SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 | 1,538 Junior Associate Vacancies | Across India

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 has been announced by the State Bank of India (SBI) for the recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) in the clerical cadre under a special recruitment drive for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies. According to the official notification, a total of 1,538 vacancies are available across participating States/UTs.

The SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026 online application process will be conducted from 07 August 2026 to 27 August 2026. Eligible candidates can apply for vacancies in one State/UT only and must be proficient in the specified local language of the State/UT selected.

📋 SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 – Overview

📅 SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 – Important Dates

⚠️ Important: The Preliminary and Main Examination dates mentioned above are tentative as stated by SBI. Candidates should regularly check the Bank’s official careers website for updates.

🔢 SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026 – Vacancy Details

The SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026 notification contains a total of 1,538 backlog vacancies reserved across SC, ST and OBC categories.

📍 State-wise SBI Clerk Vacancies

📌 State/UT Preference: Candidates can apply for vacancies in one State/UT only. The candidate’s candidature will be considered only against the vacancies of the State/UT selected in the application, and the merit list will be prepared State-wise and category-wise.

🗣️ Local Language Requirement: Candidates must be proficient in reading, writing, speaking and understanding the specified local language of the State/UT selected. Candidates who provide a 10th or 12th standard mark sheet/certificate showing that they studied the specified local language will not be required to appear for the separate language test.

⚠️ Vacancy Note: SBI states that the vacancies are provisional and may vary depending on the Bank’s actual requirements.

🎓 SBI Junior Associate Eligibility Criteria

Candidates applying for the SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 should satisfy the following eligibility requirements.

📚 Educational Qualification

Candidates must possess:

• Graduation in any discipline from a recognised University or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.
• Candidates with an Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) must ensure that the date of passing the IDD is on or before 31.12.2026.
• Candidates who are in the final year/semester of graduation may also apply provisionally, provided they can produce proof of having passed the graduation examination on or before 31.12.2026, if provisionally selected.

🏷️ Category Eligibility

This recruitment is specifically for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies. OBC vacancies are available only to candidates belonging to the Non-Creamy Layer.

• OBC candidates must submit an OBC certificate in the prescribed Government of India format containing the Non-Creamy Layer clause, issued on or after 01.04.2026 and valid up to the date of joining, if selected.
• SC/ST candidates must submit the required caste certificate issued by the competent authority during document verification/joining as applicable.

🗣️ Local Language Eligibility

Candidates applying for a particular State/UT must be proficient in the specified local language of that State/UT, including reading, writing, speaking and understanding.

The specified local language test will be conducted after qualifying the Main Examination and before joining. Candidates who have studied the specified local language in 10th or 12th standard and provide supporting documentation will not be required to take the language test.

🎂 SBI Clerk Age Limit

As on 01 April 2026, candidates must:

• Be at least 20 years old.
• Not be more than 28 years old.
• Have been born not earlier than 02.04.1998 and not later than 01.04.2006, both dates inclusive.

🚫 Candidates Not Eligible

• Candidates currently working in SBI in the Clerical Cadre are not eligible.
• Candidates who were earlier employed in SBI and resigned while working in the Clerical Cadre are also not eligible.
• Candidates against whom there is an adverse report relating to character and antecedents, moral turpitude, etc., are not eligible.

📈 Age Relaxation

⚠️ Important: Cumulative age relaxation is not available either under the above categories or in combination with any other provision. Candidates seeking age relaxation must produce the required supporting certificates as specified by SBI.

📝 SBI Clerk – Selection Process

The SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 selection process consists of an online Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and, wherever applicable, a test of the specified opted local language.

The selection process is conducted in three phases:

1. Phase I – Preliminary Examination
2. Phase II – Main Examination
3. Phase III – Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT), wherever applicable

🧪 Phase I – Preliminary Examination

The Preliminary Examination is an online objective test carrying 100 marks with a total duration of 1 hour. Each section has a separate time limit of 20 minutes.

⚠️ Negative Marking: There will be a penalty for wrong answers in the objective tests. One-fourth (1/4) of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each wrong answer.

SBI has not prescribed minimum qualifying marks for individual tests or the aggregate score in the Preliminary Examination. Section-wise marks will not be maintained.

Approximately 10 times the number of vacancies, subject to availability and as decided by the Bank, will be shortlisted for the Main Examination based on aggregate marks in the Preliminary Examination.

📚 Phase II – Main Examination

The Main Examination is an online objective test carrying 200 marks with a total duration of 2 hours 40 minutes. Each test has a separate timing.

There will be negative marking of one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question for each wrong answer in the objective tests.

Candidates must secure the minimum percentage marks on aggregate as decided by SBI. There are no minimum qualifying marks for individual subjects, and section-wise marks will not be maintained.

