SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: The State Bank of India (SBI) has released the official notification for the recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) in its clerical cadre. According to the latest SBI notification, a total of 9,124 vacancies are available, comprising 7,680 regular vacancies and 1,444 backlog vacancies. The online application window is open from 11 August 2026 to 31 August 2026.

Candidates who are graduates and meet the prescribed age, language and other eligibility conditions can apply online through the SBI careers portal. The SBI Clerk 2026 Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for September 2026, while the Main Examination is tentatively scheduled for November 2026.

Important: The 9,124 figure in the latest detailed advertisement is the vacancy count for this recruitment project. It includes 7,680 regular vacancies and 1,444 backlog vacancies. The notification also states that the backlog vacancies are net of vacancies advertised earlier under the special recruitment drive.

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Overview

The above details are based primarily on the official SBI Junior Associate 2026 advertisement.

SBI Clerk Notification 2026 PDF

SBI has published the detailed Junior Associate recruitment advertisement under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17. The official notification contains the vacancy distribution, eligibility criteria, selection procedure, examination pattern, salary, application fee, language requirements and instructions for submitting the online form.

Official SBI Careers: SBI Current Openings – Apply Online

Candidates should always verify the latest information from the official SBI recruitment portal before submitting an application.

SBI Clerk Vacancy 2026: 9,124 Posts

The SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 notification announces 9,124 Junior Associate vacancies.

The vacancy breakup is:

• Regular vacancies: 7,680
• Backlog vacancies: 1,444
• Total: 9,124

The official notification provides state/circle-wise and category-wise vacancy details. SBI has also clarified that the vacancies are provisional and may change depending on the actual requirement of the Bank.

SBI Clerk State-Wise Vacancy 2026

Some of the major vacancy figures mentioned in the notification are:

The complete vacancy table in the official notification should be checked before selecting a State/UT because candidates can apply for vacancies in only one State/UT under this recruitment.

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Important Dates

Candidates should keep the following dates in mind:

SBI has officially stated that the Preliminary Examination will be conducted tentatively in September 2026 and the Main Examination tentatively in November 2026.

SEO tip for aspirants: Do not wait until the last day to submit the SBI Clerk application. SBI specifically advises candidates to apply well before the closing date because technical issues, heavy website traffic or payment problems can affect last-minute submissions.

SBI Clerk Eligibility Criteria 2026

Before applying for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026, candidates must carefully check the prescribed eligibility conditions.

The major requirements are:

1. The candidate must satisfy the prescribed age limit.
2. The candidate must have the required educational qualification.
3. The candidate must satisfy the local language requirement of the selected State/UT.
4. The candidate must meet the applicable category and reservation requirements.

SBI Clerk Age Limit 2026

The prescribed age limit is 20 to 28 years as on 1 April 2026.

Candidates must have been born:

• Not earlier than 2 April 1998
• Not later than 1 April 2006

Both dates are inclusive.

SBI Clerk Age Relaxation

Age relaxation is subject to the detailed conditions and documentary requirements specified by SBI. Cumulative age relaxation is not permitted.

SBI Clerk Educational Qualification 2026

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

The qualification is considered as on 31 December 2026.

Candidates who are currently in the final year or final semester of graduation can also apply provisionally, provided they are able to produce proof of passing the graduation examination on or before 31 December 2026 if provisionally selected.

Candidates holding an Integrated Dual Degree must ensure that their IDD passing date is on or before 31 December 2026.

Can final-year students apply for SBI Clerk 2026?

Yes. Final-year/final-semester graduation candidates can apply provisionally. However, they must satisfy SBI's deadline for producing proof of graduation if selected.

SBI Clerk Local Language Requirement 2026

The local language requirement is one of the most important parts of the SBI Clerk recruitment process.

Candidates applying for a particular State/UT must be proficient in the specified local language of that State/UT, including the ability to read, write, speak and understand the language.

The local language is tested after candidates qualify the Main Examination and before joining, where applicable. However, candidates who can provide a Class 10 or Class 12 marksheet/certificate showing that they studied the specified local language are not required to take the separate language test.

For example:

• Himachal Pradesh: Hindi
• Karnataka: Kannada
• Maharashtra: Marathi
• Tamil Nadu: Tamil
• Odisha: Odia
• West Bengal: Bengali/Nepali
• Telangana: Telugu/Urdu
• Gujarat: Gujarati
• Rajasthan: Hindi

Candidates should check the exact language options associated with their selected State/UT in the official vacancy table before completing the application.

SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026

The SBI Clerk selection process consists of:

Phase 1 – Preliminary Examination

Phase 2 – Main Examination

Phase 3 – Local Language Proficiency Test

The Local Language Proficiency Test applies to provisionally selected candidates who have not established that they studied the specified local language at Class 10 or Class 12 level.

One of the biggest points candidates should remember is that Prelims marks are not added to the final merit list. SBI prepares the final merit based on performance in the Main Examination, subject to satisfying the applicable language requirement and other eligibility conditions.

SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026

The Preliminary Examination is an online objective test carrying 100 marks with a total duration of one hour.

Each section has a separate time limit.

There is a negative marking of one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question for every incorrect answer. SBI has not prescribed minimum qualifying marks for individual tests or the aggregate in the Preliminary Examination.

SBI Clerk Prelims: What candidates should focus on

For Prelims, candidates should concentrate on:

• Simplification and approximation
• Number series
• Arithmetic
• Data interpretation
• Percentage, profit and loss
• Ratio and proportion
• Time and work
• Time, speed and distance
• Puzzles
• Seating arrangement
• Syllogism
• Inequality
• Coding-decoding
• Blood relations
• English grammar
• Reading comprehension
• Cloze test
• Error detection
• Vocabulary

A strong focus on speed and accuracy is particularly important because each section has its own time limit.

SBI Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2026

The Main Examination carries 200 marks and has a total duration of 2 hours and 40 minutes.

There is a separate time limit for each section. A negative marking of one-fourth of the marks assigned to the question applies to incorrect answers.

Important SBI Clerk Mains Rule

The SBI notification states that candidates must achieve the minimum aggregate marks prescribed by the Bank. A 5% relaxation is available for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/XS/DXS candidates as specified in the notification. There are no separate minimum qualifying marks prescribed for individual subjects.

SBI Clerk Local Language Proficiency Test

Candidates who have not studied the specified local language at the Class 10 or Class 12 level and are provisionally selected after the Main Examination may have to appear for the Local Language Proficiency Test.

The language test is conducted after the Main Examination but before joining.

Candidates who fail the applicable language test will not be offered appointment.

Therefore, candidates should not select a State merely because it has a higher number of vacancies. The selected State's local language should also be considered.

SBI Clerk Salary 2026

The SBI Clerk/Junior Associate salary is one of the major attractions of this recruitment.

The official pay scale is:

₹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

The starting basic pay is ₹26,730, which includes two advance increments available to graduates.

SBI states that the total starting emoluments for a Clerical Cadre employee posted in a metro such as Mumbai are approximately ₹46,000 per month, including DA and other applicable allowances at the prevailing rates and the two additional increments for newly recruited graduate Junior Associates. Actual allowances can vary according to the place of posting.

SBI Clerk Salary: Additional Benefits

Junior Associates are also eligible for benefits and facilities according to SBI's applicable rules, including:

• Provident Fund
• Pension under the New Pension Scheme
• Medical benefits
• Leave Fare Concession
• Other applicable allowances
• Reimbursement of eligible facilities/perquisites

The exact benefits and allowances are subject to the Bank's rules in force from time to time.

SBI Clerk Application Fee 2026

The application fee is:

The fee/intimation charges are non-refundable.

How to Apply for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026

Candidates can apply only through the online mode.

Step-by-step SBI Clerk Apply Online Process

Step 1: Visit the official SBI Careers website.

Step 2: Open the Current Openings section.

Step 3: Find Recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17.

Step 4: Read the detailed notification carefully.

Step 5: Start the online registration process.

Step 6: Enter personal, educational and other required details.

Step 7: Select the State/UT and applicable local language carefully.

Step 8: Upload the required photograph, signature, left thumb impression and handwritten declaration in the prescribed format.

Step 9: Pay the applicable application fee online.

Step 10: Review every detail before final submission.

Step 11: Submit the application and save/print the system-generated application form and e-receipt for future reference.

SBI specifically warns that corrections are not permitted after final submission, so candidates should carefully verify their information before submitting the application.

Apply through the official SBI portal: SBI Junior Associate 2026 Current Openings

Documents Required for SBI Clerk Application 2026

Candidates should keep the following documents/details ready before starting the application:

• Recent passport-size photograph
• Signature
• Left thumb impression
• Handwritten declaration
• Graduation details
• Class 10/Class 12 details
• Valid mobile number
• Active email ID
• Category certificate, where applicable
• OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate, where applicable
• EWS Income and Asset Certificate, where applicable
• PwBD certificate, where applicable
• Ex-Servicemen-related documents, where applicable

The photograph, signature, thumb impression and handwritten declaration must meet SBI's prescribed specifications. An unclear or improperly uploaded document may lead to application problems or rejection.

