Best Books for IBPS SO 2022: Subject-wise Preparation Books

Institute of Banking Personnel Selection Specialist Officers 2024 ( IBPS SO )

Anangsha Patra
Updated on Jul 11, 2022 16:51 IST

By Anangsha Patra, Deputy Manager – Editorial

IBPS SO books are the best resource to prepare for the exam. Out of the plethora of books, it is crucial that candidates select the best books for IBPS SO preparation. The best IBPS SO books can vary from candidate to candidate depending on their expertise and knowledge of the subject matter. Choosing the right books for IBPS SO exam for the different stages of the exam is quite important. Not only candidates should be selective about IBPS SO books but also they should divide the reading list into prelims and mains exam preparation. The preparation for IBPS SO exam should comprise a few essential elements, such as robust preparation strategy, discipline, and good books. Besides reading books, candidates are advised to take mock tests for comprehensive preparation and revision. In this article, we have provided the list of books for the IBPS SO exam.

Table of content
  • IBPS SO Exam Pattern & Syllabus
  • IBPS SO Books 2022 for Prelims
  • IBPS SO Books for Mains
  • IBPS SO Books 2022 FAQs
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IBPS SO Exam Pattern & Syllabus

The structure of the IBPS SO exam pattern is such that it comprises prelims exam, mains exam, and interview. IBPS SO syllabus for the prelims exam comprises topics from English Language, Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry. IBPS SO syllabus for the mains comprises topics from Professional Knowledge. A total of 125 questions are asked in the prelims exam and the total marks allotted to the test are 150. The total marks allotted to the prelims exam for different posts are 60.

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IBPS SO Books 2022 for Prelims

Candidates can check below the list of books for IBPS SO exam:

IBPS PO Books for English Language

  • Word Power Made Easy by Normal Lewis
  • English Grammar & Composition by Wren and Martin
  • Descriptive General English by S P Bakshi and Richa Sharma
  • Objective English for Competitive Examinations by Hari Mohan Prasad, Uma Rani Sinha, Mcgraw Hill Education Publication

IBPS PO Books for Quantitative Aptitude

  • Quantitative Aptitude Book by Wiley’s Publication
  • Quantitative Aptitude For Competitive Examination by The Pearson Guide
  • Rapid Quantitative Aptitude with Shortcuts & Tricks by Disha Publication

IBPS PO Books for Reasoning Ability

  • A Modern approach Verbal and Non-Verbal Reasoning by BS Sijwali
  • Verbal Reasoning by RS Agarwal
  • Analytical Reasoning by MK Pandey

IBPS PO Books for General Awareness

  • Manorama Yearbook (English) Paperback
  • Guide to Banking General Awareness by R Gupta
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IBPS SO Books for Mains

The mains exam of IBPS SO comprises questions from Professional Knowledge. Questions in this section are based on the specialisation candidates opt for. IBPS SO books for Professional Knowledge section specific to the specialisation are given below:

IBPS SO Books For IT Officer (Scale-I)

Candidates for IT Officer posts should prepare for the mains exam topics such as Data Communication and Networking, Object-Oriented Programming, Database Management System, Software Engineering, Computer Organization and Microprocessor, Data Structure and Operating System. Candidates can refer to the following books for IBPS SO preparation for the mains exam.

Book Author
Computer for Competitive Exams: Fundamental of Computer with MCQ’s: Fundamentals of Computer with Multiple choices questions 1st Edition RPH Editorial Board
Objective Computer Awareness for General Competitive Exams 1stEdition R Pillai
Data Communications and Networking Behrouz A Forouzan

IBPS SO Books For Law Officer (Scale-I)

IBPS SO law syllabus basically focuses on commercial and corporate law. In addition, candidates should prepare topics such as Banking Regulations, Compliance and Legal Aspects, Prevention of Money-laundering, Limitation Act, Relevant Law and Orders related to negotiable Instruments, Securities, Foreign Exchange, Banking Ombudsman Scheme, Bankers Book Evidence Act, Consumer Protection Act, DRT Act, Laws and Actions with a direct link to Banking Sector and SARFAES. Candidates can prepare for the exam by referring to the following books.

