The SBI Clerk Exam is conducted annually by the State Bank of India (SBI) to recruit candidates for the post of Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) in its branches across India. SBI Clerks serve as the frontline staff of bank branches and handle responsibilities such as cashier operations, deposit-related services, customer interaction, and day-to-day banking transactions. Due to its job security, growth opportunities, and attractive salary package, the SBI Clerk exam is one of the most competitive banking exams in the country.
When will the SBI Clerk 2026 Notification be released?
The SBI Clerk Notification 2026 for Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) posts will be released by the State Bank of India in July/August 2026 on its official careers portal. The notification will be published in PDF format and will contain complete details related to vacancies, eligibility criteria, application process, exam pattern, syllabus, salary, and important instructions. Candidates are advised to carefully read the notification before applying online.
Key Highlights of SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026
The SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 will be conducted to fill a large number of Junior Associate vacancies for the recruitment year 2026–27. Eligible graduates will be selected through a two-stage online examination process followed by a Language Proficiency Test. The key highlights of the recruitment are provided below:
| Particulars | Details |
|---|
| Organisation | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post Name | Clerk (Junior Associate – Customer Support & Sales) |
| Vacancy | To be Notified |
| Advertisement No. | To be Notified |
| Category | Government Job |
| Exam Mode | Online |
| Selection Process | Prelims – Mains – Local Language Proficiency Test |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation |
| Age Limit | 20 to 28 years |
| Salary | ₹46,000 (approx.) |
| Official Website | sbi.co.in |
What are the Important Dates for SBI Clerk 2026?
The official exam schedule for SBI Clerk 2026 will be announced along with the notification. Candidates should keep track of all important dates related to registration and examinations to avoid missing deadlines. The tentative schedule is provided below:
| Event | Dates |
|---|
| SBI Clerk Notification 2026 | July/August 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | To be Notified |
| Online Application Closes | To be Notified |
| Pre-Examination Training | To be Notified |
| SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Date | To be Notified |
| SBI Clerk Mains Exam Date | To be Notified |
What is the SBI Clerk Vacancy for 2026?
The exact number of SBI Clerk vacancies for 2026 will be announced through the official notification. However, looking at the previous year's trend, SBI released 6589 vacancies in 2025, including 5180 regular vacancies and 1409 backlog vacancies. These vacancies were distributed across various states and union territories based on SBI circles and local language requirements. A similar large-scale vacancy announcement is expected for the 2026 recruitment cycle.
When will the SBI Clerk 2026 apply online process begin?
The SBI Clerk Apply Online 2026 process will begin shortly after the release of the official notification in July/August 2026. The application process will be conducted entirely online through the SBI careers website. Candidates must complete registration, upload required documents, pay the applicable fee, and submit the form before the deadline mentioned in the notification.
What is the SBI Clerk Eligibility Criteria for 2026?
To apply for the SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026, candidates must satisfy the eligibility criteria prescribed by the State Bank of India for age and educational qualification. The eligibility conditions ensure that only suitable candidates appear for the examination.
What is the SBI Clerk Age Limit?
As per the SBI Clerk Age Limit 2026, candidates must be not below 20 years and not above 28 years. This means applicants must have been born between 02 April 1997 and 01 April 2005 (both days inclusive). Candidates outside this age range are not eligible unless they qualify for age relaxation under reserved categories.
SBI Clerk Age Relaxation for Reserved Categories
The SBI Clerk 2026 Notification provides upper age limit relaxation to candidates belonging to reserved categories as per government norms. The category-wise age relaxation is given below:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|
| OBC | 3 years |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| PwBD (Gen/EWS) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen / Disabled Ex-Servicemen | Actual service + 3 years (8 years for SC/ST) subject to max. age of 50 years |
| Widows/Divorced Women (not remarried) | 7 years (Max age: 35 Gen/EWS, 38 OBC, 40 SC/ST) |
| SBI Trained Apprentices | Gen/EWS – 1 yr, OBC – 4 yrs, SC/ST – 6 yrs, PwBD (Gen/EWS) – 11 yrs, PwBD (OBC) – 14 yrs, PwBD (SC/ST) – 16 yrs |
What is the SBI Clerk Educational Qualification?
Candidates applying for the SBI Clerk 2026 Exam must possess a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.
Note: Candidates in the final year or final semester of graduation may also apply. Provisionally selected candidates must produce proof of passing their graduation examination at the time specified by SBI.
What is the selection process for SBI Clerk 2026?
The SBI Clerk selection process has three phases: Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and a newly introduced Phase III – Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT). Candidates must qualify each phase to be provisionally selected. Final selection is based solely on marks obtained in the Main Exam, subject to qualifying the language test and document verification.
| Phase | Name of Stage | Key Details |
|---|
| Phase I | Preliminary Examination | Objective test, 100 marks, 1 hour |
| Phase II | Main Examination | Objective test, 200 marks, 2 hours 40 minutes |
| Phase III | Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) | Qualifying in nature |
What is the SBI Clerk Syllabus for 2026?
