SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: 1,538 Backlog Vacancies Announced, Apply Online

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: The State Bank of India (SBI) has released a special recruitment notification for Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) in the clerical cadre. The recruitment is being conducted specifically for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies, with a total of 1,538 vacancies available across different States and Union Territories.

According to the detailed SBI recruitment notification, the online application process began on August 7, 2026, and eligible candidates can submit their applications and pay the applicable fee by August 27, 2026. The recruitment is being conducted under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16.

The post is officially designated as Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales), although it is commonly referred to as the SBI Clerk recruitment.

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SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Overview

The above details are taken from SBI’s detailed recruitment advertisement.

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: 1,538 Vacancies

SBI has announced a total of 1,538 backlog vacancies under this special recruitment drive.

The vacancies are distributed among SC, ST, and OBC categories. The notification shows a total of:

• SC: 207 vacancies
• ST: 1,219 vacancies
• OBC: 112 vacancies
• Total: 1,538 vacancies

The vacancy figures are provisional and may change depending on the actual requirements of the Bank.

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State-wise SBI Clerk Vacancy 2026

The detailed state-wise vacancy table is provided on page 2 of the SBI notification. Candidates can apply for vacancies in only one State/UT.

SBI Clerk 2026: Important Rule About State Selection

Candidates cannot apply for vacancies in multiple States or Union Territories under this recruitment.

A candidate’s candidature will be considered only for the State/UT selected in the application. The merit list will also be prepared State-wise and category-wise.

SBI has also stated that there is no provision for Inter-State Transfer or Inter-Circle Transfer for Junior Associates recruited through this process. Limited intra-state transfer arrangements are mentioned for specific circles in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, subject to SBI’s rules.

Therefore, candidates should select their State carefully before submitting the application.

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Who Can Apply?

The recruitment is for eligible Indian citizens for appointment as Junior Associates in SBI’s clerical cadre.

Since this is a special recruitment drive for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies, candidates should carefully check their applicable category and supporting certificate requirements before applying.

For OBC candidates, the notification specifically states that the reserved vacancies are available to candidates belonging to the Non-Creamy Layer. OBC candidates belonging to the creamy layer are not eligible for the reserved vacancies under this recruitment.

SBI Clerk 2026 Age Limit

The age limit is calculated as on April 1, 2026.

Candidates must:

• Be at least 20 years old
• Not be more than 28 years old

In terms of date of birth, candidates should have been born not earlier than April 2, 1998, and not later than April 1, 2006, both dates inclusive.

Upper Age Relaxation

The notification also states that cumulative age relaxation is not available by combining different relaxation provisions.

SBI Clerk 2026 Educational Qualification

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

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

Candidates who are currently studying in the final year or final semester of graduation may also apply provisionally. However, if selected provisionally, they must produce proof that they have passed their graduation examination on or before December 31, 2026.

SBI Clerk 2026 Local Language Requirement

One of the most important conditions in this recruitment is knowledge of the specified local language of the State/UT for which the candidate applies.

Candidates must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the specified local language.

For example, the local language listed for West Bengal is Bengali/Nepali, while Gujarat requires Gujarati and Maharashtra requires Marathi.

Candidates have to opt for one language at the time of online application for the local language test.

Is the local language test compulsory?

Not for everyone.

Candidates who have studied the specified local language in Class 10 or Class 12 and can produce the relevant marksheet/certificate will not have to appear for the language test.

Other provisionally selected candidates will have to appear for the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) before joining the Bank. Candidates who fail this test will not be offered appointment.

SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026

The selection process consists of three stages:

1. Preliminary Examination
2. Main Examination
3. Local Language Proficiency Test, wherever applicable

The Preliminary Examination is expected to be held in September 2026, while the Main Examination is tentatively scheduled for October/November 2026.

SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026

The Preliminary Examination will be conducted online for 100 marks and will have a total duration of one hour.

Each section will have a separate time limit.

There will be negative marking. For every wrong answer, one-fourth of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted. SBI has not prescribed minimum qualifying marks for individual sections or the aggregate at the Preliminary stage.

Candidates approximately 10 times the number of vacancies, subject to availability and SBI’s decision, will be shortlisted for the Main Examination.

SBI Clerk Main Exam Pattern 2026

The Main Examination will carry 200 marks and will have a total duration of 2 hours and 40 minutes.

There will be separate timings for each test and one-fourth negative marking for wrong answers. SBI will decide the minimum qualifying percentage on aggregate. No minimum qualifying marks are prescribed for individual subjects.

Will SBI Clerk Prelims Marks Count in Final Selection?

No.

This is an important point for candidates preparing for the examination.

The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination will not be added to the final merit list. The final merit list will be prepared based on the aggregate marks obtained in the Main Examination, subject to the applicable local language requirement and other eligibility conditions.

The merit list will be prepared State-wise and category-wise.

Local Language Proficiency Test

Candidates who have not studied the specified local language in Class 10 or Class 12 will have to appear for the Local Language Proficiency Test after provisional selection but before joining.

The LLPT includes non-verbal and verbal components, and candidates must secure the minimum qualifying marks prescribed by SBI.

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

SBI Clerk Salary 2026

The pay scale for Junior Associates 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 admissible to graduates.

