SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026; 1,538 Posts, Eligibility, Exam Pattern & Selection Process

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The State Bank of India (SBI) has announced the SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Special Recruitment Drive for 1,538 Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) vacancies reserved for eligible SC, ST and OBC(NCL) candidates.
This recruitment provides graduates with an opportunity to join SBI’s clerical cadre, with selection based on the Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and the applicable Local Language Proficiency Test. Unlike the regular SBI Clerk recruitment, this special drive is focused on backlog vacancies, and candidates can apply for only one State/UT. Therefore, applicants should carefully check their category eligibility, local-language requirement, preferred State/UT, important dates and examination strategy before submitting the application.

SBI Clerk (Junior Associate) Recruitment 2026
Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies  |  Advt No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16  |  1,538 Posts

Quick Facts
Particulars Details
Organisation State Bank of India — Central Recruitment & Promotion Department (CRPD), Corporate Centre, Mumbai
Post Name Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) — Clerical Cadre
Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16
Nature of Drive Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies
Total Vacancies 1,538 (SC: 207 + ST: 1,219 + OBC: 112)
Circles/States Covered 22 State/UT postings across 17 SBI Circles
Eligible Applicants Indian citizens, SC/ST/OBC(NCL) category, aged 20–28 years as on 01.04.2026, graduate in any discipline
Application Portal https://sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings
Application Window 07 August 2026 – 27 August 2026
Status as on 07 August 2026 Application window open (Day 1) — about 20 days remaining

Important Dates
Activity Date
Notification Release 07 August 2026
Online Registration Start 07 August 2026
Last Date to Apply Online & Pay Fee 27 August 2026
Preliminary Exam Call Letter Download Tentatively 10 days before exam date
Preliminary Examination Tentatively September 2026
Main Examination Tentatively October/November 2026
Note: Only the online application window (07–27 Aug 2026) is a firm date in the official notification — the Prelim and Main exam dates are tentative and will be confirmed via call letters and the Bank’s careers page closer to the exam.

Circle & State/UT-wise Vacancy Details
Circle State/UT Local Language SC ST OBC Total
Amaravati Andhra Pradesh Telugu/Urdu – 88 – 88
Bengaluru Karnataka Kannada 85 35 – 120
Bhopal Madhya Pradesh Hindi – 134 – 134
Chhattisgarh – 26 – 26
Bhubaneswar Odisha Odia – 111 – 111
Chandigarh Chandigarh UT Hindi/Punjabi – – 22 22
Jammu & Kashmir UT Urdu/Hindi – 42 – 42
Himachal Pradesh Hindi 11 – – 11
Punjab Punjabi/Hindi – – 18 18
Chennai Tamil Nadu Tamil 65 – – 65
Hyderabad Telangana Telugu/Urdu – 32 – 32
Jaipur Rajasthan Hindi 20 86 – 106
Kolkata West Bengal Bengali/Nepali – – 55 55
Lucknow Uttar Pradesh* Hindi/Urdu – 31 – 31
Maharashtra/Mumbai Metro Maharashtra* Marathi – 165 – 165
New Delhi Delhi Hindi – – 17 17
Gandhinagar Gujarat Gujarati – 289 – 289
Guwahati Assam Assamese/Bengali/Bodo – 39 – 39
Tripura Bengali/Kokborok – 22 – 22
Patna Bihar Hindi/Urdu 12 – – 12
Jharkhand Hindi/Santhali 14 119 – 133
Total 207 1,219 112 1,538
* Candidates applying for Uttar Pradesh or Maharashtra should check operational areas carefully — vacancy for Uttar Pradesh State is under Lucknow Circle only, and Maharashtra vacancy is split between Maharashtra Circle and Mumbai Metro Circle; use the SBI Branch Locator to confirm before opting.
Gujarat (Gandhinagar) alone accounts for 289 of 1,538 vacancies (~19%), the single largest allotment in this drive — all under the ST category, reflecting this being a backlog-clearance exercise concentrated in ST-heavy states.

Eligibility Criteria
Nationality: Indian citizen.

