Exam Overview
The IBPS AFO (Agriculture Field Officer) exam is conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) for recruitment to Scale I positions in public sector banks. The selection process comprises three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview.
Exam Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims – Reasoning | 50 | 50 | 40 minutes |
| Prelims – English Language | 50 | 25 | 40 minutes |
| Prelims – Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 40 minutes |
| Total (Prelims) | 150 | 125 | 120 minutes |
| Mains – Professional Knowledge (Agriculture) | 60 | 60 | 45 minutes |
Subject-wise Syllabus
Prelims Syllabus
- Reasoning: Coding-Decoding, Input-Output, Alphanumeric Series, Seating Arrangement, Puzzles, Inequalities, Blood Relations, Syllogism, Order and Ranking, Data Sufficiency, Distance and Direction, Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning
- English Language: Reading Comprehension, Sentence Improvements, Para Jumbling, Error Detection, Fill in the Blanks, Parts of Speech, Prepositions, Voices, Modes of Narration, Cloze Test, One Word Substitution
- Quantitative Aptitude: Number System, Simplification, Averages, Ratio and Proportion, Percentages, Profit and Loss, Time and Work, Speed and Distance, Simple Interest & Compound Interest, Data Interpretation, Quadratic Equations, Data Sufficiency, Discounts, Partnership, Mixtures, Probability, Permutation and Combination, Mensuration
Mains Syllabus – Professional Knowledge
- Agriculture in India: Types of Cultivation, Major Crops of India, Irrigation in India, Agriculture-based Research Institutes in India, Animal Husbandry in India, Genetically Modified Crops
- Agricultural Practices: Soil Preparation, Sowing, Manuring, Irrigation, Weeding, Harvesting, Storage
- Agronomy: Basics of Crop Production, Types of Cultivation (Rabi, Kharif, Zaid), Major Crops of India, Cropping Patterns, Soil Fertility and Management, Irrigation Methods (Drip, Sprinkler, Flood), Organic Farming, Agro-Climatic Zones
- Soil Science: Types of Soils and Properties, Fertility of Soil, Tillage, Nutrient Deficiencies, Fertilizer and Fertilizer Consumption, Soil-related Facts, Green Manure
- Horticulture: Fruits and Vegetables Cultivation, Amateur Horticulture, Commercial Horticulture, Greenhouse Technology
- Agriculture Finance: Agricultural Loans, Crop Loan and Kisan Credit Card, Land Development, Minor Irrigation, Farm Mechanisation, Finance to Horticulture, Land Purchase, Lead Bank Scheme, Agriculture Advances, Advance Against Warehouse Receipts, Produce Marketing Scheme, Crop Insurance Scheme, Rashtriya Krishi Bima Yojana
- Agriculture Economics: Basics of Agricultural Economics, Agriculture Cost and Scheme
- Cultivation and Harvesting: Cultivation Techniques and Practices, Harvesting Techniques and Practices, Post-Harvest Technology
- Irrigation Methods: Lift Irrigation, Drip Irrigation, Sprinkler Irrigation
- Government Schemes: Community Structures, Various Poverty Alleviation Schemes, Skill Training Programs
- Seed Technology: Basics of Seed Science, Different Seed Tests, Selection of Seeds
- Agriculture Current Affairs: Major Agriculture Schemes/Projects, Budget and Financial Measures, Recent Advancements, Sustainability Initiatives
- Miscellaneous: Agricultural Technologies, Plant Pathology, Entomology, Rearing of Animals, Dairy Science, Insurance Schemes related to Agriculture
Preparation Tips
- Allocate 60-70% of your time to Professional Knowledge (Mains) for better chances of selection.
- Build a strong foundation in Agronomy, Soil Science, Horticulture, and Animal Husbandry.
- Practice previous year papers and take regular mock tests.
- Stay updated with current agriculture affairs and government schemes.
- For Prelims, focus on speed and accuracy in Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| IBPS Official Website | ibps.in |
| Current Affairs | currentaffairs.com |
| Study Materials | studymaterials.com |
Tags: IBPS AFO, Agriculture Field Officer, Exam Syllabus, JobResultHub