The 3-Tier Selection Process for IBPS AFO
The Agricultural Field Officer (Scale-I) recruitment conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) represents the largest annual intake of agricultural graduates into premier Public Sector Banks (Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Union Bank, etc.).
The selection process is structured into three stages: Preliminary Examination (Screening), Main Examination (Merit Weightage), and Personal Interview.
Key Exam Takeaways:
- Phase-I: Preliminary Exam (Online Objective, 100 Questions, 125 Marks, 80 Minutes)
- Phase-II: Main Exam (Professional Knowledge Objective 50 Qs + English Descriptive)
- Phase-III: Personal Interview (100 Marks)
- Final Merit Ratio: 80% weightage for Mains score + 20% weightage for Interview score
Phase-I (Prelims) Pattern & Sectional Timing
The Prelims examination incorporates strict sectional timing: candidates cannot switch between sections during the test. Every section has an individual qualifying cutoff as well as an overall aggregate cutoff.
| Section / Subject | Questions | Maximum Marks | Allocated Time | Language Medium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 25 | 25 Marks | 20 Minutes | English |
| Reasoning Ability | 25 | 25 Marks | 20 Minutes | Bilingual (Eng/Hindi) |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 Marks | 20 Minutes | Bilingual (Eng/Hindi) |
| Professional Knowledge (Agriculture Basics) | 25 | 50 Marks (2 marks/Q) | 20 Minutes | Bilingual (Eng/Hindi) |
| Total | 100 | 125 Marks | 80 Minutes | Negative: -0.25 Marks |
Phase-II (Mains) Syllabus & High-Scoring Topics
Mains is the decisive merit round. Professional Knowledge questions test technical agricultural practices alongside practical banking concepts:
1. Priority Sector Lending (PSL): 18% adjusted net bank credit target for agriculture, 10% sub-target for small & marginal farmers, and microfinance linkage.
2. Government Schemes: Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY premium: 2% Kharif, 1.5% Rabi, 5% commercial/horticultural), PM-KISAN (Rs. 6,000/year in 3 installments), Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF 3% interest subvention up to Rs. 2 Crore), and Kisan Credit Card (KCC scale of finance).
3. Animal Husbandry & NABARD Norms: Cattle and buffalo crossbreeding parameters, gestation periods, broiler and layer floor space norms, and pond aquaculture stocking densities.
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