Educational Qualification (as on 31.12.2026): Graduation in any discipline from a recognised University, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government. Candidates in the final year/semester of graduation may apply provisionally, subject to producing proof of passing on or before 31 December 2026 if provisionally selected.

Category: This is a Special Recruitment Drive exclusively for SC/ST/OBC(NCL) backlog vacancies — General/EWS candidates are not covered under this particular advertisement.

Age Limit (as on 01.04.2026): Not below 20 years and not above 28 years, i.e. born not earlier than 02.04.1998 and not later than 01.04.2006 (both days inclusive), before applying age relaxation.

Upper Age Relaxation
Category Age Relaxation
OBC 3 years
SC/ST 5 years
PwBD (OBC) 13 years
PwBD (SC/ST) 15 years
Ex-Servicemen/Disabled Ex-Servicemen Actual defence service + 3 years (8 years for Disabled Ex-Servicemen SC/ST), max age 50
Widows/Divorced/Judicially Separated Women (not remarried) 7 years (max 38 yrs OBC, 40 yrs SC/ST)
Trained Apprentices of SBI OBC – 4 yrs, SC/ST – 6 yrs, PwBD(OBC) – 14 yrs, PwBD(SC/ST) – 16 yrs
Cumulative age relaxation is not available — a candidate cannot combine relaxation under two different heads (e.g. SC/ST + Widow). Only one applicable relaxation category can be claimed.

Who Cannot Apply — Ineligibility Conditions
  • Candidates currently working in SBI’s own Clerical cadre, or who resigned from SBI while in the clerical cadre.
  • Candidates against whom there is an adverse report on character, antecedents, or moral turpitude.
  • OBC candidates falling under the “Creamy Layer” — only Non-Creamy Layer OBC candidates are eligible.
  • General/EWS category candidates — this specific drive is only for SC/ST/OBC(NCL) backlog vacancies.
  • Candidates not meeting the age bracket of 20–28 years as on 01.04.2026 (post applicable relaxation).

Application Fee & Intimation Charges
Category Fee/Intimation Charge
SC / ST / PwBD / XS / DXS Nil
OBC ₹750/-
Fee is payable online only (debit card/credit card/internet banking) between 07.08.2026 and 27.08.2026. Once paid, it is non-refundable under any circumstance.

Selection Procedure — Phase I: Preliminary Examination
Section Medium Questions Marks Duration
English Language English 30 30 20 min
Numerical Ability English/Hindi 35 35 20 min
Reasoning Ability English/Hindi 35 35 20 min
Total — 100 100 1 Hour
Each section has its own separate timing (a sectional test, not free-flow). Negative marking applies: 1/4th mark deducted for every wrong answer. No minimum qualifying marks per section — only the aggregate matters. Roughly 10 times the number of vacancies (category-wise) will be shortlisted for the Main Exam.

Selection Procedure — Phase II: Main Examination
Section Medium Questions Marks Duration
General/Financial Awareness English/Hindi 50 50 35 min
General English English 40 40 35 min
Quantitative Aptitude English/Hindi 50 50 45 min
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude English/Hindi 50 60 45 min
Total — 190 200 2 Hr 40 min
Only the Main Exam score decides the final merit list — Prelim marks are used only for shortlisting and are not added to the final aggregate. Negative marking of 1/4th mark applies here too. Trained SBI apprentices (engaged on/after 01.01.2022, one year of satisfactory branch experience) get a 2.5% bonus (5 marks out of 200) added to their Main Exam aggregate.

Phase III: Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)
Test Pattern Section Passages Questions Max Marks
Non-Verbal Test Objective 3 15 15
Subjective 3 15 15
Verbal Test — — — 20
This test applies only to those who did not study the opted local language in Class 10th or 12th — such candidates should submit their 10th/12th mark sheet as proof of having studied it, if applicable, to skip LLPT entirely. It’s conducted after provisional selection but before joining; failing it means no appointment, regardless of Main Exam score.

