SBI Clerk Syllabus 2026: Quick Answer
The SBI Clerk syllabus 2026 (Junior Associate – Customer Support & Sales) has two written stages. Prelims: English Language (30 questions), Numerical Ability (35) and Reasoning Ability (35), 100 marks in 1 hour. Mains: General/Financial Awareness (50), General English (40), Quantitative Aptitude (50) and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude (50), 190 questions for 200 marks in 2 hours 40 minutes. Candidates who did not study the state's local language in Class 10 or 12 then take a Local Language Proficiency Test. There is no interview.
Key takeaway (official advertisement CRPD/CR/2026-27/17, 11 August 2026): 9,124 vacancies (7,680 regular + 1,444 backlog), age 20–28 years as on 01.04.2026, no sectional cut-off in Prelims or Mains, 1/4 negative marking, and final merit = Mains marks only. Trained SBI apprentices get a 5-mark bonus out of 200 in Mains.
Preparing for officer exams too? Read our SBI PO syllabus and exam pattern and the IBPS Clerk syllabus notes.
SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2026 at a Glance
| Stage | Questions / Marks | Time | Cut-off rule | Counts in final merit? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase I: Prelims | 100 Q / 100 marks | 60 min (20 per section) | No minimum for sections or aggregate; about 10× vacancies called for Mains | No |
| Phase II: Mains | 190 Q / 200 marks | 160 min (sectional timing) | Minimum aggregate only (5% relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/XS/DXS); no sectional minimum | Yes, only this |
| Phase III: Local Language Proficiency Test | Non-verbal 30 marks + verbal 20 marks | — | Qualifying | No |
Negative marking: one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer in Prelims and Mains.
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 hour |
SBI says: "No minimum qualifying marks are prescribed for individual test OR for aggregate score." Candidates are ranked category-wise on aggregate marks, and roughly 10 times the vacancies move to Mains.
SBI Clerk Prelims Syllabus 2026: English Language
| Topic | Usual questions |
|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 7–10 |
| Cloze Test | 5–6 |
| Fillers (single/double) | 4–5 |
| Error Spotting / Sentence Correction | 4–5 |
| Para Jumbles / Sentence Rearrangement | 4–5 |
| Word Swap, Phrase Replacement, Misspelt Words | 3–5 |
SBI Clerk Prelims Syllabus 2026: Numerical Ability
| Topic | Usual questions |
|---|---|
| Simplification / Approximation | 8–15 |
| Number Series (missing / wrong) | 5 |
| Data Interpretation (table, bar, pie, caselet) | 5–10 |
| Quadratic Equations | 0–5 |
| Arithmetic: percentage, profit and loss, SI & CI, ratio, average, ages, mixture, partnership, time and work, speed-time-distance, boats and streams, mensuration, probability | 10–12 |
SBI Clerk Prelims Syllabus 2026: Reasoning Ability
| Topic | Usual questions |
|---|---|
| Puzzles and Seating Arrangement (linear, circular, floor, box, month/day) | 12–20 |
| Inequality (direct / coded) | 3–5 |
| Syllogism | 3–5 |
| Coding-Decoding | 3–5 |
| Blood Relation, Direction Sense, Order & Ranking | 3–6 |
| Alphanumeric Series, Word/Number Pair, Meaningful Words | 2–5 |
These ranges come from candidates' reports on recent SBI Clerk papers (including the 26–27 September 2026 Prelims shifts). SBI does not publish topic weightage, so use them for planning, not as fixed rules.
SBI Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2026
| Test | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
- No sectional minimum in Mains; only a minimum aggregate, decided by the Bank.
- Section-wise marks are not maintained; your aggregate (plus apprentice bonus, if eligible) decides the merit.
- The final merit list is state-wise and category-wise, because you apply for one State/UT only.
