SBI Clerk (Junior Associate) Recruitment 2026 Notification: The State Bank of India (SBI) has released the SBI Clerk Notification 2026 for a Special Recruitment Drive to fill 1,538 backlog vacancies of Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) in the clerical cadre, exclusively for SC, ST and OBC candidates. The online application process began on 7 August 2026 and will close on 27 August 2026. Read this article for complete details on vacancies, eligibility, exam pattern, salary, selection process and how to apply.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026
SBI has issued the notification under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 for the Special Recruitment Drive to fill backlog vacancies reserved for SC, ST and OBC candidates in the Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) cadre. Candidates with a graduation degree in any discipline and aged between 20 and 28 years as on 1 April 2026 can apply. Selection will be through Prelims, Mains and a Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT), wherever applicable. General/UR category candidates are not eligible to apply under this drive, as it is meant only for backlog SC/ST/OBC vacancies.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | State Bank of India |
| Post | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) |
| Cadre | Clerical Cadre |
| Advertisement No. | CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 |
| Recruitment Type | Special Recruitment Drive (Backlog) |
| Total Vacancies | 1,538 |
| Who Can Apply | Only SC, ST & OBC candidates |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Registration Dates | 7 August 2026 to 27 August 2026 |
| Prelims Exam | September 2026 (Tentative) |
| Mains Exam | October/November 2026 (Tentative) |
| Selection Process | Prelims, Mains & LLPT |
| Official Website | sbi.bank.in |
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Important Dates
| Events | Dates |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 7 August 2026 |
| Application Starts | 7 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 27 August 2026 |
| Admit Card Release | September 2026 (Tentative) |
| Prelims Exam Date (Expected) | 26th, 27th September & 3rd October 2026 |
| Mains Admit Card | November 2026 (Tentative) |
| Mains Exam Date (Expected) | 23 November 2026 |
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Vacancy
SBI has announced a total of 1,538 vacancies under this Special Recruitment Drive, exclusively for backlog positions belonging to SC, ST and OBC categories.
Category-Wise Vacancy
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| SC | 207 |
| ST | 1,219 |
| OBC | 112 |
| Total | 1,538 |
State/UT-Wise Vacancy
| State/UT | SC | ST | OBC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | — | 88 | — | 88 |
| Karnataka | 85 | 35 | — | 120 |
| Madhya Pradesh | — | 134 | — | 134 |
| Chhattisgarh | — | 26 | — | 26 |
| Odisha | — | 111 | — | 111 |
| Chandigarh UT | — | — | 22 | 22 |
| Jammu & Kashmir UT | — | 42 | — | 42 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 11 | — | — | 11 |
| Punjab | — | — | 18 | 18 |
| Tamil Nadu | 65 | — | — | 65 |
| Telangana | — | 32 | — | 32 |
| Rajasthan | 20 | 86 | — | 106 |
| West Bengal | — | — | 55 | 55 |
| Uttar Pradesh* | — | 31 | — | 31 |
| Maharashtra* | — | 165 | — | 165 |
| Delhi | — | — | 17 | 17 |
| Gujarat | — | 289 | — | 289 |
| Assam | — | 39 | — | 39 |
| Tripura | — | 22 | — | 22 |
| Bihar | 12 | — | — | 12 |
| Jharkhand | 14 | 119 | — | 133 |
| Total | 207 | 1,219 | 112 | 1,538 |
*Candidates applying for Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow Circle) and Maharashtra (Maharashtra Circle/Mumbai Metro Circle) should check operational areas on SBI’s official website before applying. Vacancies are provisional and may vary based on the Bank’s actual requirement.
Who Can Apply for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026?
Age Limit (As on 01.04.2026)
- Candidates must be between 20 and 28 years of age.
- Candidates should have been born between 2 April 1998 and 1 April 2006 (both dates inclusive).
Age Relaxation
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC | 3 years |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen/Disabled Ex-Servicemen | Actual period of service + 3 years (8 years for Disabled Ex-Servicemen belonging to SC/ST), max age 50 years |
| Widows/Divorced/Judicially Separated Women (not remarried) | 7 years (max age 38 for OBC, 40 for SC/ST) |
| Trained Apprentices of SBI | OBC – 4 years, SC/ST – 6 years, PwBD (OBC) – 14 years, PwBD (SC/ST) – 16 years |
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Educational Qualification
- Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.
- Qualification must be obtained on or before 31 December 2026.
- Final year/semester candidates can apply provisionally, subject to producing proof of passing by 31 December 2026.
Who Cannot Apply?
- General/UR category candidates (this drive is only for SC, ST and OBC backlog vacancies).
- Candidates currently working in the SBI clerical cadre.
- Candidates who previously resigned from the SBI clerical cadre.
- Candidates applying for more than one State/UT (only one State/UT permitted).
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Application Fee
| Category | Fee/Intimation Charges |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/PwBD/XS/DXS | Nil |
| OBC | ₹750 |
How to Apply for SBI Clerk Special Drive 2026?
- Visit the official SBI website: sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings
- Click on the Special Recruitment Drive for Junior Associates 2026 link.
- Complete online registration with basic details and valid contact information.
- Select one State/UT for which you want to apply.
- Fill in personal, educational and category details carefully.