Pay Scale & Emoluments
Pay Scale: Rs. 24050-1340/3-28070-1650/3-33020-2000/4-41020-2340/7-57400-4400/1-61800-2680/1-64480

Starting Basic Pay: ₹26,730/- (₹24,050 basic + two advance increments admissible to graduates)

Total Starting Emoluments: Around ₹46,000/- per month at a metro posting like Mumbai, inclusive of DA and other current allowances, plus two additional increments for newly recruited graduate Junior Associates. Actual take-home varies by place of posting.

Employees are also eligible for Provident Fund, Pension under the New Pension Scheme (Defined Contribution), Medical benefits, Leave Fare Concession, and other perquisites as per Bank rules from time to time.

Probation, Duties & Service Conditions
  • Probation Period: Minimum 6 months; extended if e-lesson completion or performance does not meet the Bank’s expectation.
  • Nature of Duties: New recruits must have a flair for marketing — the role involves customer calls, cross-selling banking/advisory products, and extensive outdoor travelling inside and outside Bank premises, with flexible working hours and shift work.
  • Transfer Policy: No Inter-Circle or Inter-State transfer for Junior Associates recruited under this drive. Intra-state transfer is permitted only between Delhi Circle & Lucknow Circle (Uttar Pradesh), and between Mumbai Metro Circle & Maharashtra Circle (Maharashtra) — subject to the Bank’s extant guidelines.
  • Wait List: Up to 50% of vacancies (State-category wise) maintained; released quarterly against non-joining/resignation, valid for 1 year from declaration of final result.

How to Apply — Step-by-Step
  1. Visit https://sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings and open the “Special Recruitment drive for Junior Associates 2026” link.
  2. Download and carefully read advertisement no. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 before proceeding.
  3. Keep scanned copies ready in advance: photograph (20–50 KB), signature (10–20 KB), left thumb impression (20–50 KB), and a hand-written declaration (50–100 KB) — all in JPG/JPEG format per the specified dimensions.
  4. Register online, filling the form carefully. Data can be saved and edited using the system-generated registration number/password — but only up to three times. No edits are allowed after final submission.
  5. Choose the State/UT vacancy you wish to apply for (one State/UT only) and upload photograph, signature, thumb impression and declaration at the correct designated fields.
  6. Pay the applicable fee (Nil for SC/ST/PwBD; ₹750 for OBC) via debit card/credit card/internet banking.
  7. On successful payment, print the e-receipt and application form for your own record — do not send it to SBI.

Documents to Keep Ready
  • Graduation provisional certificate / consolidated mark sheet / final-year enrollment proof
  • OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) certificate in Government-prescribed format, dated between 01.04.2026 and date of joining — mandatory for OBC candidates
  • SC/ST caste certificate issued by Competent Authority (submitted at document verification/joining)
  • 10th or 12th mark sheet showing the opted local language studied, to claim exemption from the LLPT
  • Valid photo ID: Passport / Aadhaar / PAN Card / Driving License / Voter’s Card / Bank Passbook with photograph
  • PwBD Disability Certificate (if applicable), issued by a notified Medical/Competent Authority
  • Ex-Servicemen: relevant Proforma A/B/C/D certificate as applicable to service status

Tentative Examination Centres (Select States)
State/UT Exam Centres
Andhra Pradesh Anantpur, Guntur/Vijayawada, Kadapa, Kakinada, Kurnool, Nellore, Rajahmundry, Tirupati, Vishakhapatnam, Vizianagaram, Chirala
Karnataka Bengaluru, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Hubballi/Dharwad, Mangaluru, Mysuru, Shivamogga, Udupi
Madhya Pradesh Bhopal, Gwalior, Indore, Jabalpur, Sagar, Satna, Ujjain
Odisha Balasore, Berhampur-Ganjam, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Dhenkanal
Rajasthan Ajmer, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sikar, Udaipur
West Bengal Asansol, Durgapur, Kolkata, Hooghly, Kalyani, Siliguri, Burdwan
Uttar Pradesh Agra, Aligarh, Bareilly, Ayodhya, Ghaziabad, Gorakhpur, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut, Moradabad, Muzaffarnagar, Noida/Greater Noida, Prayagraj, Varanasi
Maharashtra Amravati, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar, Dhule, Jalgaon, Kolhapur, Latur, Mumbai/Thane/Navi Mumbai, Nagpur, Nanded, Nashik, Pune, Sangli, Satara, Solapur, Ratnagiri, Chandrapur
Gujarat Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar, Anand/Vadodara, Mehsana, Rajkot, Surat/Bardoli
Delhi NCR Delhi/NCR (all NCR cities)
This is a select list; the full 45 State/UT centre list appears in Annexure-I of the official notification. SBI reserves the right to add, cancel, or reallot examination centres at its discretion — no request for change of centre, date, or session is entertained.

