Banking aspirants have a big reason to cheer as the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has announced over 6,200 vacancies for Probationary Officers (PO) and Specialist Officers (SO) across various nationalised banks. This recruitment drive is one of the biggest banking opportunities of 2025, giving thousands of candidates a chance to secure a stable and prestigious career in the financial sector.
Number of Vacancies
The IBPS recruitment notification highlights a large number of openings in two major roles:
- Probationary Officer (PO): 5,208 posts
- Specialist Officer (SO): 1,007 posts
- Total Vacancies: 6,215+
These positions are spread across participating banks under IBPS, including several public sector banks in India.
Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, candidates must check the basic eligibility requirements:
- Education: Graduation in any discipline for PO, and relevant professional degrees for SO (like IT, Law, HR, Agriculture)
- Age Limit: Generally 20 to 30 years for PO and SO, with age relaxation for reserved categories
- Nationality: Candidate must be an Indian citizen or meet IBPS norms for nationality
Selection Process
IBPS follows a three-stage selection process for PO and SO recruitment:
- Preliminary Exam: Objective test with sections like Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language
- Mains Exam: Includes reasoning, data analysis, professional knowledge (for SO), and general awareness
- Interview Round: Candidates who qualify Mains are called for a personal interview
The final merit list will be prepared based on combined marks of Mains and Interview.
Exam Pattern and Preparation
The Preliminary Exam for PO usually has 100 questions for 100 marks, divided into three sections:
- English Language
- Reasoning Ability
- Quantitative Aptitude
The exam duration is 60 minutes, and candidates must clear both sectional and overall cut-offs to qualify for the Mains exam.
The Mains Exam is more detailed, with reasoning and computer aptitude, general/economy awareness, English language, and data interpretation. For Specialist Officers, professional knowledge related to the applied stream is the most crucial part of the exam.
Salary and Career Growth
A Probationary Officer in a public sector bank usually earns between ₹52,000 to ₹55,000 per month including allowances. Specialist Officers receive similar pay, with additional perks based on their technical role. Over time, POs can rise to managerial positions like Branch Manager, AGM, or even GM in the banking hierarchy.
How to Apply
Candidates can apply online at www.ibps.in, fill in the application form, upload necessary documents, and pay the required application fee. It is advised to apply early to avoid last-minute technical issues.
IBPS PO and SO 2025 recruitment is one of the best chances for banking job seekers this year. With over 6,200 posts up for grabs, timely preparation and proper strategy can help candidates secure a place in a reputed nationalised bank.
