The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection is conducting the IBPS SO Mains Exam on January 25, 2020. Candidates who had successfully qualified the Prelims exam can begin their preparation for Mains by going through detailed IBPS SO Syllabus provided in this post.
- IBPS SO Recruitment 2019 involves three stages: Online Preliminary Exam, Online Mains Exam, Interview.
- As the IBPS SO Mains Exam is arriving soon, it is high time that candidates have to enhance their preparation.
- Before you begin the preparation for Mains Exam, by going through the detailed IBPS SO Exam Pattern and Syllabus to get in-depth knowledge about which topics you need to study.
- In this post, we provide the post-wise syllabus for each section of the IBPS SO Mains Exam.
IBPS SO Syllabus 2020
There are six posts under IBPS SO Vacancy List which are Agriculture Officer (Scale-I), Marketing Officer (Scale-I), IT Officer (Scale-I), Law Officer (Scale-I), HR/Personnel Officer (Scale-I), Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale-I).
- Specialist Officer post is one of the reputed posts in the Banking sector as it is a high paid IBPS SO Salary and Job profile.
- If you are one among the Prelims Qualifier and worried about the Mains exam, start your preparation now by going through a detailed syllabus and exam pattern.
- Get the post-wise syllabus for both Prelims and Mains exam of IBPS SO 2019.
- Follow IBPS SO Preparation Tips by Experts for qualifying all the stages of the exam with a high score.
IBPS SO Mains Syllabus 2020
The IBPS SO Mains Exam is conducted for a total of 60 Marks. The exam pattern and syllabus differ for all posts. For successful preparation, candidates are advised to go through what is expected and previous year IBPS SO Cut Off marks so that it will help in scoring more marks.
- For the Post of Law Officer, IT Officer, Agriculture Field Officer, HR/Personnel Officer, and Marketing Officer, the Mains Exam includes a test called Professional Knowledge.
- This test is conducted in online mode in both English and Hindi Medium. The total time duration for these posts is 45 minutes.
- For the post of Rajbhasha Adhikari, the Mains Exam includes two tests: Professional Knowledge- Objective and Professional Knowledge- Descriptive
- The Objective test includes 45 questions and Descriptive includes 2 questions. Both are combined for a total of 60 marks. The time duration for this post is 60 minutes.
- Go through the IBPS SO Important Topics and prepare for them perfectly. Focus more on the important topics instead of studying all topics without understanding.
Check the post-wise IBPS SO Professional Knowledge Syllabus for Mains Exam here.


IBPS SO IT Officer Syllabus 2020
There are total of 8 important topics to be studied under IT Officer for Mains Exam which are as tabulated below. However, candidates can find detailed topic-wise syllabus after the table. Candidates who have qualified Prelims can check IBPS SO Important Questions for Mains preparation that helps in knowing the most expected questions for Mains exam.
| Database Management System |
Data Communication and Networking |
Operating System |
Software Engineering |
| Data Structure |
Compiler Design |
Computer Organization and Microprocessor |
Object-Oriented Programming (OOPS) |
1. Database Management System
- File-Based Data Management – Disadvantages of the file system
- Database systems – Need for Database, Advantages of using a database
- Characteristics of data in a database – Functions of DBMS, Components of a database, Comparison between Database and file-processing systems
- Data dictionary – Data abstraction, Data independence – Logical and Physical data independence
- Architecture: Overall Architecture of DBMS
- Three-level architecture - Hierarchical, Networking, Relational Data Models (E-R Model, E-R Diagrams, EER Model), Advantages and Disadvantages of each model.
- Advanced Concepts: Introduction to Data warehousing and Data mining – Different types
- Client/Server Technology: Client-Server – Distributed and Co-operative processing – Peer- to – Peer processing – Application components – Transaction management.
- Relational Structure – Characteristics of Relational Database Model – CODD’s rules – Tables (Relations), Rows (Tuples), Domains, Attributes, Extension, Intention.
- Keys: Candidate Key, Primary Key, Foreign Key, Super Keys, Unique Keys.
- Data Constraints: Referential Integrity Constraints, Entity Integrity Constraints, Constraints like Primary key constraint, Unique, Check constraint strong Entity, Weak Entity.
