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SBI PO Recruitment 2026

The State Bank of India (SBI) has officially released the SBI PO Notification 2026 (Advertisement No. CRPD/PO/2026-27/09) on 18 June 2026, announcing 1500 vacancies for the post of Probationary Officer (PO) SBI PO Recruitment 2026. This is one of the most awaited banking recruitment notifications of the year, and GICE Academy brings you the most comprehensive, verified, and student-friendly guide to help you navigate every aspect of this examination.

Whether you are a first-time aspirant or a repeat candidate, this article covers everything – from eligibility and application to exam pattern, syllabus, salary, and a detailed preparation strategy tailored to help you crack SBI PO 2026 on your first attempt.

SBI PO 2026 – Quick Summary Table

ParameterDetails
Conducting BodyState Bank of India (SBI)
Post NameProbationary Officer (PO)
Advertisement No.CRPD/PO/2026-27/09
Total Vacancies1500 Posts
Application ModeOnline Only
Application Start Date18 June 2026
Application Last Date08 July 2026
Age Limit (as on 01.04.2026)21 to 30 Years
ParameterDetails
Educational QualificationGraduation in any discipline from a recognised University
Application Fee (Gen/OBC/EWS)Rs. 750/-
Application Fee (SC/ST/PwBD)Nil
Selection ProcessPrelims → Mains → Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview
Prelims Exam Date (Expected)August 2026
Mains Exam Date (Expected)12 September 2026
Starting Basic PayRs. 48,480/- per month
Approximate In-Hand SalaryRs. 80,000 – Rs. 82,000 per month
Annual CTC (Mumbai Posting)Approx. Rs. 21.97 Lakh
Service BondRs. 2,00,000 for a minimum of 3 years of service
Official Websitesbi.bank.in
Probation Period2 Years
Job LocationAcross India

SBI PO 2026 Notification PDF

The official SBI PO 2026 Notification PDF has been published on SBI’s official website sbi.bank.in. The notification document contains exhaustive details about the recruitment including eligibility norms, application instructions, exam schedule, interview process, and service conditions.

Every candidate must download and read the official notification PDF thoroughly before applying. It is your primary source document and contains legal and procedural information that this article supplements with additional preparation guidance.
Direct Download Link: SBI PO Notification 2026 PDF – Official

SBI PO 2026 Important Dates

Time management starts with knowing your deadlines. Below is the complete schedule for SBI PO Recruitment 2026. Bookmark this table and mark all critical dates in your calendar immediately

EventDate
Notification Release Date18 June 2026
Online Application Opens18 June 2026
Last Date to Apply Online & Pay Fee08 July 2026
Pre-Examination Training (SC/ST/OBC/PwBD)1 July 2026 onwards
Prelims Admit Card Release2nd / 3rd Week of July 2026
Preliminary Examination (Phase I)August 2026 (1st & 2nd Week Expected)
EventDate
Preliminary Exam ResultAugust / September 2026
Mains Admit Card ReleaseAugust / September 2026
Main Examination (Phase II)12 September 2026 (Expected)
Mains Exam ResultSeptember / October 2026
Phase III Call LetterOctober / November 2026
Psychometric TestOctober / November 2026
Group Exercise & Personal InterviewOctober / November 2026
Final Result DeclarationNovember / December 2026

Note: All dates are subject to official confirmation. Candidates should regularly check sbi.bank.in for any revisions.

SBI PO 2026 Vacancy Details

SBI has announced a total of 1500 Probationary Officer vacancies for the financial year 2026-27. This is a significant increase compared to the 541 vacancies announced in 2025 and 600 in 2024. The vacancies comprise 1446 fresh vacancies and 54 backlog vacancies (SC and ST categories).

