IBPS AFO Recruitment 2026 Notification Out: Apply for 190 Agricultural Field Officer Posts.The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has officially opened the application process for the Agricultural Field Officer (AFO) Recruitment 2026 under the Common Recruitment Process (CRP SPL-XVI). This year’s recruitment aims to fill 190 Agricultural Field Officer (Scale-I) vacancies in participating public sector banks, offering agriculture graduates an opportunity to build a rewarding career in the banking sector.
The online registration window is open from 1 July to 21 July 2026, and eligible candidates can submit their applications through the official IBPS portal. The recruitment process will consist of a Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Personal Interview, with final appointments expected in January 2027.
For candidates with an academic background in agriculture and allied sciences, the IBPS AFO examination is regarded as one of the best career options, combining technical expertise with banking services and rural development initiatives.
IBPS AFO Recruitment 2026 Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Post Name | Agricultural Field Officer (Scale-I) |
| Recruitment Process | CRP SPL-XVI |
| Total Vacancies | 190 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Registration Starts | 1 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 21 July 2026 |
| Preliminary Exam | 29 August 2026 |
| Main Exam | 1 November 2026 |
| Job Location | Across India |
| Website | https://www.ibps.in/ |
IBPS AFO Vacancy 2026
IBPS has announced 190 vacancies for Agricultural Field Officer (Scale-I) posts.
Category-wise Vacancy Distribution
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 79 |
| OBC | 51 |
| SC | 28 |
| EWS | 19 |
| ST | 13 |
| Total | 190 |
The selected candidates will be posted in participating public sector banks across the country.
Important Dates
Candidates should keep the following schedule in mind while applying for the recruitment.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 30 June 2026 |
| Online Registration Starts | 1 July 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 21 July 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 21 July 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | 29 August 2026 |
| Main Examination | 1 November 2026 |
| Interview | November–December 2026 |
| Provisional Allotment | January 2027 |
Applicants are advised not to wait until the final day to submit their application, as heavy traffic on the website may cause delays.
Educational Qualification
To be eligible for the Agricultural Field Officer post, candidates must possess a four-year Bachelor’s Degree in any of the following disciplines:
- Agriculture
- Horticulture
- Animal Husbandry
- Veterinary Science
- Dairy Science
- Fishery Science
- Pisciculture
- Agricultural Engineering
- Agricultural Biotechnology
- Food Technology
- Food Science
- Agricultural Marketing & Cooperation
- Agriculture Business Management
- Agro Forestry
- Forestry
- Dairy Technology
- Sericulture
- Fisheries Engineering
- Co-operation & Banking
Candidates holding equivalent qualifications from recognized universities are also eligible, subject to IBPS guidelines.
Age Limit
Candidates should satisfy the following age criteria:
- Minimum Age: 20 Years
- Maximum Age: 30 Years
Age Relaxation
Age relaxation is available as per Government of India rules.
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 Years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 Years |
| Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) | 10 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per Government Rules |
Application Fee
The application fee is payable online.
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹850 |
| SC / ST / PwBD | ₹175 |
Candidates can make the payment using Debit Card, Credit Card, UPI, Internet Banking, or other online payment methods.
Selection Process
The recruitment process consists of three stages.
Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination serves as the first screening stage. Candidates securing the required cut-off marks will qualify for the Main Examination.
Main Examination
The Main Examination focuses entirely on professional knowledge related to agriculture and allied subjects.
Personal Interview
Candidates shortlisted after the Main Examination will be called for a Personal Interview. The final merit list will be prepared based on the combined performance in the Main Examination and Interview.
IBPS AFO Exam Pattern 2026
Preliminary Examination
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 Minutes |
| Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 40 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 40 Minutes |
| Total | 150 | 125 | 120 Minutes |
There will be a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.
Main Examination
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Knowledge | 60 | 60 | 45 Minutes |
The Main Examination is designed to test candidates’ understanding of agriculture and related disciplines.
IBPS AFO Syllabus
Candidates should prepare topics from both aptitude and agriculture-related subjects.
Preliminary Examination
- English Language
- Reasoning Ability
- Quantitative Aptitude
Main Examination
Professional Knowledge includes:
- Agronomy
- Soil Science
- Horticulture
- Plant Breeding
- Genetics
- Seed Science
- Plant Pathology
- Agricultural Economics
- Agricultural Engineering
- Irrigation
- Animal Husbandry
- Dairy Science
- Fisheries
- Agricultural Biotechnology
- Food Technology
- Agricultural Marketing
- Current Developments in Agriculture
A strong understanding of agricultural concepts is essential for success in the Main Examination.
Salary Structure
Candidates selected as Agricultural Field Officers will be appointed as Scale-I Officers in public sector banks.
Basic Pay
₹48,480
In addition to the basic salary, officers receive:
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Special Allowance
- Medical Benefits
- Travel Allowance
- Pension Benefits
- Leave Benefits
- Other banking allowances
The overall monthly salary generally ranges between ₹70,000 and ₹85,000, depending on the city of posting and applicable allowances.
Documents Required
Candidates should keep the following documents ready before beginning the online application process:
- Graduation Degree Certificate
- Aadhaar Card or Valid Photo ID
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- PwBD Certificate (if applicable)
- Passport-size Photograph
- Signature
- Thumb Impression
- Handwritten Declaration
- Active Mobile Number
- Valid Email ID
How to Apply for IBPS AFO Recruitment 2026?
Candidates can complete the online application by following these steps:
- Visit the official IBPS website.
- Open the CRP Specialist Officer (CRP SPL-XVI) recruitment page.
- Register using a valid mobile number and email ID.
- Fill in all personal and educational details carefully.
- Upload the required documents, photograph, signature, thumb impression, and handwritten declaration.
- Pay the application fee through the available online payment options.
- Verify all details before submitting the application.
- Submit the form and download the confirmation page for future reference.