- Normalization: Introduction – Purpose of Normalization – Definition of Functional Dependence (FD) Relational database Design, – Normal forms: 1NF, 2NF, 3NF, BCNF, 4Nf and 5 NF.
- Database Administration: DBA Tasks – DBA Tools – User Privileges – Performance monitoring and tuning – Query tracing – Backup and Recovery.
- Introduction to SQL: Advantages of SQL – Invoking SQL*PLUS, The Oracle Data-types, Data Definition Language (DDL), Data Manipulation Language (DML), Data Control Language (DCL), Data Query Language ( DQL) and all related commands.
- Queries using Group by and Order by clause & Join: Querying a Single Table, Ordering results, grouping the results, Joins, Types of Joins, Subqueries.
- Operators: Logical, Value, Syntax and Query expression operators – Set operators.
- Functions: Character, Arithmetic, Date and time, Group and Miscellaneous Functions, Commit, Rollback, Savepoint.
- Format models: Character, Numeric & Date Format models.
- Views: Introduction – Advantages of views – The Create View Command, Updating Views, Views, and Joins, Views and Subqueries – Dropping Views.
- Sequences: Creating Sequences, Altering Sequences, Dropping Sequences.
- Indexes: Index Types, Creating of an Index: Simple Unique and Composite Index, Dropping Indexes.
- Snapshots: Creating a Snapshot, Altering Snapshot, Dropping a Snapshot.
- Introduction to PL/SQL: The PL/SQL Syntax, The PL/SQL Block Structure, Fundamentals of PL/SQL, Advantages of PL/SQL Data Types.
- Control Structure: Conditional Control, Iterative Control, Sequential Control.
- Exception handling: Predefined Exception – User-defined Exception.
- Cursors: Implicit and Explicit Cursors
- Procedures: Advantages – Creating – Executing and Deleting a Stored Procedure.
- Functions: Advantages – Creating – Executing and Deleting a Function.
- Database Triggers: Use of Database Triggers – How to apply database Triggers – Types of Triggers – Syntax for Creating Trigger – Deleting Trigger.
2. Data Communication and Networking
- Data Communication: Components of data communication – Data flow: simplex – half duplex – full-duplex; Networks – Definition – Network criteria – Types of Connections: Point to point – multipoint; Topologies: Star, Bus, Ring, Mesh, Hybrid – Advantages and Disadvantages of each topology.
- Types of Networks: LAN – MAN – WAN – CAN – HAN – Internet – Intranet –Extranet, Client-Server, Peer To Peer Networks.
- Transmission Media: Classification of transmission media – Guided – Twisted pair, Coaxial, Fiber optics; unguided – Radio waves – Infrared – LOS – VSAT – cabling and standards
- Network devices: Features and concepts of Switches – Routers (Wired and Wireless) – Gateways.
- Network Models: Protocol definition – standards – OSI Model – layered architecture – functions of all layers.
- Data Link Layer: Framing & its methods, Flow Control, Error Control. DLL Protocol, Piggybacking & Pipelining. MAC Sublayer, Media access control for LAN & WAN, collision, IEEE 802 standards for LAN & MAN & their comparison. Ethernet, Wireless LANs, Broadband Wireless, Bluetooth.
- Network Layer: Routing, Congestion Control Algorithms, IP protocol, IP Addresses, Comparative study of IPv4 & IPv6, Mobile IP.
- Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) – User Datagram Protocol, Data Traffic, Congestion Control and Quality of Service
- Network Security: Cryptography, Message Security, Digital Signature, User Authentication, Key Management, Security Protocols Internet, DNS, SMTP, FTP, HTTP, WWW, Virtual Terminal Protocol.
3. Operating System
- Introduction to System Programs & Operating Systems, Buffering & Spooling, Types of Operating System.
- File concepts, access methods, free space management, allocation methods, directory systems, protection, organization, sharing & implementation issues, etc.
- Process: Concept, Process Control Blocks (PCB), Scheduling criteria Preemptive & non Preemptive process scheduling, Scheduling algorithms, algorithm evaluation, multiple-processor scheduling, real-time scheduling, threads, critical section problem, semaphores, and classical problems of synchronization, etc.