Category-Wise Vacancy Breakdown

CategoryRegular VacanciesBacklog VacanciesTotal Vacancies
Scheduled Caste (SC)21618234
Scheduled Tribe (ST)10836144
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)390390
EWS (Economically Weaker Section)144144
Unreserved (UR)588588
TOTAL1,446541,500

PwBD Vacancies (Horizontal Reservation)

PwBD CategoryVacancies
VI – Visually Impaired15
HI – Hearing Impaired16
LD – Locomotor Disability14
d & e – Other Benchmark Disabilities16
Total PwBD Vacancies61

SBI PO Vacancy Trend – Last 9 Years

YearVacancies Announced
20261,500
2025541
2024600
20232,000
20221,673
20212,056
20202,000
20192,000
20182,000

Key Changes in SBI PO 2026 Notification

The 2026 notification brings several notable changes that candidates must be aware of. Here is a comprehensive list of what is new or updated this year:

What ChangedPrevious (2025)Updated (2026)
Total Vacancies5411,500
Annual CTC (Mumbai)Rs. 20.43 LakhRs. 21.97 Lakh
Descriptive Paper Marks50 Marks30 Marks
Total Mains Marks250 Marks230 Marks
Attempts – UR / EWS4 Attempts6 Attempts
Attempts – OBC7 Attempts9 Attempts
Attempts – SC / STNo RestrictionNo Restriction (Unchanged)
Official Websitebank.sbisbi.bank.in
Aadhaar VerificationOptionalMandatory
Service BondNot specifiedRs. 2 Lakh for 3 years
DPDP Act ComplianceNot applicableIntroduced
PwBD (Temporary Disability)EligibleNo longer eligible
New Exam Centres AddedKurukshetra, Ayodhya, Churachandpur, Mysuru
CIBIL Compliance DeadlineEarlier deadlineExtended to date of joining

SBI PO 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before you apply, make sure you meet all the eligibility requirements prescribed by SBI. Ineligible candidates may be disqualified at any stage of the selection process.

Educational Qualification (as on 30/09/2026)

  • Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline from a recognised University or
    institution.
  • Degrees from Open Universities or Distance Learning programmes recognised by the
    Central Government are also eligible.
  • Graduates in Engineering, Medicine, CA, Cost Accountancy, and Integrated Dual Degree
    programmes are also eligible.
  • Final Year / Final Semester students may apply provisionally. However, they must produce
    proof of passing their graduation on or before 30 September 2026 – failing which, their
    candidature will be cancelled.

Note: Candidates must note that the proof of graduation must be submitted by 30 September 2026, not at the time of the interview.

Age Limit (as on 01/04/2026)

Candidates must be between 21 and 30 years of age as on 01 April 2026. This means your date of birth must fall between 02 April 1996 and 01 April 2005 (both dates inclusive).

Age Relaxation

CategoryAge Relaxation
OBC – Non-Creamy Layer3 Years (Maximum Age: 33 Years)
SC / ST5 Years (Maximum Age: 35 Years)
PwBD – UR / EWS10 Years (Maximum Age: 40 Years)
PwBD – OBC13 Years (Maximum Age: 43 Years)
PwBD – SC / ST15 Years (Maximum Age: 45 Years)
Ex-Servicemen (with 5 years service)5 Years above the maximum age limit

Nationality

Candidates must belong to one of the following nationalities:

  • Indian Citizen
  • Subject of Nepal or Bhutan
  • Tibetan Refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962 with the intention of permanent
    settlement
  • Person of Indian Origin (PIO) who migrated from Burma, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, or
    East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, or Zaire with
    the intention of permanent settlement in India

Note: Candidates from the last three categories must produce a Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Government of India at the time of their application/interview.

Number of Attempts (Revised for 2026)

CategoryMaximum Attempts
UR / EWS6 Attempts
UR (PwBD) / EWS (PwBD) / OBC / OBC (PwBD)9 Attempts
SC / ST (including PwBD)No Restriction

Note: Appearing only in the preliminary exam does NOT count as an attempt. An attempt is counted only if the candidate appears in the main examination.

CIBIL / Credit Score Requirement

Candidates who have defaulted in repayment of any loan or credit card dues with any bank or NBFC and have NOT regularised the outstanding amount will not be eligible. The CIBIL compliance deadline has been extended to the date of joining in 2026 (previously an earlier deadline applied). Ensure your credit history is clean before applying.