SBI Clerk Mains Syllabus 2026: General / Financial Awareness
- Banking awareness: RBI and its policy rates, types of accounts and cheques, NEFT/RTGS/IMPS/UPI, KYC, NPAs, financial inclusion schemes, banking acts, bank headquarters and taglines
- Current affairs: last 4–6 months (appointments, awards, sports, summits, government schemes, budget)
- Static GK: national parks, important days, books and authors, capitals and currencies
SBI Clerk Mains Syllabus 2026: General English
- Reading comprehension, cloze test, error detection, para jumbles, fillers, word usage, sentence connectors, phrase replacement
SBI Clerk Mains Syllabus 2026: Quantitative Aptitude
- DI (table, bar, line, pie, caselet, missing DI), arithmetic word problems, number series, quadratic equations, quantity comparison, data sufficiency, approximation
SBI Clerk Mains Syllabus 2026: Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude
- Puzzles and seating (higher level), input–output, coded inequality, syllogism, data sufficiency, blood relation, direction, logical reasoning
- Computer aptitude: hardware and software, MS Office, internet, networking, shortcut keys, abbreviations, cyber security; see our computer abbreviations for bank exams
SBI Clerk Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)
You must read, write, speak and understand the specified local language of the State/UT you apply for. If your Class 10 or Class 12 mark sheet shows you studied that language, you are exempt from the test. Otherwise, after provisional selection, you take the LLPT:
| Part | Passages | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-verbal test: objective | 3 | 15 | 15 |
| Non-verbal test: subjective | 3 | 15 | 15 |
| Verbal test | — | — | 20 |
The minimum qualifying marks in each part are set by the Bank (5% relaxation for reserved categories). Failing the LLPT means you are not appointed. Junior Associates also cannot seek an inter-state transfer for 5 years.
SBI Clerk Eligibility, Salary and Vacancies 2026
| Item | Official rule (CRPD/CR/2026-27/17) |
|---|---|
| Vacancies | 9,124 (7,680 regular + 1,444 backlog), state-wise |
| Age | 20 to 28 years as on 01.04.2026 (born 02.04.1998 to 01.04.2006) |
| Relaxation | OBC 3 yrs, SC/ST 5 yrs, PwBD 10/13/15 yrs; widows/divorced women 7 yrs (age caps apply) |
| Qualification | Graduation in any discipline; final-year students can apply if they pass by 31.12.2026 |
| Fee | ₹750 (General/OBC/EWS); nil for SC/ST/PwBD/XS/DXS |
| Starting basic pay | ₹26,730 (₹24,050 + two advance increments for graduates) |
| Starting emoluments | About ₹46,000 a month at a metro like Mumbai (SBI's estimate) |
| Wait list | Up to 50% of vacancies, state- and category-wise, valid one year |
| 2026 status | Prelims held 26–27 September 2026; Mains tentatively November 2026 |
SBI Clerk vs IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern
| Point | SBI Clerk 2026 | IBPS Clerk 2026 (CRP CSA-XVI) |
|---|---|---|
| Prelims sections | English 30, Numerical 35, Reasoning 35 | English 30, Numerical 35, Reasoning 35 |
| Prelims cut-off | None prescribed (aggregate ranking) | Must clear every section |
| Mains | 190 Q, 200 marks, 160 min | 160 Q, 200 marks, 125 min |
| Mains cut-off | Minimum aggregate only | Minimum in each test + total |
| Computer aptitude | Part of Mains Reasoning test | Not named in the 2026 Mains |
| Interview | None | None |
| Language test | LLPT unless Class 10/12 proof | LLPT unless Class 10 (or higher) proof |
| Posting | SBI, in the State/UT you apply for | Allotted to a participating PSB, state-wise |
For the IBPS side, see the IBPS Clerk syllabus and exam pattern.
How to Prepare for the SBI Clerk Syllabus 2026
- Master calculation first. Simplification and approximation can give 10–15 quick marks; learn squares to 30, cubes to 20 and the approximation shortcuts.
- Solve puzzles daily. 2–3 puzzle sets a day in 20 minutes builds Prelims speed.
- Use the "no cut-off" rule smartly. Because Prelims and Mains have no sectional minimum, push your strongest section hard, but do not ignore any section.
- Give GA the most time in Mains. 50 marks in 35 minutes is the best marks-per-minute section. Revise banking terms A to Z and monthly current affairs.
- Take full mocks with sectional timers (20-20-20 for Prelims; 35-35-45-45 for Mains).
SBI Clerk Syllabus Practice Questions with Answers
Q1. (Simplification) 48% of 250 + 3/4 of 160 = ? (a) 220 (b) 230 (c) 240 (d) 250 Answer: (c). 120 + 120 = 240.
Q2. (Approximation) 1199.89 ÷ 24.02 + 15.98 × 6.01 ≈ ? (a) 126 (b) 136 (c) 146 (d) 156 Answer: (c). 1200 ÷ 24 + 16 × 6 = 50 + 96 = 146.