- Memory Hierarchy, logical and physical address space, swapping, contiguous and non-contiguous allocation, paging, segmentation, Concepts of virtual memory, Cache Memory Organization, demand paging, page replacement algorithms, allocation of frames, thrashing, demand segmentation.
- Distributed operating system:-Types, Design issues, File system, Remote file access, RPC, RMI, Distributed Shared Memory(DSM), Basic Concept of Parallel Processing & Concurrent Programming
- Security & threats protection: Security violation through Parameter, Computer Worms & Virus, Security Design Principle, Authentications, Protection Mechanisms.
4. Software Engineering
- The Software Product and Software Process Models, Software Process customization and improvement.
- Requirement Elicitation, Analysis, and Specification Functional and Non-functional requirements, Validation, Traceability.
- Software Design, Architectural Design, User Interface Design, Function-oriented Design, SA/SD Component Based Design, Design Metrics.
- Software Analysis and Testing, Software Test Process, Testing Levels, Test Criteria, Test Case Design, Test Oracles, Test Techniques, Black-Box Testing, etc.
- Software Maintenance & Software Project Measurement: Software Configuration Management (SCM), Re-engineering, Reverse Engineering. Project Management Concepts, Feasibility Analysis, Project and Process Planning, Resources Project Scheduling and Tracking, etc.
5. Data Structure
- Introduction: Basic Terminology, Data types, and classification, Array Definition, Representation and Analysis of Arrays, Single and Multidimensional Arrays, etc.
- Stack, Array Implementation of the stack, Linked Representation of Stack, Queue, Array and linked implementation of queues, Circular queues, D-queues and Priority Queues. Linked list, Generalized linked list.
- Trees: Basic terminology, Binary Trees, Complete Binary Tree, Extended Binary Trees, Array and Linked Representation of Binary trees, etc.
- Internal and External sorting, Insertion Sort, Bubble Sort, selection sort Quick Sort, Merge Sort, Heap Sort, Radix sort, Searching & Hashing: Sequential search, binary search, Hash Table, Hash Functions, etc.
- Graphs: Introduction, Sequential Representations of Graphs, Adjacency Matrices, Traversal, Connected Component and Spanning Trees, Minimum Cost Spanning Trees.
6. Compiler Design
- Introduction to Compiler, Phases and passes, Bootstrapping, Implementation of lexical analyzers, LEX: lexical analyzer generator, Input buffering, Recognition of tokens, Error handling.
- Basic Parsing Techniques: Parsers, Shift reduce parsing, operator precedence parsing, top-down parsing, predictive parsers, LR parsers, an automatic parser generator
- Syntax directed definitions, L-attributed definitions, Syntax directed Translators, Intermediate code, etc.
- Symbol Tables, Run-Time Administration, simple stack allocation scheme, storage allocation in block-structured language, Code Optimization and Code Generation
- Parsing control statements, syntax diagrams, Error Recovery, Interpreting control statements, parsing programs, procedures and Functions.
7. Computer Organization and Microprocessor
- Computer System: Basic Computer Operation, Machine Instructions, Addressing Modes, DLX Architecture,
- Computer Configuration, Memory organization, Memory Architecture, and Interface, DMA, Synchronization, etc.
- Microprocessor As A CPU– types of Microprocessor, Microcomputers, Computer Languages, Flags, Program Counter(PC), Stack Pointer, OPCode Format, etc.
- Input-output System.
8. Object-Oriented Programming (OOPS)
- General concept OOPS– Object, Classes, Data Abstraction, Encapsulation, Inheritance, Polymorphism, Methods and Messages, Dynamic Binding.
- Features, Advantages, and Applications of OOPS
- Aggregation and Association, Generalization, Multiple Inheritance.


