SBI Clerk 2026 (Junior Associate) – Joining Date, Mains Exam Date & Complete Guide
The SBI Clerk exam recruits Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) — in Hindi, कनिष्ठ सहयोगी (ग्राहक सहायता एवं विक्रय) — for State Bank of India branches across India. The 2026 regular cycle (Advt. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17) has 9,124 vacancies. Its Prelims was held on 26–27 September 2026 and Mains is tentatively in November 2026. The Special Drive for 1,538 SC/ST/OBC backlog posts held its Prelims on 16 September 2026. Prelims results, the exact Mains dates and the joining date are not announced yet.
SBI Clerk 2026 Overview
Status as on 5 October 2026: The 2026 regular Prelims (26–27 September) and Special Drive Prelims (16 September) are over, and both results are awaited. Regular Mains is tentatively in November 2026; the Special Drive Mains date is not announced yet. The 2025 cycle (6,589 posts) is complete: its Mains result came on 27 February 2026, the cutoff/scorecard on 10 March 2026, and the first wait list on 19 June 2026.
SBI Clerk Important Dates 2025–2026
The table below covers the completed 2025 cycle, the 2026 Special Drive and the 2026 regular cycle. Confirmed dates come from SBI notices; anything SBI has not announced is marked TBN.
| Event | Date / Schedule | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Official Notification Released (2025 cycle) | 5 August 2025 | ✓ Done |
| Online Application Starts | 6 August 2025 | ✓ Done |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 26 August 2025 | ✓ Done |
| Pre-Examination Training Call Letter | September 2025 | ✓ Done |
| Prelims Admit Card Released | September 2025 | ✓ Done |
| Prelims Exam (Phase I) | 20, 21 & 27 September 2025 | ✓ Done |
| Prelims Result Declared | October / November 2025 | ✓ Done |
| Mains Admit Card Released | November 2025 | ✓ Done |
| Mains Exam (Phase II) | 21 November 2025 | ✓ Done |
| Mains Result Declared | 27 February 2026 | ✓ Done |
| Mains Cutoff & Scorecard Released | 10 March 2026 | ✓ Done |
| LPT, Document Verification & Joining (2025 cycle) | Done circle-wise after the Mains result | ✓ Done |
| First Wait List Released (2025 cycle) | 19 June 2026 | ✓ Done |
| Special Drive Notification Released (Advt. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16) | 7 August 2026 | ✓ Released |
| Online Application & Fee Payment (Special Drive) | 7 – 27 August 2026 (closed) | ✓ Done |
| Prelims Exam – Special Drive | 16 September 2026 | ✓ Done |
| Prelims Result – Special Drive | Not announced yet (TBN) ⚠️ | TBN |
| Mains Exam – Special Drive | Exact date TBN ⚠️ (expected Oct–Nov 2026) | 🔔 Upcoming |
| Regular Notification Released (Advt. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17) | 11 August 2026 | ✓ Released |
| Online Application & Fee Payment (Regular Cycle) | 11 – 31 August 2026 (closed) | ✓ Done |
| Prelims Admit Card (Regular Cycle) | 21 September 2026 | ✓ Done |
| Prelims Exam – Regular Cycle | 26 & 27 September 2026 | ✓ Done |
| Prelims Result – Regular Cycle | Not announced yet (TBN) ⚠️ | TBN |
| Mains Exam – Regular Cycle | Tentatively November 2026 · exact date TBN ⚠️ | 🔔 Upcoming |
| Mains Result, LPT & Joining (2026 cycle) | To be notified (TBN) ⚠️ | TBN |
⚠ TBN = To Be Notified. "Tentatively November 2026" is SBI's own wording in the notification; the exact Mains date comes with the Mains call letter. Always verify at sbi.bank.in/careers.
SBI Clerk Joining Date 2026
Short answer (as on 5 October 2026): SBI has not announced a joining date for the 2026 cycle (TBN ⚠️). Joining is the last step, after the Mains result, the Local Language Proficiency Test (LPT) and document verification. Each SBI circle sends offer letters with your own reporting date, so there is no single all-India joining day.