- Upload photograph, signature, left thumb impression and hand-written declaration as per specifications.
- Complete the live photograph capture via webcam/mobile.
- Pay the applicable application fee (if OBC).
- Preview the application carefully and submit.
- Download and save the application form and fee receipt for future reference.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Selection Process
Selection consists of three phases:
- Phase I: Preliminary Examination
- Phase II: Main Examination
- Phase III: Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT), wherever applicable
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Preliminary Exam Pattern
| Test | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 Hour |
Negative marking: 1/4th mark deducted for each wrong answer. No sectional or aggregate qualifying marks are prescribed for Prelims; marks are used only for shortlisting for Mains.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Main Exam Pattern
| Test | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 min |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 min |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 min |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 2 Hr. 40 min |
Only Main Exam aggregate marks are used for the final merit list; Prelims marks are not added. Trained apprentices of SBI get 2.5% bonus marks (5 marks) in the Main Exam.
SBI Clerk Salary 2026
- Starting Basic Pay: ₹26,730/month (₹24,050 plus two advance increments admissible to graduates)
- Approx. Starting Gross Salary: ₹46,000/month in a Metro city like Mumbai
- Maximum Basic Pay: ₹64,480/month
- Pay Scale: Rs.24050-1340/3-28070-1650/3-33020-2000/4-41020-2340/7-57400-4400/1-61800-2680/1-64480
- In-hand salary varies by posting location, allowances and deductions. Employees are also eligible for PF, Pension under the New Pension Scheme, medical benefits, leave-fare concession and other perquisites.
How Is SBI Clerk Special Drive Different From Regular Recruitment?
| Aspect | Special Backlog Drive | Regular Recruitment |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Fill previous backlog vacancies | Fill fresh vacancies |
| Eligible Categories | Only SC, ST & OBC | UR, EWS, OBC, SC, ST & others |
| General Candidates | Cannot apply | Can apply |
| Vacancies | 1,538 backlog posts | Varies each year |
| Selection | Prelims, Mains & LLPT | Prelims, Mains & LLPT |
| Salary | Same as regular SBI Clerk | Same |
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Exam Centres
The Preliminary and Main Examination will be conducted across designated centres in every state, including major cities such as Delhi/NCR, Mumbai/Thane/Navi Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Jaipur, Bhopal, Guwahati and others as per Annexure-I of the official notification. SBI reserves the right to cancel, add, or reallocate centres at its discretion.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Important Links
| Particulars | Link |
|---|---|
| SBI Clerk Apply Online 2026 | Click Here (Active) |
| SBI Clerk Notification PDF 2026 | Download Here |
| Official Website | sbi.bank.in |
SBI Clerk Syllabus 2026 for Prelims and Mains: Section-Wise Topics & Exam Pattern
FAQs: SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026
Q1. How many vacancies have been announced under SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026?
A total of 1,538 backlog vacancies have been announced for the post of Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales), reserved for SC, ST and OBC categories.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for SBI Clerk 2026?
The online application window closes on 27 August 2026.
Q3. Can General/UR category candidates apply for this recruitment?
No. This is a Special Recruitment Drive meant only to fill backlog vacancies for SC, ST and OBC candidates. General/UR candidates are not eligible.
Q4. What is the age limit for SBI Clerk 2026?
Candidates must be between 20 and 28 years of age as on 1 April 2026, i.e., born between 2 April 1998 and 1 April 2006 (both dates inclusive), with category-wise relaxation as applicable.
Q5. What is the educational qualification required?
Candidates must hold a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university, to be obtained on or before 31 December 2026. Final-year students can apply provisionally.
Q6. What is the application fee for SBI Clerk 2026?
There is no fee for SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-servicemen candidates. OBC candidates must pay ₹750.
Q7. What is the selection process for SBI Clerk 2026?
Selection involves a Preliminary Examination, a Main Examination, and a Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) wherever applicable.
Q8. Can a candidate apply for more than one State/UT?
No. Candidates can apply for only one State/UT under this recruitment drive.
Q9. What is the starting salary of an SBI Clerk?
The starting Basic Pay is ₹26,730/month, with total starting emoluments of around ₹46,000/month in a metro city like Mumbai, inclusive of allowances.
Q10. When will the SBI Clerk Prelims Exam 2026 be conducted?
The Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for 26th, 27th September and 3rd October 2026.
Q11. Are candidates currently working in SBI’s clerical cadre eligible to apply?
No. Candidates currently working in SBI’s clerical cadre, or those who previously resigned from it, are not eligible to apply under this drive.
Q12. Is there provision for inter-state or inter-circle transfer after selection?
No, except for permitted intra-state transfers between Delhi Circle and Lucknow Circle (Uttar Pradesh) and between Mumbai Metro Circle and Maharashtra Circle (Maharashtra), subject to the Bank’s guidelines.
Disclaimer: This article is based on the official SBI Clerk Notification 2026 (Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16). Candidates are advised to cross-check all details with the official notification available on sbi.bank.in before applying. State Bank of India does not endorse any external coaching platform or consultancy claiming guaranteed selection.
Stay tuned to ExamGuruAdda for the latest updates on SBI Clerk Admit Card, Syllabus, Exam Pattern and Result 2026!
