SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: 1538 Vacancies, Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Salary & Apply Online

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: The State Bank of India (SBI) has released a special recruitment notification for Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) in the clerical cadre. The recruitment drive is specifically for SC, ST and OBC backlog vacancies, with a total of 1,538 vacancies across various States and Union Territories. The online application process has started on 7 August 2026, and eligible candidates can apply online up to 27 August 2026. If you are preparing for a bank job and want to join SBI as a Junior Associate, this article covers everything you need to know, including SBI Clerk 2026 vacancies, eligibility, age limit, educational qualification, exam pattern, selection process, salary, application fee, and how to apply online.

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026

Jobyaari.com

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Overview

Before going into the details, check the important information about SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 at a glance.

The above details are based on the SBI recruitment notification and are subject to the conditions mentioned by the Bank.

SBI Clerk Vacancy 2026

SBI has announced 1,538 backlog vacancies for Junior Associates under this special recruitment drive.

The category-wise vacancy breakup is:

• SC: 207 vacancies
• ST: 1,219 vacancies
• OBC: 112 vacancies
• Total: 1,538 vacancies

The vacancies are distributed across different States and Union Territories. Candidates can apply for vacancies in only one State/UT.

SBI Clerk State-Wise Vacancy 2026

Important: These vacancies are provisional and may change depending on SBI's actual requirements. The final merit list will be prepared State-wise and category-wise.

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Important Dates

Candidates should keep the following dates in mind:

Students should avoid waiting until the final day to submit the application. SBI itself advises candidates to apply well before the closing date to avoid technical or website-related problems.

Who Can Apply for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026

The eligibility criteria are important because this is a special backlog recruitment drive. Candidates should carefully check their category, age, educational qualification, and local language requirements before applying.

SBI Clerk Age Limit 2026

The candidate's age should be:

• Minimum: 20 years
• Maximum: 28 years

The age will be calculated as on 1 April 2026.

Candidates must have been born between 2 April 1998 and 1 April 2006, both dates inclusive.

Age Relaxation

Note: Cumulative age relaxation is not allowed under multiple categories. Candidates claiming relaxation must provide the required certificates.

SBI Clerk Educational Qualification 2026

Candidates must have a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.

Candidates in their final year/semester of graduation can also apply provisionally.

However, if selected, they must provide proof that they have passed their graduation examination on or before 31 December 2026.

So, if you're currently in your final year of college, this recruitment can still be an opportunity for you, provided you meet the specified deadline.

SBI Clerk Local Language Requirement

This is one of the most important points students should not overlook.

Candidates applying for a particular State/UT must be proficient in the specified local language of that State/UT. This means they should be able to read, write, speak and understand the opted language.

For example:

• Karnataka: Kannada
• Maharashtra: Marathi
• Gujarat: Gujarati
• Tamil Nadu: Tamil
• Odisha: Odia
• Rajasthan: Hindi
• West Bengal: Bengali/Nepali
• Uttar Pradesh: Hindi/Urdu

The candidate has to select one language during the online application.

Do You Have to Take the Local Language Test?

Not necessarily.

Candidates who have studied the specified local language in Class 10 or Class 12 and can provide the relevant marksheet/certificate will not have to appear for the language test.

Other provisionally selected candidates will have to qualify the Local Language Proficiency Test before joining SBI. Candidates who fail this test will not be offered appointment.

You May Also Check: IOCL NR Marketing Division Apprentice Recruitment 2026

SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2026

The SBI Clerk selection process consists of:

1. Preliminary Examination
2. Main Examination
3. Local Language Proficiency Test, wherever applicable

Let's understand each stage in simple terms.

SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026

The Preliminary Examination will be an online objective test of 100 marks.

Each section has a separate time limit.

There will also be negative marking. For every incorrect answer, one-fourth of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.

One important point for students: Prelims marks will not be added to the final merit list. The Preliminary Examination is used to shortlist candidates for the Main Examination.

SBI Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2026

The Main Examination carries 200 marks and has a total duration of 2 hours 40 minutes.

There is a 1/4th negative marking for incorrect answers in the objective tests.

The final merit list will be prepared using the marks obtained in the Main Examination, subject to the other eligibility and selection conditions.

SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026

The selection process can be understood in three steps:

Step 1: Preliminary Examination

Candidates appear for the 100-mark online Preliminary Examination.

Based on performance, an adequate number of candidates will be shortlisted for the Main Examination.

Step 2: Main Examination

Shortlisted candidates appear for the 200-mark Main Examination.

The Main Examination is extremely important because Prelims marks aren't included in the final merit list.

Step 3: Local Language Proficiency Test

Candidates who haven't studied the specified local language in Class 10 or 12 may have to appear for the Local Language Proficiency Test.

Candidates must qualify this test wherever applicable.

Final Selection

The final selection is based on:

• Performance in the Main Examination
• Verification of eligibility and documents
• Qualification in the local language test, wherever applicable

The merit list will be prepared State-wise and category-wise.

SBI Clerk Salary 2026

One of the biggest attractions of SBI Clerk recruitment is the salary and benefits offered by the Bank.

The notification mentions the following pay scale:

Rs 24,050 - Rs 1,340/3 - Rs 28,070 - Rs 1,650/3 - Rs 33,020 - Rs 2,000/4 - Rs 41,020 - Rs 2,340/7 - Rs 57,400 - Rs 4,400/1 - Rs 61,800 - Rs 2,680/1 - Rs 64,480

For graduates, the starting Basic Pay is Rs 26,730, which includes two advance increments admissible to graduates.