Important Instructions & Rules
  • Candidates can apply for only one State/UT, and can appear for the test only once under this recruitment project.
  • Candidates must be proficient (reading, writing, speaking, understanding) in the local language of the State/UT applied for.
  • No hard copy of call letters (Prelim/Main) or the Acquaint Yourself Booklet will be sent by post — everything is downloaded online.
  • Not more than one application per candidate; multiple applications result in only the last valid one being retained and other fees forfeited.
  • Signature mismatch between the online application and the one signed at the exam venue leads to disqualification.
  • Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, and any communication devices are strictly banned inside the exam premises.
  • Bank reserves the right to cancel the recruitment process entirely at any stage, and vacancy numbers can be increased or decreased regardless of what’s stated in the notification.
  • Records of this project will not be maintained beyond one year after declaration of the online test result.

Common Mistakes to Avoid
  • Uploading photo/signature/thumb impression files outside the prescribed size and dimension ranges — applications with unclear or oversized files risk rejection.
  • Applying under OBC without the correct “Non-Creamy Layer” certificate format — Creamy Layer OBC candidates are simply ineligible.
  • Applying for a State/UT vacancy without checking which Circle it actually falls under (especially Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra) — leads to confusion at the exam-centre or posting stage.
  • Assuming the local language test can be skipped without proof — only a 10th/12th mark sheet evidencing that language exempts a candidate from LLPT.
  • Delaying registration till the last date (27 August 2026) — heavy server load near the deadline is common and SBI does not take responsibility for failed last-minute submissions.
  • Forgetting that Prelim marks don’t count toward final selection — some candidates under-prepare for the Main exam after clearing Prelims.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How many total vacancies are there in SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 (Special Drive)?
1,538 vacancies — 207 SC, 1,219 ST, and 112 OBC, spread across 22 State/UT postings.
Q: Can General category candidates apply?
No. This advertisement (CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16) is a Special Recruitment Drive strictly for clearing SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies.
Q: What is the last date to apply?
27 August 2026, through https://sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings.
Q: What is the starting salary?
Starting Basic Pay of ₹26,730/-, with total starting emoluments of around ₹46,000/- per month at a metro posting like Mumbai (varies by place of posting).
Q: How many stages does selection involve?
Three: Preliminary Exam → Main Exam → Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT only where applicable), followed by document verification.
Q: Is there an application fee?
Nil for SC/ST/PwBD/XS/DXS candidates; ₹750/- for OBC candidates.
Q: Can a Junior Associate request a transfer to another State later?
No inter-circle/inter-state transfer is provided, except the specific intra-state exceptions for UP (Delhi–Lucknow Circles) and Maharashtra (Mumbai Metro–Maharashtra Circles).

Important Links
Apply Online click here 
Official Notification (Advt No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16) click here 
Application/Fee Helpdesk 022-22820427 (11:00 AM–5:00 PM, Bank working days) / http://cgrs.ibps.in
General Query Email crpd@sbi.co.in

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Why This Special Drive Is Different

The SBI Clerk 2026 Special Recruitment Drive is fundamentally different from the bank’s regular Junior Associate recruitment because it has been designed specifically to address SC, ST and OBC backlog vacancies. The 1,538 posts are therefore not open to General or EWS candidates under this advertisement. This makes the applicant pool narrower than a normal SBI Clerk recruitment, although competition can still be significant because SBI is one of the most sought-after banking employers.

