SBI Apprentice 2026 – Complete Guide
7,150 apprenticeship posts under the Apprenticeship Act 1961. Apply online 19 May – 8 June 2026 at sbi.bank.in. Graduate eligible, age 20–28 years. ₹15,000/month stipend. 1-year training in SBI branches across India — plus SBI Clerk recruitment gives weightage to apprenticeship completers.
What is SBI Apprentice 2026?
SBI Apprentice is a training programme run by the State Bank of India (SBI) under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Selected candidates undergo a one-year apprenticeship at SBI branches across India, gaining hands-on experience in banking operations, customer service, digital banking, and branch administration.
This is not a permanent employment offer. Apprentices receive a fixed stipend of ₹15,000/month with no DA, HRA, or other allowances. Upon completion, you receive a National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) from NCVT — a recognised credential.
The most important strategic benefit: SBI's official notification states that SBI Clerk (Junior Associates) recruitment gives weightage and relaxation to candidates who have successfully completed SBI Apprenticeship. For banking aspirants, this makes SBI Apprentice one of the smartest ways to build both experience and a competitive edge.
📅 SBI Apprentice 2026 Important Dates
🔵 Applications are OPEN now. Online window: 19 May – 8 June 2026. Exam expected in July 2026 (TBN). Source: sbi.bank.in — Advt. No. CRPD/APPR/2026-27/07 dated 19/05/2026.
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Official Notification Released | 19 May 2026 | ✅ Done |
| Online Application Window Opens | 19 May 2026 | ✅ Done |
| Last Date to Apply Online & Pay Fee | 8 June 2026 | 🔵 Upcoming |
| Written Examination (Tentative) | July 2026 | ⚠️ TBN |
| Local Language Test (LLT) | After Written Exam | ⚠️ TBN |
| Medical Examination & DV | After LLT | ⚠️ TBN |
| Apprenticeship Training Begins | To Be Notified | ⚠️ TBN |
| Training Duration | 1 Year from Joining | ⚠️ TBN |
🎓 Eligibility Criteria for SBI Apprentice 2026
Nationality
Must be a citizen of India. Applications are invited from Indian citizens for engagement of Apprentices in State Bank of India branches and offices.
Educational Qualification
Graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university or any equivalent qualification approved by the Central or State Government. Final-year students may apply provisionally.
Age Limit
Minimum 20 years | Maximum 28 years — as on 30 April 2026
| Category | Relaxation | Max Age |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | No relaxation | 28 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | +3 years | 31 years |
| SC / ST | +5 years | 33 years |
| PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disability) | +10 years | 38 years |
💡 Local Language: Candidates must be proficient in the local language of the state they apply for (reading, writing, speaking, understanding). If your 10th or 12th certificate shows the local language as a studied subject, you are exempt from the Local Language Test.
📊 Vacancies 2026
Vacancies are distributed across all states and Union Territories of India. Each state has a separate state-wise and category-wise vacancy breakup. Candidates can apply for only one state.
Reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) applies horizontally across all categories. The number of training seats is provisional and may vary based on the actual requirement of the bank.
| Year | Vacancies | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2026–27 | 7,150 | Current — Apply Now |
| 2024–25 | ~4,000–5,000 (approx.) | Completed |
| 2022–23 | ~6,000 (approx.) | Completed |
✅ Selection Process
Online Written Examination
100 objective questions, 100 marks, 60 minutes. 4 sections of 25 questions each with 15-minute sectional timing. Negative marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer. Questions are bilingual (English & Hindi) except the General English section. Conducted in 13 regional languages in addition to English and Hindi.
Local Language Test (LLT)
Qualifying test in the official language of the state you applied for. Tests reading, writing, speaking, and understanding. Marks are NOT counted in the merit list — you simply need to pass. Exempted if your 10th or 12th certificate shows the local language as a studied subject. Candidates appearing for LLT must travel to the test centre at their own expense.
Medical Examination & Eligibility Verification
Medical fitness as per SBI norms is mandatory. Document verification occurs here: original graduation certificate, age proof, category certificate (if applicable), and identity proof must be submitted. Any discrepancy in eligibility details provided in the application leads to disqualification.
📋 Exam Pattern – Written Test
⚠️ Note: Exam pattern confirmed from official notification CRPD/APPR/2026-27/07. The 4th section is Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude (combined) — not just Reasoning alone.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/Financial Awareness | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| General English | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 15 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 min |
📚 Detailed Syllabus 2026
🧩 Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude
- ›Puzzles – Linear arrangement, Floor-based, Box, Scheduling
- ›Seating Arrangement – Linear & Circular
- ›Coding-Decoding, Syllogisms, Blood Relations
- ›Direction & Distance, Inequalities
- ›Input-Output, Ordering & Ranking, Alphanumeric Series
- ›Computer Hardware & Software basics
- ›Operating System (Windows), MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- ›Networking & Internet basics, RAM/ROM, Computer Abbreviations
- ›Keyboard shortcuts, Database fundamentals
🔢 Quantitative Aptitude
- ›Simplification & Approximation
- ›Number Series (Missing & Wrong number)
- ›Data Interpretation – Bar Graph, Table, Pie Chart
- ›Percentage, Average, Ratio & Proportion
- ›Profit & Loss, Discount, Simple & Compound Interest
- ›Time & Work, Pipe & Cistern
- ›Speed, Distance & Time
- ›Mensuration – Area & Volume basics
📝 General English
- ›Reading Comprehension (1 passage)
- ›Cloze Test, Sentence Completion
- ›Error Detection & Spotting
- ›Sentence Rearrangement / Para Jumbles
- ›Fill in the Blanks (Single & Double)
- ›Antonyms, Synonyms, Idioms & Phrases
- ›Phrase / Word Replacement, Odd One Out
🏦 General / Financial Awareness
- ›Current Affairs – Last 3–4 months (National + International)
- ›Banking Awareness – Accounts, ATM, NEFT, RTGS, UPI, CBS
- ›RBI – Functions, Repo Rate, CRR, SLR, Monetary Policy basics
- ›SBI – History, Products, Subsidiaries, Current MD & Chairman
- ›Government Schemes – PMJDY, MUDRA, PM SVANidhi, DBT
- ›Financial Terms – Inflation, GDP, Union Budget basics
- ›Insurance – LIC, IRDAI basics
- ›Important Appointments, Sports, Awards, Static GK
💰 Stipend & Benefits
⚠️ This is a Stipend — Not a Salary
SBI Apprentices receive a monthly training stipend of ₹15,000 (confirmed, as per official notification). No DA, HRA, medical benefits, pension, leave encashment, or other employee allowances are payable. This is NOT equivalent to the salary of a permanent SBI employee (SBI Clerk gross: ~₹46,000/month; SBI PO gross: ~₹72,500/month).
