SBI PO Prelims Exam Analysis 2026 Declared

State Bank of India (Website)
Location: IndiaExam Date: 2026-08-01
Total Vacancies1500
Age Limit21 to 30 years

Job Description

Overview

The State Bank of India has successfully conducted the first shift of the Probationary Officer (PO) preliminary examination on August 1, 2026. This analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the difficulty levels, section-wise performance, and candidate feedback gathered from the initial phase of the testing process. With 1500 vacancies available, the competition remains intense among the 12 lakh applicants vying for these prestigious banking roles.

Key Responsibilities

  • Monitoring the overall difficulty level of the preliminary examination across various shifts.
  • Evaluating the distribution of questions across Reasoning, English, and Quantitative Aptitude sections.
  • Assessing the impact of time-consuming questions on the overall attempt count of candidates.
  • Analyzing the trends in good attempts to help future candidates gauge their performance.
  • Reviewing the topic-wise weightage for subjects like Reading Comprehension, Puzzles, and Data Interpretation.
  • Providing insights into the expected difficulty trajectory for subsequent examination shifts.

Why Apply

Securing a position as an SBI Probationary Officer offers a stable career path within the nation's largest public sector bank. Candidates benefit from competitive compensation packages, extensive professional development opportunities, and the chance to contribute to the country's financial infrastructure.

Important Dates

  • Exam Date: 1st and 2nd August 2026

Quick Facts

  • Vacancy Count: 1500
  • Exam Level: Moderate
  • Total Applicants: 12 Lakh
  • Category: Banking

Age Limit (Detail)

21 to 30 years

Selection Process

The selection process for the SBI PO position consists of three distinct stages. The first stage is the Preliminary Examination, which is a qualifying round consisting of objective-type questions. Candidates who clear the prelims are invited to the Main Examination, which tests advanced knowledge and analytical skills. The final stage is the Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, and Interview, which evaluates the candidate's personality, leadership potential, and suitability for the banking sector.

Exam Pattern

The preliminary examination comprises three sections: Reasoning Ability, English Language, and Quantitative Aptitude. The total duration is one hour, with specific time limits for each section. There is a negative marking scheme where one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for every incorrect answer provided by the candidate.

Application Fee

General, OBC, and EWS candidates are required to pay the prescribed application fee. SC, ST, and PWD candidates are exempted from the fee payment. Payments must be made through the online portal using credit cards, debit cards, or net banking.

Vacancy Details

  • Total Vacancies: 1500
  • Post: Probationary Officer (PO)

How to Apply

  1. Visit the official State Bank of India career portal.
  2. Navigate to the 'Current Openings' section to find the PO recruitment link.
  3. Click on 'New Registration' and provide your basic contact and personal details.
  4. Upload scanned copies of your photograph and signature as per the specified dimensions.
  5. Fill in the detailed application form with your educational and professional information.
  6. Proceed to the payment gateway to submit the application fee.
  7. Review all entered data carefully before final submission.
  8. Download and print the submitted application form for future reference.

Detailed Notification Link

Official WebsiteView Notification

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