SBI Clerk Handwritten Declaration 2026

The official notification provides a prescribed handwritten declaration for candidates to upload.

Candidates should follow the exact wording and instructions provided by SBI rather than copying an unofficial declaration from another website.

The notification states that the declaration confirms that the information submitted by the candidate is correct, true and valid and that supporting documents will be produced when required.

SBI Clerk 2026: One State/UT Rule

A very important condition in SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 is that a candidate can apply for vacancies in only one State/UT.

Candidates can appear for the examination from any notified examination centre, but their candidature is considered against vacancies in the State/UT for which they applied.

SBI also states that there is no provision for Inter-Circle Transfer/Inter-State Transfer for Junior Associates before completion of five years of service, with limited exceptional transfer considerations thereafter according to Bank policy.

How should candidates choose their SBI Clerk State?

Candidates should consider:

1. Number of vacancies
2. Category-wise vacancies
3. Cut-off trends
4. Local language proficiency
5. Home-state preference
6. Posting considerations
7. Long-term willingness to work in the selected State/UT

Choosing a State solely because it has the largest vacancy count can be risky if the candidate does not have adequate proficiency in the specified local language.

SBI Clerk Exam Centres 2026

SBI will conduct the examination at various centres across India. Candidates can select their preferred examination centre from the available options while filling the application.

However, SBI reserves the right to cancel a centre, add centres or allot a candidate to a centre other than the one selected, depending on administrative requirements and other factors.

Candidates should not assume that selecting a particular city guarantees allotment to that exact centre.

SBI Clerk 2026 Exam Preparation Strategy

With the Preliminary Examination scheduled tentatively for September, candidates have limited preparation time after the notification.

A practical preparation strategy is to prepare for Prelims and Mains simultaneously rather than waiting for the Preliminary result.

1. Strengthen Quantitative Aptitude

Focus on:

• Simplification
• Approximation
• Number series
• Quadratic equations
• Arithmetic
• Data interpretation
• Percentage
• Ratio
• Average
• Profit and loss
• Simple and compound interest
• Time and work
• Time, speed and distance

Build calculation speed while maintaining accuracy because the examination has negative marking.

2. Prepare Reasoning Ability

Important areas include:

• Puzzles
• Seating arrangement
• Syllogism
• Inequality
• Coding-decoding
• Blood relations
• Direction sense
• Alphanumeric series
• Logical reasoning
• Data sufficiency

Practice timed sets regularly.

3. Improve English Language

Candidates should work on:

• Reading comprehension
• Cloze tests
• Error detection
• Sentence improvement
• Para jumbles
• Fillers
• Vocabulary
• Grammar
• Phrase replacement

Reading quality English content every day can help improve comprehension speed.

4. Start Financial Awareness Early

Do not leave General/Financial Awareness for the final few days.

Focus on:

• Banking awareness
• RBI-related developments
• Monetary policy
• Financial institutions
• Banking terminology
• Government schemes
• Current affairs
• Budget and economic developments
• Digital banking
• Important appointments
• Banking and financial reports

5. Practice Full-Length Mock Tests

Mock tests should be used to identify:

• Weak sections
• Time-management problems
• Accuracy issues
• Repeated mistakes
• Questions taking too much time

Candidates should maintain an error notebook and revise mistakes regularly.

SBI Clerk Prelims vs Mains: Which Is More Important?

Both stages matter, but they serve different purposes.

The Preliminary Examination is essentially the screening stage for candidates who will proceed to the Main Examination. SBI states that approximately 10 times the number of vacancies, subject to availability, may be shortlisted for the Main Examination based on aggregate Preliminary marks.

The marks obtained in Prelims are not added to the final merit list.

The Main Examination is therefore extremely important because the final merit list is prepared based on Main Examination performance, subject to the other applicable requirements.

Best approach

Prepare in this order:

Prelims speed + Mains-level concepts + Financial Awareness + regular mocks

This avoids the common mistake of qualifying Prelims but being underprepared for Mains.

SBI Clerk 2026: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Candidates should avoid these mistakes while applying and preparing:

1. Selecting the wrong State

Remember that only one State/UT can be selected.

