IBPS AFO Revised Mains Exam Pattern 2026
· 2026-09-04 20:47:29 · 0 views · 0 downloads
IBPS AFO Revised Mains Exam Pattern 2026
The IBPS AFO (Agriculture Field Officer) Mains Exam 2026 has been revised significantly. The total exam duration is now 155 minutes, compared with the earlier 45-minute Professional Knowledge-only examination. Candidates who qualify for the Prelims can appear for the Mains, which includes English Language, Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, Professional Knowledge (Objective), and a Descriptive Paper.
Key points of the revised Mains pattern are:
English Language, Reasoning Ability, and Quantitative Aptitude are qualifying in nature.
Professional Knowledge is the key section for Mains merit.
A 0.25-mark penalty applies for each incorrect answer in the objective tests.
The examination is conducted online.
IBPS AFO Mains Exam Pattern
| Test | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 25 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 25 minutes |
| Professional Knowledge (Objective) | 50 | 100 | 40 minutes |
| Sub-Total (Objective) | 150 | 200 | 125 minutes |
| Descriptive Paper (English) | 2 | 25 | 30 minutes |
| Grand Total | — | 225 | 155 minutes |
IBPS AFO Interview and Final Selection
Candidates who qualify for the Mains Exam are shortlisted for the IBPS AFO Interview. The interview is conducted as part of the final selection process and evaluates candidates on their subject knowledge, communication skills, personality, and overall suitability for the post.
The Mains and Interview carry an 80:20 weightage in the final selection.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Interview Marks | 100 |
| Mains : Interview Weightage | 80 : 20 |
| Minimum Qualifying Marks – General | 40% |
| Minimum Qualifying Marks – SC/ST/OBC/PwBD | 35% |
Candidates appearing for the interview should carry their original documents along with self-attested photocopies for document verification.
Is There Negative Marking in IBPS AFO?
Yes. The IBPS AFO exam has negative marking in the objective tests. A penalty of 0.25 marks is deducted for each incorrect answer. There is no penalty for questions left unanswered.
Negative marking applies to the Prelims objective test.
Negative marking also applies to the Mains objective tests.
The Descriptive Paper does not have negative marking.
The Interview does not have negative marking.
No marks are deducted for unanswered questions.
| Stage | Maximum Marks | Role in Final Merit | Negative Marking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | 125 | Qualifying only | Yes |
| Mains | 225 | 80% weightage* | Yes, in objective tests |
| Interview | 100 | 20% weightage | No |
*The final selection is based on the applicable IBPS rules and prescribed weightage, with Professional Knowledge being the key merit component of the Mains examination.
Minimum Qualifying Marks for IBPS AFO Interview
Candidates must secure the prescribed minimum qualifying marks to remain eligible for the interview and subsequent selection process.
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Percentage |
|---|---|
| General | 40% |
| SC/ST/OBC/PwBD | 35% |
Candidates should attempt questions carefully because of the negative marking and focus strongly on Professional Knowledge, as it plays an important role in the Mains merit and final selection.