IBPS AFO (Agricultural Field Officer) official syllabus guide
IBPS AFO (Agricultural Field Officer) syllabus 2026
IBPS publishes the test structure but no topic syllabus for Professional Knowledge. The units below follow what candidates and coaching sites report from recent papers: agronomy, horticulture, animal husbandry, soils, extension and agricultural economics make up most of the test, and post-harvest technology, food processing and dairy together are a smaller share (coaching estimates range from about 5 to 20%, and the 2026 Prelims analysis grouped post-harvest with horticulture at 5-6 of 25). A food technology graduate should budget most of the preparation for agriculture.
Exam pattern and marking
- Prelims: English 25, Reasoning 25, Quantitative Aptitude 25 (25 marks each) and Professional Knowledge 25 questions for 50 marks; 100 questions, 125 marks, 80 minutes; each test qualifying
- Mains objective: English 30 (25 min), Reasoning 40 (35 min), Quantitative Aptitude 30 (25 min), Professional Knowledge 50 questions for 100 marks (40 min)
- Mains descriptive: English, 2 questions, 25 marks, 30 minutes
- In the Mains every test except Professional Knowledge is qualifying; merit is on Professional Knowledge
- A wrong answer loses one quarter of the marks of that question; no penalty for a blank
- Interview 100 marks; Mains and interview weighted 80:20
Mains Professional Knowledge: 50 questions, 100 marks, 40 minutes; agriculture first, food processing a smaller share syllabus
Agronomy and crop production
3 topics- Field crops, seasons, cropping systems and varieties
- Seeds and seed production, sowing, weed management, irrigation and water management
- Dryland farming, farm machinery and agricultural meteorology
Soil science and plant protection
3 topics- Soil types, soil fertility, nutrients and fertilisers, soil conservation
- Major pests and diseases of crops, pesticides and integrated pest management
- Genetics, plant breeding and agricultural biotechnology basics
Horticulture and post-harvest technology
3 topics- Fruits, vegetables, spices, plantation and flower crops
- Post-harvest handling, storage, cold chain and warehousing
- Fruit and vegetable processing and value addition
Animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries
3 topics- Breeds of cattle, buffalo, poultry, sheep and goats; feeding and health
- Milk composition, processing and dairy products; dairy cooperatives
- Inland and marine fisheries, aquaculture
Food processing
3 topics- Principles of food preservation and packaging
- Processing of cereals, pulses and oilseeds; milling and storage losses
- Food safety standards and the food processing sector in India
Agricultural economics, extension and finance
3 topics- Agricultural marketing, MSP, cooperatives and agricultural credit, priority-sector and Kisan Credit Card lending
- Extension methods and institutions; ICAR, NABARD and state agencies
- Government schemes for agriculture and rural development; current agricultural affairs
Source: IBPS CRP SPL-XVI detailed notification (structure) ↗. Source: C4S Courses IBPS AFO 2026 Prelims analysis (topic spread, unofficial) ↗. Checked 2026-10-30.
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