SBI PO Recruitment 2026: Eligibility, Salary & Selection

Application status: CLOSED (registration ended on 8 July 2026)
Based on: the official notification, Advertisement No. CRPD/PO/2026-27/09, dated 18 June 2026, and the corrigendum dated 1 July 2026
Last checked on SBI’s careers page: 12 October 2026

Update (12 October 2026): SBI’s careers page now lists the Preliminary Examination result, the marks secured by candidates in the prelims, and the Main Examination call letter and information handout for this recruitment. Please check the official page for further updates.

Hello friends,

If you have a graduation degree and a banking career in mind, the SBI Probationary Officer (PO) exam is probably already on your list. In June 2026, State Bank of India released a notification for 1,500 PO vacancies, open to graduates from any discipline. Applications ran from 18 June to 8 July 2026, and that window has now closed. I am still publishing this guide because SBI brings this recruitment back every year, and the rules rarely change much from one notification to the next. So treat this as a study guide built from the official PDF, not as an apply-now post. SBI also issued a corrigendum on 1 July 2026, and I have included what it changed. Where a detail is only “tentative” in the notification, I have said so.

About State Bank of India

State Bank of India (SBI) is a public sector bank, and its recruitment is run by the Central Recruitment & Promotion Department at the Corporate Centre in Mumbai. In its own notification, SBI describes itself as working with India’s largest banking network, and it mentions foreign offices and international branches where officers can get posted. It also says it won Gold in four categories at the Economic Times Human Capital Awards 2026, and a promotional page in the same PDF says SBI is among the top 5 most trustworthy banks globally, citing a 2024 Newsweek and Statista survey. These are SBI’s own claims, so read them as the bank’s introduction of itself. For you as a candidate, the practical point is simple: a Probationary Officer joins the bank as an officer-level entrant and can be posted anywhere in India.

SBI PO Recruitment 2026: Job Details

This was a single national notification, and everything from registration to payment happened online. You could apply for the Probationary Officer post only, and the posting could be anywhere in the country. Here are the basics at a glance.

Detail	Information
Organisation	State Bank of India (SBI)
Post	Probationary Officer (PO)
Advertisement No.	CRPD/PO/2026-27/09
Total vacancies	1,500
Registration and fee payment	18 June 2026 to 8 July 2026
Mode	Online only
Posting	Anywhere in India

Registration was complete only when the fee was paid online by the last date
Hard copies of the application or documents were never to be sent to SBI
The vacancies were provisional and could change with the bank’s requirement

Category-wise Vacancies

The 1,500 posts are split by category, and they include backlog vacancies carried over from earlier years. Reading the split is useful because it tells you how competitive your own category was. Persons with benchmark disabilities (PwBD) get a horizontal reservation, which means their posts sit inside the category numbers, not on top of them.

Category	Vacancies
General (UR)	588
OBC	390
SC	234
ST	144
EWS	144
Total	1,500 (1,446 regular + 54 backlog)

PwBD vacancies inside the total: 15 Visually Impaired, 16 Hard of Hearing, 14 Locomotor Disability, and 16 under “d&e”
“d&e” means the disability categories under clauses (d) and (e) of Section 34(i) of the RPwD Act, 2016: mild autism spectrum disorder, mental illness, and multiple disabilities involving locomotor, visual or hearing impairment
The 54 backlog vacancies are 18 for SC and 36 for ST, and SBI said all numbers may vary with the bank’s requirement

Eligibility: Who Could Apply

In plain words, any graduate from any discipline could apply, as long as they were an Indian citizen between 21 and 30 years old on 1 April 2026. You did not need a commerce or banking background. Even final-year students could apply provisionally, which surprises many people, but there is a firm deadline for passing, and I explain it in the next section.

Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university
Age between 21 and 30 years as on 1 April 2026
Final-year or final-semester students could apply provisionally

Educational Qualification

The qualification is checked as on 30 September 2026, not on the application date. That means the exact date on your mark sheet matters. If you were in your final year, you had to show proof of passing on or before 30 September 2026 if you were called for the interview. Professional degree holders were welcome too.

Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government
Final-year candidates needed proof of passing on or before 30 September 2026, and Integrated Dual Degree holders needed their passing date to fall on or before that day
Medical, Engineering, Chartered Accountant and Cost Accountant qualifications were also eligible

Your date of passing is the date printed on your mark sheet or provisional certificate. If your result was only posted on the university website, you need a certificate from the university stating that date.

Age Limit

SBI counted your age on 1 April 2026, and the range was 21 to 30 years. So your date of birth had to fall between 2 April 1996 and 1 April 2005, with both days included. A common mistake is to calculate your age using today’s date. Always use the cut-off date in the notification.

Minimum 21 years and maximum 30 years as on 1 April 2026
Born between 2 April 1996 and 1 April 2005 (both days inclusive)
Upper age relaxation applied only to the categories listed in the next section

Age Relaxation

Extra years were given to certain categories, but there is one rule many candidates miss: the relaxation is not cumulative. You cannot add one relaxation on top of another. You also had to show the proper certificate if you were shortlisted.

Category	Relaxation in upper age limit
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 and SSCOs with 5 years of military service (released on completion of assignment)	5 years

Cumulative relaxation was not available under any combination
Certificates had to be shown at the group exercise or interview stage
Once you registered, your category could not be changed

Number of Chances

SBI limits how many times you can attempt the PO exam, and this is the rule people forget until it is too late. Only the Main Examination counts as a chance. Appearing in the Preliminary Examination does not use up a chance, which is a small relief for first-timers who may drop out after the prelims.

Category	Maximum chances
UR / EWS	6
UR (PwBD), EWS (PwBD), OBC, OBC (PwBD)	9
SC / SC (PwBD) / ST / ST (PwBD)	No restriction

Candidates who have already used all their permitted chances could not apply
Appearing in the Main Examination counts as a chance, but the Preliminary does not
In a year with only one written exam (no prelims), appearing in that exam counts as a chance

Background and Character Checks

SBI checks your background before it offers you the job. The notification says that candidates with an adverse report about character or antecedents are not eligible, and that you must disclose any pending criminal case at the interview. One more thing is worth knowing, because many websites still get it wrong: the original notification had a CIBIL (credit history) clause, but SBI removed it through a corrigendum dated 1 July 2026. Candidates who had already registered did not need to register again, and all other terms stayed the same.

Adverse reports about character or antecedents make a candidate ineligible
Pending criminal cases must be disclosed at the interview, and SBI can verify police records
The CIBIL clause was removed by the corrigendum dated 1 July 2026, and the rest of the notification stayed unchanged

Application Fee

The fee was ₹750 for most candidates, and nothing for SC, ST and PwBD candidates. It is non-refundable and cannot be carried forward to another exam, so be sure you are eligible before paying. Payment was online by debit card, credit card, internet banking or UPI.

Category	Fee
General / EWS / OBC	₹750
SC / ST / PwBD	Nil

The fee is non-refundable on any account
It cannot be kept in reserve for another exam or selection
Online transaction charges, if any, were paid by the candidate

SBI PO Salary

The starting basic pay is ₹48,480 a month, plus 4 advance increments, in the Junior Management Grade Scale-I. SBI’s notification gives an approximate annual CTC of ₹21.97 lakh at the Mumbai centre. Please remember that CTC is the total package SBI counts, not your monthly take-home. Your actual in-hand pay depends on deductions, allowances and where you are posted.