SBI PO 2026 Application Fee

The application fee is non-refundable under any circumstances, including withdrawal of candidature or disqualification.

CategoryApplication Fee
General / OBC / EWSRs. 750/- (inclusive of intimation charges)
SC / ST / PwBDNil

Payment can be made via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, IMPS, or UPI.

How to Apply Online for SBI PO 2026

The entire application process is conducted online through the SBI official careers portal. Follow the steps below carefully to submit a successful application.

  1. Visit the official SBI website: sbi.bank.in/careers
  2. Click on the link titled ‘Recruitment of Probationary Officers 2026’ or ‘CRPD/PO/2026-
    27/09′.
  3. Click ‘New Registration’ if you are applying for the first time. Generate your Registration ID
    and Password.
  4. Fill in your personal details including name (as on 10th certificate), date of birth, contact
    information, and address.
  5. Enter your educational qualification details – university name, year of passing,
    percentage/CGPA.
  6. Upload the required documents in the prescribed format (see section below).
  7. Select your preferred exam centre for Prelims and Mains separately.
  8. Pay the application fee using the available online payment modes.
  9. Review all entries carefully. Once submitted, edits are not permitted.
  10. Submit the form and download / print the confirmation page for future reference.

Tip: Keep your Registration ID and Password safe. You will need them to download your admit card

Documents Required for SBI PO Application

Keep the following documents ready before starting the application process:

  • Recent passport-size colour photograph (file size: 20 KB – 50 KB, JPG/JPEG format)
  • Signature in black ink, not in capital letters (file size: 10 KB – 20 KB, JPG/JPEG)
  • Left-hand thumb impression on white paper (file size: 20 KB – 50 KB)
  • Handwritten declaration in English (as specified in the notification)
  • Valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar card is mandatory for verification)
  • Category certificate (if applicable – SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD)
  • Graduation degree / mark sheet (provisional certificate if in final year)
  • Ex-serviceman discharge certificate (if applicable)

SBI PO 2026 Selection Process

The SBI PO 2026 selection process consists of three phases. Candidates must qualify each phase to advance to the next. The final merit list is based on combined performance in Phases II and III only.

PhaseStageNatureMarks Counted in Final Selection
Phase IPreliminary ExaminationOnline Objective TestNo (Qualifying Only)
Phase IIMain Examination (Objective + Descriptive)Online TestYes – 75% Weightage
Phase IIIPsychometric Test, Group Exercise & Personal InterviewOfflineYes – 25% Weightage

Note: The preliminary examination is only qualifying in nature. Scores from Phase I are NOT considered for the final merit list.

SBI PO 2026 Preliminary Examination Pattern

SBI PO Recruitment 2026

The Preliminary Examination is an online objective-type test. It consists of 100 questions carrying 100 marks, to be completed in 60 minutes. Each section has a separate time limit, and you cannot switch between sections freely

SectionNo. of QuestionsMaximum MarksTime Duration
English Language404020 Minutes
Quantitative Aptitude303020 Minutes
Reasoning Ability303020 Minutes
TOTAL10010060 Minutes

Negative Marking: 0.25 marks (1/4th) will be deducted for every incorrect answer. There is no penalty for unanswered questions

Tip: Focus on accuracy over speed in Prelims. Attempting 75-80 questions with 90%+ accuracy is better than rushing through all 100.

SBI PO 2026 Main Examination Pattern

The main examination carries significant weight in the final selection. It includes both an Objective Test and a Descriptive Test. The total marks are 230, and the total duration is 3 hours 30 minutes.

Objective Test – Main Exam

SectionNo. of QuestionsMaximum MarksTime Duration
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude406050 Minutes
Data Analysis & Interpretation306045 Minutes
General / Economy / Banking Awareness606045 Minutes
English Language402040 Minutes
TOTAL (Objective)1702003 Hours

Descriptive Test – Main Exam

ComponentTask TypesNo. of QuestionsMaximum MarksDuration
Descriptive PaperEssay Writing, Letter Writing, Report Writing, Precis & Situation Analysis33030 Minutes

Note: The Descriptive Test is conducted immediately after the Objective Test. It is typed on the computer. Practise typing your answers within the time limit.