IBPS SO HR/Personnel Officer (Scale-I) Syllabus 2020
| HR Introduction |
Staffing |
Wage and Salary Administration |
Principles of Management |
Leadership styles |
| HR Planning |
Job analysis (Procedures, Methods, and Techniques) |
Job design (Meaning and Techniques) |
Recruitment and selection (Procedure, Process, and Barriers) |
Interview (Types of tests, Types of interviews and limitations) |
| Placement (Induction, Procedure, and benefits) |
Training and Development (Types and methods) |
Performance appraisal (Process, uses, and techniques) |
Promotion, transfer, and demotions (Types, policies) |
Job evaluation (Pre-requites, principles, and process) |
| Compensation (Theories of wages, compensation administration and criteria to develop compensation plan) |
Motivation (Theories, Importance, Factors impacting) |
Industrial Relations |
Factories Act |
Industrial Relations Act |
| Gratuity Act |
Provident Fund Act |
Strategic Role of Information in HRM |
Information Technology-Concepts & Issues |
HRIS Implementation and Control |
| Designing an HRIS Department |
Compensation and Benefits Management |
Transactional Analysis |
Rewards & Recognition- Types of Rewards, Monetary and non-monetary, Performance Reward |
Incentives |
| Mobility of Personnel and Retirement-transfers |
Emotional Intelligence and Managerial Effectiveness |
Managing Changes and Organizational Effectiveness |
Management Process and Organizational Behavior |
Managing Interpersonal and Group Processes |
IBPS SO Marketing Officer (Scale-I) Syllabus 2020
| Marketing Overview |
Concept, Nature, Scope and Importance of Marketing |
Meaning, Functions and Importance of Marketing Management |
Marketing Process and Marketing Planning |
Consumer/ Buyer Behavior |
| Market Segmentation: Importance of Market Segmentation |
Marketing Research |
Product Planning and Development |
Sales Promotion and its Objectives |
Branding, Packaging and Labeling |
| Pricing Decisions: Pricing, Pricing Decision Strategies |
Wholesale Trade |
Retail Trade |
Personal Selling |
Services Marketing |
| Bank Marketing |
Insurance Marketing |
Consumer Protection in India: List of Consumer Rights, Consumer Protection Act |
Marketing Organization |
Marketing Program |
| Marketing Decision Making |
Sales Forecasting |
Product |
Distribution: Definition, Channels of Distribution |
Advertisement |
| Sales Management |
Marketing Environment |
Rural Marketing |
International Marketing |
Social Responsibility and Business Ethics. |
IBPS SO Law Officer (Scale-I) Syllabus 2020
| Banking Regulation & Compliance and Legal Aspects |
| RBI’s Constitution and Objectives |
Banking Regulation Act, 1949 |
Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 |
Credit Information Bureau (India) |
Banker-Customer Relationship |
| Payment and Collection of Cheques and Other Negotiable Instruments |
Types of Collaterals and their Characteristics |
Foreign Exchange Management Act,1999 |
The Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002. |
- |
| Banking Regulated Important Laws |
| Limitation Act, 1993 |
Banker’s Books Evidence Act, 1891 |
The Recovery of Debts due to Banks and Financial Institutions (DRT) Act,1993 |
Securitization and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act, 2002 |
Miscellaneous Provisions Consumer Protection Act, 1986 |
| The Banking Ombudsman Scheme, 2006 |
Procedure for Redressal of Grievance |
Lok Adalats. |
- |
- |
| Commercial Laws with Reference to Banking Operation |
| Contracts of Guarantee, Bailment, Pledge, Agency |
Meaning and Essentials of a Contract of Sale |
Definition, Meaning, and Nature of Partnership |
Dissolution of a Firm |
Effects of Non-Registration |
| Definition and Features of Company |
Types of Companies |
Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association |
Doctrines of Ultra/Constructive Notice/Indoor Management |
Transfer of Property Act, 1882 |
| The Right to Information Act, 2005 |
Right to Information and Obligation of Public Authorities |
Information Technology Act, 2000 |
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- |
IBPS SO Agriculture Officer (Scale-I) Syllabus 2020