Item	Details
Starting basic pay	₹48,480 (plus 4 advance increments)
Pay scale	48480-2000/7-62480-2340/2-67160-2680/7-85920
Grade	Junior Management Grade Scale-I
Approximate CTC	₹21.97 lakh (Mumbai centre)

Allowances and benefits listed: DA, HRA, CCA, PF, NPS, LFC, medical facility and lease rental facility, as per the rules in force
CTC is not the same as take-home salary
Perks can change from time to time, as the notification says

Joining, Bond and Probation

A PO job is not just an exam. There are conditions after you get selected, and the bond is one that candidates should know about before they spend a year preparing. Think about whether you can stay with the bank for at least three years.

Selected candidates sign a bond of ₹2 lakh to serve the bank for a minimum of three years, and the bond is invoked if you resign before that
You are designated Probationary Officer and may be on probation for up to two years, with continuous assessment, after which you are confirmed in Junior Management Grade Scale-I
You complete an online basic banking course before joining, and the bank can post or transfer you to any circle or office, so a specific posting cannot be requested

Free Pre-Examination Training

SBI arranged online pre-examination training for SC, ST, OBC and PwBD candidates, in line with Government of India guidelines. It was an opt-in facility, so you had to choose it in the application form itself. A late request was not guaranteed to be accepted.

Available only for SC, ST, OBC and PwBD candidates, in online mode
You had to opt for it in the online application
Schedule details were sent by email and SMS, and no hard copies were sent

Selection Process

The selection has three phases, and you have to clear each one to reach the next. The important thing to know is that your Preliminary Examination marks are not added to the final merit list. The prelims are only a filter. Your final rank comes from the Main Examination plus the group exercise and interview.

Phase	What it covers
Phase I	Online Preliminary Examination (100 marks)
Phase II	Online Main Examination (objective 200 + descriptive 30)
Phase III	Psychometric Test, Group Exercise and Interview

Prelims marks are not counted in the final merit list
You must qualify separately in Phase II and Phase III
Wrong answers in objective tests cost one-fourth of the marks, and blank answers cost nothing

Phase I: Preliminary Examination

The prelims is a one-hour online test of 100 marks, with a separate time limit for each section. There is no sectional cut-off in the prelims, so a very strong section can cover for a weaker one. From the category-wise merit list, about ten times the vacancies in each category move on to the Main Examination.

Test	Questions	Duration
English Language	40	20 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude	30	20 minutes
Reasoning Ability	30	20 minutes
Total	100	1 hour

Total 100 marks, one hour, with sectional timing
No sectional cut-off, only the aggregate marks matter
Roughly ten times the category vacancies are shortlisted for the Main

Phase II: Main Examination

The Main is a longer, tougher exam: 200 marks of objective questions plus a 30-mark descriptive paper that you type on the computer. This is where most of your final score comes from. Unlike the prelims, the Main has sectional cut-offs, so you have to clear every section, including the descriptive paper, and a weak section can end your chances.

Test	Questions	Marks	Duration
Reasoning and Computer Aptitude	40	60	50 minutes
Data Analysis and Interpretation	30	60	45 minutes
General Awareness, Economy and Banking Knowledge	60	60	45 minutes
English Language	40	20	40 minutes
Objective total	170	200	3 hours
Descriptive paper	3	30	30 minutes
Grand total		230	3 hours 30 minutes

The descriptive paper has three tasks: an email, a situation analysis, and either a report or a precis (one of two options each, except the last)
You need a minimum qualifying score in each section, and the cut-offs are decided by the bank depending on vacancies
Up to about three times the category-wise vacancies go to Phase III, subject to a minimum aggregate score

Phase III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise and Interview

The last phase tests how you think and behave, not just what you know. The psychometric test is used to build a personality profile, and its findings are placed before the interview panel. The group exercise and the interview together carry 50 marks. After that, the final merit list is built by combining your Main marks with this phase.

