SBI PO Age Limit 2026: Quick Answer
As per the official SBI PO 2026 advertisement, the SBI PO age limit is 21 to 30 years as on 01.04.2026, so you must be born not earlier than 02.04.1996 and not later than 01.04.2005. OBC (non-creamy layer) candidates get 3 years and SC/ST candidates 5 years of relaxation. You need a graduation degree in any discipline (final-year students may apply provisionally), and the maximum number of attempts is 6 for General/EWS, 9 for OBC and PwBD, and unlimited for SC/ST.
Key takeaway: Only appearing in the Main exam counts as an attempt; appearing in Prelims alone does not. Check your CIBIL record too, because unpaid loan or credit card dues must be cleared before joining.
Official source: SBI PO 2026 detailed advertisement (PDF) on SBI Careers. Section numbers below refer to this advertisement.
SBI PO Eligibility 2026 at a Glance
| Criterion | Official requirement | Section |
|---|---|---|
| Nationality | Indian citizens (the advertisement invites applications from eligible Indian citizens) | Page 2 |
| Age (as on 01.04.2026) | 21 to 30 years | 1(A) |
| Date of birth | Not earlier than 02.04.1996 and not later than 01.04.2005 (both inclusive) | 1(A) |
| Qualification (as on 30.09.2026) | Graduation in any discipline or equivalent | 1(B) |
| Final-year students | Can apply provisionally; must show proof of passing by 30.09.2026 if called for interview | 1(B) |
| Number of chances | 6 (UR/EWS), 9 (OBC, UR-PwBD, EWS-PwBD, OBC-PwBD), no limit (SC/ST) | 4 |
| CIBIL | Adverse credit history must be regularised before joining | 5 |
| Application fee | ₹750 (UR/EWS/OBC); Nil (SC/ST/PwBD) | 6 |
| Vacancies | 1,500 (1,446 regular + 54 backlog) | Vacancy table |
SBI PO Age Limit 2026 and Date of Birth Range
| Category | Maximum age | Born on or after | Born on or before |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | 30 years | 02.04.1996 | 01.04.2005 |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 33 years | 02.04.1993 | 01.04.2005 |
| SC / ST | 35 years | 02.04.1991 | 01.04.2005 |
| PwBD (UR/EWS) | 40 years | 02.04.1986 | 01.04.2005 |
| PwBD (OBC) | 43 years | 02.04.1983 | 01.04.2005 |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 45 years | 02.04.1981 | 01.04.2005 |
The General/EWS row is printed in the advertisement. The other rows apply the official relaxation (below) to the same upper limit: each extra year of relaxation moves the earliest birth date back by one year.
SBI PO Age Relaxation 2026 (Section 1(A))
| 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 and Commissioned Officers (including ECOs/SSCOs) with 5 years' military service, released on completion of assignment (including those due to complete it within one year of the last date of application) other than by dismissal, misconduct, inefficiency, physical disability attributable to service or invalidment | 5 years |
Important: cumulative relaxation is not allowed. You cannot add OBC (3 years) to Ex-Servicemen (5 years), for example. Certificates for relaxation are checked at the group exercise and interview stage, and the category cannot be changed after registration.
SBI PO Educational Qualification 2026
- Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government, as on 30.09.2026.
- Final-year / final-semester students may apply provisionally. If called for interview, they must prove they passed on or before 30.09.2026.
- Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) holders must have passed the IDD on or before 30.09.2026.
- Candidates with Medical, Engineering, Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant and similar qualifications are also eligible.
- The date of passing is the date on the mark sheet or provisional certificate. If results were posted online, a certificate from the university giving the date of posting is used.
There is no minimum percentage in graduation for SBI PO in the 2026 advertisement.
SBI PO Number of Attempts 2026 (Section 4)
| Category | Maximum permissible chances |
|---|---|
| UR / EWS | 6 |
| UR (PwBD) / EWS (PwBD) / OBC / OBC (PwBD) | 9 |
| SC / SC (PwBD) / ST / ST (PwBD) | No restriction |
How SBI counts an attempt:
- Appearing in the Main Examination counts as a chance. Appearing only in the Preliminary Examination does not.
- In years when only one written exam was held (no Prelims), appearing in it counts as a chance.
- If you have already used the maximum chances, you are not eligible to apply.
