SBI PO Recruitment 2026 notification has been officially released by the State Bank of India’s Central Recruitment & Promotion Department on 18/06/2026 under Advertisement No. CRPD/PO/2026-27/09. The recruitment opens 1,500 Probationary Officer positions across the Unreserved, OBC, SC, ST, and EWS categories, with an online application window running from 18/06/2026 to 08/07/2026. With a competitive three-phase selection process and a starting CTC of approximately ₹21.97 Lacs, this recruitment attracts lakhs of applicants annually.
SBI PO Recruitment 2026 | Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post Name | Probationary Officer (PO) |
| Total Vacancies | 1,500 (1,446 Regular + 54 Backlog) |
| Advertisement No. | CRPD/PO/2026-27/09 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Job Location | All-India |
| Official Website | https://sbi.bank.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Registration & Fee Payment | 18/06/2026 to 08/07/2026 |
| Pre-Examination Training (SC/ST/OBC/PwBD) | July 2026 |
| Download Preliminary Exam Call Letters | 2nd/3rd week of July 2026 onwards |
| Phase I: Preliminary Examination | August 2026 |
| Declaration of Preliminary Exam Result | August/September 2026 |
| Download Main Exam Call Letter | August/September 2026 |
| Phase-II: Main Examination | September 2026 |
| Declaration of the Main Exam Result | September/October 2026 |
| Phase-III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview | October/November 2026 |
| Declaration of Final Result | November/December 2026 |
All dates are tentative as per the official notification. Any changes will be communicated only through SBI’s careers website.
Eligibility Criteria
SBI PO Recruitment 2026 eligibility is determined by age as of 01/04/2026 and educational qualification as of 30/09/2026. Candidates must meet both conditions independently to be considered.
Age Limit
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 years |
| Maximum Age | 30 years |
| Age as on | 01/04/2026 |
| Date of Birth (Eligible Range) | 02/04/1996 to 01/04/2005 (both dates inclusive) |
Age Relaxation
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| PwBD (UR/EWS) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen / ECOs / SSCOs (5 years service) | 5 years |
OBC candidates receive a 3-year age relaxation under the Government’s reservation policy, raising their upper age limit to 33 years. SC and ST candidates are eligible up to the age of 35. Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in the UR/EWS category can apply up to 40 years, while PwBD candidates in OBC and SC/ST categories receive combined relaxation of up to 43 and 45 years, respectively. Cumulative age relaxation across multiple categories is not permitted, and only the single highest applicable relaxation will be considered.
Educational Qualification
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Basic Qualification | A graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university |
| Cut-off Date | 30/09/2026 |
| Equivalent Qualifications | Professional qualifications (Medical, Engineering, Chartered Accountancy, Cost Accountancy) and Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) are eligible |
| Final-Year/Semester Candidates | Can apply provisionally; must produce proof of passing graduation by 30/09/2026 if shortlisted for interview |
SBI PO Vacancy 2026 | Category-Wise Breakdown
| Category | Regular Vacancies | Backlog Vacancies | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC | 216 | 18 | 234 |
| ST | 108 | 36 | 144 |
| OBC | 390 | – | 390 |
| EWS | 144 | – | 144 |
| UR | 588 | – | 588 |
| Total | 1,446 | 54 | 1,500 |
SBI has also reserved 15 vacancies for Visually Impaired (VI), 16 for Hearing Impaired (HI), 14 for Locomotor Disability (LD), and 16 for Autism Spectrum Disorder-Mild, Mental Illness, and Multiple Disabilities (d&e category) as horizontal reservation within the above categories under Section 34 of the RPwD Act, 2016.
Who Should Consider This Recruitment?
- Graduates from any discipline with completion by 30/09/2026 are eligible to apply, including those from engineering, medical, law, commerce, arts, and science streams.
- Candidates between 21 and 30 years as of 01/04/2026 meet the age requirement; reserved category candidates receive relaxation as listed above.
- Both employed and unemployed candidates can apply; no prior work experience is required for this entry-level officer position.
- Candidates with professional qualifications or dual degrees pass the eligibility check without needing an additional undergraduate degree.
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities in any category have dedicated vacancies and receive substantial age relaxation.
