Introduction
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 has officially begun, with the State Bank of India launching a fresh hiring cycle aimed specifically at candidates from the SC, ST, and OBC categories. On 7th August 2026, the bank’s Central Recruitment and Promotion Department opened applications for 1,538 Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) posts under a Special Recruitment Drive to fill pending backlog vacancies. If you have been waiting for a fresh banking opportunity, this notification, released under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16, deserves your full attention.
Commonly referred to as the SBI Clerk exam, this recruitment fills entry-level clerical roles across SBI branches in twenty states and union territories. The online application window opened on 7th August 2026 and will remain active until 27th August 2026, giving aspirants exactly twenty days to register, fill out their forms, and submit the required documents. Candidates who miss this window will have to wait for the next recruitment cycle, so early action is strongly advised.
It is worth noting right at the outset that this particular notification covers backlog vacancies reserved specifically for SC, ST, and OBC candidates. A separate notification for regular vacancies is expected to follow soon, and General and EWS category candidates should keep an eye out for that announcement rather than applying under this drive.
The selection journey for this post runs through three stages—a Preliminary Examination, a Main Examination, and a Local Language Proficiency Test. Unlike many government exams, there is no personal interview involved, which means your performance in the written tests alone will decide your fate. Successful candidates can look forward to a respectable starting package, with total monthly emoluments touching approximately ₹46,000 at metro postings, along with the long-term security, pension benefits, and career stability that come with a public sector banking job.
Given the volume of applicants SBI recruitment drives typically attract, competition will be intense. Candidates who begin structured preparation now, rather than waiting for the exam date announcement, will have a clear edge over those who start late.
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SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Recruiting Organization | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post Name | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) |
| Advertisement Number | CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 |
| Recruitment Type | Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies |
| Total Vacancies | 1538 |
| Application Mode | Online Only |
| Registration Period | 7th August 2026 to 27th August 2026 |
| Preliminary Exam (Tentative) | September 2026 |
| Main Exam (Tentative) | October / November 2026 |
| Selection Stages | Prelims → Mains → Local Language Proficiency Test |
| Starting Monthly Salary | Approx. Rs. 46,000 (Metro Location) |
| Job Location | Across Participating States/UTs in India |
| Official Website | www.sbi.bank.in / bank.sbi |
Important Dates for SBI Clerk 2026
Mark these dates on your calendar. Missing even one deadline in this cycle could cost you a full year’s wait.
| Event | Date |
| Notification Released | 7th August 2026 |
| Online Application Begins | 7th August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 27th August 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 27th August 2026 |
| Prelims Admit Card Release | September 2026 (Expected) |
| Preliminary Examination | September 2026 (Tentative) |
| Prelims Result Declaration | To Be Announced |
| Mains Admit Card Release | October/November 2026 (Expected) |
| Main Examination | October/November 2026 (Tentative) |
| Local Language Proficiency Test | After Main Exam, Before Joining |
Important Note: These dates for the examination phases are provisional at present. SBI will confirm the exact schedule through its official careers portal closer to the exam. Candidates are advised to check the website regularly rather than relying solely on third-party sources.
SBI Clerk Vacancy Details 2026 (State-Wise Backlog Breakup)
This recruitment drive has been floated purely to fill backlog reservation gaps, which is why every one of the 1538 posts is earmarked for SC, ST, or OBC candidates only. There is no General or EWS category vacancy in this particular notification. The distribution across circles is uneven, with some states like Gujarat and Maharashtra offering a large chunk of posts, while smaller states and union territories have limited openings.
| State / UT | SC | ST | OBC | Total | Local Language |
| Gujarat | — | 289 | — | 289 | Gujarati |
| Maharashtra | — | 165 | — | 165 | Marathi |
| Madhya Pradesh | — | 134 | — | 134 | Hindi |
| Jharkhand | 14 | 119 | — | 133 | Hindi/Santhali |
| Karnataka | 85 | 35 | — | 120 | Kannada |
| Odisha | — | 111 | — | 111 | Odia |
| Rajasthan | 20 | 86 | — | 106 | Hindi |
| Andhra Pradesh | — | 88 | — | 88 | Telugu/Urdu |
| Tamil Nadu | 65 | — | — | 65 | Tamil |
| West Bengal | — | — | 55 | 55 | Bengali/Nepali |
| Jammu & Kashmir UT | — | 42 | — | 42 | Urdu/Hindi |
| Assam | — | 39 | — | 39 | Assamese/Bengali/Bodo |
| Telangana | — | 32 | — | 32 | Telugu/Urdu |
| Uttar Pradesh | — | 31 | — | 31 | Hindi/Urdu |
| Chhattisgarh | — | 26 | — | 26 | Hindi |
| Tripura | — | 22 | — | 22 | Bengali/Kokborok |
| Chandigarh UT | — | — | 22 | 22 | Hindi/Punjabi |
| Delhi | — | — | 17 | 17 | Hindi |
| Punjab | — | — | 18 | 18 | Punjabi/Hindi |
| Bihar | 12 | — | — | 12 | Hindi/Urdu |
| Himachal Pradesh | 11 | — | — | 11 | Hindi |
| Grand Total | 207 | 1219 | 112 | 1538 | — |
Special Notes on Vacancies
- Candidates can apply for only one State/UT, and the choice cannot be changed after final submission.