State-Wise Vacancy Distribution Can Change Your Strategy

One of the most important features of this recruitment is the large variation in vacancies between states and circles. Gujarat’s Gandhinagar Circle has the highest allocation with 289 vacancies, while several other locations have considerably fewer posts. This means candidates should not look only at the national total of 1,538 vacancies; the relevant competition is essentially connected to the State/UT vacancy for which the candidate applies.

The One-State Rule Is a Major Decision Point

Candidates should treat their State/UT preference as an important decision rather than simply selecting a location based on convenience. The recruitment permits candidates to apply for only one State/UT, and they must also satisfy the local-language requirement for that choice. Once the application is submitted, changing the selected State/UT is not an option.

Local Language Requirement Could Become the Hidden Screening Stage

The Local Language Proficiency Test can become a decisive stage for candidates who did not study the opted local language in Class 10 or 12. Although the Main Examination determines the final merit, failure in the applicable language test means the candidate will not receive appointment. Candidates who already studied the required language should therefore keep their 10th/12th marksheet ready as proof.

Why Main Exam Preparation Should Start Before Prelims

A major strategic point in this recruitment is that Preliminary Examination marks are not added to the final merit score. Prelims are primarily a screening stage, whereas the Main Examination score determines the final merit. Candidates should therefore avoid spending all their preparation time on Prelims and should begin Main-level General/Financial Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, English, Reasoning and Computer Aptitude preparation from the beginning.

SBI Clerk 2026 Selection: The Real Competition Is After Prelims

The preliminary examination may appear to be the first major hurdle, but the more important competition begins after candidates qualify for the Main Examination. SBI plans to shortlist candidates for Mains category-wise, with approximately ten times the number of vacancies being considered for the next stage. Since Prelim marks do not contribute to final merit, candidates who qualify should immediately shift their focus toward maximizing their Main score.

Salary Is Attractive, but Posting Location Matters

The starting basic pay for SBI Junior Associates is ₹26,730, including two advance increments admissible to graduates, while total starting emoluments are around ₹46,000 per month at a metro posting such as Mumbai. However, actual monthly earnings can vary according to the place of posting and applicable allowances. Candidates should therefore avoid treating ₹46,000 as a uniform in-hand salary for every location.

No Inter-State Transfer: A Long-Term Career Consideration

The absence of a general inter-circle or inter-state transfer facility is an important factor that candidates should consider before applying. Junior Associates recruited through this drive are generally tied to the selected State/UT and circle, with only specified intra-state exceptions. Therefore, applicants should choose their location after considering their long-term willingness to work there rather than selecting a State merely because it has more vacancies.

SBI Clerk 2026: Who Has the Strongest Advantage?

Candidates who already understand the selected State’s local language, have a strong banking-awareness base and can adapt to the sectional time limits will have a practical advantage. The recruitment also rewards candidates who prepare for Mains from the beginning rather than treating it as a second-stage problem. In particular, applicants should pay attention to Financial Awareness and Computer Aptitude because these areas become relevant in the Main Examination but are absent as separate sections in Prelims.

Final Analysis: Is SBI Clerk Special Drive 2026 Worth Applying For?

The SBI Clerk Special Recruitment Drive 2026 is a particularly significant opportunity for eligible SC, ST and OBC(NCL) graduates because it combines 1,538 backlog vacancies, SBI’s clerical career structure and a graduate-level entry route. However, the recruitment should not be judged only by its large vacancy figure. The one-State application rule, local-language requirement, no general inter-state transfer provision and Main-exam-based final merit all have a direct impact on a candidate’s selection strategy.

Overall, candidates who carefully choose their State/UT, verify their category and language eligibility, and prepare for the Main Examination from day one will be better positioned than applicants who focus only on clearing the Preliminary Examination. The official SBI notification should remain the final authority for any subsequent changes in dates, vacancies, examination schedule or recruitment conditions

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