Component	Marks
Group Exercise	20
Personal Interview	30
Total for Phase III	50

Main Examination marks (230) are scaled to 75, and Phase III marks (50) are scaled to 25, so the final merit is out of 100
If two candidates tie at the cut-off, the older candidate is ranked higher
Outstation candidates called for the interview get the Railway AC-III fare or actual expenses, whichever is lower, but no local transport

Tentative Schedule

The notification gave a tentative schedule, not fixed dates. The exams were planned for August, September and October/November 2026, with the final result expected in November or December 2026. Since these were tentative, please check the official SBI careers page for the actual status. I am listing them only so you can see how long the full process takes.

Event	Tentative date
Registration and fee payment	18 June to 8 July 2026
Pre-examination training (SC/ST/OBC/PwBD)	July 2026
Preliminary exam call letters	2nd or 3rd week of July 2026 onwards
Preliminary Examination	August 2026
Main Examination	September 2026
Psychometric Test, Group Exercise and Interview	October / November 2026
Final result	November / December 2026

The whole process runs for roughly five to six months
The result of each stage is published only on SBI’s careers website
All changes and updates are posted only on the bank’s website, with no separate advertisement

How to Apply Online (When the Portal Was Open)

The process was entirely online through SBI’s careers website, and the form could be saved and completed later. The practical advice is to get your scans and certificates ready before you even open the form. Once you submit, no change or edit is allowed.

Scan your photograph, signature, left-hand thumb impression and handwritten declaration first, and keep an active email ID and mobile number until the results are declared
Open the form under “Current Openings” on SBI’s careers site, fill it in (you can save and return using your provisional registration number and password), check every detail and submit
Pay the fee online, then print the e-receipt and application form for your records

Photo, Signature and Declaration Specifications

This is where many applications fail, because the file sizes are small and strict. The form will not register unless all four items are uploaded as specified. A live photograph, captured by your webcam or phone during registration, was also required.

Item	Format and size
Photograph (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm)	JPG/JPEG, 20 to 50 KB, 200 x 230 pixels preferred
Signature	JPG/JPEG, 10 to 20 KB, 140 x 60 pixels preferred
Left-hand thumb impression	JPG/JPEG, 20 to 50 KB, 240 x 240 pixels
Handwritten declaration	JPG/JPEG, 50 to 100 KB, 800 x 400 pixels

Write the declaration in English, in your own handwriting, on white paper with black ink, and never in capital letters
The signature must be in black ink on white paper and not in capital letters, because it must match the one you sign in the exam
Use your right thumb only if you do not have a left thumb, and keep about 8 copies of the same photograph for later stages

Documents You Need

SBI checks your original documents only after you are shortlisted for the interview, and that is also when your claims are tested. If a required certificate is not in the prescribed format or has the wrong date, you can be refused entry to the interview. So get these right before the interview, not after.

For reservation: an OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) certificate issued on or after 1 April 2026, an EWS Income and Asset Certificate for financial year 2025-26, a caste certificate for SC/ST, and a PwBD certificate dated on or before the last date of registration
For eligibility: original certificates and proof of date of birth, plus age relaxation or fee exemption certificates if you claimed them, and a No Objection Certificate if you work in a government office, PSU or bank
For identity: a valid Aadhaar card (SBI does online Aadhaar verification at different stages), plus one photo ID such as passport, Aadhaar, PAN, driving licence, voter ID or bank passbook with an attested photograph

Exam Centres

The exams are online and held at centres across India, with a tentative list given in Annexure I of the notification. The Main Examination has fewer centres than the prelims, so your Main centre may be farther from home. You cannot choose your way out of a centre allotment once you apply.

No request for a change of centre, date or session was entertained
SBI could cancel or add centres, or allot a centre different from the one you chose
You travel to the centre at your own risk and expense

Exam Day Rules

SBI is strict about conduct on the exam day, and many rules are about identity. The prelims call letter is not collected at the venue, but it is checked and stamped, and you must keep it safe because you need it again for the Main Examination. Be at the centre early, because latecomers are not allowed in.

