SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: The State Bank of India (SBI) has released a recruitment notification for Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) posts under a special recruitment drive for SC, ST and OBC backlog vacancies. A total of 1,538 vacancies have been announced across different States and Union Territories.
The online application process will start on 7 August 2026 and eligible candidates can submit their applications until 27 August 2026. Candidates interested in SBI Clerk 2026 should carefully check the state-wise vacancy, eligibility criteria, local language requirement, selection process and important dates before applying.
According to the official SBI notification, candidates can apply for vacancies in one State/UT only. The Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for September 2026, while the Main Examination is expected to be conducted in October/November 2026.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post Name | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) |
| Cadre | Clerical Cadre |
| Recruitment Type | Special Recruitment Drive – Backlog Vacancies |
| Total Vacancies | 1,538 |
| Categories | SC / ST / OBC |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 7 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 27 August 2026 |
| Preliminary Exam | September 2026 (Tentative) |
| Main Exam | October/November 2026 (Tentative) |
| Official Website | SBI Careers |
The recruitment is being conducted under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16.
SBI Clerk Vacancy 2026
SBI has announced 1,538 Junior Associate vacancies under this special recruitment drive.
The category-wise total vacancy is:
- SC: 207 posts
- ST: 1,219 posts
- OBC: 112 posts
- Total: 1,538 posts
The vacancies are distributed among different SBI Circles and States/UTs. Candidates should note that these vacancies are provisional and may change depending on the actual requirement of the Bank.
SBI Clerk Vacancy 2026 – State-Wise
| State/UT | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | 88 |
| Karnataka | 120 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 134 |
| Chhattisgarh | 26 |
| Odisha | 111 |
| Chandigarh | 22 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 42 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 11 |
| Punjab | 18 |
| Tamil Nadu | 65 |
| Telangana | 32 |
| Rajasthan | 106 |
| West Bengal | 55 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 31 |
| Maharashtra/Mumbai Metro | 165 |
| Delhi | 17 |
| Gujarat | 289 |
| Assam | 39 |
| Tripura | 22 |
| Bihar | 12 |
| Jharkhand | 133 |
| Total | 1,538 |
SBI Clerk Vacancy 2026 – Jharkhand
For candidates applying from Jharkhand, SBI has announced 133 vacancies.
- SC: 14
- ST: 119
- OBC: 0
- Total: 133
The specified local languages for Jharkhand are Hindi and Santhali. Candidates have to choose one language at the time of online application for the local language test.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
Candidates should keep the following dates in mind:
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| SBI Clerk Notification | 7 August 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 7 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 27 August 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | September 2026 (Tentative) |
| Main Examination | October/November 2026 (Tentative) |
The Bank has advised candidates to regularly check its official website for examination-related updates.
SBI Clerk 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must fulfil the prescribed age and educational qualification requirements.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must have a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.
Candidates who are currently studying in the final year/semester of graduation can also apply provisionally. However, if selected provisionally, they must provide proof that they have passed their graduation examination on or before 31 December 2026.
Age Limit
The age limit is calculated as on 1 April 2026.
- Minimum Age: 20 years
- Maximum Age: 28 years
Candidates must have been born between 2 April 1998 and 1 April 2006, both dates inclusive.
Age relaxation is available to eligible reserved-category and other candidates as per SBI rules. The notification specifies 3 years for OBC candidates and 5 years for SC/ST candidates, along with other applicable relaxations.
Important OBC Certificate Requirement
This recruitment is specifically for backlog vacancies, so candidates should carefully check their category requirements.
SBI has stated that OBC vacancies are available only to candidates belonging to the Non-Creamy Layer. Candidates belonging to the OBC category but falling under the Creamy Layer are not eligible for OBC vacancies.
The OBC certificate must be in the format prescribed by the Government of India and contain the Non-Creamy Layer clause. The certificate should be issued on or after 1 April 2026 and should remain valid up to the date of joining, if the candidate is selected.
SC/ST candidates will also have to produce the required caste certificate issued by the competent authority in the prescribed Government of India format during document verification.
