The State Bank of India (SBI) recruits candidates for the Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) position, commonly known as SBI Clerk, through a two-tier online examination process. Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree in any discipline and be aged between 20 and 28 years to qualify. Selection involves a Preliminary exam, a Main exam, and a local language test. The pay scale for the SBI Clerk role typically starts at a basic pay of ₹19,900, with additional allowances including dearness allowance and house rent allowance. The official notification is published annually on the SBI career portal.
The SBI Clerk Exam is a high-stakes, national-level recruitment process conducted by the State Bank of India to fill the cadre of Junior Associates (Customer Support and Sales). The examination is held annually and follows a strictly structured online format. It is categorized into three primary stages: the Preliminary Examination, the Main Examination, and the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT).
The preliminary phase serves as the initial screening process. It is an objective-type, online test designed to test the basic aptitude and English language proficiency of the candidates. The total duration of this exam is 1 hour, distributed across three distinct sections: English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. Candidates must secure the overall cut-off marks determined by the bank to qualify for the next stage.
Candidates who successfully clear the preliminary stage are invited to appear for the Main Examination. This phase is critical as the marks obtained here are used to prepare the final merit list for selection. The paper covers four major areas: General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude. The duration for the Mains is 2 hours and 40 minutes.
To ensure operational efficiency at the branch level, the bank mandates a proficiency test in the local language of the respective state. Candidates who can provide evidence of having studied the specified language in their 10th or 12th standard are exempted; however, others must demonstrate their reading, writing, and speaking skills in the local language through this test.
The entire examination process is highly digitized, reflecting the bank's commitment to efficiency and transparency. All candidates are evaluated on a national scale, and the final merit is purely based on performance in the Mains exam, provided they clear the qualifying criteria in the other stages. With its structured approach and strict adherence to timelines, the exam acts as a significant benchmark for banking talent in the country.
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Adhering to the guidelines provided by the State Bank of India is mandatory for every applicant. Failure to follow these rules may result in the disqualification of the candidature. Below is a comprehensive list of instructions for candidates to follow:
By preparing thoroughly, keeping documents organized, and strictly following these procedural instructions, candidates can navigate the application and examination stages with confidence and precision.
Staying informed with the latest updates is crucial for anyone preparing for the SBI Clerk 2026 exam. The recruitment process follows a systematic timeline starting from the publication of the official notification to the declaration of the final merit list.
Candidates are strongly advised to bookmark the official career page and avoid relying solely on third-party news sources. Regular visits to the official portal will provide the most accurate information regarding any last-minute scheduling changes, additional requirements, or circulars issued by the bank regarding the 2026 recruitment cycle.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | To be announced |
| Application Start Date | To be announced |
| Last Date to Apply Online | To be announced |
| Preliminary Exam Date | 26th, 27th Sept, and 3rd Oct 2026 |
| Mains Exam Date | 23rd November 2026 |
| Local Language Test | To be announced |
The State Bank of India releases vacancies for Junior Associates annually. While the exact numbers for 2026 are to be announced, the previous year's recruitment serves as a standard reference. The total count included both regular and backlog positions.
The recruitment of Junior Associates (Clerk) by the State Bank of India has shown significant fluctuations over the past decade, reflecting the bank's evolving operational needs. By analyzing the trends, candidates can gain insight into the scale of hiring. For example, in 2024, the bank saw a major recruitment drive with 14,191 vacancies, whereas 2017 saw a more focused intake of 2,043 positions. The 2025 cycle continued this tradition of large-scale hiring with 6,589 vacancies.
Understanding these trends is useful for aspirants to gauge the competition level. Despite the variation in numbers, the recruitment remains a high-volume process across all Indian states and union territories. The consistent year-on-year release of vacancies confirms the bank's stable demand for administrative and customer-facing support staff, reinforcing the reliability of the exam as a long-term career path.
| Year | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| 2025 | 6,589 |
| 2024 | 14,191 |
| 2023 | 8,773 |
| 2022 | 5,486 |
| 2021 | 5,454 |
| 2020 | 7,870 |
| 2019 | 8,593 |
| 2018 | 7,200 |
| 2017 | 2,043 |
The Junior Associate (Customer Support and Sales) role is the entry-level position in the clerical cadre of the State Bank of India. The job profile primarily involves administrative tasks, front-desk customer support, and supporting the branch in daily banking operations. Selected candidates are the face of the bank, handling interactions with customers and ensuring the smooth delivery of banking services.