Steps before joining — 2026 regular cycle
| Stage | Status / Date |
|---|---|
| 1. Prelims exam | Held 26 & 27 September 2026 ✓ |
| 2. Prelims result | TBN ⚠️ |
| 3. Mains exam | Tentatively November 2026 (exact date TBN ⚠️) |
| 4. Mains result & provisional selection | TBN ⚠️ |
| 5. Local Language Proficiency Test (if needed) | TBN ⚠️ — skipped if your Class 10/12 marksheet shows the local language |
| 6. Document verification & medical | Done by your SBI circle — TBN ⚠️ |
| 7. Offer letter & joining | Reporting date in your circle’s letter — TBN ⚠️ |
How the last cycle went (2025)
- • Mains: 21 November 2025
- • Mains result: 27 February 2026 (about 3 months later)
- • Cutoff & scorecard: 10 March 2026
- • Joining letters: issued circle-wise after the result
- • First wait list: 19 June 2026, to fill seats left by non-joining and resignations
Rules that affect your joining
- • Graduation must be complete by 31 December 2026
- • Fail the LPT and you will not be offered appointment
- • Wait list of up to 50% of vacancies (state- and category-wise), released quarterly for one year
- • Probation: at least 6 months, with e-lessons to complete
- • Serving defence personnel who are selected must join by 31 October 2027
Special Drive (SC/ST/OBC backlog) — Mains exam date: not announced yet (TBN ⚠️). Prelims was held on 16 September 2026 and its result is awaited. Mains is expected in October–November 2026, but SBI has not confirmed a date. Ignore exact dates shared on social media until the Mains call letter is out on sbi.bank.in.
SBI Clerk 2026 Eligibility Criteria
🌏 Nationality
Candidates must be: (a) a Citizen of India, or (b) a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or (c) a Tibetan Refugee who came to India before 1 January 1962, or (d) a Person of Indian Origin (PIO) who migrated from specific countries with the intent of permanent settlement. Non-Indian candidates must hold a Certificate of Eligibility issued by the Government of India.
🎂 Age Limit
Minimum 20 years — Maximum 28 years as on 1 April 2026: born not earlier than 2 April 1998 and not later than 1 April 2006.
| Category | Age Relaxation | Effective Upper Age |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | No relaxation | 28 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | +3 years | 31 years |
| SC / ST | +5 years | 33 years |
| PwBD (General) | +10 years | 38 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | +13 years | 41 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | +15 years | 43 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | Actual service + 3 yrs | Up to 50 years |
| Widows / Divorced Women (Gen/EWS) | +7 years | 35 years |
| SBI Trained Apprentices (Gen/EWS) | +1 year | 29 years |
🎓 Educational Qualification
- A Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognised university or its equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.
- Candidates with an Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) certificate must ensure the date of passing is on or before the application deadline.
- Final year / semester students may also apply provisionally. If selected, they must produce proof of graduation by 31 December 2026.
- Candidates must also have proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking the local language of the state they apply for.
🎯 Bonus for SBI Apprentices: Trained SBI Apprentices whose engagement started on or after 1 January 2022, who completed one year of branch experience by 31 August 2026 and whose conduct was satisfactory, get 2.5% bonus marks (5 out of 200) in the Mains Examination.
SBI Clerk Vacancies – Trend & Distribution
2026 regular cycle: SBI released Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17 on 11 August 2026 for 9,124 Junior Associate vacancies — 7,680 regular plus 1,444 backlog — open to all categories. Applications ran 11–31 August 2026 and are closed. Prelims was held on 26–27 September 2026; Mains is tentatively in November 2026.
Regular vacancies by category (7,680): General 3,253 · OBC 1,716 · SC 1,114 · ST 837 · EWS 760. PwBD and ex-servicemen posts are counted inside these categories.
States with the most posts (regular + backlog): Maharashtra 1,999 · Tamil Nadu 1,516 · Odisha 1,118 · Karnataka 799 · West Bengal 704 · Gujarat 497 · Rajasthan 425. See the notification PDF on sbi.bank.in for every state.