Carry your call letter, your photo ID (original and a self-attested photocopy), and two extra photographs, because candidates without them are not allowed to appear
Mobile phones, even switched off, and any electronic devices, smart watches or storage devices are banned inside the premises, and there is no guarantee for safekeeping
Your photo, thumb impression or IRIS scan can be taken at various stages, so do not apply mehndi, ink or chemicals on your hands, and do not arrive after the reporting time

Application Checklist (for the Next Cycle)

Use this as a short to-do list for the next SBI PO notification. Most of these steps take only a few minutes if you do them in advance, and doing them early removes the last-minute panic on a busy portal. SBI itself advises applying well before the closing date because of heavy traffic.

Confirm your degree and passing date, your age on the cut-off date, and your category (it cannot be changed after you register)
Prepare the scans (photo, signature, thumb impression, declaration) in the exact sizes, and keep an active email and mobile number
Apply only on the official SBI careers portal, check your name and date of birth twice, and print the application form after submission

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Almost every rule in this notification exists because someone made one of these mistakes. A small error in the form cannot be fixed later, since SBI does not allow changes after submission. Even sending a second application can hurt you, because only the last valid one is kept and the earlier fees are forfeited.

Choosing the wrong category, since no change is allowed after registration, and an OBC candidate in the creamy layer must apply as UR
Uploading blurred or oversized photos, signatures or declarations, or writing the declaration in capital letters
Assuming your date of passing is enough, without keeping the right certificates ready for the interview

Beware of Fraud

Every year, people use the SBI name to promise jobs for money. The notification is clear that canvassing in any form leads to disqualification, and SBI says it does not endorse any coaching platform, consultancy or individual who claims to give guaranteed selection or insider guidance. Candidates should rely only on the bank’s official career portal.

SBI does not authorise anyone to promise selection or influence the recruitment
Never pay anyone for a seat, and never share your login or OTP
Treat any website or channel other than SBI’s official career portal with suspicion

Frequently Asked Questions

Could final-year students apply?
Yes, provisionally. You had to show proof of passing on or before 30 September 2026 if called for the interview.

Is there a CIBIL condition?
Not any more. The original notification had one, but SBI removed it through a corrigendum dated 1 July 2026.

Is there negative marking?
Yes. One-fourth of the marks of a question is deducted for each wrong answer in the objective tests. Blank answers carry no penalty.

Do prelims marks count in the final merit?
No. The Preliminary Examination is only for shortlisting.

What is the salary of an SBI PO?
The starting basic pay is ₹48,480, and SBI gives an approximate annual CTC of ₹21.97 lakh at the Mumbai centre. Your take-home pay will be lower.

Is there a bond?
Yes. Selected candidates sign a ₹2 lakh bond to serve the bank for a minimum of three years.

How many attempts do I get?
UR and EWS candidates get 6 chances, OBC and PwBD categories get 9, and SC/ST candidates have no restriction. Only the Main Examination counts as a chance.

Is this still accepting applications?
No. The window closed on 8 July 2026.

Important Links

Use only SBI’s official careers website for applications and updates, because the bank says all announcements are published there and nowhere else. If you face a problem with the form, fee payment or call letter, the notification lists a helpdesk.

For problems with the form, fee payment or call letter, SBI lists the helpdesk number 022-22820427 (11:00 AM to 5:00 PM on working days) and the query portal at http://cgrs.ibps.in.

Application status: Registration closed on 8 July 2026.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and is based on the official notification dated 18 June 2026 and the corrigendum dated 1 July 2026. Recruitment details, eligibility, dates and the application status may change, so SBI’s official careers website takes precedence. LCJP Job Hub is an independent website, is not affiliated with State Bank of India, and does not guarantee employment, selection, interview calls or salary.

About the author

LCJP Job Hub shares job updates, eligibility details, application steps and career tips for job seekers across India. We try to make job notifications easy to understand so readers can apply with confidence. To know more about us, visit our About Us page.

SBI PO Recruitment 2026: 1,500 Vacancies, Eligibility, Salary and Exam Pattern