Q3. (Wrong Number Series) 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, 44, 56 (a) 6 (b) 20 (c) 44 (d) 56 Answer: (c). Terms are n(n + 1): 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, 42, 56.
Q4. (Profit and Loss) An item costing ₹800 is marked 25% above cost and sold at a 10% discount. Profit percent? (a) 10% (b) 12.5% (c) 15% (d) 12% Answer: (b). SP = 800 × 1.25 × 0.9 = ₹900; profit = 100 ÷ 800 × 100 = 12.5%.
Q5. (Average) The average of 5 numbers is 24. When one number is removed, the average becomes 22. The removed number is: (a) 28 (b) 30 (c) 32 (d) 34 Answer: (c). 120 − 88 = 32.
Q6. (Coding-Decoding) If BANK is coded as CBOL, how is CASH coded? (a) DBTI (b) DBRI (c) DZTI (d) CBTI Answer: (a). Each letter moves +1.
Q7. (Order and Ranking) Rohit is 12th from the top and 18th from the bottom in a row. How many students are in the row? (a) 28 (b) 29 (c) 30 (d) 31 Answer: (b). 12 + 18 − 1 = 29.
Q8. (Syllogism) Statements: Some pens are books. No book is a bag. Conclusions: I. Some pens are not bags. II. Some bags are pens. (a) Only I (b) Only II (c) Both (d) Neither Answer: (a). The pens that are books cannot be bags, so I is definite. II is only possible.
Q9. (Mains GA) What is the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) in October 2026? (a) 3.00% (b) 3.50% (c) 4.00% (d) 4.50% Answer: (a). CRR has been 3% of NDTL since the fortnight beginning 29 November 2025. See CRR and SLR rate 2026.
Q10. (English, Synonym) Choose the word closest in meaning to METICULOUS. (a) Careless (b) Careful (c) Hasty (d) Generous Answer: (b). Meticulous means showing great attention to detail.
SBI Clerk Syllabus and Exam Pattern FAQs
What is the SBI Clerk syllabus 2026 for prelims?
English Language (30 questions), Numerical Ability (35) and Reasoning Ability (35), each with 20 minutes. Key topics: RC, cloze, fillers; simplification, series, DI, arithmetic; puzzles, inequality, syllogism and coding.
Is there a sectional cut-off in SBI Clerk 2026?
No. The official advertisement prescribes no minimum marks for individual tests in Prelims or Mains. Mains has only a minimum aggregate.
Is there negative marking in SBI Clerk Mains?
Yes. SBI Clerk Mains (and Prelims) has negative marking: one-fourth (1/4) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer, and a question left blank carries no penalty. Every question has five options, and if your total penalty in a test comes to a fraction, it is rounded off to the nearest integer (as per SBI's Junior Associates Mains information handout). So in Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, where 50 questions carry 60 marks, each wrong answer costs 0.3 marks.
How many questions are there in SBI Clerk Mains?
190 questions for 200 marks in 2 hours 40 minutes, across four sectionally timed tests.
Is there an interview in SBI Clerk?
No. Final selection is based on Mains marks, subject to the local language test and document verification.
What is the age limit for SBI Clerk 2026?
20 to 28 years as on 1 April 2026, with category relaxations.
What is SBI Clerk salary in 2026?
The starting basic pay is ₹26,730, and SBI estimates total starting emoluments of about ₹46,000 a month at a metro centre such as Mumbai.
Who has to take the SBI Clerk language test?
Only candidates who cannot show a Class 10 or Class 12 mark sheet with the specified local language of the State/UT they applied for.
Practice Next
- Full mocks: SBI Clerk Prelims Full Mock Test 15 and the real SBI Clerk 2025 Prelims memory-based paper (20 September, Shift 1).
- Mains: SBI Clerk Mains General Awareness Mock Test 01, SBI Clerk Mains Reasoning Sectional Mock Test 02, SBI Clerk Mains Quant Sectional Mock Test 03, and Mains General English (40 questions, 35 minutes): SBI Clerk Mains English Sectional Mock Test 01, 02, 03.
- Sectionals: SBI Clerk Reasoning Sectional Mock Test 17, SBI Clerk English Sectional Mock Test 14.
- Related notes: simplification tricks, caselet DI for SBI Clerk, linear seating arrangement, IBPS Clerk syllabus.
- Recruitment details: SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 (9,124 Junior Associate posts).
- Browse all study notes.