The SBI Circle Based Officer (CBO) exam is one of the most anticipated opportunities for aspiring banking professionals. With the 2025 recruitment drive announcing 2600 vacancies, candidates must approach their preparation strategically. To succeed in this competitive exam, understanding the SBI CBO Syllabus 2025 and the exam pattern is essential. The online examination is tentatively scheduled for July 2025, and candidates must align their preparation to the structure and focus areas outlined by the State Bank of India.
SBI Circle Based Officer Syllabus 2025
The SBI Circle-Based Officer Syllabus 2025 is curated to align with the skills and knowledge required for handling responsibilities in regional branches. It emphasizes practical knowledge of banking operations, economic trends, and customer interaction. Given the comprehensive nature of the test, candidates are advised to allocate time to each section based on personal strengths and weaknesses. A well-rounded preparation plan that integrates current affairs, banking updates, and language skills will significantly improve the chances of success in SBI CBO Exam 2025.
SBI CBO Syllabus 2025
The SBI CBO Syllabus 2025 is designed to evaluate a candidate’s ability across four major domains: English Language, Banking Knowledge, General Awareness/Economics, and Computer Aptitude. The syllabus reflects the core skills and knowledge expected of a circle-based officer in the banking ecosystem. A detailed understanding of these sections will enable candidates to prepare efficiently and cover the most critical topics within the limited time frame.
SBI CBO English Language Syllabus
The English section tests proficiency in grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and sentence construction. Key topics include:
- Cloze Test
- Spotting Errors
- Sentence Correction & Improvement
- Fill in the Blanks
- Para Jumbles
- Reading Comprehension
- Word Rearrangement & Swap
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Misspelled Words
- Word Usage
- Sentence-Based Errors
SBI CBO General Awareness/Economics Syllabus
This section assesses candidates’ awareness of current and static general knowledge, especially topics related to the Indian economy and banking industry. Topics include:
- National & International Current Affairs
- RBI in News
- Business & Economic Updates
- Indexes & Rankings
- Government Schemes
- Agreements & MoUs
- Static GK
- Awards & Honors
- Banking & Insurance News
SBI CBO Computer Knowledge Syllabus
Though fewer in number, the computer aptitude questions can significantly impact the overall score. Important topics are
- History of Computers
- Internet Basics
- Operating Systems
- MS PowerPoint
- Word Processing (MS Word)
- Computer Software & Hardware
SBI CBO Banking Knowledge Syllabus
With the highest weightage, the Banking Knowledge section demands focused study on foundational and current banking concepts. Key topics include:
- Financial Markets
- Monetary Policy
- NBFCs
- NPA & SARFAESI
- Payments Banks
- Small Finance Banks
- ATMs & NPCI
- Financial Abbreviations
- Basel Norms
- RBI Structure & New Initiatives
SBI CBO Exam Pattern 2025
The SBI CBO Exam Pattern 2025 comprises two written stages: an objective test and a descriptive test, both conducted online. The objective section evaluates knowledge across four areas, while the descriptive section tests writing ability.
SBI CBO Objective Test Pattern
Check the SBI CBO Exam Pattern for the Objective Test.
- No negative marking is applicable, allowing candidates to attempt all questions without penalty.
| Section | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 30 minutes |
| Banking Knowledge | 40 | 40 | 40 minutes |
| General Awareness/Economy | 30 | 30 | 30 minutes |
| Computer Aptitude | 20 | 20 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 120 | 120 | 2 hours |
SBI CBO Descriptive Test Pattern
Candidates are required to write both a formal letter and an essay on a banking-related topic.
| Topic | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
| Letter Writing | 01 | 25 | 30 minutes |
| Essay (250 words) | 01 | 25 | |
| Total | 02 | 50 | 30 mins |
SBI CBO Syllabus and Exam Pattern – FAQs
A1. SBI CBO online test consists of 4 sections- English, Banking Knowledge, General Awareness, and Computer Aptitude.
A2. Yes, SBI CBO does have a descriptive test section.
A3. The SBI CBO descriptive test consists of 2 questions – one letter writing and one 250-word essay on a bank-related topic.
A4. No, SBI CBO does not have any negative markings.
A5. The SBI CBO online test will be of 2 hours and 30 minutes duration.
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