SBI Clerk 2026 Selection Process
The selection process consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Test of Specified Local Language
Candidates must qualify through the required stages of the selection process. The local language test is conducted after candidates qualify in the Main Examination and before joining the Bank.
Candidates who have studied the specified local language in 10th or 12th standard and can produce the relevant marksheet/certificate will not be required to appear for the separate language test.
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
The Preliminary Examination will be conducted online for 100 marks with a total duration of one hour.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Each section has a separate time limit.
There will be negative marking in the objective tests. One-fourth of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each incorrect answer. SBI has not prescribed minimum qualifying marks for an individual test or for the aggregate score in the Preliminary Examination.
SBI Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2026
The Main Examination will consist of 190 questions for 200 marks and will have a total duration of 2 hours 40 minutes.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
There is also a negative marking provision in the Main Examination, with one-fourth of the marks assigned to the question deducted for an incorrect answer.
Local Language Test for SBI Clerk 2026
A major requirement of SBI Junior Associate recruitment is knowledge of the local language of the State/UT for which the candidate applies.
The candidate must be proficient in the specified language in terms of reading, writing, speaking and understanding.
For example, candidates applying for Jharkhand can choose Hindi or Santhali as their specified local language.
Candidates who studied the selected local language in Class 10 or Class 12 and have documentary proof will generally not have to appear for the separate language test.
SBI Clerk 2026 Application Form
Eligible candidates can apply online during the registration period from 7 August 2026 to 27 August 2026.
Before submitting the application form, candidates should keep their educational details, category documents and other required information ready.
Candidates should also carefully select their preferred State/UT because SBI allows candidates to apply for vacancies in one State/UT only under this recruitment.
The Bank has also clarified that there is no provision for Inter-Circle Transfer or Inter-State Transfer for Junior Associates recruited through this process, subject to the specific exceptions mentioned in the notification.
How to Apply for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026?
Candidates can follow these general steps:
- Visit the official SBI Careers website.
- Open the current recruitment section.
- Find the Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) Special Recruitment Drive notification.
- Read the official notification carefully.
- Start the online registration.
- Enter your personal, educational and category details.
- Select the State/UT and applicable local language.
- Upload the required documents and photograph/signature as instructed.
- Complete the applicable fee/payment process.
- Submit the application form.
- Download and save the final application confirmation for future reference.
Candidates should rely on the official SBI website for the application link and any subsequent changes to the recruitment schedule.
SBI Clerk 2026: Important Points for Candidates
Before applying, candidates should remember these important points:
- This is a special recruitment drive for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies.
- There are 1,538 vacancies in total.
- Candidates can apply for only one State/UT.
- The minimum educational qualification is graduation in any discipline.
- Final-year graduation students can apply provisionally, subject to the conditions in the notification.
- The age limit is 20 to 28 years as on 1 April 2026, with applicable relaxation.
- Local language proficiency is compulsory for the selected State/UT.
- Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for September 2026.
- Main Examination is tentatively scheduled for October/November 2026.
- OBC candidates must meet the Non-Creamy Layer requirement.
- There is negative marking in both objective examinations.
- Candidates should keep checking SBI’s official recruitment page for updates.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 – FAQs
How many vacancies are available in SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026?
SBI has announced 1,538 vacancies for Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) under the special recruitment drive.
What is the last date to apply for SBI Clerk 2026?
The last date for online registration and fee payment is 27 August 2026.
What is the age limit for SBI Clerk 2026?
Candidates should be between 20 and 28 years of age as on 1 April 2026, subject to applicable age relaxation.
What is the qualification for SBI Junior Associate 2026?
Candidates need a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification.
How many SBI Clerk vacancies are there in Jharkhand?
There are 133 vacancies for Jharkhand: 14 SC and 119 ST vacancies.
Which languages are available for Jharkhand?
For Jharkhand, the specified local languages are Hindi and Santhali.
Is there negative marking in SBI Clerk 2026?
Yes. SBI’s notification states that one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each wrong answer in the objective tests.
When will SBI Clerk Prelims 2026 be conducted?
The Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for September 2026.
Official Notification
For the complete rules, eligibility conditions, vacancy details and examination information, candidates should read the official SBI notification.
Official SBI Recruitment Website: SBI Careers → Current Openings
