The Central Bank Specialist Officer (SO) recruitment is conducted to appoint professionals with domain-specific expertise in key functional areas of the banking sector. Unlike general banking posts, Specialist Officers are selected for roles such as IT Officer, Risk Manager, Credit Officer, Law Officer, and HR Officer, where technical knowledge and professional qualifications are essential. These officers play a critical role in strengthening the bank’s operational efficiency, risk management framework, digital infrastructure, and regulatory compliance.
Central Bank SOs are responsible for handling specialized tasks like credit appraisal, cybersecurity, legal matters, data management, and strategic planning, depending on their cadre. The recruitment process usually includes an online examination followed by an interview to assess both professional competence and banking awareness. Overall, the Central Bank Specialist Officer position offers a stable career in the public sector, opportunities for professional growth, and a chance to contribute meaningfully to the modernization and financial stability of the banking system in India.
Central Bank Specialist Officer: Overview Table
| Feature | Details |
| Organization | Central Bank of India |
| Posts Available | Foreign Exchange Officer (Scale III) & Marketing Officer (Scale I) |
| Total Vacancies | 350 (Foreign Exchange: 50 |
| Registration Dates | 20.01.2026 to 03.02.2026 |
| Online Exam Date | February/March 2026 (Tentative) |
| Eligibility Cut-off | 01.01.2026 |
| Probation Period | 2 Years |
| Application Fee | Rs. 850 (General/OBC/EWS) |
Central Bank Specialist Officer: Exam Pattern
The selection process involves an Online Written Test followed by a Personal Interview.
Online Examination Structure
The exam consists of objective-type questions with a total duration of 60 minutes. Notably, there is no penalty for wrong answers.
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks |
| Stream/Category Specific Questions | 70 | 70 |
| Banking, Present Economic Scenario & General Awareness | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Qualifying Marks and Weightage
- Written Test: 50% for Unreserved/EWS; 45% for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD.
- Interview: 100 Marks (Qualifying: 50% for General, 45% for Reserved).
- Final Merit Weightage: The ratio for written examination and interview shall be 70:30.
Central Bank Specialist Officer: Syllabus
Part 1: Stream/Category Specific Syllabus (70 Marks)
| Post | Key Syllabus Topics | Focus Areas for Preparation |
| Foreign Exchange Officer (Scale III) | Regulatory Framework: FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act), RBI Master Directions on Forex | Trade Operations: Handling LCs (Letters of Credit), Bank Guarantees, Bills under Collection, and Export/Import documentation. |
| International Standards: UCP 600, ISBP (International Standard Banking Practice), INCOTERMS. | Monitoring Systems: Deep dive into EDPMS (Export Data Processing) and IDPMS (Import Data Processing) | |
| Treasury & Risk: Forward contracts, hedging, rate booking, and Nostro reconciliation. | Compliance: AML (Anti-Money Laundering) and KYC norms in Forex. | |
| Marketing Officer (Scale I) | Core Marketing: Marketing Management, Consumer Behavior, and Brand Building. | Business Mobilization: Strategies for field-based business growth and lead generation. |
| BFSI Domain: Marketing trends specifically within the Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance sectors | Analytics: Data-driven marketing and Business Analytics (as per PGDBA/PGDBM requirements). |
Part 2: Banking, Economic Scenario & General Awareness (30 Marks)
This section is common for both posts and evaluates the candidate’s understanding of the financial environment.
| Subject | Important Topics to Cover |
| Banking Awareness | Functions of RBI, Monetary Policy, Banking Ombudsman, and recent RBI circulars |
| Present Economic Scenario | Indian Economy trends, GDP, Inflation, and the impact of global economic shifts. |
| General Awareness | Current Affairs (National/International), Financial News, and Static GK related to the Banking Industry. |
| Institutional Knowledge | History of the Central Bank of India (established 1911) and its current business performance. |
Central Bank Specialist Officer: Preparation Strategy & Syllabus Tips
Section 1: Stream-Specific Preparation
| Post | Key Focus Areas (Syllabus) | Preparation Strategy |
| Foreign Exchange Officer | FEMA, UCP 600, ISBP, INCOTERMS, RBI Forex Regulations, Trade Finance products, LCs, and Nostro reconciliation. | Study the mandatory IIBF certification material for Foreign Exchange. Focus on RBI Master Directions, EDPMS, and IDPMS systems. |
| Marketing Officer | Marketing Management, Business Mobilization, and BFSI marketing domain knowledge. | Focus on the two-year full-time MBA/PGDM Marketing specialization concepts. Prepare for field-based business mobilization scenarios. |
Section 2: Banking and General Awareness
| Topic | Sub-Topics | Preparation Strategy |
| Banking & Economy | Present Economic Scenario, General Awareness, and Banking Operations. | Focus on the latest developments in the Indian financial sector and the bank’s total business achievements. |
| General Awareness | General Awareness related to the Banking Industry. | Stay updated on recent RBI guidelines and national economic shifts relevant to public sector banking. |
Section 3: Interview & Compliance Preparation
| Focus Area | Key Requirements | Advice |
| Professional Profile | Deep understanding of your specific job role (Trade Finance for Forex or Mobilization for Marketing). | Be ready to discuss your post-qualification experience (5 years for Forex, 2 years for Marketing). |
| Financial Discipline | Minimum Credit Information Company (CIC) score of 650. | Ensure no credit defaults are visible in your report on the date of document verification. |
| Service Conditions | Bond and Probation requirements. | Be aware that selected candidates must execute a bond of Rs. 3.00 Lakh for a period of 3 years. |
| Documentation | Original Certificates & ID proof. | Organize your original marks sheets, experience certificates, and valid category certificates (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD) beforehand. |
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