- There is no inter-state or inter-circle transfer facility for Junior Associates recruited through this drive. The only exceptions permitted are intra-state movement between Delhi Circle and Lucknow Circle (within Uttar Pradesh), and between Mumbai Metro Circle and Maharashtra Circle (within Maharashtra), subject to the bank’s internal guidelines.
- The merit list will be prepared separately for every state and category combination, so your competition is limited to candidates applying for the same state and category as you.
- Vacancy figures published in the notification are provisional and may be revised by the bank based on actual requirement at the time of final allotment.
SBI Clerk Apply Online 2026
The application process is entirely digital. SBI does not accept offline or postal applications for this recruitment. Here is what you need to know before you begin.
- Application Start Date: 7th August 2026
- Application Closing Date: 27th August 2026
- Official Portal: bank.sbi/web/careers/current-openings or sbi.co.in/web/careers/current-openings
- Mode: Online registration, form filling, document upload, and fee payment
Before starting your application, keep scanned copies of your photograph, signature, left-hand thumb impression, and a handwritten declaration ready, formatted according to the specifications mentioned in the official notification. Applications with unclear or improperly scanned documents run a real risk of rejection, so this step should not be rushed.
You will also need an active personal email ID and mobile number, since all future communication regarding your admit card, exam city, and results will be sent through these channels.
A Few Important Instructions
- The application can be saved and edited up to three times before final submission using the provisional registration number and password generated by the system.
- Once you click final submit, no further corrections are possible, so proofread every field carefully.
- Do not send a printout of your form to SBI — it is not required and will not be entertained.
- Providing Aadhaar details is optional at the application stage, though the bank may conduct Aadhaar-based verification at later stages of selection.
SBI Clerk Application Fee 2026
| Category | Application Fee |
| SC / ST | Nil |
| PwBD | Nil |
| Ex-Servicemen / Disabled Ex-Servicemen | Nil |
| OBC | Rs. 750/- |
The fee, wherever applicable, must be paid online through debit card, credit card, or net banking. Once paid, the amount is non-refundable and cannot be adjusted against any future recruitment cycle, even if you later find yourself ineligible.
SBI Clerk Eligibility Criteria 2026
Educational Qualification (As on 31.12.2026)
You must hold a graduation degree in any discipline from a university recognized by the central government, or an equivalent qualification. If you hold an Integrated Dual Degree (IDD), your date of passing must fall on or before 31st December 2026.
Final-year or final-semester students are also permitted to apply on a provisional basis. However, if selected, you will need to submit proof of having passed your graduation examination by 31st December 2026, no exceptions are made on this deadline.
Age Limit (As on 01.04.2026)
- Minimum Age: 20 years
- Maximum Age: 28 years
- Candidates must be born not earlier than 2nd April 1998 and not later than 1st April 2006, both dates inclusive.
Age Relaxation
| Category | Upper Age Relaxation |
| OBC | 3 years |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| PwBD (General/EWS) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen/Disabled Ex-Servicemen | Actual defence service period + 3 years |
| Widows/Divorced Women (Not Remarried) | 7 years |
| Trained Apprentices of SBI | 1 to 16 years depending on category and disability status |
Who Cannot Apply
- Candidates currently employed in SBI’s clerical cadre are not eligible to apply.
- Candidates who previously resigned from SBI while serving in the clerical cadre cannot reapply.
- Anyone with an adverse record concerning character, antecedents, or moral conduct is disqualified.
Nationality
Applicants must be Indian citizens. Citizens of Nepal or Bhutan, Tibetan refugees who arrived in India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanent settlement, and Persons of Indian Origin who have migrated from specified countries are also eligible, subject to producing an eligibility certificate from the Government of India.
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SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026
The path to becoming a Junior Associate at SBI involves three distinct stages, and clearing each one is mandatory to move forward.