Maximum Number of Attempts Allowed
| Category | Maximum Attempts |
|---|---|
| UR / EWS | 6 |
| OBC / OBC (PwBD) | 9 |
| SC / SC (PwBD) / ST / ST (PwBD) | No Restriction |
Appearing in the Main Examination counts as one attempt. Appearing only in the Preliminary Examination does not count as an attempt. Candidates who have already exhausted their permissible chances in previous years are not eligible to apply for the SBI PO Recruitment 2026.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Unreserved (UR), EWS, OBC | ₹750 |
| SC, ST, PwBD | Nil |
The application fee is non-refundable once paid and cannot be carried forward to any other examination. Candidates must confirm their category and personal details before making the payment.
Special Eligibility: CIBIL Score Requirement
SBI PO is a banking position with financial responsibility, and the bank has introduced a distinctive eligibility check for credit history. Candidates who have defaulted on any loan, NBFC, or financial institution arrangement, including credit card dues, and whose accounts show adverse credit history in CIBIL or other recognised credit agencies must regularise or repay all outstanding dues on or before the joining date. If the adverse status has not been updated in CIBIL records by the joining date, candidates must obtain confirmation from the lender that no dues are outstanding or produce a No Objection Certificate (NOC); failure to do so will render the candidate ineligible, and the appointment offer will be withdrawn. Candidates are strongly advised to check their CIBIL score before applying.
About the Probationary Officer Role
Probationary Officers in the State Bank of India are groomed as future leaders of the organisation. The role encompasses retail and corporate banking operations, customer relationship management, credit appraisal, risk assessment, and strategic business development across the bank’s extensive branch and corporate network. SBI POs work in a structured, performance-driven environment that combines field exposure with technological advancement, managing portfolios, leading teams, and contributing to digital banking transformation. Classified as Group A (Gazetted Officers) under the 7th Pay Commission, POs enter the JMGS-I pay scale with a confirmed path to senior management grades. The bank invests heavily in officer development through structured training programs, international placements, and rotational postings that span metros, towns, and rural centres, providing comprehensive exposure to India’s diverse banking landscape.
SBI PO Selection Process 2026
SBI PO Recruitment 2026 follows a three-phase selection process. Phase I is the Preliminary Examination (100 marks, 1 hour), which acts as a screening test. Candidates numbering approximately 10 times the vacancies in each category are shortlisted for Phase-II. Phase-II is the Main Examination (230 marks for objective + 30 marks for descriptive, 3.5 hours), with candidates numbering approximately 3 times the category-wise vacancies shortlisted for Phase-III. Phase-III comprises a Psychometric Test (for personality profiling), Group Exercise (20 marks), and Personal Interview (30 marks), totalling 50 marks. Only marks from Phase-II and Phase-III are normalised and combined for the final merit list; Preliminary Exam marks are not carried forward.
Phase I: Preliminary Examination Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 40 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 hour |
There is no sectional cut-off in the Preliminary Exam. A category-wise merit list is prepared based on aggregate score. For every wrong answer, 1/4th of the marks assigned to that question is deducted; unattempted questions carry no penalty.
Phase-II: Main Examination Pattern
| Section | Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 50 minutes |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| General Awareness / Economy / Banking Knowledge | 60 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| English Language | 40 | 20 | 40 minutes |
| Objective Test Total | 170 | 200 | 3 hours |
| Descriptive Test (Email / Situation Analysis / Report or Précis Writing) | 3 | 30 | 30 minutes |
| Grand Total | – | 230 | 3 hours 30 minutes |
Each candidate must score a minimum qualifying mark in every individual section, including the descriptive paper. Sectional cut-offs are decided by the bank based on vacancies. For every wrong answer in the objective test, 1/4th of the marks is deducted. The descriptive test is administered immediately after the objective test, and answers are typed directly on the computer.
Phase-III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview
Shortlisted candidates undergo a Psychometric Test for personality profiling (findings shared with the interview panel), followed by a Group Exercise (20 marks) and a Personal Interview (30 marks), totalling 50 marks. All questions in the Psychometric Test are mandatory.
Final Merit List and Normalisation
| Component | Maximum Marks | Normalised Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Main Examination (Objective + Descriptive) | 230 | 75 |
| Group Exercise & Interview | 50 | 25 |
| Total | 280 | 100 |
Marks from Phase-II and Phase-III are normalised to 100 marks each before being combined. If two or more candidates score identical marks at the cut-off point in the final merit list, they are ranked according to age in descending order (older candidate placed higher).