Total Mains Marks: 230 Marks (200 Objective + 30 Descriptive)
Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer in the Objective section. No negative marking in the Descriptive section.

Phase III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Personal Interview

Candidates shortlisted after the Main Examination are called for Phase III, which evaluates personality, communication, leadership qualities, and suitability for the banking profession.

Psychometric Test

The Psychometric Test is a personality assessment tool used to evaluate behavioural traits, temperament, and interpersonal skills. It does not have right or wrong answers per se, but the results are used to assess a candidate’s suitability and honesty of responses. Answer instinctively and do not overthink.

Group Exercise (GE)

In the Group Exercise, a group of candidates is given a topic to discuss. Assessors evaluate your ability to communicate effectively, listen actively, present logical arguments, lead the discussion constructively, and work collaboratively. You are NOT expected to dominate; balanced participation is preferred.

Personal Interview

The Personal Interview tests your banking knowledge, current affairs awareness, personality, communication skills, and clarity of thought. Typical interview areas include:

  • Introduction and background
  • Motivation for joining SBI / banking sector
  • Recent banking and financial news
  • Questions on your educational background or graduation subject
  • Situational and ethical judgment questions
  • General Knowledge and Current Affairs

SBI PO 2026 Final Merit List & Weightage

The final merit list is prepared by normalising the scores to 100 marks as follows:

ComponentOriginal MarksNormalised Weightage
Main Examination (Objective + Descriptive)230 Marks75 Marks
Group Exercise & Personal Interview25 Marks
TOTAL100 Marks

The final selection is based purely on this combined 100-mark score. Candidates are ranked in order of merit within each category, and appointments are made accordingly.

SBI PO 2026 Syllabus – Detailed Topic-Wise Breakdown

A thorough understanding of the syllabus is the foundation of effective preparation. Below is a detailed subject-wise syllabus for both Prelims and Mains.
For a printable syllabus PDF, visit: SBI PO Syllabus 2026 – Detailed PDF

A. English Language

  • Reading Comprehension (1-2 passages with 5-10 questions each)
  • Cloze Test / Fill in the Blanks
  • Para Jumbles / Sentence Rearrangement
  • Error Detection / Spotting
  • Sentence Improvement / Correction
  • Vocabulary: Synonyms, Antonyms, Word Usage
  • Phrase Replacement / Fill in the Blanks
  • Paragraph Completion
  • Inferential and Tonal Questions in RC
  • Descriptive Test: Essay Writing, Formal Letter Writing, Report Writing, Precis, Situation
    Analysis

B. Quantitative Aptitude / Data Analysis & Interpretation

  • Number Series (missing number / wrong number)
  • Simplification & Approximation
  • Quadratic Equations
  • Data Interpretation (Tables, Bar Graphs, Line Charts, Pie Charts, Radar Graphs, Mixed DI)
  • Data Sufficiency
  • Ratio & Proportion, Percentage, Partnership
  • Profit & Loss, Discount
  • Simple Interest & Compound Interest
  • Time, Speed, Distance; Trains, Boats & Streams
  • Time & Work, Pipes & Cisterns
  • Mixtures & Alligations
  • Permutations, Combinations, Probability
  • Mensuration – Area, Volume, Surface Area
  • Average, Ages, Averages, Inequalities

C. Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude

  • Puzzles & Seating Arrangements (Linear, Circular, Square, Floor-based)
  • Blood Relations
  • Direction Sense
  • Order & Ranking / Inequality
  • Syllogisms (2-3 statements, reverse syllogisms)
  • Coding-Decoding (New Pattern)
  • Input-Output
  • Logical Reasoning – Cause & Effect, Course of Action
  • Data Sufficiency
  • Computer Fundamentals: Hardware, Software, OS, Networking
  • MS Office, Internet, Cybersecurity basics
  • Number System, DBMS concepts

