The State Bank of India (SBI) has opened recruitment for the Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) post, popularly known as SBI Clerk. This is one of the most awaited banking recruitment drives of the year, and lakhs of graduates across India apply for it every cycle. Below is a complete, easy-to-follow guide covering vacancies, eligibility, important dates, application fee, selection process, and step-by-step instructions to apply online.
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post Name | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) |
| Advertisement No. | CRPD/CR/2026-27/17 |
| Total Vacancies | Around 9,124–9,766 (regular + backlog, figures vary slightly by source; refer to the official PDF) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Apply Online Start Date | August 11, 2026 |
| Apply Online Last Date | August 31, 2026 |
| Prelims Exam (Tentative) | Late September 2026 |
| Mains Exam (Tentative) | October/November 2026 |
| Selection Process | Prelims → Mains → Local Language Test |
| Official Website | sbi.bank.in / sbi.co.in |
SBI Clerk 2026 Vacancy Details
SBI has released two separate notifications this year:
- Regular Recruitment – covering the majority of posts distributed state/UT-wise across SBI branches in India.
- Special Recruitment Drive for Backlog Vacancies – a separate notification for SC/ST/OBC backlog posts, with its own application window running roughly from August 7 to August 27, 2026.
Together, these notifications add up to a combined vacancy count of over 9,000 posts for the 2026–27 cycle. Since vacancies are notified state-wise, candidates should check the state/UT-wise breakup in the official PDF, as no vacancies have been reported this year in certain states/UTs, including Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand, Kerala, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh, Delhi (NCT), Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry. Applicants should confirm whether their preferred state has open vacancies before applying.
SBI Clerk 2026 Eligibility Criteria
1. Nationality
The candidate must be an Indian citizen. Subjects of Nepal or Bhutan, Tibetan refugees who settled in India before January 1, 1962, and certain categories of persons of Indian origin who migrated from specified countries are also eligible, subject to the conditions in the official notification.
2. Educational Qualification
A graduation degree (Bachelor’s) in any discipline from a recognized university is required. There is no minimum percentage requirement. Candidates in their final year or final semester of graduation can apply provisionally, but they must be able to submit proof of having passed before the specified cut-off date if selected.
3. Age Limit
Candidates generally need to be between 20 and 28 years as on April 1, 2026 (i.e., born between April 2, 1998, and April 1, 2006). Age relaxation is available for reserved categories as per government norms:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC | 3 years |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| PwBD (General/EWS) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | Service rendered + 3 years (8 years for disabled ex-servicemen from SC/ST) |
| Widows/Divorced/Judicially Separated Women (not remarried) | 7 years |
4. Local Language Proficiency
Candidates must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the local/regional language of the state or UT they are applying for. Those who studied the relevant local language up to Class 10 or Class 12 are usually exempt from appearing in a separate Local Language Proficiency Test (LPT); others must clear it before joining.
SBI Clerk Application Fee 2026
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | Rs. 750 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen | Nil (exempted) |
Fee payment can be made online through debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI.
How to Apply Online for SBI Clerk 2026 (Step-by-Step)
- Visit the official SBI careers page at sbi.bank.in or sbi.co.in/web/careers.
- Scroll to “Current Openings” and select “Recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales).”
- Click on the “Apply Online” link.
- Click “New Registration” and fill in your basic details — name, date of birth, mobile number, and email ID.
- Save the registration number and password generated; you’ll need these to log back in.
- Log in and complete the application form with personal, academic, and category details.
- Upload the required scanned documents — passport-size photograph, signature, left thumb impression, and a handwritten declaration — as per the specified size and format.
- Pay the applicable application fee online.
- Review all entries carefully, since no correction window is typically provided after final submission.
- Submit the form and download/print a copy of the completed application for your records.
Documents Required
- Recent passport-size photograph (as per specified dimensions)
- Signature (scanned)
- Left thumb impression
- Handwritten declaration (in the prescribed format)
- Graduation certificate/provisional degree
- Valid ID proof
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD, if applicable)
SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026
The recruitment process has three stages and no interview:
- Preliminary Examination – Objective test (English Language, Numerical Ability, Reasoning Ability), qualifying in nature.
- Main Examination – Objective test covering General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude. Marks from this stage count toward the final merit list.
- Local Language Proficiency Test (LPT) – For candidates who cannot prove language proficiency through their Class 10/12 mark sheets.
Final selection is based on the Main Exam score, subject to qualifying the LPT and document verification.
SBI Clerk Exam Dates 2026 (Tentative)
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start | August 11, 2026 |
| Online Application End | August 31, 2026 |
| Prelims Exam | Late September 2026 (tentative) |
| Prelims Result | To be announced |
| Mains Exam | October/November 2026 (tentative) |
Exact exam dates and admit card release will be updated on the official SBI careers portal closer to the exam.
SBI Clerk Salary & Pay Scale
Selected candidates are placed on a pay scale ranging approximately from Rs. 24,050 to Rs. 64,480, along with dearness allowance, house rent allowance, and other admissible allowances depending on the posting location. Starting basic pay along with allowances typically works out to roughly Rs. 26,000–46,000 per month depending on the city classification (metro postings generally attract higher total emoluments due to HRA).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the last date to apply for SBI Clerk 2026? The online application window closes on August 31, 2026, for the regular recruitment.
Q2. How many vacancies are there in SBI Clerk 2026? Combined regular and backlog vacancies add up to roughly 9,100–9,800 posts, depending on the latest official figures. Always check the SBI notification PDF for the exact, updated number.
Q3. Is there an interview in the SBI Clerk selection process? No. Selection is purely based on the Prelims and Mains written exams, followed by the Local Language Proficiency Test and document verification.
Q4. What is the age limit for SBI Clerk 2026? Candidates must generally be between 20 and 28 years as on April 1, 2026, with relaxation available for reserved categories.
Q5. Is there a minimum percentage required in graduation? No. SBI does not prescribe a minimum percentage; only a passing graduation degree from a recognized university is required.
Q6. Can final-year students apply? Yes, candidates in their final year/semester of graduation can apply provisionally, subject to producing proof of passing by the specified date.
Q7. Is there a limit on the number of attempts? The notification does not prescribe a specific attempt limit; candidates can apply as many times as they wish as long as they meet the age criteria.