SBI PO CIBIL Rule 2026 (Section 5)
Candidates whose loan or credit card accounts show an adverse credit history in CIBIL or any other credit bureau must regularise or repay all outstanding dues on or before the date of joining. If the bureau record is not updated by then, you must produce NOCs or other proof from the lenders that nothing is outstanding. Failure means the offer of appointment is withdrawn. SBI advises candidates to check their CIBIL score or status before applying.
SBI PO 2026 Selection Process (Linked to Eligibility)
| Phase | What it is | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Phase I: Prelims | English 40, Quantitative Aptitude 30, Reasoning 30 questions; 20 minutes each | 100 (qualifying; no sectional cut-off) |
| Phase II: Mains | Objective test (Reasoning & Computer Aptitude 40 Q/60 M, Data Analysis & Interpretation 30 Q/60 M, General Awareness/Economy/Banking 60 Q/60 M, English 40 Q/20 M; 3 hours) + Descriptive test (30 marks, 30 minutes) | 230 |
| Phase III | Psychometric test, Group Exercise (20) and Interview (30) | 50 |
Negative marking is 1/4 of the marks of a question in both Prelims and Mains. For the final merit, Mains (230) and Phase III (50) are normalised to 75 and 25 out of 100. Prelims marks are not counted. Source: Section 8 of the advertisement.
How to Check Your SBI PO Eligibility (Step-by-Step)
- Find your date of birth on your 10th certificate. Compare it with the range for your category in the table above. If you were born on 02.04.1996 or 01.04.2005, you are still inside the General/EWS limit, because both dates are inclusive.
- Pick the one relaxation that helps you most. If you are OBC and also PwBD, use the PwBD (OBC) figure of 13 years; do not add 3 + 13.
- Confirm your graduation date. It must be on or before 30.09.2026. If you are in the final year, keep proof of passing ready for the interview stage.
- Count your previous Main exam appearances. Count only the years in which you actually sat for the SBI PO Main exam (or the single written exam in years without Prelims). If the count already equals your category's limit, you cannot apply.
- Check your credit report. Download your CIBIL report and clear any overdue loan or credit card dues early, so you can produce NOCs before joining.
- Keep category certificates current. OBC certificates must carry the non-creamy layer clause and be issued between 01.04.2026 and the interview date; EWS candidates need the Income & Asset Certificate for FY 2025-26.
Example: is this candidate eligible?
Riya is an OBC (non-creamy layer) graduate born on 15.06.1994 who sat for the SBI PO Main exam twice before. As an OBC candidate she may be born as early as 02.04.1993 (upper limit 30 + 3 = 33 years) and no later than 01.04.2005. Her birth date, 15.06.1994, falls inside that range, so she meets the age rule. She has used 2 of her 9 chances, so she can apply.
SBI PO Eligibility: Common Mistakes
- Counting age on the application date. Age is reckoned as on 01.04.2026.
- Adding relaxations. Only the single largest relaxation you qualify for applies.
- Thinking Prelims attempts count. Only Mains appearances are counted as chances.
- Ignoring old loan or card dues. Clear them and get NOCs before joining.
- Assuming a minimum graduation percentage. The 2026 advertisement sets none.
SBI PO Eligibility and Age Limit FAQs
What is the SBI PO age limit in 2026?
21 to 30 years as on 01.04.2026, so you must be born between 02.04.1996 and 01.04.2005 (both dates inclusive).
What is the SBI PO age limit for OBC and SC/ST?
33 years for OBC (non-creamy layer) and 35 years for SC/ST, after the official relaxation of 3 and 5 years.
How many attempts are allowed in SBI PO?
6 for General/EWS, 9 for OBC and PwBD (UR/EWS/OBC), and no limit for SC/ST. Only appearing in the Main exam counts as an attempt.
Can final-year students apply for SBI PO 2026?
Yes, provisionally. If called for interview, you must show that you passed your graduation on or before 30.09.2026.
Is there a minimum percentage required for SBI PO?
No. The 2026 advertisement asks only for graduation in any discipline.
Does a bad CIBIL score make me ineligible for SBI PO?
You can apply, but any adverse credit history must be cleared and proved before joining; otherwise the offer of appointment is cancelled.
What is the SBI PO application fee for 2026?
₹750 for UR/EWS/OBC candidates and nil for SC/ST/PwBD candidates. It is non-refundable.
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