IBPS SO Admit Card 2025 released on ibps.in: Prelims on August 30 for 1007 Specialist Officer posts

By Aarav

The wait is over. The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection has pushed the button on the IBPS SO Admit Card 2025, going live on August 22—just eight days before the prelims on August 30. For 1007 Specialist Officer vacancies across 11 public sector banks, thousands are now one step closer to exam day. If you’ve applied, your call letter is ready on ibps.in. Print it, read it carefully, and lock in your exam plan.

Admit card live, exam in 8 days: what’s new and what to check

This year’s cycle—CRP Specialist Officers XV for 2025–26—covers six streams: IT, Agriculture, Marketing, HR/Personnel, Law, and Rajbhasha. The selection has three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. The prelims will be held online on August 30 in multiple sessions. Your reporting time, gate closure time, and lab details are on the admit card—follow them exactly.

The download window is active from August 22 until the exam date. Have your Registration Number/Roll Number and Password/Date of Birth ready. Once you log in and download the call letter, take 2–3 clear printouts. A soft copy on your phone won’t get you in.

How to download your hall ticket:

1. Go to ibps.in.
2. Open the CRP Specialist Officers XV section.
3. Select “Online Preliminary Exam Call Letter for CRP SPL XV.”
4. Enter Registration Number/Roll Number and Password/Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY).
5. Type the captcha and hit Login.
6. Download and print your admit card.

What to verify on the admit card right away:

• Name, photograph, and signature clarity.
• Exam date, reporting time, and shift.
• Exam centre address and Googleable landmarks for easy travel.
• Roll number and the last four digits of your Registration Number.
• Special instructions—especially items allowed, biometric verification, and identity checks.

Spot an error? Don’t wait. Reach out to IBPS through the helpdesk on the official website with your registration details and a brief description of the issue. If your photo is faint on the admit card, carry two recent passport-size photos to the centre.

Having trouble logging in? A few quick fixes:

• Check your CAPS/format when entering Date of Birth (DD/MM/YYYY).
• Clear browser cache or try a different browser/device.
• Avoid peak hours; try early morning or late evening.
• Use the exact name and date of birth used during application.

Documents to carry on exam day:

• Printed admit card (preferably in color; black and white is allowed if clear).
• Valid photo ID in original: Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving Licence.
• Two recent passport-size photos (same style as your application, if possible).

Pro tip: Keep one extra printout of the admit card in your bag and another at home. If you opted for a scribe, bring the scribe’s ID and the filled scribe declaration as instructed on the call letter.

IBPS will not allow entry with only a digital copy. Reach the centre early to account for frisking, biometric verification (fingerprint and photo), and document checks. Any mismatch between your ID and admit card can lead to refusal of entry, so ensure names and dates align.

Technical tip for downloading: use a stable connection, avoid VPNs, and ensure your printer is set to “fit to page” so the barcode and photo block print correctly. If the PDF looks distorted, re-download rather than reprint a blurry file.

Prelims pattern, exam-day rules, and what happens next

The prelims are qualifying in nature—your score won’t count in final merit, but it decides whether you reach Mains. IBPS uses section-wise timings and negative marking.

Prelims pattern (as followed in recent SO cycles):

• For IT, Agriculture, HR/Personnel, Marketing: three sections—English Language, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude. Each section has 40 minutes. English typically carries 25 marks; Reasoning and Quant each carry 50 marks. Total: 150 questions, 125 marks, 120 minutes.
• For Law and Rajbhasha: English Language, Reasoning, and General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry. Each section has 40 minutes. English typically carries 25 marks; the other two carry 50 marks each. Total: 150 questions, 125 marks, 120 minutes.

Marking scheme: 1/4th mark is deducted for each wrong answer. There are sectional cut-offs and an overall cut-off. Scores are normalized across shifts.

What to carry and what not to:

• Allowed: Admit card printout, original photo ID, photos, basic stationery as instructed (the test is online; rough sheets are provided in the lab and must be returned).
• Not allowed: Mobile phones, smart watches, Bluetooth devices, metallic items, books, or paper notes. Avoid wallets and bags if possible; many centres do not provide secure storage.

Center process you can expect:

• Gate closes before the test time—late entry is not allowed.
• Biometric capture and photo at the registration desk.
• Seat allocation on your admit card/lab slip; a rough sheet and pen are provided.
• Read on-screen instructions carefully. Use the “Mark for Review” feature to revisit questions later.

If you’re a PwBD candidate, follow the specific instructions on your call letter regarding scribe, compensatory time, and assistive tools. Keep your disability certificate ready if asked.

Travel planning matters more than you think. Do a dry run to the centre a day in advance if it’s in a different part of town. Book transport early for an early morning slot. Carry water and a simple snack, but check if the centre permits it; rules can vary.

After prelims, the real weight sits with Mains and the Interview. Mains focuses on Professional Knowledge for your discipline. Rajbhasha usually includes both objective and descriptive questions, while other streams focus on domain-specific objective questions. The interview tests practical understanding, regulatory awareness, and role fit. Final merit uses Mains and Interview scores; prelims is only for screening.

Cut-offs change with vacancies and difficulty. With 1007 posts this year, expect competition to stay sharp across all streams. Don’t chase guesswork during the test—negative marking hurts quickly, especially in English and GA sections where accuracy swings scores.

Five quick last-week checks:

1. Revisit basics: Syllogisms, Seating Arrangements/Puzzles, Data Interpretation, Error Spotting/Reading Comprehension, and for Law/Rajbhasha—banking awareness and terminology.
2. Time discipline: 40 minutes per section means you can’t linger. Target easy-to-moderate questions first.
3. Mock-to-reality: Give at least two timed mocks in your slot window to align your body clock.
4. ID and name match: If your ID has initials but the admit card expands your name (or vice versa), carry a second ID as back-up and reach early.
5. Sleep and pacing: No all-nighters. Sharp reading helps more than cramming in the final 48 hours.

Common mistakes to avoid on exam day:

• Forgetting the original ID or bringing a photocopy—original is mandatory.
• Carrying prohibited items—centres can deny entry even if you arrive on time.
• Skipping the admit card instructions—many candidates miss the reporting time window.
• Not returning the rough sheets—this can trigger center-level reporting.

If your center is far, add a buffer of 45–60 minutes for traffic or metro delays. Keep emergency cash and an offline map of the route. Phone use is not allowed inside the test lab, so finish calls before entering the premises.

For any discrepancy in your personal details or exam slot, contact IBPS via the helpdesk listed on the ibps.in portal. Give your Registration Number, date of birth, and a clear description of the problem. If the site is busy, try during low-traffic hours.

To sum up your to-do list today: download the admit card, check every detail, plan your travel, and set up one folder with your documents. Eight days is enough to sharpen speed and accuracy—if you keep it clean, calm, and precise.