Monthly Stipend
What You Gain
- ✓ National Apprenticeship Certificate (NAC) from NCVT
- ✓ 1-year hands-on banking experience in SBI branches
- ✓ Weightage in SBI Clerk recruitment — official SBI policy
- ✓ Real banking knowledge that boosts exam scores for SBI Clerk/PO
🖥️ How to Apply Online
Visit Official SBI Careers Portal
Go to sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings. Find and click "ENGAGEMENT OF APPRENTICES IN SBI UNDER THE APPRENTICES ACT, 1961 — CRPD/APPR/2026-27/07". The notification PDF and Apply Online link are both here.
Register & Login
Click "New Registration". Enter your name, date of birth, mobile number, and email ID. You will receive OTPs for verification. Save your registration credentials securely.
Fill Application Form
Enter personal details, educational qualification, and select your preferred state/UT. You can apply for only one state — choose carefully based on local language proficiency.
Upload Photo & Signature
Upload a recent passport-size photo (JPG, max 200KB) and signature (JPG, max 100KB) in the specified format. Incorrect uploads lead to rejection.
Pay Application Fee
General/OBC/EWS: ₹300. SC/ST/PwBD: NIL (exempt). Pay via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. Fee is non-refundable.
Submit & Save Confirmation
Review all entries before final submission. After submitting, download and save the application confirmation page. Last date: 8 June 2026. No hard copy needs to be sent to SBI.
Official apply link: sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings ↗ | Also available at apprenticeshipindia.org, nsdcindia.org/apprenticeship, and bfsissc.com.
🗓️ 4-Week Study Plan
Week 1: Reasoning & Quant Foundation
- ›Puzzles: floor, box, linear (5 sets/day)
- ›Seating Arrangement: linear & circular (3 sets/day)
- ›Quant: Simplification, Number Series, Percentage, Ratio
- ›Computer basics: hardware/software, OS, keyboard shortcuts
Week 2: Data Interpretation & GK
- ›DI: bar graph, table, pie chart (2 sets/day)
- ›Profit & Loss, SI/CI, Time & Work
- ›Banking Awareness: RBI basics, NEFT/RTGS/UPI, account types
- ›Current Affairs: read GK Today daily or Adda247 CA capsule
Week 3: English, Vocabulary & SBI GK
- ›Error detection & para jumbles (daily)
- ›Vocabulary: 10 words/day from Word Power Made Easy
- ›SBI-specific GK: history, subsidiaries, MD & Chairman, YONO
- ›Government schemes: PMJDY, MUDRA, PM SVANidhi
Week 4: Full Mocks & Revision
- ›3–4 full-length SBI Apprentice mocks (Oliveboard/Testbook)
- ›Analyse errors — focus revision on weakest section
- ›Revise all GK notes + 3-month current affairs
- ›Target: finish 100 questions in 55 minutes (leave 5 min buffer)
📖 Best Books & Resources
| Book | Author | Subject |
|---|---|---|
| A New Approach to Reasoning | B.S. Sijwali (Arihant) | Reasoning + Computer |
| Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams | R.S. Aggarwal (S.Chand) | Quant |
| Objective English for Competitive Exams | Hari Mohan Prasad (TMH) | English |
| Banking Awareness | Arihant / Disha Publications | Banking GK |
| GK Digest – Monthly | Adda247 / GK Today (online) | Current Affairs |
| SBI Apprentice Mock Test Series | Oliveboard / Testbook (online) | Mock Tests |
🎯 Expert Tips
Apply immediately — deadline is 8 June 2026
The application window is only 3 weeks. SBI career portals slow down near the deadline. Apply in the first week to avoid last-minute technical glitches. Fee payment also closes on 8 June.
Pick your state based on language — LLT is a hard knockout
The Local Language Test is mandatory unless you have studied the language at 10th or 12th level. Failing LLT means disqualification even if you top the written exam. Only choose a state whose language you can read and write.
Don't ignore Computer Aptitude — it's merged with Reasoning
The 4th section is officially 'Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude'. Computer questions on MS Office, hardware/software basics, networking, and OS shortcuts are included. 25 combined questions in 15 minutes.
Last 3–4 months of current affairs matter most
General/Financial Awareness heavily tests recent banking events, RBI policy updates, and SBI news. Use GK Today, Adda247 current affairs capsule, or The Hindu daily. 15 minutes every morning for 4 weeks will cover it.
This is a strategic move toward SBI Clerk — plan it that way
SBI officially gives weightage to apprenticeship completers in SBI Clerk recruitment. Use the 1-year training to prepare intensively for SBI Clerk or SBI PO. The branch exposure will directly improve your banking awareness scores.