The compensation for this role is highly competitive. The pay scale is structured between ₹24,050 and ₹64,480. Starting basic pay is ₹26,730, and employees are entitled to additional benefits such as Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other standard banking perks, bringing the initial in-hand salary to approximately ₹46,000 per month. This role also offers clear, structured opportunities for internal career growth and promotions.
The application fee is non-refundable and must be paid online. The fee structure for the recruitment is as follows:
| Category | Application Fees |
|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwBD / XS / DXS | Exempted |
| Gen / OBC / EWS | ₹750 |
Eligibility in terms of age is strictly enforced by the State Bank of India to maintain a balanced workforce. Candidates must adhere to the following requirements to be considered for the Junior Associate position:
This age bracket ensures that candidates entering the clerical cadre are at an appropriate stage in their professional and personal development to undergo the necessary training and job responsibilities required by the bank.
In line with government directives, age relaxation is provided to various reserved categories. The upper age limit is relaxed as follows:
Candidates aspiring for the Junior Associate role must meet the following academic requirements:
The selection process for the SBI Clerk 2026 exam is structured into three clear phases designed to evaluate a candidate’s aptitude, knowledge, and language proficiency:
Please note that no Inter-Circle or Inter-State transfers are permitted after recruitment, ensuring that selected candidates are committed to their assigned regions.
The examination is conducted in two main phases. There is a negative marking of 1/4th of a mark for every incorrect answer.
| Section | No. of Questions | Max. Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 Hour |
| Section | No. of Questions | Max. Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 min |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 min |
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 min |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 2 hr 40 min |
The salary for an SBI Clerk Junior Associate position is designed to be comprehensive, providing both a stable basic pay and various allowances that enhance the overall take-home amount. The pay scale for this position is fixed between ₹24,050 and ₹64,480. The starting basic pay for a newly recruited clerk is ₹26,730.
In addition to the basic pay, the bank provides several perks, including:
Depending on the location, the starting in-hand salary is approximately ₹46,000 per month. Beyond the financial compensation, the role serves as a launchpad for a long-term banking career, offering immense opportunities for internal promotions and professional growth within the State Bank of India's vast network.
The admit card is a mandatory document for appearing in the exam. Candidates must download it from the official SBI careers portal. The admit card contains essential details such as the candidate's name, exam date, shift timing, and assigned exam center. Candidates must bring a hard copy of the admit card along with a valid photo identity proof to the examination hall.
While the bank conducts the exam in a highly secure manner, information regarding the release of official answer keys or objection windows is provided on the official website following the examination. Candidates are advised to monitor the website for any notices regarding the process of viewing their responses or raising valid objections against any questions or keys provided.
The result for the SBI Clerk Prelims and Mains exams is released on the official SBI careers portal. Candidates can check their status using their roll number or registration details. The result effectively acts as the benchmark for a candidate's readiness and performance, dictating their journey toward the final appointment. Once the Mains results are published, qualified candidates are further processed for document verification and the Local Language Proficiency Test if applicable.
Achieving a top score in the SBI Clerk exam requires a strategic approach. Here are expert-recommended preparation tips:
Candidates should utilize official practice sets and reputable online mock test platforms. Attempting at least two full-length mock tests per week is recommended to simulate exam conditions and improve time management across the 60-minute Prelims duration.
The SBI Clerk cut-off marks are the minimum scores required for a candidate to advance to the next stage of the recruitment process. These marks are determined after the completion of the exams and are heavily influenced by the difficulty of the paper and the number of candidates. The bank releases category-wise and state-wise cut-off marks to ensure a fair selection process. Candidates should refer to the following table to understand the previous year's general cut-off trends across different states.
| State/UT | General Cut-Off |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | 68.75 |
| Bihar | 47.25 |
| Delhi | 67.00 |
| Gujarat | 47.00 |
| Karnataka | 72.50 |
| Maharashtra | 44.75 |
| Tamil Nadu | 55.50 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 61.75 |
Applying for the SBI Clerk 2026 exam is a standardized online process conducted exclusively through the official State Bank of India careers portal. To ensure a smooth submission, follow these detailed steps:
Required Document Specifications:
| Document | Preferred Dimensions | File Size | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photograph | 200 x 230 pixels | 20 KB – 50 KB | JPG/JPEG |
| Signature | 140 x 60 pixels | 10 KB – 20 KB | JPG/JPEG |
| Left Thumb Impression | 240 x 240 pixels | 20 KB – 50 KB | JPG/JPEG |
| Handwritten Declaration | 800 x 400 pixels | 50 KB – 100 KB | JPG/JPEG |
Note: Transaction charges for the payment process are to be borne by the candidate. There is no need to send any hard copies of the documents or the application form to the bank's office.
