Overview
The State Bank of India (SBI) is expected to conduct the SBI Clerk Preliminary Examination 2026 for recruitment to Junior Associate (Customer Support and Sales) posts under the regular and backlog drives. The exact number of vacancies has not yet been specified in the exam-date notice and will be confirmed through the detailed recruitment notification on the SBI careers portal.
Candidates planning to appear for the examination should monitor the official website for the detailed schedule, admit card release date and examination-day instructions.
Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|
| Organization | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post Name | Junior Associate (Customer Support and Sales)/SBI Clerk |
| Total Vacancies | To be announced for regular and backlog categories |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | sbi.bank.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|
| Application Start | TBA |
| Last Date | TBA |
| Exam Date | 2026; exact preliminary examination dates TBA |
| Result Date | TBA |
The preliminary examination schedule may be released separately for different dates or shifts. Candidates must treat the date, reporting time and examination centre printed on their admit card as final.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Applicants should hold a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university or possess an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.
- Candidates with an integrated dual degree must ensure that the date of passing meets the cut-off specified in the detailed notification.
- Final-year or final-semester students may apply provisionally only if permitted in the official recruitment advertisement. They must produce proof of passing by the prescribed date.
- Candidates should be able to read, write, speak and understand the local language selected for the state or union territory for which they apply.
Age Limit
- The usual age requirement for SBI Junior Associate recruitment is 20 to 28 years, calculated on the cut-off date mentioned in the notification.
- Relaxation in the upper age limit is generally available to SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, ex-servicemen and other eligible categories under government rules.
- Applicants must enter the date of birth recorded in their matriculation or secondary school certificate.
- The final age limit and category-wise relaxation will be governed by the detailed 2026 advertisement.
Fees
- General, OBC and EWS candidates: Expected fee of Rs 750, subject to confirmation.
- SC, ST, PwBD, ESM and DESM candidates: Usually exempt from payment of the application fee.
- Bank transaction charges, if applicable, must be paid by the candidate.
- The application fee is generally non-refundable after successful payment.
Selection Process
- Preliminary Examination: An online objective test normally covering English Language, Numerical Ability and Reasoning Ability. Candidates must qualify for shortlisting to the next stage.
- Main Examination: Shortlisted candidates take an online main examination covering General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude.
- Local Language Test and Document Verification: Candidates who did not study the specified local language at Class 10 or Class 12 level may have to pass a language proficiency test before appointment. Eligibility documents are also verified at this stage.
The preliminary examination is qualifying in nature, while final selection is generally based on main examination performance, subject to language proficiency and eligibility verification.
How to Apply
- Visit the SBI official website at sbi.bank.in and open the “Careers” section.
- Select “Current Openings” and locate the recruitment link for Junior Associates under the regular and backlog drives.
- Open the detailed notification and carefully verify the state-wise vacancies, local language requirement, age cut-off and eligibility conditions.
- Choose “Apply Online” and complete the registration process using an active email address and mobile number.
- Enter personal, educational and category details exactly as recorded in the supporting documents.
- Upload a recent photograph, signature, handwritten declaration and other required files in the prescribed format and size.
- Pay the applicable fee through the available online payment facility and submit the form.
- Download the completed application and fee receipt. Candidates should later use their registration credentials to obtain the preliminary examination admit card.
Applications submitted through any mode other than the designated online portal are not normally accepted. Multiple applications should also be avoided unless the notification specifically provides instructions for correcting an earlier submission.
Important Links
FAQs
1. When will the SBI Clerk Prelims Exam 2026 be held?
The examination will be conducted in 2026, but the exact dates and shift-wise schedule are TBA.
2. Does the recruitment include backlog vacancies?
Yes. The schedule refers to recruitment under both the regular and backlog drives, with category-wise numbers to be confirmed in the detailed notice.
3. What qualification is required for SBI Clerk recruitment?
Candidates generally need a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university, along with the prescribed local language proficiency.