Pay Scale and Benefits
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Scale | JMGS-I (48480-2000/7-62480-2340/2-67160-2680/7-85920) |
| Starting Basic Pay | ₹48,480 |
| Advance Increments | 4 |
| Provident Fund & NPS | Applicable |
| Medical Facilities | Comprehensive coverage |
| Leave Fare Concession (LFC) | Available |
| Approximate CTC (Initial Scale, Mumbai Centre) | ₹21.97 Lacs per annum |
SBI PO positions are classified as Group A (Gazetted Officers) under the 7th Pay Commission. The approximate CTC at the initial pay scale for the Mumbai Centre is ₹21.97 Lacs per annum, which will vary based on posting location, allowances, and applicable benefits. Officers who clear probation are confirmed in JMGS-I and have a structured promotion path to reach senior and top management grades, including international posting opportunities.
Joining, Bond, and Probation Period
Selected candidates must complete a basic banking knowledge online course before joining. Candidates will be designated as Probationary Officers and placed on probation for two years with continuous performance assessment. At the time of joining, candidates must execute a bond of ₹2.00 Lacs, committing to serve the bank for a minimum of three years. This bond is invoked if the candidate resigns before completing three years of service. Officers who clear probation assessment standards are confirmed in JMGS-I.
Documents Required at Each Stage
At the Preliminary and Main Examinations, candidates must bring:
- A valid photo identity proof (Passport, Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Driving Licence, Voter’s ID Card, or Bank Passbook with attested photograph)
- A self-attested photocopy of the same identity proof
- A valid Aadhaar card (SBI conducts online Aadhaar verification at different stages)
For the Main Exam specifically, candidates must also bring:
- The duly authenticated Original Preliminary Exam Call Letter with an authenticated ID proof copy
- The Main Exam Call Letter
- Two additional photographs identical to the one used during registration
Biometric verification (photo and thumb impression/IRIS scan) may be carried out during the selection process. Use of mobile phones or any electronic devices inside the examination or interview premises is strictly prohibited and can lead to disqualification.
How to Apply for SBI PO Recruitment 2026
- Visit the official SBI careers website or the IBPS portal link provided in the Important Links section below.
- Click on the SBI PO Recruitment 2026 notification link and read the complete detailed advertisement PDF carefully before starting your application.
- Register on the online application portal using your email address and mobile number; a provisional registration number will be generated immediately.
- Save your provisional registration number and password securely; these are required for all subsequent stages.
- Complete your application form with accurate personal, educational, and category information; double-check all details before final submission as some fields cannot be edited after registration.
- Upload your photograph (in JPG format, size 10-40 KB, dimensions 200×230 pixels) and signature (in JPG format, size 5-20 KB, dimensions 140×60 pixels) as per the exact specifications; uploads outside these limits will trigger an error.
- Confirm your category (Unreserved, OBC, SC, ST, EWS, or PwBD) carefully; no change of category is permitted after registration.
- Pay the application fee (₹750 for UR/EWS/OBC candidates; nil for SC/ST/PwBD) via online payment (debit card, credit card, or internet banking); the fee is strictly non-refundable.
- After successful fee payment, your application is complete; download and save your registration confirmation for reference.
Avoid submitting your application in the final hours of 08/07/2026, as heavy website traffic near the deadline often causes failed submissions, and SBI does not take responsibility for such failures. Keep multiple copies of your registration photograph and save your password in a secure location, as these are required at every subsequent stage of the selection process.
Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying for SBI PO 2026
- Uploading a photograph or signature outside the exact pixel dimensions and file-size ranges specified in the notification-uploads exceeding 40 KB or falling short of the required dimensions will be rejected and block your form submission.
- Submitting signatures or hand-written declarations in capital letters; SBI does not accept these formats and will reject the document.
- Waiting until the closing date of 08/07/2026 to register, as portal traffic congestion near the deadline frequently causes session timeouts and failed submissions; SBI does not accept responsibility for such failures.
- Selecting the wrong category (Reserved or Unreserved) during registration; no correction is allowed at any stage after form submission, and an incorrect selection can result in disqualification.
- Assuming an online fee payment has been processed successfully without verifying the transaction, if payment fails or appears incomplete, register again and make a fresh payment rather than submitting without confirmation.
- Failing to save your provisional registration number and password immediately after completing your form; these credentials are needed to download admit cards, check results, and access subsequent stages.
What Happens After You Apply
- Your application window closes on 08/07/2026; SBI will begin shortlisting candidates for the Preliminary Exam based on category-wise merit.
- Pre-Examination Training will be conducted in July 2026 for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates as per the official schedule.
