The eligibility criteria for the IBPS Agricultural Field Officer (AFO) exam are critical for candidates aspiring to join the banking sector in specialist roles related to agriculture. The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the exam to recruit candidates as Specialist Officers (SO) in the Agricultural Field Officer (Scale I) position. The eligibility criteria are divided into three primary categories: educational qualifications, age limit, and nationality requirements.
- Overview: UBPS AFO Exam
- Exam Pattern
- Subjects Covered in Paper
- Benefits of IBPS AFO Exam
- FAQ’s
OVERVIEW: IBPS AFO Exam
The eligibility criteria for the IBPS Agricultural Field Officer (AFO) exam include educational qualifications, age limits, and nationality requirements. Candidates must possess a four-year degree in agriculture or related disciplines such as Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Veterinary Science, Dairy Science, Fishery Science, Agricultural Engineering, or Forestry from a recognized university. In terms of age, candidates should be between 20 and 30 years, although age relaxations are provided for reserved categories as per government regulations. For example, SC/ST candidates get a relaxation of 5 years, OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates receive 3 years, and Persons with Disabilities (PWD) are eligible for 10 years of relaxation. Nationality-wise, applicants must be Indian citizens, or citizens of Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees who arrived in India before January 1, 1962. Additionally, persons of Indian origin who migrated from countries like Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and others may also apply. Along with meeting these criteria, candidates must fulfill medical standards and pass character verification to be eligible for the IBPS AFO exam.
Exam Pattern
The exam pattern for the IBPS Agricultural Field Officer (AFO) consists of three stages: Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and an Interview. To qualify, candidates must clear each stage successfully.
1. Preliminary Exam:
The preliminary exam is designed to assess the candidate’s general aptitude and reasoning ability. It consists of three sections: English Language, Reasoning Ability, and Quantitative Aptitude. The exam contains 150 questions, carrying a total of 125 marks. The total duration is 120 minutes, with 40 minutes allocated for each section. It is important to note that 0.25 marks are deducted for every incorrect answer, and the Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude sections are available in both English and Hindi.
2. Mains Exam:
The mains exam focuses entirely on the candidate’s Professional Knowledge related to agriculture. There are 60 questions, each carrying one mark, with a total duration of 45 minutes. Like the prelims, the mains also have a negative marking scheme where 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer. The exam is conducted in both English and Hindi.
3. Interview:
Candidates who clear the Mains exam are called for the interview round, which carries 100 marks. The minimum qualifying marks for the interview are 40% for general candidates and 35% for those from reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/PwD).
Final Selection:
The final merit list is prepared by combining the scores of the Mains exam and the interview in the ratio of 80:20, respectively. Candidates must perform well in both the Mains exam and the interview to secure their place as an IBPS Agricultural Field Officer.
Subject Covered in paper
The IBPS Agricultural Field Officer (AFO) exam covers various subjects that are essential for the role, particularly in the Mains Exam, which focuses on professional knowledge. Here’s a breakdown of the key subjects covered in the exam:
1. Agronomy:
- Basics of crop production
- Types of crops (Kharif, Rabi, Zaid)
- Soil and water conservation
- Weed management
- Principles of crop rotation and mixed cropping
- Irrigation techniques and practices
2. Horticulture:
- Production of fruits, vegetables, and ornamental plants
- Greenhouse management
- Organic farming techniques
- Seed production and storage
3. Animal Husbandry:
- Dairy farming and management
- Breeding of animals
- Animal nutrition and health
- Poultry farming techniques
4. Soil Science:
- Soil properties and classification
- Soil fertility and nutrients
- Soil erosion and conservation methods
- Methods of soil testing
5. Agricultural Economics:
- Basics of agricultural economics
- Pricing of agricultural products
- Role of agriculture in the economy
- Government schemes for agriculture
6. Fisheries Science:
- Types of fisheries (inland, marine)
- Aquaculture techniques
- Fish breeding and hatchery management
- Preservation and marketing of fish products
7. Agricultural Engineering:
- Farm machinery and equipment
- Post-harvest technology
- Water resource management
- Renewable energy sources in agriculture
8. Forestry:
- Forest management and conservation
- Agroforestry practices
- Silviculture and afforestation
- Role of forests in environmental sustainability
9. Plant Pathology and Entomology:
- Plant diseases and their management
- Pest control methods
- Biological pest control
- Integrated pest management (IPM)
These subjects form the core of the IBPS AFO exam and are vital for evaluating the candidate’s knowledge in agriculture and related fields. Candidates are expected to have a strong understanding of these areas to perform well in the exam.