Preliminary Examination → Main Examination → Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) → Document Verification & Final Selection
A critical point that many first-time applicants overlook: your Prelims score is used only to shortlist you for the Mains exam, at roughly ten times the number of vacancies in each category. It carries no weight in the final merit list. Your rank and final selection depend entirely on your performance in the Main Examination.
The Local Language Proficiency Test is a qualifying round only for candidates who did not study the chosen state’s local language at the 10th or 12th standard level. If your mark sheet already reflects that language, you are exempted from this test altogether.
SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2026
Phase 1: Preliminary Examination (100 Marks, 60 Minutes)
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
- The test is sectional-timed, meaning you cannot shift extra time from one section to another.
- Negative marking applies: 0.25 marks deducted for every wrong answer.
- There is no minimum qualifying mark for individual sections; only the overall cutoff matters for shortlisting.
Phase 2: Main Examination (200 Marks, 2 Hours 40 Minutes)
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 minutes |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 2 hours 40 minutes |
- Negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer applies here as well.
- Candidates must secure the minimum qualifying aggregate percentage decided by the bank, with a 5% relaxation extended to SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/XS/DXS candidates.
Phase 3: Local Language Proficiency Test (Qualifying)
| Test Type | Section | Passages | Questions | Marks |
| Non-Verbal | Objective | 3 | 15 | 15 |
| Non-Verbal | Subjective | 3 | 15 | 15 |
| Verbal Assessment | — | — | — | 20 |
This round is purely qualifying in nature and does not add to your merit score, but failing to clear it means forfeiting your selection regardless of how well you scored in the written exams.
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SBI Clerk Syllabus 2026
The syllabus for Prelims and Mains overlaps significantly, but the difficulty level rises considerably in the Main Examination, particularly in Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning.
Prelims Syllabus
Reasoning Ability
- Logical Reasoning
- Alphanumeric Series
- Ranking, Direction, and Alphabet Tests
- Data Sufficiency
- Coded Inequalities
- Seating Arrangement
- Puzzles
- Tabulation
- Syllogism
- Blood Relations
- Input-Output
- Coding-Decoding
Quantitative Aptitude
- Simplification
- Profit and Loss
- Mixtures and Alligations
- Simple and Compound Interest, Surds and Indices
- Time and Work
- Time and Distance
- Mensuration (Cylinder, Cone, Sphere)
- Data Interpretation
- Ratio, Proportion, and Percentage
- Number Systems
- Sequence and Series
- Permutation, Combination, and Probability
English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Para Jumbles
- Fill in the Blanks
- Error Spotting and Multiple Meaning Questions
- Paragraph Completion
Mains Syllabus
Quantitative Aptitude
- Number Series, Simplification
- Data Interpretation
- Quadratic Equations
- Partnership, Time and Distance
- Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest
- Mixtures and Alligations, Averages, Ratio and Proportion
Reasoning Ability
- Direction Sense, Machine Input/Output
- Syllogism, Data Sufficiency
- Blood Relations, Order and Ranking
- Inequalities, Coding-Decoding
- Statement and Assumptions, Puzzles
English Language
- Reading Comprehension, Sentence Rearrangement
- Sentence Correction and Error Finding
- Spelling Errors, Fillers, Cloze Test
General/Financial Awareness
- Current Affairs: banking news, awards, appointments, obituaries, government schemes, sports
- Static GK: countries and capitals, currencies, headquarters of financial organizations, dance forms, power stations
- Banking and Financial Terms and Abbreviations
Computer Aptitude
- Basics of Computer: hardware, software, generations
- DBMS, Networking, Internet
- Input/Output Devices, MS Office
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SBI Clerk Salary 2026
Once appointed, a Junior Associate at SBI is placed on the following pay scale:
Pay Scale: Rs. 24,050–1340/3–28,070–1650/3–33,020–2000/4–41,020–2340/7–57,400–4400/1–61,800–2680/1–64,480
- Starting Basic Pay: Rs. 26,730/- (this already includes two advance increments given to graduate candidates)
- Total Starting Monthly Emoluments: Approximately Rs. 46,000/- at a metro posting like Mumbai, inclusive of Dearness Allowance and other current-rate allowances
- Actual take-home pay varies by place of posting, since House Rent Allowance and City Compensatory Allowance differ across locations
Additional Benefits
- Provident Fund contribution
- New Pension Scheme (Defined Contribution Benefit)
- Medical facilities for self and dependents
- Leave Fare Concession
- Other periodic allowances as revised by the bank from time to time
Job Profile
As a Junior Associate, your day-to-day responsibilities will include opening bank accounts, processing RTGS/NEFT transactions, issuing demand drafts, handling cash counters, managing cheque book requests, assisting customers with documentation, and supporting branch managers and senior staff with routine operations.
