IBPS Agriculture Field Officer (AFO)

• The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the recruitment process for the position of Agriculture Field Officer (AFO) under its Specialist Officer (SO) cadre.
• The IBPS AFO role is pivotal in promoting agricultural advancements by facilitating financial services to the farming community.
• As of February 11, 2025, the official notification for the IBPS AFO 2025 recruitment is anticipated to be released in May 2025.
• However, based on previous recruitment cycles, we can provide a comprehensive overview to help prospective candidates prepare in advance.

Key Highlights of IBPS AFO Recruitment:

• Conducting Authority:
  • Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
• Position:
  • Agriculture Field Officer (Scale-I)
• Mode of Application:
  • Online
• Selection Process:
  • Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Interview
• Official Website: www.ibps.in

Tentative Important Dates:

Please note that these dates are tentative and based on previous years’ schedules. Candidates are advised to regularly check the official IBPS website for the most up-to-date information.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. Educational Qualification:
   • A four-year degree in disciplines such as Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Science, Dairy Science, Agricultural Biotechnology, Food Technology, Sericulture, Forestry, or related fields.
2. Age Limit:
   • Candidates must be between 20 to 30 years of age. Age relaxations are applicable as per government norms for reserved categories.

Exam Pattern:

The selection process comprises three stages:

1. Preliminary Examination:
   • Objective-type questions.
   • Total duration: 2 hours.
   • Sections:
     • Reasoning: 50 questions (50 marks)
     • English Language: 50 questions (25 marks)
     • Quantitative Aptitude: 50 questions (50 marks)
2. Main Examination:
   • Focuses on Professional Knowledge relevant to the Agriculture Field Officer role.
   • Total duration: 45 minutes.
   • Number of questions: 60 (60 marks)
3. Interview:
   • Candidates who qualify in the Main Examination are called for an interview, which carries 100 marks.

Syllabus Overview:

Preliminary Exam:

• Reasoning: Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, Coding-Decoding, Syllogism, etc.
• English Language: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Error Detection, etc.
• Quantitative Aptitude: Data Interpretation, Simplification, Arithmetic Problems, etc.

Main Exam (Professional Knowledge):

• Agriculture-related topics such as Agronomy, Soil Science, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Agricultural Economics, and more.

Application Process:

• Candidates are required to apply online through the official IBPS website. The application fee is ₹175/- for SC/ST/PwBD candidates and ₹850/- for others.
• Ensure to have all necessary documents, including educational certificates, identification proof, and a recent photograph, before starting the application process.

Preparation Tips:

• Understand the Syllabus:
  • Thoroughly review the syllabus for each section and focus on key topics.
• Practice Regularly:
  • Solve previous years’ question papers and take mock tests to assess your preparation level.
• Stay Updated:
  • Keep abreast of current affairs, especially those related to agriculture and rural development.
• Time Management:
  • Develop a study schedule that allocates sufficient time to each subject and stick to it diligently.