| Agriculture Current Affairs |
Crop Horticulture Vegetables |
Spacing time of Sowing Seed Rate |
Varieties Important only |
Herbicides Pesticides |
| Important points regarding crops fruits vegetables |
Preservation of fruits and vegetables |
Types of cropping system |
Different Diseases |
Seed technology – Different government schemes |
| Agriculture economics – Agriculture cost and schemes |
Different types of agricultural practices |
Soil resources |
Indian soil |
Types of facts |
| Green manures |
Animal husbandry and technology |
Different varieties of animals |
Agriculture small industries like honey daily in the fisheries |
Different diseases and its causes |
| Rural welfare activities in India |
Before independence |
After independence |
Different insurance schemes regarding agriculture |
Woman and child development schemes |
IBPS SO Rajbhasha Adhikari (Scale-I) Syllabus 2020
| Passage (In Hindi) |
Fill in the blanks (Hindi Grammar) |
Translation (Sentence, Words)- English to Hindi and Hindi to English |
Close Test (In Hindi) |
| Practical Translation |
Synonyms and Antonyms |
- |
- |
Most Expected Questions for IBPS SO Rajbhasha Adhikari Exam 2020
- राजभाषा का संक्षिप्त परिचय
- संविधान में व्यवस्था:हिन्दी का प्रयोग
- केन्द्रीय अधिनियम का प्राधिकृत हिन्दी अनुवाद
- नियम बनाने की शक्तियां
- अनुच्छेद 343: संघ की राजभाषा
- संघ की भाषा, प्रादेशिक भाषाएँ, उच्चतम न्यायलय, उच्च न्यायालयों आदि की भाषा
- राजभाषा अधिनियम 1976 का प्रायोजन एवं प्रमुख विशेषताएं
- राजभाषा कार्यान्वन समितियां
- राष्ट्रभाषा और राजभाषा में अंतर
- हिन्दी व्याकरण एवं उसके अनुप्रयोग
- अनुवाद
- गद्यांश
- प्रशासनिक हिन्दी तथा अंग्रेजी ज्ञान
IBPS SO Prelims Syllabus 2020
The IBPS SO Syllabus for the Prelims Exam is different for each post. The prelims exam is conducted for a total of 125 marks.
- For Law Officer and Rajsabha Adhikari posts, the subjects involved in the prelims exam are Reasoning, English Language, General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry
- For remaining posts i.e., Agriculture Officer (Scale-I), Marketing Officer (Scale-I), IT Officer (Scale-I), & HR/Personnel Officer (Scale-I), the subjects involved in Prelims Exam are Reasoning, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude.
IBPS SO Reasoning Syllabus 2020
| Logic |
Classification |
Cubes and Dice |
Data Sufficiency |
Syllogism |
| Clocks & Calendars |
Arithmetical Reasoning |
Mathematical Operations |
Input-Output |
Coding-Decoding |
| Analogy |
Blood Relation |
Puzzle Test |
Direction Sense |
Logical Venn Diagrams |
| Alphabet & Alpha Numeric Sequence Test |
Eligibility Test |
Arrangements-Linear & Circular |
Series Test |
Odd Figures & Miscellaneous Test |
IBPS SO English Syllabus 2020
| Verb |
Tenses |
Articles |
Indirect-Direct Speech |
Homonyms |
| Adverb |
Phrases and Idioms |
Antonyms & Synonyms |
Vocabulary |
Conclusion |
| Error Correction |
Fill in the Blanks |
Sentence Completion |
Word Formation |
Theme Detection |
| Passage Completion |
Rearrangement of Passage |
Spelling |
Sentence Framing |
Active-Passive Voice |
IBPS SO General Awareness Syllabus 2020
| Sports |
History |
Culture |
Indian Economy |
International Economy |
| Geography |
General Politics |
Scientific Research |
Indian Constitution |
Countries and Capitals |
| Budget & Five Years Plans |
UNO |
Marketing |
Awards & Honors Sports |
Financial News |
| Agriculture |
Science & Technology |
Bills – New & Amendments |
Memorandum of Understanding |
Appointments & Companies Mergers |
IBPS SO Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus 2020
| Square Roots |
Cube Roots |
Averages |
Pie Charts |
Bar Graphs |
| Logarithms |
Probability |
Line Graphs |
HCF & LCM |
Percentages |
| Mensuration |
Simplification |
Profit & Loss |
Time & Work |
Number System |
| Boats & Streams |
Pipes & Cisterns |
Problems on Ages |
Time & Distance |
Problems on trains |
| Stocks & Shares |
Tabulation |
Decimal & Fractions |
Ratio & Proportions |
Mixtures & Allegations |
| Volume & Surface Area |
Permutation & Combination |
Simple & Compound Interest |
Heights & Distance Relationships |
Clocks |


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