IBPS Agriculture field officer: compleate guide to crack the exam

The IBPS Agriculture Field Officer (AFO) exam is a prestigious opportunity for agriculture graduates to secure a stable and rewarding career in the banking sector. Every year, thousands of aspirants appear for this exam, aiming to work in public sector banks as specialists in agricultural finance. Understanding the exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility criteria, and preparation strategy is crucial to cracking the exam. This guide provides expert-backed insights to help you prepare effectively and secure a top rank.

What is an IBPS Agriculture field officer?

The IBPS Agricultural Field Officer (AFO) is a specialist officer role in public-sector banks. These officers promote agricultural credit, guide farmers, and implement government schemes in rural areas. AFOs ensure that farmers and agribusinesses have access to the financial resources needed for crop production, animal husbandry, irrigation, agricultural advice, and more.

IBPS AFO Exam 2025 Overview

Other information

Key Responsibility

• Assess loan eligibility for farmers and agribusinesses.
• Promote financial literacy and agricultural schemes in rural areas.
• Monitor loan repayments and resolve financial issues.
• Visit farms to evaluate crops and provide technical guidance.
• Provide advisory support to farmers for high agriculture production

IBPS AFO 2025 – Important Dates & Notifications

Eligibility Criteria for IBPS Agriculture Field Officer

Educational Qualification-

1. A bachelor’s degree in Agriculture( BSC Agriculture) or related fields such as Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Agricultural Engineering, Agriculture marketing, Dairy science, Food Technology, or Veterinary Science.
A four-year Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture or Allied Sciences, including:

• B.Sc. (Food Science/Agriculture Business Management)

• B.Sc. (Agriculture/Horticulture/Forestry/Sericulture)

• B.Tech. (Agricultural Engineering/Dairy Technology/Animal Husbandry)

• B.F.Sc. (Fisheries Science)

Age limit-

The age limit is important for the IBPS agriculture field officers exam. According to the 2024 notification of IBPS, the minimum age is 20 years, and the maximum age is 30 years.

But age relaxation is followed

Nationality-

The candidate must be an Indian citizen or fall under other specified categories, such as refugees of Indian origin.

Exam Pattern for the AFO Exam for 2025

The IBPS AFO exam consists of three stages:

1. Preliminary exam

2. Mains exam

3. Interview

Preliminary Exam Pattern-

This is the exam’s first phase, an online, computer-based, objective-based exam that tests our abilities and logical thinking. It includes English language, reasoning, and quantitative aptitude subjects, and only students who qualify for this phase are allowed to take the main exam.

*Negative Marking: 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer.

Main Exam Pattern-

After clearing the preliminary exam, the main exam is held in the 2nd phase. This is an object-based exam. There are 60 questions; 1 question is for 1 mark, which has to be attempted in 45 minutes.

Interview-

Candidates who qualify for the Main Exam are shortlisted for an interview. The interview carries 100 marks, and a minimum score of 40% (35% for reserved categories) is required to pass.

Syllabus For IBPS Agriculture field officer

Click to download AFO’s previous year’s question papers

The IBPS agriculture field officer exam is conducted in two phases, so the syllabus is also different. The preliminary exam includes logical questions, and the main exam includes agriculture-related questions.

Preliminary Exam syllabus for IBPS agriculture field officer

In the preliminary examination, logical and complicated questions include English language, reasoning ability and quantitative aptitude subjects.

This section is the syllabus of particular subjects...

English Language Syllabus-

Quantitative Aptitude syllabus-

Reasoning syllabus-

Mains Exam Syllabus for IBPS AFO

This is the main exam. This exam consists of 60 questions on general agriculture from various agricultural topics. Which includes…

📌 Tip: Focus on ICAR recommendations, recent government schemes, and agricultural technologies.

Agriculture Field Officer Previous Year Question Paper Click to download

Other agricultural exams

Best Preparation Tips for the IBPS AFO Exam

1. Understand the syllabus and exam pattern

First, you have to understand the latest AFO syllabus properly. Then, you have to analyze previous years’ papers and find out which topics are being asked about the most in the exam. Accordingly, you should start preparing by dividing the pre- and mains into two parts.

2. Use the right study material

Books-

Best Books for IBPS AFO (Prelims & Mains) – Expert Picks

Before purchasing the right books, you should search for them on Google, read the first 4 to 6 pages carefully, and then purchase them according to your needs.

These are some of the best books for the Agriculture Field Officer exam, and I find them very helpful.

1. Agriculture Field Officer by R. Gupta( click to buy)

2. A Competitive Book for Agriculture by Nem Raj Sunda( click to buy)

Click to read this book

3, Fundamentals of Agriculture by Arun Katyayan Vols. 1 and 2( click to buy)

Click to read and download the full book

Online Resources

Mock tests and video tutorials are available on platforms like Testbook, Adda247, and BYJU’S.

3. Make a Study Plan

• Allocate time slots for each subject.
• Prioritize difficult topics while revising easy ones regularly.

4. Practice mock test

Mock tests help improve time management and familiarize you with the exam pattern. Aim to attempt at least two mock tests per week.

5. Focus on Current Affairs

Stay updated on agriculture-related news, government schemes like PM-Kisan, and NABARD initiatives.

6. Best YouTube channel for IBPS AFO preparation

• Agriculture Adda247
• Study Zone Agriculture
• ixamBee youtube Channel
• Krushna classes
• Agricoaching Chandigarh

Click to download AFO’s previous year’s question papers

Vacancies for IBPS Agriculture Field Officer

For the 2024 recruitment cycle, the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) has announced 346 vacancies for the Agriculture Field Officer (AFO) post. These vacancies are distributed among participating banks, with Punjab National Bank offering the most positions (310 out of 346). Other banks, such as UCO Bank, also have a few openings​.

