SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: State Bank of India (SBI) has released Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 for recruitment to 1,538 Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) posts under a special recruitment drive for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies. Eligible candidates can apply online from 7 August 2026 to 27 August 2026, while the preliminary examination is tentatively scheduled for September 2026. The recruitment is open across multiple states and Union Territories, with candidates required to apply for vacancies in only one State/UT.
This recruitment is an important opportunity for graduates seeking a clerical career with SBI, but candidates should note one major point before applying: the 1,538 vacancies are specifically backlog vacancies reserved for SC, ST and OBC candidates. There are no General/UR or EWS vacancies under this particular special drive. Candidates must also meet the local-language requirement for the State/UT they choose.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Overview
The main details of the Junior Associate recruitment are summarised below.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Advertisement No. | CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 |
| Post Name | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) |
| Cadre | Clerical Cadre |
| Recruitment Type | Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies |
| Total Vacancies | 1,538 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 7 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 27 August 2026 |
| Age Limit | 20 to 28 years |
| Qualification | Graduation in any discipline |
| Preliminary Exam | September 2026, tentatively |
| Main Exam | October/November 2026, tentatively |
| Job Location | Applied State/UT |
| Official Website | SBI Careers |
SBI’s official careers page currently lists the special recruitment drive with the application window from 7 August to 27 August 2026.
SBI Clerk Vacancy 2026
The SBI Clerk Vacancy 2026 under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 consists of 1,538 backlog vacancies. The vacancies are distributed among SC, ST and OBC categories.
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| SC | 207 |
| ST | 1,219 |
| OBC | 112 |
| Total | 1,538 |
The vacancy distribution is provisional and may vary depending on SBI’s actual requirements. Candidates can apply for vacancies in only one State/UT, and the merit list will be prepared state-wise and category-wise.
State/UT-wise SBI Clerk Vacancy 2026
The notified vacancies are spread across 21 States/UTs.
| State/UT | Local Language | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Telugu/Urdu | 88 |
| Karnataka | Kannada | 120 |
| Madhya Pradesh | Hindi | 134 |
| Chhattisgarh | Hindi | 26 |
| Odisha | Odia | 111 |
| Chandigarh UT | Hindi/Punjabi | 22 |
| Jammu & Kashmir UT | Urdu/Hindi | 42 |
| Himachal Pradesh | Hindi | 11 |
| Punjab | Punjabi/Hindi | 18 |
| Tamil Nadu | Tamil | 65 |
| Telangana | Telugu/Urdu | 32 |
| Rajasthan | Hindi | 106 |
| West Bengal | Bengali/Nepali | 55 |
| Uttar Pradesh | Hindi/Urdu | 31 |
| Maharashtra | Marathi | 165 |
| Delhi | Hindi | 17 |
| Gujarat | Gujarati | 289 |
| Assam | Assamese/Bengali/Bodo | 39 |
| Tripura | Bengali/Kokborok | 22 |
| Bihar | Hindi/Urdu | 12 |
| Jharkhand | Hindi/Santhali | 133 |
| Total | 1,538 |
For Assam, the notification lists 39 vacancies in the Guwahati Circle, with Assamese, Bengali and Bodo as the specified local-language options.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates should check the category, age, educational qualification and local-language requirements before submitting the application.
Educational Qualification
Applicants must have a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.
Candidates with an Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) must have passed the IDD on or before 31 December 2026.
Candidates who are in the final year or semester of graduation can also apply provisionally, provided they can produce proof of having passed the graduation examination on or before 31 December 2026 if provisionally selected.
The notification also provides eligibility to certain matriculate ex-servicemen holding the prescribed Indian Army Special Certificate of Education or equivalent Navy/Air Force certification after the required period of service.
Local Language Requirement
The local-language condition is important for SBI Clerk applicants.
Candidates applying for a particular State/UT must be proficient in the specified local language of that State/UT. The proficiency includes reading, writing, speaking and understanding.
Candidates who studied the specified local language in Class 10 or Class 12 and can produce the relevant mark sheet or certificate will not have to appear for the Local Language Proficiency Test. Others who are provisionally selected must qualify the language test before joining SBI.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Age Limit
The prescribed age limit is 20 to 28 years as on 1 April 2026.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 20 years |
| Maximum Age | 28 years |
| Date of Calculation | 1 April 2026 |
| Eligible Date of Birth | 2 April 1998 to 1 April 2006 |
Age Relaxation
The notification provides category-wise relaxation in the upper age limit.
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC | 3 years |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| PwBD – OBC | 13 years |
| PwBD – SC/ST | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen/Disabled Ex-Servicemen | As prescribed |
| Widows/Divorced/Judicially Separated Women | As prescribed |
| Trained SBI Apprentices | As prescribed |
Candidates claiming age relaxation must provide the required certificates at the appropriate stage.