According to the notification, the total starting emoluments for a clerical cadre employee posted in a metro such as Mumbai would be around 46,000 per month, including DA, applicable allowances and the two additional increments for newly recruited graduate Junior Associates. Actual allowances can vary depending on the place of posting.

The position also carries benefits such as provident fund, pension under the New Pension Scheme, medical benefits, leave fare and other facilities as applicable under SBI rules.

SBI Clerk 2026 Probation Period

Selected Junior Associates will remain on probation for a minimum period of six months.

During probation, newly recruited employees will have to complete e-lessons prescribed by SBI. The probation period can be extended if the required lessons are not completed or if performance does not meet the Bank’s expectations.

SBI Clerk 2026 Application Fee

The application fee and intimation charges are non-refundable.

The notification states that the fee once paid will not be refunded or kept in reserve for another examination or selection.

How to Apply for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026

Eligible candidates have to apply online only. No offline application will be accepted.

Step 1: Visit SBI Careers

Go to the SBI official careers/current openings page: SBI Careers – Current Openings

Step 2: Find the Junior Associate Recruitment

Look for the Special Recruitment Drive for Junior Associates 2026 and Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16.

Step 3: Read the detailed notification

Candidates should carefully read the complete advertisement before starting the application.

Step 4: Click Apply Online

Complete the online application form with the required personal, educational, category, State and examination details.

Step 5: Upload documents

Candidates need to upload:

• Photograph
• Signature
• Left thumb impression
• Handwritten declaration

The application will not be registered unless the required images are uploaded in the prescribed format.

Step 6: Pay the application fee

OBC candidates have to pay ₹750 through the available online payment facility. SC/ST/PwBD/XS/DXS candidates are exempt from the fee.

Step 7: Submit the application

Before final submission, candidates should carefully check every detail because corrections will not be allowed after final submission.

The SBI application instructions also state that the saved application can be reopened using the provisional registration number and password, but editing is available only before final submission.

Step 8: Save the application

After successful submission and payment, candidates should download or print the system-generated application form and keep it safely for future reference.

Documents and Images Required for Online Application

SBI has given detailed specifications for the documents to be uploaded.

The photograph should be a recent passport-style colour photograph. The preferred photograph dimensions are 200 × 230 pixels, with a file size of 20 KB to 50 KB.

For the signature, the preferred dimensions are 140 × 60 pixels, with a file size of 10 KB to 20 KB.

The left thumb impression should be in JPG/JPEG format, while the handwritten declaration must be written in English on white paper with black ink.

Candidates will also be required to capture and upload a live photograph using a webcam or mobile phone during the online application process.

SBI Clerk 2026 Exam Centres

SBI has provided a tentative list of examination centres across the country.

In West Bengal, the listed examination centres include:

• Asansol
• Durgapur
• Kolkata
• Hooghly
• Kalyani
• Siliguri
• Burdwan

SBI has also made it clear that it reserves the right to cancel, add or change examination centres depending on administrative feasibility and candidate response.

Important Rules Candidates Should Know

Candidates should pay attention to several conditions mentioned in the notification.

One State/UT only

A candidate can apply for vacancies in only one State/UT and can appear for the examination only once under this recruitment project.

No change after final submission

Once the application is finally submitted, changes or corrections will not be accepted.

Only one application

Candidates should not submit multiple applications. In case of multiple applications, SBI will retain only the last valid completed application, while fees paid for other registrations may be forfeited.

Mobile phones are prohibited in the examination hall

Mobile phones, smartwatches, pagers, calculators and other prohibited communication devices are not allowed at the examination venue. Violation can lead to cancellation of candidature and disciplinary action.

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Important Dates

The dates for the examinations are tentative, and candidates should follow SBI’s official careers website for further updates.

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: What Candidates Should Do Now

Candidates who meet the eligibility conditions should first decide the State/UT for which they want to apply. Since the recruitment allows application for only one State/UT and the local language requirement is important, this decision should be made carefully.

After that, candidates should keep their graduation documents, category certificate, photograph, signature, thumb impression, and handwritten declaration ready.

The application window is open from August 7 to August 27, 2026, but SBI has advised candidates not to wait until the final day because technical issues or heavy website traffic could affect submission.

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Direct Link to Apply

Candidates can apply through the official SBI Careers portal:

SBI Junior Associate 2026 Apply Online / Current Openings

The official notification specifically advises candidates to rely only on information published on SBI’s authorised career website. SBI has also stated that it does not endorse any external coaching platform, consultancy or individual claiming to provide guaranteed selection or insider guidance.

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Final Takeaway

The SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 special drive offers 1,538 Junior Associate vacancies against SC/ST/OBC backlog positions. Applications have started from August 7, 2026, and the last date to apply is August 27, 2026.

Graduates between 20 and 28 years of age, subject to the applicable category-wise relaxations and other eligibility conditions, can check the notification and apply for the State/UT for which they meet the requirements.

For candidates from West Bengal, the notification lists 55 vacancies under the Kolkata Circle, with Bengali/Nepali as the specified local language.

The selection process will consist of the Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and applicable Local Language Proficiency Test. Importantly, Prelims marks will not be counted in the final merit list, while the Main Examination marks will be used for preparation of the State-wise, category-wise merit list.

Candidates should read the official notification completely before submitting the application and should rely on SBI’s official website for any subsequent updates.