This comes as good news for unemployed individuals awaiting bank jobs and those aspiring for central government employment. The State Bank of India (SBI) — the country’s largest public sector bank — has released a notification for new recruitment. It has announced that it will fill 1,538 vacant Junior Associate (Customer Support and Sales) posts. Applications for these positions will be accepted from August 7 to August 27. SBI stated that candidates can apply through the SBI Careers portal. It has advised candidates from all states and union territories to read the notification thoroughly and apply within the stipulated deadline.
Selection Process
As part of the State Bank of India’s selection process, candidates will first have to appear for a Preliminary Examination. Those who clear this stage will then take the Mains Examination, followed by a Local Language Proficiency Test. The Preliminary Examination will be conducted in September 2026. Candidates who qualify in this round will need to appear for the Mains Examination, scheduled for October or November.
Exam Pattern
The SBI Clerk 2026 online Preliminary Exam will be conducted for 100 marks, in an objective format, with a duration of one hour. It will include questions on English, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. Notably, the exam will also carry a negative marking scheme — 0.25 marks will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
Mains Exam
The Mains Exam will include questions on General Awareness, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, Computer Aptitude, and related topics. Candidates will need to secure minimum qualifying marks, with the cutoff applied on an overall basis rather than section-wise. Additionally, candidates will subsequently be required to take a Local Language Test based on their 10th or 12th class education. This test, conducted in an objective format, is designed to assess reading, writing, and speaking comprehension skills.
Eligibility for SBI Clerk Posts
Candidates applying for SBI Clerk posts must be at least 20 years old, with the maximum age limit set at 28 years. Age relaxation is applicable for reserved categories.
How to Apply
Candidates must visit the State Bank of India Careers website at https://sbi.bank.in and apply based on the details provided there. They will first need to complete the registration process and upload the required documents. After thoroughly reading the notification, candidates should fill out the application form and pay the applicable fee via debit or credit card. Applicants are advised to keep their email ID and mobile number active during the application process.
Application Fee Details:
– OBC: ₹750
– SC/ST: No fee
SBI Clerk Educational Qualifications
– Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized university.
– Candidates with an Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) must submit the necessary documents to verify their date of passing.
– Final-year degree students are also eligible to apply, but must complete their degree before joining duty.
– Basic computer knowledge is essential for the SBI Clerk exam.