minutes
Revision
30 Minutes
IBPS AFO Prelims Mock Test Simulators
Data-driven accuracy improvement
Professional Knowledge
Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry & allied core concepts.
Practice Professional Knowledge →Will You Clear the Cut-Off?
Our real-time API compares your attempt speed with current toppers. Get an instant **Predictive Score** to see if your preparation meets the 2026 sectional requirements.
Prelims Quick Info
What is IBPS AFO Prelims exam pattern?
IBPS AFO Prelims 2026 consists of English Language (25Q/25M), Reasoning (25Q/25M), Quantitative Aptitude (25Q/25M), and Professional Knowledge (25Q/50M), each with a sectional time of 20 minutes. Total: 100 questions, 125 marks, 80 minutes.
Is Professional Knowledge part of IBPS AFO Prelims 2026?
Yes, this is new for the 2026 cycle. Professional Knowledge is now included in the Preliminary Exam itself, carrying 25 questions for 50 marks in 20 minutes.
Is IBPS AFO Prelims qualifying in nature?
Yes, IBPS AFO Prelims is qualifying in nature but candidates must clear sectional cut-offs in each of the four sections to reach the Mains stage.
Is Professional Knowledge the most important section in Prelims?
It carries 50 marks, the highest among all four sections, making it a key part of the Preliminary Examination.
Can I prepare Professional Knowledge after Prelims?
No. Since it is now part of the Preliminary Examination, it should be prepared from Day 1 along with English, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude.
The IBPS AFO Preliminary Examination is the first stage of the Specialist Officer recruitment process. With the introduction of Professional Knowledge in the prelims, aspirants should adopt a balanced preparation strategy covering English, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and Agriculture-related concepts. Regular mock tests, previous year questions, and section-wise practice are essential to improve speed, accuracy, and confidence before the examination.
Continue Your AFO Preparation
From detailed syllabus to previous year papers, cut-off analysis and exam pattern — everything in one place.
Latest IBPS AFO Syllabus 2026
Complete latest IBPS AFO syllabus for prelims and mains.
Previous Papers
Solve IBPS AFO previous year papers with analysis.
Cut-Off 2026
2026 status and official IBPS cut-offs from previous years.
IBPS AFO Exam Pattern 2026
Prelims and Mains tables, negative marking and topic weightage.