IBPS Agriculture Field Officer Salary

Basic salary-

The starting basic salary of an IBPS Agriculture Field Officer (AFO) is ₹23,700 per month, with a pay scale ranging from ₹23,700 to ₹42,020, depending on experience and promotions. The gross monthly salary, including allowances, is approximately ₹36,400.

This salary depends on bank and location

Allowances and perks-

• Dearness Allowance (DA): Around 36% of basic pay.
• House Rent Allowance (HRA): Between 7% and 9%, based on the posting location.
• Special Allowance: 7.75% of the basic pay and DA.
• Transport/Conveyance Allowance: Depending on vehicle type, cash reimbursements range from ₹3,500 to ₹4,500.
• Medical Allowance: Annual medical benefits up to ₹10,000.
• Newspaper Allowance: ₹450 per month.
• Mobile Bill Reimbursement: ₹500 per month.
• Leave Fare Concession (LFC): Travel benefits are provided to officers and their families.
• Entertainment and Cleaning Allowance: ₹6,000 annually and quarterly cleaning allowances, respectively.

Career Growth= AFO → Branch Manager → AGM → DGM → General Manager

How to apply for the IBPS Agriculture Field Officer Exam

Step 1: Visit the Official website

• Go to the official website: ibps.in.
• Click on the “CRP Specialist Officers” section under the “Careers” tab.

Step 2: Registration

• Click on the “Common Recruitment Process for Specialist Officers (CRP-SPL)” link.
• Select the option “New Registration” to create a profile.
• Provide your basic details like name, contact number, and email ID.
• Submit the form to receive a registration number and password via SMS.

Step 3: Fill out the Online application form

• Log in using the registration number and password.
• Complete the application form by entering personal details, educational qualifications, and work experience.

Step 4: Upload documents

• Live Photograph (200×230 pixels, 20-50 KB).
• Signature (140×60 pixels, 10-20 KB).
• Left thumb Impression (10-20 KB).
• Handwritten Declaration (text as specified in the notification).

Step 5: Pay the application fees

• Pay the fee online through debit/credit card or net banking:
• General/OBC candidates: ₹850
• SC/ST/PWD candidates: ₹175

Step 5: Submit the form

• Re-check all details before submitting the form.
• Click on “Final Submit” and take a printout of the application form and fee receipt for future reference.

IBPS AFO Prelims Cut-Off (Category-Wise) – Last 5 Years

IBPS AFO Mains Cut-Off (Category-Wise) for the Last 5 Years:

📌 Note: These are approximate cut-offs based on previous trends. Official cut-offs may slightly vary each year depending on exam difficulty, number of vacancies, and candidate performance.

IBPS AFO Interview Tips & Real-Life Experiences

1. Understand the Role of an IBPS agriculture field officer:

Be familiar with the job responsibilities, including promoting agricultural products, advising farmers, and handling agricultural loan schemes.

2. Agricultural Knowledge

Focus on core subjects like agronomy, horticulture, soil subjects and current affairs

3. Prepare for Banking and Financial Awareness:

Understand agricultural loans, NABARD’s role, crop insurance schemes, and rural credit systems.

4. Practice Common HR Questions for IBPS agriculture field officers:

• Why do you want to join the banking sector as an AFO?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?

IBPS AFO Interview Experience (Toppers’ Insights)

🔹 Amit Kumar (Selected in 2024 IBPS AFO):
“I focused on government schemes and practical agriculture knowledge. They asked me about KCC loans and how I would promote them among farmers.”

🔹 Rohini Sharma (Selected in 2023 IBPS AFO):
“They tested my understanding of soil nutrients and irrigation techniques. Keeping updated with ICAR recommendations helped.”

Challenges Faced by IBPS Agriculture Field Officers

1. Lack of Education Among Farmers:

Many farmers are unaware of modern farming practices, government schemes, and financial products.

2. Communication Barriers:

Language and cultural differences can hinder effective communication.

3. Complexity of Loan Processing:

AFOs are responsible for assessing, processing, and recovering agricultural loans. They face challenges.

4. Frequent Transfers and Rural Postings:

• Frequent transfers to remote locations disrupt work-life balance.

5. Pressure to Meet Targets:

• AFOs often face high targets for disbursing loans and promoting government schemes, leading to stress and burnout.

6. Policy and Regulatory Changes:

• Frequent changes in agricultural policies and banking regulations require AFOs to stay updated and adapt quickly.

7. Rural Assignments:

AFOs are often posted in remote areas.

8. Workload:

Meeting loan targets and resolving disputes can be stressful.

People also ask

Conclusion

Becoming an IBPS Agriculture Field Officer is a rewarding career path for agriculture graduates. It offers financial stability, career growth, and the opportunity to impact rural development. Start your preparation today with a clear strategy and the right resources. You can achieve your dream of cracking the IBPS AFO exam with consistent effort. all the best

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References:

1. IBPS Official Website
   • Source: Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
   • Link: https://www.ibps.in
2. IBPS AFO 2023 Notification
   • Source: IBPS Official Notification for AFO Exam
   • Link: https://www.ibps.in/ibps-afo-notification-2023/
3. IBPS AFO Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2023
   • Source: Fresherslive
   • Link: IBPS AFO Syllabus and Exam Pattern
4. Preparation Strategy for IBPS AFO
   • Source: Gradeup
   • Link: IBPS AFO Preparation Strategy
5. IBPS AFO Exam Eligibility Criteria
   • Source: Jagran Josh
   • Link: IBPS AFO Eligibility
6. IBPS AFO Previous Year Papers
   • Source: Testbook
   • Link: IBPS AFO Previous Year Papers