Probation Period
Newly appointed Junior Associates serve a minimum probation of 6 months. Completion of prescribed e-lessons during this period is mandatory for confirmation; if performance does not meet the bank’s expectations, the probation period may be extended.
SBI Clerk Admit Card 2026
The Prelims admit card is expected to be released in September 2026, roughly one to two weeks before the exam date. The Mains admit card will follow a similar timeline once the Prelims result is declared.
How to Download
- Visit the official SBI careers portal.
- Locate the “Junior Associate Recruitment 2026” admit card link.
- Enter your registration number and password/date of birth.
- Download and take a clear printout for the exam day.
Always carry a valid photo ID along with your admit card to the exam center, entry is typically denied without both.
SBI Clerk Cut Off — What Past Trends Suggest
While this recruitment is a fresh backlog drive with its own dynamics, previous SBI Clerk cut-offs offer a useful reference point for gauging the competition level. In recent cycles, Prelims cut-offs for general category candidates have ranged broadly between the mid-50s and high-70s out of 100, depending on the state, while Mains cut-offs have often crossed 75–85 out of 200 in high-competition states like Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu.
Since this drive is restricted to SC, ST, and OBC candidates only, and vacancy distribution varies sharply by state, expect the cutoff pattern to differ from previous general recruitment cycles. States with a higher number of backlog posts relative to the expected applicant pool, such as Gujarat and Maharashtra, may see comparatively more accessible cutoffs than smaller states with single-digit or double-digit vacancies.
Documents Required for SBI Clerk Application
Keep the following ready in scanned format before you start your application:
- Graduation certificate / provisional certificate / mark sheet
- Recent passport-size photograph (as per specified dimensions)
- Signature scan
- Left-hand thumb impression scan
- Handwritten declaration scan (format specified in the official notification)
- Valid ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Voter ID, or Passport)
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC, as applicable)
- Domicile or local language proof, where relevant
- PwBD certificate, if applicable
How to Apply for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026
- Visit the Official Website: Go to sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings or sbi.co.in/web/careers/current-openings.
- Register: Click on the Junior Associate Recruitment 2026 link and complete new registration with a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill the Application Form: Enter personal, educational, and category details carefully. You can save and edit the form up to three times before final submission.
- Upload Documents: Upload your photograph, signature, thumb impression, and handwritten declaration as per the prescribed specifications.
- Pay the Application Fee: OBC candidates must pay Rs. 750 online. SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen candidates are exempted from the fee.
- Final Submission: Review every section thoroughly, then submit. Save the confirmation page and e-receipt for your records. Do not send a printout to SBI.
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Important Instructions for Candidates
- This notification covers backlog vacancies for SC/ST/OBC candidates only. General and EWS candidates should wait for the separate regular vacancy notification.
- You may apply for only one State/UT; multiple state applications are not permitted under this drive.
- There is no interview in this selection process — final merit is based on Main Exam marks and LLPT qualification.
- Application fee, once paid, is non-refundable under any circumstance.
- Keep your email and mobile number active throughout the recruitment cycle, as all official communication is sent digitally.
- Double-check your category and state selection before final submission no changes are permitted afterward.
- Avoid relying on unofficial coaching WhatsApp groups for date announcements; always cross-verify with the official SBI careers page.
Official Links
| Resource | Details |
| Official Notification PDF | Available on bank.sbi careers page |
| Apply Online | sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings |
| Official Website | sbi.bank.in/ |
| Helpdesk Number | 022-22820427 (11:00 AM–5:00 PM, working days) |
| Query Portal | cgrs.ibps.in |
Conclusion
The SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 backlog drive is a genuine opportunity for SC, ST, and OBC candidates to secure a stable, respected position in India’s largest public sector bank. With 1538 posts on offer, a straightforward three-stage selection process, and no interview round to worry about, your success depends almost entirely on how well you prepare for the written examinations.
Twenty days is not a long application window, so if you meet the eligibility criteria, register without delay and begin structured preparation immediately rather than waiting for the exam date to be announced. The gap between Prelims and Mains is traditionally short, and candidates who start early consistently perform better than those who cram in the final weeks.
This recruitment also carries long-term value beyond the immediate posting a clerical role at SBI opens doors to internal promotions, further banking exams, and a stable career trajectory backed by strong job security. For thousands of aspirants across the country, this is exactly the kind of opportunity worth committing to seriously.
Don’t let this window close without action. Register on the official website, organize your documents, and start your preparation today.