🗣️ Phase III – Local Language Proficiency Test

Candidates who qualify for selection but have not studied the specified local language of the State/UT applied for in 10th or 12th standard will have to appear for the Local Language Proficiency Test before joining the Bank.

Candidates who provide a 10th or 12th standard mark sheet/certificate showing that they studied the specified local language will not be required to undergo this test.

⚠️ Important: Candidates who fail to qualify the specified local language test will not be offered appointment.

🏆 Final Merit & Selection

The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are not added to the final selection score. Only the aggregate marks obtained in the Main Examination are considered for preparation of the final merit list.

The merit list will be prepared State-wise and category-wise. Final selection is subject to verification of eligibility and the applicable local language proficiency test.

SBI will also maintain a wait list of up to 50% of vacancies, State-category wise, subject to the conditions specified in the notification.

💰 SBI Clerk Salary 2026 – Pay Scale & Emoluments

Selected candidates under the SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026 will be appointed in the clerical cadre of State Bank of India.

💵 Pay Scale

The actual allowances and total emoluments may vary depending on the place of posting.

⏳ Probation Period

Newly appointed Junior Associates will be on probation for a minimum period of 6 months.

During probation, newly recruited Junior Associates must complete the e-lessons prescribed by the Bank for confirmation. If the required e-lessons are not completed, the probation period will be extended until completion.

SBI may also evaluate the performance of newly recruited employees before the probation period ends. Where performance does not meet the Bank’s expectations, the probation period may be extended.

📝 How to Apply for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026?

Candidates interested in the SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 must apply online through the State Bank of India’s official careers website. No other mode of application will be accepted.

🌐 Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Visit the SBI Current Openings page.
2. Locate the advertisement for the Special Recruitment Drive for Junior Associates 2026.
3. Download and carefully read Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16.
4. Open the appropriate online application form for Recruitment of Junior Associates.
5. Register yourself by providing the required details.
6. Fill in the application form carefully with your personal, educational, category and other required information.
7. Select one State/UT for which you wish to apply and select the applicable local language.
8. Upload your photograph, signature, left-hand thumb impression and handwritten declaration in the prescribed format.
9. Review all the information entered in the application form carefully.
10. Submit the application form after confirming that all details are correct.
11. Pay the applicable application fee through the integrated online payment gateway using a debit card, credit card or Internet Banking.
12. After successful payment, download/save the generated e-receipt and application form for future reference.

📄 Documents Required for Online Application

Before applying, candidates should keep the required scanned documents ready in the prescribed specifications:

• Recent passport-style photograph
• Signature
• Left-hand thumb impression
• Handwritten declaration

The photograph and other scanned documents must meet the file format, dimensions and file-size requirements specified in Annexure-II of the notification.

📧 Keep Email & Mobile Number Active

Candidates must have a valid email ID and mobile number and should keep them active until the declaration of results, as SBI will use these details for communication regarding call letters, examination information and other recruitment updates.

💳 Application Fee

The application fee/intimation charges are non-refundable. Any applicable online transaction charges are to be borne by the candidate.

🔗 SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 – Important Links

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many vacancies are available in the SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026?

A total of 1,538 vacancies are available for Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) under the SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026 special recruitment drive.

2. What is the qualification required for SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026?

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

3. What is the age limit for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026?

Candidates must be between 20 and 28 years of age as on 01 April 2026, subject to the applicable age relaxation for eligible categories.

4. What is the salary of an SBI Junior Associate?

The starting basic pay is ₹26,730/-. The approximate starting emoluments at a Metro like Mumbai are around ₹46,000/- per month, inclusive of applicable allowances and two additional increments for graduates.

5. What is the last date to apply for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026?

The last date to submit the online application and pay the applicable fee is 27 August 2026. The online application process starts on 07 August 2026.

⚠️ Important Instructions for SBI Clerk Aspirants

• Apply for only one State/UT: Candidates can submit an application for vacancies in only one State/UT under this recruitment.
• Examination attempt: Candidates can appear for the examination only once under this recruitment project.
• Local language: Candidates should carefully select the State/UT and corresponding local language because the local language test is part of the selection process.
• No Inter-State Transfer: There is no provision for Inter Circle Transfer or Inter State Transfer for Junior Associates recruited through this drive.
• Examination centre: Candidates may appear for the online examination from any notified examination centre, but the local language test, where applicable, will be conducted at a centre decided by SBI in the State applied for.
• Application correction: Candidates should verify all information carefully before final submission because changes/corrections are not permitted after final submission.
• Active contact details: Candidates should keep their registered email ID and mobile number active until the declaration of results.
• Prohibited items: Mobile phones, pagers, smart watches, calculators and other prohibited communication/electronic devices are not permitted inside the examination premises.
• False information: If information submitted by a candidate is found to be false or eligibility conditions are not satisfied at any stage, the candidature may be cancelled.

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