Benefits of IBPS AFO Exam
The IBPS Agricultural Field Officer (AFO) exam offers several benefits to candidates who are aiming for a career in agriculture and banking. Here are some key benefits of clearing this exam:
1. Prestigious Job in Public Sector Banks:
Clearing the IBPS AFO exam allows candidates to secure a highly respected position as an Agricultural Field Officer in various public sector banks. This government-backed role ensures job security, stability, and a prestigious career in the banking sector.
2. Opportunity to Work in Rural Development:
As an AFO, you play a key role in enhancing agricultural productivity and supporting rural development. The job focuses on promoting agricultural loans, credit facilities, and related schemes, which contribute to the upliftment of farmers and rural communities.
3. Diverse Job Role:
The job of an Agricultural Field Officer involves diverse responsibilities such as evaluating loan proposals for agricultural projects, offering technical guidance to farmers, conducting field inspections, and promoting various agricultural products and schemes. This makes the role dynamic and highly rewarding.
4. Career Growth and Progression:
An AFO in public sector banks has great opportunities for career growth. With experience and consistent performance, you can be promoted to higher managerial positions. The career path includes roles like Senior Agricultural Officer, Branch Manager, and even higher leadership positions.
5. Attractive Salary and Perks:
Agricultural Field Officers enjoy competitive salaries and additional benefits such as medical allowances, pensions, housing allowances, travel reimbursements, and more. The salary package is attractive compared to many other government and private jobs.
6. Contributing to the Agricultural Sector:
By working as an AFO, you directly contribute to the growth and development of India’s agricultural sector. You assist farmers in improving productivity, adopting new technologies, and securing funding, which has a positive impact on the nation’s economy.
7. Work-Life Balance:
Working as an Agricultural Field Officer in a public sector bank often offers a balanced work-life structure. You may get the opportunity to work in rural areas with relatively less pressure compared to corporate roles, allowing for a more relaxed and balanced lifestyle.
8. Exposure to Banking and Finance:
While the role focuses on agriculture, it also provides significant exposure to banking and finance, especially in areas such as agricultural lending, loan recovery, and financial inclusion for rural communities. This widens your knowledge and expertise beyond agriculture.
9. Job Security and Stability:
Like other public sector jobs, the IBPS AFO role ensures long-term job security with the added benefits of pensions and other post-retirement perks. This makes it an ideal career choice for those seeking stability.
10. Social Impact:
The work of an Agricultural Field Officer is meaningful and impactful. By guiding farmers toward better farming practices, accessing financial assistance, and utilizing modern technology, you play a direct role in improving the quality of life in rural areas.
FAQ's
An Agricultural Field Officer’s primary responsibilities include promoting agricultural loans, offering technical assistance to farmers, inspecting agricultural projects, and evaluating loan proposals related to agriculture. They work closely with rural communities to boost agricultural productivity
The selection process involves three stages:
- Preliminary Exam: Qualifying in nature, used for shortlisting candidates for the Main exam.
- Main Exam: Consists of both objective and descriptive tests. Candidates who qualify proceed to the next stage.
- Interview: Conducted for candidates who pass the Main exam. The final selection is based on the combined score of the Main exam and the Interview.
The age relaxation for various categories is as follows:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years
- Persons with Disabilities (PWD): 10 years
- Other categories such as Ex-servicemen, Widows, and individuals affected by the 1984 riots have additional relaxations as per IBPS norms.
No prior work experience is required to apply for the IBPS AFO exam. However, candidates must meet the educational qualification requirements.