The notification states that the total starting emoluments at a metro location such as Mumbai will be around Rs 46,000 per month, including DA and other applicable allowances.

Other benefits include various permissible reimbursements/perquisites, provident fund, pension under the New Pension Scheme, medical benefits and leave-related facilities, subject to applicable Bank rules.

SBI Clerk Application Fee 2026

The application/intimation charges are:

The fee is non-refundable.

Candidates should carefully check their category before completing the payment.

How to Apply for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026

Candidates can apply online only.

Step-by-step SBI Clerk application process

Step 1: Visit the official SBI Careers website.

Step 2: Open the recruitment section and find the Junior Associates 2026 Special Recruitment Drive.

Step 3: Register using your basic details.

Step 4: Fill in your personal, educational and other required information carefully.

Step 5: Select the State/UT and specified local language.

Step 6: Upload the required photograph, signature, left thumb impression and handwritten declaration in the prescribed format.

Step 7: Carefully check the complete application form.

Step 8: Pay the applicable application fee through the available online payment methods.

Step 9: Submit the application.

Step 10: Save the registration details and take a printout of the submitted application for future reference.

Candidates should remember that once the application is finally submitted, changes/corrections may not be permitted. Therefore, check every detail before clicking the final submit button.

Documents Required for SBI Clerk Application

Before starting the application, candidates should keep the required information and scanned documents ready.

These include:

• Recent photograph
• Signature
• Left-hand thumb impression
• Handwritten declaration
• Educational qualification details
• Valid email ID
• Active mobile number
• Category-related documents, wherever applicable

Candidates claiming reservation or age relaxation should make sure that their certificates meet SBI's prescribed requirements.

SBI Clerk 2026 Exam Preparation Strategy

If you're preparing for SBI Clerk 2026, don't wait for the Preliminary Exam date to be announced before starting your preparation.

A simple strategy can make your preparation more organised.

1. Start with the SBI Clerk syllabus

Understand the topics covered under:

• English Language
• Numerical Ability
• Reasoning
• General/Financial Awareness
• Quantitative Aptitude
• Computer Aptitude

2. Build speed for Prelims

SBI Clerk Prelims is a time-bound exam. You get only 20 minutes for each section.

So, solving questions correctly isn't enough. You also need to improve your speed.

3. Practise mock tests

Try full-length and sectional mock tests regularly.

After every mock test, don't just check your score. Analyse:

• Questions you got wrong
• Questions that took too much time
• Topics where accuracy is low
• Questions you should have skipped

4. Focus heavily on Mains

Since Prelims marks aren't included in the final merit list, students should not stop preparation after qualifying Prelims.

Start Mains preparation alongside Prelims preparation.

5. Don't ignore General/Financial Awareness

The Mains exam includes 50 questions for 50 marks from General/Financial Awareness.

Regular current affairs revision can make a major difference here.

6. Prepare for the local language

If you haven't studied the required local language in Class 10 or 12, don't leave the language test until the last moment.

Check your State's language requirement while applying itself.

SBI Clerk 2026: Important Things Students Should Remember

Here are some points that can easily be missed while filling out the application:

Apply for only one State/UT

A candidate can apply for vacancies in one State/UT only.

No inter-state transfer

There is no provision for Inter Circle Transfer or Inter State Transfer for Junior Associates recruited under this process.

Prelims marks aren't counted in final merit

Your Preliminary Examination score is used for shortlisting, while the Main Examination score is considered for the final merit.

Local language matters

Candidates need proficiency in the specified local language of the State/UT they choose.

Final-year students can apply

Final-year graduation students can apply provisionally, provided they fulfil the graduation deadline mentioned in the notification.

Don't submit multiple applications

SBI advises candidates not to submit multiple applications. If multiple applications are submitted, only the last valid completed application will be retained and fees paid for other registrations will be forfeited.

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: FAQs

How many vacancies are there in SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026?

There are 1,538 vacancies for Junior Associates under the special recruitment drive for backlog vacancies.

What is the SBI Clerk application last date?

The last date to apply online is 27 August 2026.

What is the SBI Clerk age limit?

Candidates should be between 20 and 28 years as on 1 April 2026, subject to applicable age relaxation.

What is the SBI Clerk qualification?

Candidates need a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification.

Can final-year students apply for SBI Clerk 2026?

Yes. Final-year/semester graduation students can apply provisionally, but they must pass their graduation examination by 31 December 2026 if provisionally selected.

What is the SBI Clerk salary?

The starting Basic Pay for graduates is ?26,730. SBI states that starting total emoluments at a metro location such as Mumbai will be around ?46,000 per month, including applicable allowances.

Is there negative marking in SBI Clerk?

Yes. There is a penalty of one-fourth of the marks assigned to the question for every wrong answer in the objective tests.

Are SBI Clerk Prelims marks counted for final selection?

No. The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are not added to the final merit list. The Main Examination marks are considered for the final merit, subject to the prescribed conditions.

Is the SBI Clerk local language test compulsory?

Candidates who have studied the specified local language in Class 10 or 12 and provide the required proof are exempt from the language test. Other provisionally selected candidates must qualify the Local Language Proficiency Test.

What is the SBI Clerk application fee?

SC/ST/PwBD/XS/DXS candidates have no application fee, while the fee for OBC candidates is Rs 750.

Important Links

Apply Online	Click Here
Official Notification	Click Here
Official Website	Click Here
More Updates	Click Here
Join WhatsApp Channel	Click Here