SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 — 11,304 Junior Associate Posts

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Overview

The State Bank of India (SBI) Central Recruitment & Promotion Department (CRPD) released two separate Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) notifications in August 2026, together offering 11,304 vacancies — one of the largest SBI Clerk hiring drives in recent years. Both application windows have since closed, and the exam process is now underway.

Admit Card & Exam Date 2026

• Visit the official SBI careers page and locate the “Download Call Letter for Junior Associate Exam 2026” link for the relevant notification (Regular or Backlog).
• Log in using your Registration/Application Number and Password, or Date of Birth.
• Download the admit card and take at least two clear printouts.
• Carry the printed admit card along with one valid original photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving Licence) to the exam centre.

Important Dates

Note: Mains exam dates are still tentative and subject to official confirmation. Candidates should regularly check the official SBI careers page for updates.

Vacancy Details

A. Regular Recruitment — Category-wise (National Total: 7,680)

An additional 2,086 backlog vacancies (287 SC/ST/OBC + 355 PwBD + 1,444 XS/DXS, all horizontal) are advertised under the same Advt No. 17, net of the Special Recruitment Drive figures below — taking the total under this notification to 9,766.

B. Regular Recruitment — State/UT-wise (Selected States)

C. Special Recruitment Drive — Backlog (SC/ST/OBC only)

Candidates were able to apply for vacancies in only one State/UT under either recruitment. There is no provision for Inter Circle/Inter State transfer for Junior Associates before completion of 5 years of service, barring limited exceptions (Extreme Compassionate Ground/Spouse Ground) at the Bank’s discretion thereafter.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university, or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government (as on 31 December 2026). Final-year/semester candidates were allowed to apply provisionally, subject to producing proof of passing on or before 31 December 2026.

Age Limit

Candidates must be not below 20 years and not above 28 years as on 01 April 2026 — i.e. born not earlier than 02 April 1998 and not later than 01 April 2006 (both dates inclusive).

Nationality

Applicants must be Indian citizens. Candidates currently serving in SBI’s clerical cadre, or who resigned from SBI while in the clerical cadre, were not eligible to apply.

Application Fee (For Reference — Applications Now Closed)

Fee was payable online only, at the time of application, and was non-refundable and non-adjustable against any other exam or selection.

Selection Process

Selection is based on the following stages, with no interview:

Phase I — Preliminary Examination (Objective, 1 hour)

Phase II — Main Examination (Objective, 2 hr 40 min)

Negative marking: 1/4th mark deducted per wrong answer in both phases. Only Main Exam marks count toward the final merit list (Prelims is only for shortlisting, roughly 10x vacancies per category).

Phase III — Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)

Provisionally selected candidates who have not studied the state’s specified local language at 10th/12th standard must clear an LLPT (Objective + Subjective non-verbal test of 30 marks, plus a Verbal test of 20 marks) before joining. Candidates who fail LLPT will not be offered appointment.

Pay Scale & Emoluments

Pay Scale: Rs.24,050-1340/3-28,070-1650/3-33,020-2000/4-41,020-2340/7-57,400-4400/1-61,800-2680/1-64,480

Starting Basic Pay: Rs.26,730/- (Rs.24,050/- plus two advance increments admissible to graduates)

Total Starting Emoluments: Approximately Rs.46,000/- per month at a metro location like Mumbai, inclusive of DA and other allowances at current rates. Allowances vary by place of posting. Selected candidates are on probation for a minimum of 6 months and are eligible for PF, New Pension Scheme (NPS), medical, LFC and other benefits per Bank rules.

Exam Day Checklist

• Printed copy of the admit card (2 copies recommended)
• One valid original photo ID matching the name on the admit card (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving Licence)
• Recent passport-size photograph (same as uploaded during application), if specified on the call letter
• Reach the exam centre well before the reporting time mentioned on the admit card — late entry is generally not permitted

How to Apply Online (Application Window Now Closed)

The online application windows for both notifications have closed (31 August 2026 for the regular recruitment, 27 August 2026 for the backlog drive). This section is retained for reference. Candidates who already applied should proceed directly to the Admit Card & Exam Date section above.

1. Visit the official SBI careers website: sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings
2. Locate the relevant notification — “Recruitment of Junior Associates” (Advt 17) for the regular drive, or the “Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies” (Advt 16)
3. Download and carefully read the full notification PDF
4. Register online using a valid email ID and mobile number to generate login credentials
5. Fill in the application form with accurate personal, educational, and category details
6. Upload scanned photograph, signature, left thumb impression, and hand-written declaration as per specifications
7. Pay the application fee, if applicable to your category, through the available online payment modes
8. Review all details carefully and submit before the respective closing date

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)