SBI PO Group Exercise 2026: Quick Answer
The SBI PO group exercise 2026 is part of Phase III and carries 20 marks, followed by a 30-mark personal interview. As per SBI's notice for advertisement CRPD/PO/2026-27/09, Group Exercise and Interviews run from 18 November 2026 onwards (tentative). SBI does not publish group exercise topics in advance, so prepare on banking, economy, current affairs and situation-based themes.
Key takeaway (official): Group Exercise 20 marks + Interview 30 marks = 50 marks, normalised to 25 in the final merit list. Mains (230 marks) is normalised to 75. You must qualify in Mains and in Phase III separately, and SBI decides the minimum qualifying marks for GE and Interview.
Official sources: SBI notice: tentative dates for Psychometric Test, Group Exercise and Interviews (PDF) and the SBI PO 2026 detailed advertisement (PDF), section 8 and section 11.
SBI PO Group Exercise and Interview Dates 2026
| Phase III event | Date as per SBI |
|---|---|
| Psychometric test | 31 October 2026 (tentative) |
| Group Exercise and Interviews | From 18 November 2026 onwards (tentative) |
| Final result | November / December 2026 (tentative, as per advertisement) |
Call letters with the exact date, time and venue will be released by SBI. Shortlisted candidates also get details by SMS and email.
What Is the Group Exercise in SBI PO? (Meaning and Process)
SBI PO group exercise means a task done in a small group of candidates while assessors watch how each person thinks, speaks and works with others. SBI PO me group exercise kya hota hai? Yeh ek group activity hai jisme ek topic ya case par milkar charcha ya task karna hota hai, aur panel har candidate ko alag se mark karta hai.
SBI's advertisement fixes only the marks (20). It does not prescribe the format, so the exercise can be a discussion, a case study or a group task. Assessors in such exercises usually look at:
| What the panel watches | How it shows |
|---|---|
| Content | Facts, data and relevant points, not general talk |
| Communication | Clear, short sentences; listening before replying |
| Teamwork | Building on others' points, involving quiet members |
| Leadership | Giving structure, moving the group toward a conclusion |
| Conduct | Staying calm, no interrupting or shouting |
SBI PO Group Exercise Topics 2026 for Practice
SBI does not release a topic list. The topics below are practice topics prepared by BookOfExams around themes a bank officer should be able to discuss. Practise each one for 15 minutes with friends.
Banking and economy topics
- Should every bank branch go fully digital, or do rural customers still need cash counters?
- UPI has made payments easy. Has it also increased digital fraud, and who should bear the loss?
- Merger of public sector banks: bigger is better?
- Should banks use AI to approve small loans?
- Financial inclusion: is opening accounts enough, or is the real goal regular use?
- How should banks reduce bad loans (NPAs) without stopping credit to small businesses?
- Cash vs digital: should India aim for a less-cash economy?
- Role of public sector banks in government schemes such as Jan Dhan and Mudra.
Current affairs and social topics
- Work from home vs office: what suits a bank?
- Should financial literacy be a school subject?
- Women in leadership roles in banking.
- Climate risk: should banks charge higher interest for polluting industries?
Situation-based (case) topics
- Your branch has a long queue and two staff members are on leave. The group must plan the day.
- A senior citizen's account shows a suspicious transfer. Decide the steps the branch should take.
- Your branch must reach a deposit target in one month. Suggest a plan.
How to use them: for each topic, prepare 2-3 facts you can state with a source (for example a recent RBI policy decision or a government scheme), one argument for, one against, and a one-line conclusion.
How to Perform Well in the SBI PO Group Exercise
- Start only if you have a clear opening. A good start defines the topic and suggests how to discuss it. A weak start hurts more than a late, strong entry.
- Speak 3-4 times with value. Each entry should add a new point, a fact or a summary.
- Use facts carefully. Quote only numbers you are sure of. A wrong figure is noticed quickly.
- Bring in quiet members. "We have not heard from you yet, what do you think?" shows leadership.
- Disagree politely. "I see your point, but..." works better than "You are wrong."
- Help the group conclude. If time allows, summarise the main points and the group's view.
Mistakes to avoid: shouting over others, repeating someone else's point, long speeches, using mobile-style slang, and going silent for the whole exercise.