2. Ignoring the local language

Language proficiency is an important eligibility/selection requirement.

3. Waiting until the last date

Technical and payment issues can create problems near the deadline.

4. Uploading unclear documents

Poor-quality photographs, signatures or declarations can cause application issues.

5. Assuming Prelims marks count in final selection

They do not form part of the final merit calculation.

6. Ignoring negative marking

Random guessing can reduce the overall score.

7. Preparing only for Prelims

Mains preparation should begin from the start.

8. Not checking the official notification

Third-party websites can contain outdated or conflicting information. The official SBI advertisement should remain the primary reference.

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Key Points at a Glance

• SBI has announced 9,124 Junior Associate vacancies.
• There are 7,680 regular vacancies.
• There are 1,444 backlog vacancies.
• Online applications are open from 11 August to 31 August 2026.
• Candidates can apply for vacancies in one State/UT only.
• The age limit is 20 to 28 years as on 1 April 2026, subject to applicable relaxation.
• Graduation in any discipline is the basic educational qualification.
• Final-year graduation candidates can apply provisionally subject to SBI's conditions.
• Prelims are tentatively scheduled for September 2026.
• Mains are tentatively scheduled for November 2026.
• Prelims consist of 100 questions for 100 marks.
• Mains consist of 190 questions for 200 marks.
• Both objective examinations carry negative marking.
• Prelims marks are not counted for final merit.
• The Main Examination determines the merit, subject to other selection requirements.
• Local Language Proficiency Test applies where the candidate has not established study of the specified language at Class 10/12 level.
• Starting basic pay is ₹26,730.
• SBI states that starting metro emoluments can be around ₹46,000 per month, depending on applicable allowances.
• Application fee is ₹750 for General/OBC/EWS candidates and Nil for SC/ST/PwBD/XS/DXS candidates.

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 FAQs

Is SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 notification released?

Yes. SBI has released the detailed notification for Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17.

How many vacancies are announced for SBI Clerk 2026?

A total of 9,124 vacancies have been announced, consisting of 7,680 regular vacancies and 1,444 backlog vacancies.

What is the SBI Clerk 2026 last date to apply?

The last date for online registration and payment of fees is 31 August 2026.

What is the SBI Clerk age limit?

Candidates should be between 20 and 28 years as on 1 April 2026, subject to applicable age relaxation.

What is the qualification for SBI Clerk 2026?

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

Can final-year students apply for SBI Clerk 2026?

Yes. Final-year/final-semester candidates may apply provisionally, subject to the requirement to produce proof of passing by the prescribed date if selected.

What is the SBI Clerk salary?

The starting basic pay is ₹26,730. SBI states that starting total emoluments for a Clerical Cadre employee posted in a metro such as Mumbai are approximately ₹46,000 per month, including applicable allowances and graduate increments.

Is there negative marking in SBI Clerk?

Yes. One-fourth of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each incorrect answer in the objective tests.

Are SBI Clerk Prelims marks counted in the final merit?

No. SBI states that Preliminary Examination marks are not added to the final selection score. The Main Examination aggregate is used for the final merit, subject to applicable conditions.

Is a local language test compulsory for everyone?

No. Candidates who provide Class 10 or Class 12 evidence that they studied the specified local language are exempt from the separate language test. Others who are provisionally selected may have to qualify the Local Language Proficiency Test before joining.

Can I apply for multiple States in SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026?

No. SBI permits candidates to apply for vacancies in one State/UT only under this recruitment.

What is the SBI Clerk application fee?

The fee is ₹750 for General, OBC and EWS candidates. SC, ST, PwBD, XS and DXS candidates are exempt from the fee.

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Final Takeaway

The SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 is a major opportunity for graduates seeking a banking-sector career, with 9,124 Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) vacancies announced in the latest recruitment advertisement.

The most important things candidates should remember are the 31 August 2026 application deadline, one-State/UT application rule, local-language requirement, 20–28 age bracket, graduation qualification, Preliminary and Main Examination structure, and the fact that only Main Examination marks contribute to the final merit list.

Candidates should begin preparation immediately instead of waiting for the Preliminary Examination date. A combination of sectional practice, full-length mock tests, current affairs preparation, banking awareness and rigorous revision can significantly improve exam readiness.

For the most accurate and updated information, candidates should rely on the official SBI notification and Current Openings page rather than unofficial social-media updates or outdated recruitment articles.

Official SBI recruitment portal: SBI Current Openings