D. General / Economy / Banking Awareness

  • Banking Awareness: RBI policies, CRR, SLR, Repo Rate, Reverse Repo, MCLR, PSL
    norms
  • Financial Institutions: SEBI, NABARD, SIDBI, NHB, EXIM Bank
  • Recent Banking Sector Developments
  • Government Schemes & Budgets related to banking and finance
  • Economy: GDP, Inflation, Monetary Policy, Fiscal Policy
  • International Finance: IMF, World Bank, ADB
  • Capital Markets: NSE, BSE, IPO, Mutual Funds
  • Insurance: IRDAI, types of insurance
  • Current Affairs: National & International (last 6 months)
  • Awards, Sports, Summits, Books & Authors
  • Static GK: Headquarters of banks/financial bodies, taglines, CEOs
    For daily updates, visit: Current Affairs for Banking Exams

SBI PO 2026 Salary, Pay Scale & Benefits

SBI PO is among the highest-paying entry-level positions in public sector banking. Here is a complete breakdown of the salary structure:

ComponentDetails
Starting Basic PayRs. 48,480/- per month
Pay Scale48,480 – 2000/7 – 62,480 – 2340/2 – 67,160 – 2680/7 – 85,920
Dearness Allowance (DA)As per RBI/SBI guidelines (updated periodically)
House Rent Allowance (HRA)Based on posting location (Metro / Urban / Semi-Urban / Rural)
City Compensatory Allowance (CCA)Applicable in metro cities
Approximate In-Hand SalaryRs. 80,000 – Rs. 82,000 per month
Annual CTC (Mumbai Posting)Approx. Rs. 21.97 Lakh
Service BondRs. 2,00,000 – must serve for minimum 3 years
Provident FundAs per Government rules
National Pension Scheme (NPS)Applicable
Leave Fare Concession (LFC)Applicable
Medical FacilityFor self and family
Other PerquisitesBank accommodation (or HRA), staff loans at concessional rates

Career Growth & Promotion Path

One of the most attractive aspects of the SBI PO role is the clear promotion pathway:

LevelDesignationScale
Entry LevelProbationary Officer / Junior Management GradeScale I
After PromotionAssistant ManagerScale I Confirmed
Deputy ManagerDeputy ManagerScale II
ManagerBranch Manager / ManagerScale III
Senior ManagerSenior ManagerScale IV
Chief ManagerChief Manager / AGMScale V
DGM / GMDeputy General Manager / General ManagerScale VI / VII

Tip: SBI offers fast-track promotions based on performance. Motivated officers can reach DGM / GM level within 15-20 years.

SBI PO 2026 Exam Centres

SBI PO 2026 will be conducted across hundreds of cities in India for the Preliminary Examination, with a select number of cities for the Main Examination. Candidates must choose their preferred exam centre during the application itself.

Maharashtra Exam Centres

Prelims: Amaravati, Aurangabad, Chandrapur, Dhule, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Latur, Mumbai / Thane / Navi Mumbai, Nagpur, Nanded, Nasik, Pune, Ratnagiri, Solapur
Mains: Aurangabad, Nagpur, Pune, Mumbai / Thane / Navi Mumbai

Pre-Examination Training Centres

Pre-Exam Training (PET) is provided free of cost to candidates from SC, ST, Religious Minority, and OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) / PwBD categories. PET is conducted for 5 working days before the Preliminary Examination. Below are some important PET centres across India:

RegionTraining Centres (Sample)
West IndiaAhmedabad, Akola, Aurangabad, Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Mumbai, Nagpur, Panaji (Goa), Pune, Raipur, Vadodara
East IndiaKolkata, Patna, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, Ranchi, Siliguri, Dibrugarh, Asansol
South IndiaBengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Coimbatore, Ernakulam, Hubli, Madurai, Mysore, Visakhapatnam
North IndiaDelhi, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Dehradun, Shimla, Jammu
North-East IndiaAgartala, Aizawl, Imphal, Itanagar, Kohima, Shillong