SBI PO Interview Questions 2026 with Answer Tips
The interview carries 30 marks, more than the group exercise. The psychometric test findings are also placed before the panel, so your answers should match your real profile. Common question areas:
Personal and background questions
- Tell us about yourself. Cover education, any work experience, one strength and why banking, in under 90 seconds.
- Why SBI and why a PO? Link it to SBI's reach and the PO role (a Junior Management Grade Scale-I officer). Avoid "job security" as your only reason.
- Your hometown or state: its economy, a key crop or industry, and banking access there.
- Your graduation subject: basic questions from it, especially for engineering, commerce and science graduates.
Banking and economy questions
- What is the current repo rate, and who decides it? (Check the latest RBI decision before your date; see repo rate history.)
- What are CRR and SLR? (See CRR and SLR rate 2026.)
- What is an NPA, and when does a loan become one?
- What is KYC, and why is it important?
- Name a few recent government schemes linked to banking.
Job and situation questions
- Are you ready to serve anywhere in India? The advertisement says selected candidates may be posted anywhere in India; answer honestly.
- Do you know about the bond? SBI's advertisement says selected candidates must sign a bond of ₹2 lakh to serve the Bank for at least three years, and probation may be two years.
- A customer insists you skip a KYC document because he is in a hurry. What will you do?
- What will you do if you cannot meet a target?
Salary facts worth knowing for the interview (official)
| Item | SBI PO 2026 advertisement |
|---|---|
| Starting basic pay | ₹48,480 plus 4 advance increments |
| Pay scale | 48480-2000/7-62480-2340/2-67160-2680/7-85920 (JMGS-I) |
| Approximate CTC (Mumbai, initial scale) | ₹21.97 lakh |
More detail: SBI PO salary 2026.
Documents for SBI PO Phase III
Carry what your call letter lists. The advertisement specifically says candidates seeking age relaxation must submit the certificates at the Group Exercise / Interview stage, EWS candidates must produce an Income and Asset Certificate (based on FY 2025-26 income) at document verification during the interview, and final-year applicants must show proof of passing graduation on or before 30.09.2026 if called for interview.
SBI PO Phase III Marks and Final Merit 2026
| Stage | Maximum marks | Normalised to |
|---|---|---|
| Main exam (objective 200 + descriptive 30) | 230 | 75 |
| Group Exercise (20) + Interview (30) | 50 | 25 |
| Total | 280 | 100 |
Worked example: 150 out of 230 in Mains and 30 out of 50 in GE and Interview: 150 × 75 ÷ 230 = 48.91 plus 30 × 25 ÷ 50 = 15.00, so 63.91 out of 100. Every GE or interview mark is worth 0.5 final marks, while every Mains mark is worth about 0.33, so Phase III marks count for more per mark.
SBI PO Group Exercise and Interview FAQs
What are the SBI PO group exercise topics for 2026?
SBI does not announce topics in advance. Prepare banking, economy, digital payments, financial inclusion, current affairs and branch-situation cases, like the practice list above.
How many marks is the SBI PO group exercise?
20 marks. The interview is 30 marks, so Phase III is 50 marks, normalised to 25 in the final merit.
What is the SBI PO interview date 2026?
Group Exercise and Interviews start from 18 November 2026 onwards (tentative). Your exact date comes on the call letter.
Is there a minimum qualifying mark in the SBI PO interview?
Yes. SBI says the minimum qualifying marks for Group Exercise and Interviews will be decided by the Bank.
Is the SBI PO group exercise the same as a group discussion?
SBI calls it a group exercise and fixes only its marks. It may be a discussion or another group task, so prepare for both discussing a topic and solving a case together.
Are Prelims marks added in the SBI PO final result?
No. Only Mains and Phase III (GE and Interview) marks are used.
Practice Next
- Before the group exercise: SBI PO psychometric test 2026 and 36 SBI PO psychometric test practice questions.
- Revise for the interview: SBI PO Current Affairs Mock Test (October 2026), IBPS and SBI PO Banking Awareness Mock Test 01 and IBPS and SBI PO RBI and Monetary Policy Mock Test 01.
- Related notes: SBI PO syllabus and exam pattern 2026, banking terms A to Z, IBPS PO vs SBI PO.
- Browse all study notes.