2026 Special Recruitment Drive: Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16, released 7 August 2026, covers 1,538 backlog vacancies — SC 207, ST 1,219 and OBC 112 — open only to SC, ST and OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates. Applications closed on 27 August 2026 and Prelims was held on 16 September 2026. The Mains date is not announced yet (TBN ⚠️).
Year-wise Vacancy Trend
| Recruitment Year | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|
| 2026 (regular notification) | 9,124 (7,680 regular + 1,444 backlog) |
| 2025 | 6,589 (5,180 regular + 1,409 backlog) |
| 2024 | 13,735 regular (14,191 incl. backlog) |
| 2023 | 8,773 |
| 2022 | 5,486 |
| 2026 – Special Drive (SC/ST/OBC backlog) | 1,538 |
Figures are totals announced in each year's notification. The full state-wise and category-wise table for 2026 is in the official notification PDF on sbi.bank.in.
SBI Clerk Selection Process
100 questions · 100 marks · 1 hour (sectional timing) · Qualifying in nature
Qualifying Only190 questions · 200 marks · 2 hrs 40 min · Decides final merit & cut-off
Merit DecidingFor candidates who have not studied the opted local language in Class 10/12. Qualifying in nature.
Qualifying OnlyKey Points: The Prelims exam only shortlists candidates for Mains — Prelims marks are NOT included in the final merit. The final selection is based solely on Mains performance. There is no interview, group discussion, or physical test. Posting is state-specific with no inter-state transfer.
SBI Clerk 2026 Exam Pattern
Phase I – Preliminary Exam (Qualifying)
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min | −0.25/wrong |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min | −0.25/wrong |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min | −0.25/wrong |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 hour | Sectional Timing |
⚠ Important: Each section in Prelims has its own time limit (20 minutes each). You cannot move to the next section before the time is up. There is NO sectional cut-off — you must qualify overall to proceed to Mains.
Phase II – Mains Exam (Merit Deciding)
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration | Negative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 min | −0.25/wrong |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 min | −0.25/wrong |
| Quantitative Aptitude & DI | 50 | 50 | 45 min | −0.25/wrong |
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 min | −0.25/wrong |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 2 hrs 40 min | Sectional Timing |
✅ Final Merit: Based only on Mains marks (out of 200). No interview. No descriptive test. Mains is the only stage that determines your selection. Language choice: Hindi, English, or a regional language (except for the English section).
SBI Clerk 2026 Detailed Syllabus
SBI does not publish an official topic-wise syllabus. The topics below are based on a thorough analysis of the past 5 years of Prelims and Mains question papers.
Reasoning Ability(8 topics)
Numerical / Quantitative Aptitude(10 topics)
English Language(7 topics)
General / Financial Awareness (Mains only)(8 topics)
Computer Aptitude (Mains only)(7 topics)
SBI Clerk Salary & Benefits 2026
| Pay Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay (₹24,050 + 2 advance increments for graduates) | ₹26,730 |
| Dearness Allowance – 27.83% of basic (Aug–Oct 2026, IBA; revised every quarter) | ₹7,439 |
| HRA, Special Allowance, Transport & other allowances (vary by city) | Balance |
| Approx. total monthly emoluments – metro city like Mumbai (as stated in SBI notification) | ~₹46,000 |
Pay Scale Progression
Pay scale: ₹24,050-1,340/3-28,070-1,650/3-33,020-2,000/4-41,020-2,340/7-57,400-4,400/1-61,800-2,680/1-64,480. A graduate starts at ₹26,730. The basic pay below assumes one increment a year.
Additional Benefits
How to Apply for SBI Clerk 2026
⚠ Note: Applications for 2026 are closed: the regular window ran 11–31 August 2026 and the Special Drive window 7–27 August 2026. The steps below show how the online process works, for the next cycle.
Go to sbi.bank.in/careers and click on "Recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales)" under Current Openings.
Click "Apply Online" → "New Registration". Enter your name, mobile number, and email ID. Save the Registration Number and Password sent to your phone/email.
