Notification Highlights
Important Examination & Application Dates
| Recruitment Event / Milestone | Official Date / Schedule |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Opens | 10 September 2026 |
| Registration Last Date | 06 October 2026 |
| Preliminary Online Examination | November 2026 |
| Main Online Examination | December 2026 – January 2027 |
| Psychometric Test & Interview (PO) | February 2027 |
Application Fee by Reservation Category
| Candidate Category | Prescribed Fee |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / OBC Candidates | ₹750 |
| SC / ST / PwBD Candidates | Exempted (Nil) |
Post-Wise Vacancy & Pay Scale Breakdown
| Post Name | Department | Pay Scale | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Probationary Officer (PO) | All India SBI Management Cadre | Basic ₹41,960 (with 4 advance increments in ₹36,000 – ₹63,840 scale) | 2,000 |
| Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) | Circle-wise Branches (Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Lucknow, etc.) | Basic ₹19,900 (in ₹17,900 – ₹47,920 scale) | 8,283 |
Selection Process & Stages
100 marks objective test (English 30, Quantitative Aptitude 35, Reasoning Ability 35) with 20 minutes sectional timing each.
Reasoning & Computer, Data Analysis, General & Banking Awareness, English Language, plus 30-minute letter and essay typing test.
Psychometric profile assessment followed by Group Exercise (20 marks) and Interview (30 marks).
Examination Pattern, Subjects & Negative Marking
Detailed section-wise question distribution, marks allocation, and penalty rules:
| Subject / Test Module | Questions | Max Marks | Duration | Negative Marking Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes Sectional | 1/4th (-0.25 Marks) penalty |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes Sectional | 1/4th (-0.25 Marks) penalty |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes Sectional | 1/4th (-0.25 Marks) penalty |
Official Examination Syllabus & Section-Wise Topics
Curated subject topics based on official recruitment notifications and past pattern distribution:
- High-level Puzzles (Floor with variable, Box scheduling, Year-based calculations with age limits)
- Seating Arrangements (Circular, Linear parallel rows, Uncertain number of persons)
- Syllogism (Only a few cases, Reverse syllogisms), Machine Input-Output logic flows
- Data Sufficiency (2-statement and 3-statement evaluations), Logical & Critical Reasoning (Course of action, Assumptions)
- Data Interpretation (Caselet DI, Missing DI, Radar charts, Funnel charts, and Arithmetic-based DI)
- Number Series (Wrong number identification, Pattern recognition), Quadratic Equations with roots comparison
- Commercial Arithmetic: Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Time & Work, Speed Time Distance, Mixtures & Alligations
- Reading Comprehension (Financial, Macroeconomic & ESG themes with inference questions)
- Sentence rearrangement, Cloze test, Error detection, Word swap, and Column-based matching
- RBI monetary policy rates, Banking terminology, Priority Sector Lending (PSL), Union Budget allocations, Current financial news
Previous Cycle Qualifying Cut-Off Benchmarks
Historical normalized qualifying marks across reservation categories to gauge target scores and safe attempt targets:
| Cycle / Exam Stage | General (UR) | OBC-NCL | EWS | SC | ST | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 SBI PO Prelims (Official) | 58.50 | 56.75 | 55.25 | 50.00 | 46.50 | 100 |
| 2023 SBI PO Prelims (Official) | 59.50 | 58.25 | 56.50 | 51.25 | 47.75 | 100 |
| 2022 SBI PO Prelims (Official) | 59.50 | 58.25 | 57.00 | 52.50 | 47.75 | 100 |
Profile Match & Application Advisory
- Graduates in any discipline from a recognized university seeking appointment as Probationary Officers or Junior Associates in State Bank of India.
- Final-year graduation students eligible to produce proof of passing before interview/joining stages.
- Candidates with adverse credit history (CIBIL score below 650 or default on commercial/student loans).
- Candidates exceeding the maximum age limit of 30 years (PO) or 28 years (Clerk) without reservation relaxations.
Common Application Mistakes & Scrutiny Pitfalls
- Typing the handwritten declaration instead of writing it in the candidate own handwriting.
- Writing the handwritten declaration in CAPITAL LETTERS (strictly leads to immediate application rejection).
- Selecting an SBI circle without proficiency (reading, writing, speaking) in the specified local language.
Documents to Keep Ready Before Applying
- Graduation Degree Certificate and all semester marks sheets
- 10th certificate for Date of Birth verification
- Scanned Left Thumb Impression (LTI) in blue or black ink
- Scanned Handwritten Declaration in English written in running handwriting
- Caste / EWS / PwBD Certificate in Central Government prescribed format
Strategic Examination Preparation Blueprint
Actionable study guidelines, speed drills, and score defense tactics curated by GovIndiaNews editorial board:
Master 20-minute sectional time management: aim for 28+ attempts in Reasoning, 25+ in Quantitative Aptitude, and 22+ in English.
Focus on High-Yield Puzzle Formats (Floor with Flat, Box, Square seating with vacant seats) to guarantee 15-20 marks within 10 minutes.
Practice Simplification, Quadratic Inequalities, and Number Series daily for effortless 12-15 score banking.
Read daily editorial columns to improve reading comprehension skimming speed and contextual vocabulary identification.
Strictly avoid spending more than 2.5 minutes on a single arithmetic word problem or unfamiliar puzzle arrangement.
Interactive Candidate Utilities Suite
Statutory software calculators and document specification checkers for this notification
Frequently Asked Questions (State Bank of India (SBI))
Is there any sectional cut-off in SBI PO Examination?
No. As per official SBI policy, there is NO sectional minimum qualifying mark in either the Preliminary or Main Examination. Selection is based purely on the aggregate overall cut-off mark in each phase.
Can candidates apply for SBI Clerk in multiple states?
No. A candidate can apply for vacancies in only ONE state under the Junior Associate recruitment. Additionally, candidates must pass a Local Language Test (LPT) of the specified state before final appointment.
Is there sectional cut-off in SBI PO Examination?
No! Unlike IBPS exams, State Bank of India does NOT enforce minimum qualifying sectional cut-offs in either Prelims or Mains. Selection is based purely on aggregate total marks. However, overall category cut-offs apply.
How many attempts are permitted for SBI PO?
General/UR candidates are allowed up to 4 attempts in the SBI PO Mains examination. General (PwBD) and OBC candidates are permitted up to 7 attempts. SC and ST candidates have no restriction on attempts subject to age eligibility.
What is the in-hand salary of an SBI Probationary Officer in 2026?
Under the 12th Bipartite Wage Settlement, starting basic pay is ₹48,480 (with 4 advance increments). Adding DA (52%), Special Allowance, and Lease Accommodation allowance (up to ₹30,000 in Mumbai), gross monthly compensation exceeds ₹85,000 to ₹95,000.
What is the role of the Psychometric Test in SBI PO Phase-III?
The Psychometric Test is personality profiling administered to all Mains-shortlisted candidates prior to the Interview. The test results are shared with the interview panel to assess behavioral suitability, emotional intelligence, and leadership competencies.
Primary Gazette Source Notice
Notice Title: State Bank of India Recruitment Announcements
Verified on: 02 Oct 2026
This notice was audited by the GovIndiaNews Editorial Desk against primary gazette releases and official portal bulletins. Review sign-off conducted under our transparent Fact-Checking Policy. Found a discrepancy? Submit a notice revision via our public Corrections Desk.