Book Author
IBPS Specialist Officer CWE Law Officer Online Exam Practice Work Book Kiran Prakashan

IBPS SO Books For HR Specialist/Personal Officer (Scale-I)

IBPS SO HR syllabus focuses on case studies that are relevant to the financial industry. Important topics are Training and Development, Business Policy and Strategic Analysis, Performance Management and Appraisal, Human Resource Development, Business Policy, and Strategic Analysis, Transnational Analysis, Industrial Relations, Grievance and Conflict Management, Rewards and Recognition, Recruitment and Selection, etc. Candidates can refer to the following book:

Book Author
CWE-IBPS Bank-HR Specialist/Personal Officer Complete Book Priyanka Prakashan

IBPS SO Books For Marketing Specialist Officer (Scale-I)

Important topics are Basics of Marketing Management, Advertising, PR, Brand Management, Marketing Strategies, Corporate Social Responsibility, Sales, Market Segmentation, Business Ethics, Retail, Market Research and Forecasting Demand, Service Marketing and Product Life Cycle. Candidates can refer to the following books.

Book Author
CWE-IBPS Bank-Marketing Specialist Officer Exam: Complete Book Priyanka Prakashan

IBPS SO Books For Agricultural Field Officer (Scale-I) 

IBPS SO mains syllabus for Agricultural Field Officer (Scale-I) is vast. Most of the questions are asked from Agricultural Economics, Soil Resources, Animal Husbandry, Agroforestry, Basics of Crop Production, Horticulture, Seed Science, Agronomy and Irrigation, Agricultural Practices, Ecology, Government Schemes. The following books are recommended for preparation:

  • NCERT Science Textbooks: Classes 7 to 9
  • Agriculture Field Officer by R Gupta

IBPS SO Books for Rajbhasha Adhikari

The syllabus of Rajbhasha Adhikari is designed to test the candidate's knowledge of the Hindi Language and Grammar. To prepare for this paper, refer to the following books

  • Upkar Prakashan’s Hindi Vyakaran Aur Rachna
  • Rajbhasha Adhikari Guide by R Gupta

Also Read: IBPS SO Preparation Tips

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IBPS SO Books 2022 FAQs

Q: Which subjects are included in IBPS SO prelims exam?

A: The subjects included in IBPS SO prelims exam are Reasoning, English Language, General Awareness with Special Reference to Banking Industry and Quantitative Aptitude. 

Q: Which are the subjects included in IBPS SO mains exam?

A: The mains exam comprises questions from Professional Knowledge.

Q: How are IBPS SO books useful to students?

A: IBPS SO books cover the entire syllabus and in case of doubts, the solutions can be referred to from the books.  

Q: Which are the best books for IBPS SO Reasoning?

A: For Reasoning, candidates can refer to Reasoning Ability for Competitive Exams by R S Agarwal and Verbal and Non Verbal Reasoning by R S Agarwal.

Q: Which are the best books for IBPS SO Quantitative Aptitude?

A: The best books for IBPS SO Quantitative Aptitude section are Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams by RS Agarwal and Data Interpretation by Arun Sharma.

Q: Which are the best books for IBPS SO English Language?

A: The best books for IBPS SO English Language are High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin and Objective General English by Arihant Publications.

Q: Which are the best books for IBPS SO General Awareness?

A: The best books for IBPS SO General Awareness are India Year Book by Publications Divisionn, Monthly Edition of Pratiyogita Darpan and Manorama Yearbook.

Q: Which are the best books for IBPS SO mains exam for Information Technology post?

A: The best book for IBPS SO mains exam for IT post is Objective Computer Knowledge by R Pillai.

Q: Which are the best books for IBPS SO mains exam for Law Officer?

A: The best book for IBPS SO mains exam for Law Officer is IBPS Specialist Officer CWE Law Officer Online Exam Practice Work Book by Kiran Prakashan.

Q: Which are the best books for IBPS SO mains exam for Marketing Officer (Scale-I)?

A: The best books for IBPS SO mains exam for Marketing Officer (Scale-I) are Marketing Specialist Exam book by Upkar Prakashan and Principles of Marketing by Kavita Sharma.

Q: Which are the best books for IBPS SO mains exam for HR/Personnel Officer (Scale-I)?

A: The best books for IBPS SO mains exam for HR/Personnel Officer (Scale-I) are Human Resource Management by K Aswathappa and Bank HR Specialist book by Kiran Prakashan.

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Answered 2 weeks ago

The prelims exam for IBPS SO 2025 will be conducted on November 22 and 23, 2025. The Mains exam for IBPS SO 2025 will be conducted on January 4, 2026. 

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