SBI Clerk Salary 2026
The Junior Associate post is part of SBI’s clerical cadre. The notified pay scale is ₹24,050–₹64,480, with the starting basic pay for graduates fixed at ₹26,730, which includes two advance increments admissible to graduates.
| Salary Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Scale | ₹24,050 – ₹64,480 |
| Starting Basic Pay | ₹26,730 |
| Additional Increments | 2 advance increments for graduates |
| Starting Emoluments | Around ₹46,000 per month in a metro such as Mumbai |
| Other Benefits | PF, pension under NPS, medical, leave-fare and other facilities |
SBI states that the total starting emoluments in a metropolitan location such as Mumbai are around ₹46,000 per month, including DA, other allowances and the two additional increments. Actual earnings vary according to the place of posting and applicable allowances.
SBI Clerk Application Fee 2026
The application fee depends on the candidate’s category.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/PwBD/XS/DXS | Nil |
| OBC | ₹750 |
The application fee and intimation charges are non-refundable.
Candidates should note that the advertisement is a special drive for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies. Therefore, the category conditions must be checked carefully before making any payment.
SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026
The selection process consists of an online Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and Local Language Proficiency Test, wherever applicable.
Phase I: Preliminary Examination
The preliminary examination carries 100 marks and has a duration of one hour.
| Section | Questions | 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 |
There is a one-fourth negative marking for every wrong answer. SBI will shortlist candidates for the Main Examination based on aggregate performance, with approximately 10 times the number of vacancies being shortlisted, subject to availability.
Phase II: Main Examination
The Main Examination consists of 190 questions carrying 200 marks.
| Section | Questions | 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 | 2 hours 40 minutes |
A one-fourth penalty applies for wrong answers in the objective tests. The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are not added to the final merit score. The final merit list is prepared using the aggregate marks obtained in the Main Examination, subject to the applicable language test and eligibility conditions.
Phase III: Local Language Proficiency Test
Candidates who have not studied the specified local language in Class 10 or Class 12 must qualify the Local Language Proficiency Test after provisional selection but before joining.
Candidates who fail to demonstrate proficiency in the specified local language will not be offered appointment.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
Applicants should keep the registration and examination schedule in mind.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Advertisement Date | 7 August 2026 |
| Online Registration Begins | 7 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 27 August 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 27 August 2026 |
| Last Date for Printing Application | 11 September 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | September 2026, Tentative |
| Main Examination | October/November 2026, Tentative |
The official application portal confirms that registration, editing and fee payment close on 27 August 2026, while the last date for printing the submitted application is 11 September 2026.
How to Apply for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026
Candidates must apply online only. SBI will not accept applications through any other mode.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Visit the official SBI careers website.
- Open the Current Openings section.
- Find Recruitment of Junior Associates – Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies.
- Select Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16.
- Read the detailed notification carefully.
- Click the online application link.
- Complete the registration process using an active mobile number and email ID.
- Enter personal, educational and category details.
- Select the State/UT for which you wish to apply.
- Select the applicable local language.
- Upload the photograph, signature, left-hand thumb impression and handwritten declaration in the prescribed format.
- Review the application carefully.
- Pay the applicable fee online.
- Submit the application before 27 August 2026.
- Download and retain the system-generated application form and e-receipt.
The application form allows candidates to save partially completed information, but once the completed application is submitted, changes are not permitted. SBI advises applicants to apply well before the closing date to avoid last-minute technical problems.
Important Instructions for SBI Clerk Candidates
Candidates should pay particular attention to the following conditions before applying:
- This is a special recruitment drive for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies, not a regular open-category SBI Clerk recruitment.
- There are no General/UR or EWS vacancies under this advertisement.
- OBC vacancies are available only to eligible OBC Non-Creamy Layer candidates.
- Candidates can apply for vacancies in one State/UT only.
- A candidate must be proficient in the specified local language of the State/UT selected.
- Candidates currently working in SBI’s clerical cadre are not eligible under this recruitment.
- Candidates who previously worked in SBI clerical cadre and resigned are also not eligible.
- Only one application should be submitted.
- The application fee is non-refundable.
- Candidates should keep their registered email ID and mobile number active throughout the recruitment process.
- Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators and other prohibited electronic devices are not permitted in the examination premises.
- SBI reserves the right to change or cancel examination centres depending on administrative requirements.
Important Links
Candidates should use SBI’s official career portal and the official application portal for this recruitment.
| Particular | Official Link |
|---|---|
| SBI Current Openings | SBI Official Careers – Current Openings |
| Official Notification | SBI Clerk 2026 Official Notification PDF |
| Online Application | SBI Clerk 2026 Online Application Portal |
| SBI Official Website | State Bank of India Official Website |
Candidates should rely on SBI’s authorised career website for subsequent call letters, examination information, results and other recruitment announcements. SBI itself has advised candidates to use only information published through its authorised website.