SBI PO 2026 Preparation Strategy – Complete 90-Day Plan

A structured preparation plan is the most reliable path to success. GICE Academy recommends the following approach for candidates with approximately 90 days of preparation time:

Phase 1: Foundation Building (Days 1-30)

  1. Start with understanding the complete syllabus and exam pattern.
  2. Strengthen Class 10 mathematics (number systems, percentages, ratios, SI & CI, profit & loss).
  3. Revise English grammar fundamentals (subject-verb agreement, tenses, articles, prepositions).
  4. Begin basic Reasoning (inequalities, blood relations, direction sense, puzzles).
  5. Start daily current affairs reading – 15-20 minutes per day. Focus on banking and financial news.

Phase 2: Core Preparation (Days 31-60)

  1. Complete Data Interpretation thoroughly – practise all DI types daily.
  2. Focus on Puzzles and Seating Arrangements – 5-6 puzzles every day.
  3. Reading Comprehension practice – 1 RC passage daily with vocabulary building.
  4. Start Banking Awareness preparation – RBI, monetary policy, recent bank news.
  5. Begin taking chapter-wise mock tests after completing each topic.

Phase 3: Revision & Mock Tests (Days 61-90)

  1. Take 1 full-length Prelims mock test every 2 days.
  2. Analyse each mock test thoroughly – identify weak areas and revise them.
  3. Practice previous year question papers (at least 5 full sets).
  4. Focus on speed and accuracy – target 80+ questions in Prelims in under 55 minutes.
  5. Start Mains preparation alongside Prelims revision. 26. Practice Descriptive writing – 1 essay or letter every 3 days.

Subject-Wise Preparation Tips

SubjectKey Tips
English LanguageRead newspapers (The Hindu / Economic Times) daily. Focus on editorial vocabulary. Practise 2 RCs daily in timed mode.
Quantitative AptitudeMaster DI and arithmetic. Use percentage–ratio shortcuts. Practice calculation speed with tables, squares, cubes.
Reasoning AbilityPuzzle practice is non-negotiable. Solve 5–6 complex puzzles daily. Work on input-output and coding-decoding patterns.
Banking AwarenessMaintain a static GK notebook. Update it weekly with RBI notifications and banking news. Focus on last 6 months of current affairs.
Computer AptitudeRevise basics from NCERT CS textbook. Focus on networking, MS Office, and cybersecurity terminology.
Descriptive WritingPractice letter and essay writing. Keep your language formal and concise. Aim for 200–250 words in essays, 150–180 for letters.

Why Choose GICE Academy for SBI PO 2026 Preparation?

SBI PO Recruitment 2026

GICE Academy is one of the most trusted coaching institutes in the Aurangabad / Navi Mumbai region for competitive government exam preparation, with a proven record of producing successful banking officers.

FeatureGICE Academy Advantage
Expert FacultyExperienced faculty with 10+ years of banking exam coaching expertise
Comprehensive Study MaterialSBI PO-specific notes covering the complete updated 2026 syllabus
Mock Test Series500+ practice tests with detailed performance analytics and percentile tracking
Daily Current AffairsCurated daily current affairs bulletins with banking-specific focus
Doubt Clearing SessionsLive Q&A sessions and one-on-one doubt clearing support
Descriptive Writing TrainingDedicated sessions for essay, letter, and report writing
FeatureGICE Academy Advantage
Interview PreparationMock GD, Group Exercise, and Personal Interview sessions
Batch FlexibilityOnline and Offline batches; weekday and weekend options available
Previous Year PapersComplete solved sets of SBI PO question papers from 2015 onwards
Success Track RecordHundreds of selections in SBI PO, SBI Clerk, IBPS PO, and RRB exams

DISCLAIMER

This article has been prepared by GICE Academy for educational and informational purposes only. All information has been sourced from the official SBI PO 2026 Notification (CRPD/PO/2026-27/09) published on sbi.bank.in. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, candidates are advised to refer to the official notification before taking any action. GICE Academy is not responsible for any discrepancies arising from changes made by SBI after the publication of this article.

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