The State Bank of India (SBI) has released its recruitment notification for the position of Probationary Officers (PO) for the year 2025. This annual recruitment drive is one of the most awaited opportunities in the Indian banking sector, offering a prestigious role along with a good salary, job security, and opportunities for career growth. This year, SBI has announced a total of 541 vacancies for the PO post. In this blog, we break down the important dates, eligibility, selection process, and how to apply for SBI PO 2025.
Important Dates for SBI PO 2025
The following table outlines the key dates for the SBI PO 2025 recruitment process:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 24 June 2025 |
| Start of Online Application | 24 June 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 14 July 2025 |
| Preliminary Exam | July–August 2025 |
| Mains Exam | September 2025 |
| Group Exercises & Interview | October–November 2025 |
| Final Result Declaration | November–December 2025 |
Candidates are advised to complete their applications well before the deadline to avoid last-minute server issues.
SBI PO 2025 Vacancy Details
This year, SBI has released a total of 541 vacancies for the Probationary Officer post. The breakdown of vacancies is as follows:
| Category | Regular Vacancies | Backlog | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| General | 203 | 0 | 203 |
| SC | 75 | 5 | 80 |
| ST | 37 | 36 | 73 |
| OBC | 135 | 0 | 135 |
| EWS | 50 | 0 | 50 |
| Total | 500 | 41 | 541 |
These vacancies are subject to change depending on administrative requirements.
SBI PO 2025 Eligibility Criteria
To apply for SBI PO 2025, candidates must meet the following criteria:
Educational Qualification
- Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
- Those in their final year or semester of graduation can also apply, provided they produce proof of passing the degree before the specified date set by SBI.
Age Limit (As on 1 April 2025)
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
- Candidates must have been born between 2 April 1995 and 1 April 2004 (both dates inclusive).
- Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories as per government rules.
Number of Attempts
| Category | Maximum Attempts |
|---|---|
| General | 4 |
| General (PwBD) | 7 |
| OBC | 7 |
| OBC (PwBD) | 7 |
| SC/ST | No limit |
| SC/ST (PwBD) | No limit |
Candidates who have already appeared the maximum number of permissible attempts are not eligible to apply.
Application Fee
Candidates must pay the following fee while submitting the online application form:
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹750 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / ESM | Nil |
The fee is non-refundable and must be paid online through debit/credit card, internet banking, or UPI.
SBI PO 2025 Selection Process
The SBI PO selection process is conducted in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination: This is an online objective test consisting of 100 marks and acts as a screening round.
- Main Examination: Includes both objective and descriptive tests. The objective part covers Reasoning, Data Analysis, General Awareness, English, and Quantitative Aptitude. The descriptive part includes letter and essay writing.
- Group Exercise and Interview: Shortlisted candidates from the Main exam are called for the final round, which includes a psychometric test, group exercise, and interview.
Final selection is based on merit, taking into account the scores from Mains and the Interview round.
Updated SBI PO 2025 Exam Pattern
Phase 1: Preliminary Examination (Qualifying Stage)
The Preliminary Exam consists of three sections, with a total of 100 objective questions to be completed in 60 minutes. There is no sectional cut-off, and this stage primarily serves as a screening round.
| Section | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 40 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Wrong answers incur a penalty of 0.25 marks per question
Phase 2: Main Examination (Merit Stage)
The Main Exam has two parts: Objective Test and Descriptive Test, conducted in a combined duration of 3 hours for the objective section, and an additional 30 minutes for the descriptive section. This phase includes separate sectional cut-offs, and marks are crucial for final merit listing.
Objective Test (Total 200 Marks)
| Section | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 50 minutes |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | 60 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| English Language | 40 | 20 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 170 | 200 | 3 hours |
Descriptive Test (Total 50 Marks)
- Letter Writing & Essay
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Marks: 50
There is a 0.25 mark penalty for each incorrect response in the Objective Test
Phase 3: Group Exercise & Interview (Final Merit Stage)
Candidates who clear both the Prelims and Mains progress to the final round, which comprises:
- Group Discussion
- Panel Interview
The total score for this stage is 50 marks (20 for GD + 30 for Interview), which is added to the Mains score (out of 250) for final merit ranking
SBI PO Salary and Career Growth
The starting basic pay for an SBI PO is ₹48,480 with four advance increments. In addition to the basic pay, the PO is entitled to DA, HRA, CCA, and other allowances.
Approximate In-Hand Salary: ₹80,000 to ₹82,000 per month
This figure varies depending on the city of posting. The total compensation package, including allowances and perks, can go up to ₹20.43 lakh per year in metro cities like Mumbai.
Probationary Officers are also eligible for medical benefits, leave travel concession, house rent allowance or lease rental, and pension benefits under the New Pension Scheme.
How to Apply for SBI PO 2025
Follow these steps to complete your application:
- Visit the official website of SBI.
- Click on the Careers section.
- Open the “Current Openings” tab and find the link for “SBI PO Recruitment 2025”.
- Register using your email ID and mobile number.
- Fill the application form, upload documents, and pay the required fee.
- Submit the form and save a copy of the application for future reference.
The application process is fully online, and candidates must keep scanned copies of their photo, signature, and ID ready for upload.
Conclusion
The SBI PO 2025 recruitment is a golden opportunity for graduates looking to build a stable and rewarding career in banking. With 541 vacancies announced, this year offers a better chance to crack one of the most competitive exams in India. Make sure to go through the eligibility carefully, apply on time, and start preparing in a structured manner.
If you have any questions or want more help with your preparation, leave a comment or share your thoughts below. You can also check out preparation resources and mock tests to boost your practice.