- Preliminary Exam Call Letters will be available for download from the 2nd/3rd week of July 2026 onwards; check the official website regularly for the link.
- Phase-I Preliminary Examination is scheduled for August 2026; only candidates who qualify will be shortlisted for the Main Exam.
- Phase-II Main Examination is scheduled for September 2026; marks from this phase carry significant weight in the final merit list.
- Phase-III (Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview) is scheduled for October/November 2026; only top-scoring candidates from the Main Exam are called for this stage.
- Final merit list and results are declared in November/December 2026; selected candidates will be informed of their joining date and will need to execute the ₹2.00 Lac bond at that time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the exact eligibility for SBI PO Recruitment 2026 in terms of age?
Ans. Candidates must be not below 21 years and not above 30 years as on 01/04/2026. This means you must have been born between 02/04/1996 and 01/04/2005 (both dates inclusive). Age relaxation is available to OBC (3 years), SC/ST (5 years), PwBD (10-15 years depending on category), and Ex-Servicemen (5 years); however, cumulative relaxation across multiple categories is not permitted.
Q2. I am a final-year graduation student. Can I apply for the SBI PO Recruitment 2026?
Ans. Yes, final-year or final-semester students can apply provisionally. However, if you are shortlisted for the interview stage, you must produce proof of having successfully passed your graduation examination on or before 30/09/2026. If you fail to provide this proof by the interview date, your candidature will be cancelled.
Q3. What is the CIBIL score requirement, and what happens if I have an adverse credit history?
Ans. There is no specific minimum CIBIL score requirement. However, if you have defaulted on any loan, NBFC, credit card, or financial institution arrangement, and your account reflects adverse credit history in CIBIL or another recognised credit agency, you must repay or regularise all outstanding dues on or before your joining date. If the adverse status is not updated in CIBIL records by joining, you must provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the lender confirming no dues are outstanding. Failure to do so will render you ineligible, and your appointment offer will be withdrawn.
Q4. Does the Preliminary Exam have a sectional cut-off?
Ans. No, there is no sectional cut-off in the Preliminary Examination. Your selection to the Main Exam is based on your aggregate score across all three sections (English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability). However, the Main Examination does have sectional cut-offs that you must clear in every individual section to qualify.
Q5. What is the bond amount and bond period for SBI PO?
Ans. Selected candidates must execute a bond of ₹2.00 Lacs at the time of joining, committing to serve the bank for a minimum of three years. If you resign before completing three years of service, this bond amount is invoked and recovered from your final settlement.
Q6. How many times can I appear for the SBI PO Recruitment 2026 if I fail in the Main Exam?
Ans. Your total number of attempts is limited based on your category. UR/EWS candidates have a maximum of 6 attempts, while OBC and OBC (PwBD) candidates have up to 9 attempts. SC, ST, SC (PwBD), and ST (PwBD) candidates have no restriction on the number of attempts. Appearing in the Main Examination counts as one attempt; appearing only in the Preliminary Exam does not count as an attempt.
Q7. What happens if I have already used up my maximum attempts in previous SBI PO recruitments?
Ans. Candidates who have already exhausted their permissible chances in previous recruitment cycles are not eligible to apply for SBI PO Recruitment 2026. You must verify your previous attempt count with the official notification or the SBI careers website before applying.
Q8. What is the final merit list based on, and how are ties broken if two candidates score the same marks?
Ans. The final merit list is prepared by normalising marks from Phase-II (Main Examination) and Phase-III (Group Exercise & Interview) to 100 marks total. Marks from the Preliminary Exam are not included in the final calculation. If two or more candidates score identical marks at the cut-off point, they are ranked according to age in descending order, meaning the older candidate is placed higher on the merit list.
Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| Download Detailed Notification PDF | Download Notification |
| Apply Online at SBI Careers Portal | Apply Now |
| SBI Official Website | Visit Website |
| IBPS Official Portal | Visit Portal |
| SBI Career Openings | Visit Portal |
Your Next Step
The online application window for SBI PO Recruitment 2026 remains open until 08/07/2026, and interested candidates should register on the official portal at their earliest convenience to avoid last-minute portal congestion. After the application window closes, SBI will release admit cards for the Preliminary Examination in the 2nd/3rd week of July 2026, followed by the three-phase selection process spanning August through December 2026. Stay connected with our free job alert service at MyNaukriAlert.com to receive instant notifications of SBI interview schedules, result declarations, and future recruitment announcements.
