SBI to hire 18,000 employees in FY26, the biggest recruitment in the decade: The State Bank of India (SBI) has officially announced that it will be recruiting around 18,000 candidates for various posts in the upcoming financial year for SBI Recruitment 2026. This includes vacancies for clerks, probationary officers (PO), local-based officers (LBO), and specialist officers (SO). This is one of the biggest SBI recruitment drives in the last decade, making it a golden opportunity for banking aspirants across the country.
SBI Recruitment 2026 – PO, Clerk, SO Hiring
The State Bank of India (SBI) is all set to launch one of its biggest recruitment drives in recent years. As announced by SBI Chairman CS Setty, the bank plans to hire around 18,000 candidates across various roles in the financial year 2026. This is a golden opportunity for graduates and professionals looking to build a stable career in the banking sector. The recruitment will cover multiple posts, including clerks, probationary officers (PO), local-based officers (LBO), and specialist officers (SO). The expected post-wise vacancy details are mentioned below.
Post | Expected Number of Vacancies | Who Can Apply |
Clerical Staff – SBI Clerk | 13,500–14,000 | Graduates in any stream |
Probationary Officer – SBI PO | Included in the 3,000 below | Graduates and freshers can apply |
Local Based Officer – SBI LBO/SBI CBO | Included in the 3,000 below | Preference for local/rural area |
Specialist Officer – SBI SO | 1,600 | Candidates with IT/Law/Agriculture/Other specialized backgrounds |
SBI Recruitment 2026 – Job Profile
The SBI Recruitment 2026 will be done for posts like SBI Clerk, SBI PO, SBI Local Officers (like Circle-Based Officers), and SBI Specialist Officers. We have shared a brief overview for the job profile of each post below.
1. SBI Clerk (Junior Associate)
- Works as the front-line staff in SBI branches.
- Handles customer services like account opening, cash deposit/withdrawal, and passbook printing.
- Assists in loan applications, fund transfers, and branch operations.
- Ideal for fresh graduates aiming for an entry-level bank job.
2. SBI PO (Probationary Officer)
- Trained for 6 months in banking systems and branch operations.
- Manages customer queries, lending processes, branch functioning, and team supervision.
- After training, POs may become branch managers or take up higher roles.
- Offers strong career growth in the banking sector.
3. SBI LBO (Local Based Officer)
- Appointed in specific districts or rural areas.
- Works closely with local customers and promotes financial inclusion.
- Supports rural banking services, SHGs, and government schemes.
- Candidates with local language skills and regional knowledge are preferred.
4. SBI SO (Specialist Officer)
- Recruited for expert roles in fields like:
- IT and Cybersecurity
- Finance and Risk Management
- Legal Services
- Agricultural Banking
- Marketing and HR
- Supports SBI’s digital banking and technology transformation.
- Often requires relevant degrees or work experience.
Why is the SBI Recruitment 2026 Hiring Drive Special?
SBI Recruitment 2026 is a big opportunity for job seekers, with around 18,000 vacancies to be filled. This is the bank’s largest hiring drive in 10 years and includes roles for fresh graduates, IT professionals, and rural outreach officers. It offers a stable government job with a good salary, benefits, and chances for promotion.
Feature | Details |
Total Vacancies | Around 18,000 |
Biggest Drive in 10 Years | Yes |
Focus Areas | Rural outreach, digital banking, IT hiring |
Opportunity for Freshers | Clerical & PO roles open to graduates |
Job Security and Perks | Government bank job with allowances & promotions |
Work Locations | Pan India (urban, semi-urban, and rural branches) |
- Bank of Baroda SO Result 2025 Out, BOB SO Result PDF
- When Will SBI Clerk Result 2025 Be Released? What Is Next?
- What is a Psychometric Test in SBI PO?
- SBI PO Interview Marks, Know GDPI Weightage
- SBI PO Interview Centres 2025, Know the List of Locations
- SBI PO Interview Questions 2025, Most Expected Questions

The most comprehensive online preparation portal for MBA, Banking and Government exams. Explore a range of mock tests and study material at www.oliveboard.in