The SBI Clerk 2026 Syllabus for Prelims and Mains is similar, though the difficulty level of the Mains exam is higher. The syllabus evaluates candidates on reasoning ability, numerical aptitude, English language skills, and banking awareness.
SBI Clerk Prelims Syllabus
The Preliminary Exam consists of three sections: Reasoning Ability, Numerical Ability, and English Language. Candidates must focus on each subject to maximize their scores and secure a place in the Mains Exam.
| Reasoning Ability | Numerical Ability | English Language |
|---|
| Logical Reasoning | Simplification | Reading Comprehension |
| Alphanumeric Series | Profit & Loss | Cloze Test |
| Ranking/Direction/Alphabet Test | Mixtures & Allegations | Para Jumbles |
| Data Sufficiency | Simple & Compound Interest, Surds & Indices | Miscellaneous |
| Coded Inequalities | Work & Time | Fill in the Blanks |
| Seating Arrangement | Time & Distance | Multiple Meaning/Error Spotting |
| Puzzle | Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere | Paragraph Completion |
| Tabulation | Data Interpretation |
| Syllogism | Ratio & Proportion, Percentage |
| Blood Relations | Number Systems |
| Input-Output | Sequence & Series |
| Coding-Decoding | Permutation, Combination & Probability |
SBI Clerk Mains Syllabus
The Mains Exam consists of four sections: Quantitative Aptitude, General English, General/Financial Awareness, and Reasoning Ability & Computer Awareness.
| Quantitative Aptitude | General English | General/Financial Awareness | Reasoning Ability | Computer Awareness |
|---|
| Simplification | Reading Comprehension | Current Affairs | Internet | Basics of Computer (Hardware, Software, Generations) |
| Number Series | Synonyms & Antonyms | News on Banking Industry | Machine Input/Output | DBMS |
| Data Sufficiency | Sentence Rearrangement | Awards & Honours | Syllogism | Networking |
| Data Interpretation | Para Jumbles | Books & Authors | Blood Relations | Internet |
| Quadratic Equation | Sentence Correction | Latest Appointments | Direction Sense | MS Office |
| Time & Distance, Work | Error Finding | Obituaries | Inequalities | Input-Output Devices |
| Partnership | Spell Checks | Government Schemes | Puzzles | Important Abbreviations |
| Profit & Loss | Fillers | Sports | Coding-Decoding | Static GK (Country-Capital, Currency, Financial HQs, Ministers' Constituencies, Dance Forms, Power Stations, etc.) |
| Simple & Compound Interest | Cloze Test | Banking/Financial Terms | Ranking |
| Mixture & Allegations | | Static Awareness | Statement & Assumptions |
| Ratio & Proportion, Averages, Percentages | | Banking & Financial Awareness | |
What is the SBI Clerk Exam Pattern for 2026?
The SBI Clerk 2026 Exam Pattern includes Prelims, Mains, and LLPT. There is no sectional cut-off, and negative marking of 1/4th mark applies for wrong answers in both online exams.
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern
The SBI Clerk Prelims Exam is the first stage of the selection process. It comprises three sections: English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. The paper carries 100 marks in total, and candidates get 60 minutes to attempt it, with 20 minutes per section. There is 1/4th negative marking for each wrong answer. Marks obtained in the Prelims are not considered for final merit but are essential to qualify for the Mains.
| Section | No. of Questions | Total 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 |
SBI Clerk Mains Exam Pattern
The SBI Clerk Mains Exam is the most crucial stage as the final merit is based on marks scored in this exam. It consists of four sections – General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude. The total marks are 200, and the duration is 2 hours 40 minutes, with sectional timing and negative marking of 1/4th for incorrect answers.
| Section | No. of Questions | Total 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 | 160 minutes |
What is the SBI Clerk Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)?
The LLPT is conducted for candidates who did not study the local language of the applied state/UT in their schooling. It assesses reading, writing, and comprehension skills in the local language. The test is qualifying in nature, and failure to clear it will result in disqualification.
What is the starting Salary of an SBI Clerk?
The starting SBI Clerk Salary is approximately Rs. 46,000 per month, which includes various allowances.The starting basic pay for a Junior Associate (Clerical Cadre) is ₹26,730 (₹24,050 plus two advance increments for graduates). In metro cities like Mumbai, the total starting salary is approximately ₹46,000 per month, including Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other perks. Apart from salary, SBI clerks are entitled to various benefits like medical facilities, provident fund, pension under NPS, and leave fare concessions. The final in-hand salary may vary depending on the posting location and applicable allowances.
| Component | Details |
|---|
| Pay Scale | ₹24,050 – 1,340/3 – 28,070 – 1,650/3 – 33,020 – 2,000/4 – 41,020 – 2,340/7 – 57,400 – 4,400/1 – 61,800 – 2,680/1 – 64,480 |
| Starting Basic Pay | ₹26,730 (including two advance increments for graduates) |
| Total Starting Salary (in Metro) | Approx. ₹46,000 per month |
| Allowances Included | DA, HRA, Transport, and other allowances (based on location) |
| Additional Benefits | Provident Fund, NPS (Pension), Medical, Leave-Fare Concession, etc. |