Log in and fill the application form carefully. Select your preferred State/UT (you can choose only ONE). Fill personal, educational, and category details accurately.
Upload scanned photo (20–50 KB, JPG), signature (10–20 KB, JPG), left thumb impression, and hand-written declaration (as per specification in the notification).
General/OBC/EWS: ₹750 (2026 notification). SC/ST/PwBD/XS/DXS: Exempt. Pay via internet banking, debit/credit card, or UPI.
Review all details before final submission. After submission, take a printout of the application form and fee payment receipt. Keep them safe for future reference.
SBI Clerk 6-Month Study Plan
- Reasoning: Syllogisms, Inequalities, Coding-Decoding
- Quant: Number System, Percentages, Ratio & Proportion, Simplification
- English: Grammar rules, 10 new words daily from Word Power Made Easy
- Start reading The Hindu or Economic Times for 30 min/day
- Reasoning: Seating Arrangement (Linear & Circular), Blood Relations
- Quant: Data Interpretation (Bar, Line, Pie Charts)
- English: Reading Comprehension practice (1 passage/day)
- GK: Start making notes on Banking Awareness — types of accounts, RBI functions
- Reasoning: Floor puzzles, Complex seating, Input-Output
- Quant: Caselets, Time & Work, Probability, Quadratic Equations
- English: Para Jumbles, Cloze Tests, Error Detection
- GK: Current Affairs (last 3 months), Government schemes
- Take 2 sectional tests per day (rotate sections)
- Focus on accuracy first, then increase speed
- Computer Aptitude: Basics, MS Office, Networking (for Mains)
- GK: SBI-specific knowledge — history, subsidiaries, products
- 2 full Prelims mock tests per week with analysis
- 1 full Mains mock test per week
- Identify weak sections and revise them immediately
- Current Affairs: Last 6 months compilation
- Daily mocks and PYQs (Last 5 years) — simulate actual exam conditions
- Revise all Banking Awareness and GK notes
- Focus on high-scoring topics: GFA, Reasoning puzzles
- Sleep well, manage stress — consistency beats cramming
Best Books for SBI Clerk 2026
| Subject | Book Title | Author / Publisher | Free Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | A New Approach to Reasoning | B.S. Sijwali (Arihant)Find on Amazon | — |
| Reasoning | Analytical Reasoning | M.K. Pandey (BSC) | — |
| Quant | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams | R.S. Aggarwal (S.Chand)Find on Amazon | — |
| Quant | Data Interpretation for Banking | Arun Sharma (TMH)Find on Amazon | — |
| English | Objective English for Competitive Exams | Hari Mohan Prasad (TMH)Find on Amazon | — |
| English | Word Power Made Easy | Norman LewisFind on Amazon | — |
| Banking GK | Banking Awareness | Arihant / Disha PublicationsFind on Amazon | — |
| Current Affairs | GK Digest – Monthly | GK Today (online) | Free → |
Expert Tips to Crack SBI Clerk
General/Financial Awareness carries 50 marks in Mains and takes the least time to answer. Aspirants who score 40+ in GFA have a huge advantage. Invest 20–25% of your total study time here.
100 marks in 60 minutes means 36 seconds per question. Practise daily with a timer. Master simplification, basic reasoning, and grammar rules — these are fast scoring and high in frequency.
Reasoning Puzzles and Data Interpretation together carry 50–60% of the Mains questions. Solve 3 new puzzles and 2 DI sets every single day. No shortcuts here — only consistent practice.
SBI Clerk deducts 0.25 marks per wrong answer. A wrong attempt in Prelims where you had 33% chance costs you 0.25 marks. Skip questions where you have no idea — do NOT guess blindly.
SBI Clerk repeats question patterns heavily year after year. Solving 5 years of Prelims and Mains PYQs will reveal exactly which topics appear most and what the difficulty level is. Do it before month 4.
You apply for vacancies in ONE state. In 2026, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Odisha have the most posts, but big states also draw the most applicants. Smaller states may have lower competition. Research the state-wise vacancy distribution before applying.
Frequently Asked Questions
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