IOB Specialist Officer Selection Process 2025 – Online Exam, Interview, Document Verification & Medical
The IOB Specialist Officer Selection Process 2025 is designed to shortlist skilled professionals for 127 Specialist Officer posts in Information Technology, Credit, Treasury, Risk and other specialized areas of Indian Overseas Bank. Candidates are selected on the basis of their performance in an online written examination, followed by a personal interview, document verification and medical fitness. Understanding the selection process in detail helps aspirants plan their preparation and avoid last-minute confusion.
This article explains each stage of the IOB SO selection process in a clear, step-by-step manner, including the exam pattern, interview process, weightage, minimum qualifying marks, document requirements and final merit list preparation.
Overview of IOB SO Selection Process 2025
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Stage 1 | Online Application & Fee Payment |
| Stage 2 | Online Written Examination |
| Stage 3 | Personal Interview |
| Stage 4 | Document Verification |
| Stage 5 | Medical Examination & Final Selection |
Step-by-Step IOB Specialist Officer Selection Process 2025
Below is a clear, vertical step-wise breakdown of the entire selection pipeline from application to final joining.
Step 1: Online Application and Fee Payment
The first step is to submit the online application form through the official website of Indian Overseas Bank.
- Visit the Careers section of the IOB website.
- Complete the registration using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in personal details, academic qualifications and work experience.
- Upload scanned photograph, signature and relevant documents in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee online (₹850 for General/OBC/EWS, ₹175 for SC/ST/PwBD categories – as per notification).
- Submit the form and download/print the confirmation page.
Only candidates who successfully complete the application process and fee payment within the deadline are allowed to appear in the online examination.
Step 2: Online Written Examination
The online written exam is the primary screening stage in the IOB Specialist Officer selection process. It assesses the candidate’s aptitude, professional knowledge and problem-solving ability.
Exam Mode and Pattern (Indicative)
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability | 50 | 50 | Objective |
| English Language | 50 | 50 | Objective |
| Quantitative & Data Analysis | 50 | 50 | Objective |
| Professional Knowledge | 50 | 75 | Objective |
Total Questions: 200
Total Marks: 225
Mode: Online (CBT)
Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
The exact pattern, duration and marking scheme will be confirmed in the official notification and exam information handout. Candidates should regularly check the official website and detailed syllabus article for updates.
Minimum Qualifying Marks in Online Exam
Although Indian Overseas Bank may not explicitly declare sectional cut-offs in advance, candidates are usually expected to score:
- A minimum overall score decided by the bank based on difficulty level and number of vacancies.
- Higher marks in the Professional Knowledge section, as it carries more weight for specialist roles.
Candidates who secure the prescribed cut-off marks in the online examination are shortlisted for the next stage: the interview.
Step 3: Personal Interview
The Personal Interview stage evaluates the candidate’s subject knowledge, practical experience, communication skills, decision-making ability and suitability for the role. For Specialist Officers, the interview is a crucial stage since the bank is looking for domain experts rather than fresh graduates.
Key Features of the Interview Stage
- Interview is conducted at designated centres decided by the bank.
- Call letters are issued to shortlisted candidates based on their online exam scores.
- The interview panel usually includes senior bank officials and subject experts.
- Questions focus on work experience, technical expertise, banking awareness and scenario-based problem solving.
Weightage of Online Exam and Interview
The final merit list is generally prepared based on a combination of online exam marks and interview performance. A common ratio used by many banks is:
- Online Exam: 80%
- Interview: 20%
The exact weightage for IOB Specialist Officer 2025 will be mentioned in the official notification or information booklet. Candidates should aim to perform strongly in both stages to secure a comfortable position in the merit list.
Common Areas Covered in the Interview
- Professional background and previous roles.
- Technical questions from the applied discipline (IT, Credit, Risk, Treasury, etc.).
- Understanding of banking products, regulations and compliance.
- Risk management, customer handling, and ethics in banking.
- Current affairs related to banking and economy.
Step 4: Document Verification (DV)
Candidates who qualify in the interview are called for document verification. This stage ensures that all details mentioned in the application form are correct and supported with valid documents.
Documents Generally Required
- 10th and 12th Marksheet and Certificates
- Graduation Degree and Marksheet (all semesters/years)
- Post-Graduation or Professional Qualification Certificates (if applicable)
- Experience Certificates on company letterhead with clearly mentioned role, duration and responsibilities
- Caste Certificate for SC/ST/OBC (NCL) candidates in prescribed format
- EWS Certificate (if claimed)
- PwBD Certificate for candidates with benchmark disability
- Photo Identity Proof (Aadhaar/PAN/Passport/Voter ID)
- Recent Passport-size Photographs
Any mismatch between information provided in the online application and the documents produced at this stage may lead to disqualification.
Step 5: Medical Examination & Final Selection
After successful document verification, candidates must undergo a medical examination as per the medical fitness standards prescribed by the bank and regulatory guidelines. The purpose is to ensure that selected candidates are medically fit to perform the duties of a bank officer.
Medical Fitness Check Typically Includes
- General physical examination
- Vision and hearing tests
- Basic blood, urine and other routine tests
- Additional specialist tests if required
Candidates found medically unfit as per the bank’s standards may not be considered for final appointment even if they have cleared previous stages.
Stage-wise Timeline for IOB SO Selection 2025 (Expected)
The following is an indicative timeline for the IOB Specialist Officer selection process. Exact dates are subject to change as per official notifications.
| Stage | Expected Timeframe |
|---|---|
| Release of Notification | Mid 2025 |
| Online Application Window | 3–4 Weeks from Notification Date |
| Issue of Exam City Intimation | Around 2 Weeks before Exam |
| Admit Card Release | 7–10 Days before Exam |
| Online Exam Date | 16 November 2025 (as announced) |
| Result of Online Exam | Within 4–6 Weeks of Exam |
| Interview Schedule | 1–2 Months after Exam |
| Final Merit List & Provisional Allotment | After completion of Interview & Medical Formalities |
Preparation Strategy Based on Selection Process
Since the selection is multi-stage, candidates should align their preparation with the structure of the process:
- Focus on speed and accuracy for the online written exam, especially in Professional Knowledge.
- Build a strong profile by revising core concepts from your domain and practical work experience.
- Develop clarity in communication for interview, with examples from your professional journey.
- Keep all documents updated and ready for verification well before the DV stage.
- Maintain health and fitness to comfortably clear the medical examination.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on IOB SO Selection Process 2025
What is the selection process for IOB Specialist Officer Recruitment 2025?
The selection process consists of an online written examination followed by a personal interview, document verification and medical examination. Final selection is based on combined performance in the written exam and interview, subject to verification and fitness.
Is there an interview in IOB SO selection process?
Yes, candidates who qualify the online written exam are called for a personal interview. Interview performance plays a significant role in the final merit list.
What is the weightage of online exam and interview in IOB SO recruitment?
Typically, banks follow a ratio such as 80% weightage for online exam and 20% for interview, though the exact ratio for IOB SO 2025 will be confirmed by the bank in the detailed guidelines.
Is there document verification in IOB Specialist Officer selection?
Yes, document verification is a compulsory stage. Candidates must produce their educational, experience, category and identity documents in original for verification.
Is medical examination compulsory in IOB SO recruitment?
Yes, candidates recommended for final appointment must undergo medical examination as per the bank’s prescribed medical fitness standards.
Conclusion
The IOB Specialist Officer Selection Process 2025 follows a structured multi-stage pattern that includes an online exam, interview, document verification and medical fitness. Candidates who understand the process clearly can plan their preparation in a better and more focused manner. By performing well in both the written exam and interview, and ensuring proper documentation and fitness, aspirants can significantly improve their chances of securing a Specialist Officer position in Indian Overseas Bank.