The State Bank of India (SBI) has started the online application process for the recruitment of 1,538 Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) in the clerical cadre. The recruitment is being conducted as a special drive for backlog vacancies reserved for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Other Backward Class (OBC) candidates.The registration process has started on August 7, 2026, and eligible candidates can submit their applications until August 27, 2026. Candidates can apply for vacancies in one State or Union Territory (UT) only.The vacancies are spread across several states and Union Territories. SBI has notified 207 SC, 1,219 ST and 112 OBC vacancies, taking the total to 1,538 posts. Candidates selected through the recruitment will be posted in the State or Union Territory for which they applied.
SBI Clerk recruitment 2026 : Who can apply?
Candidates must be between 20 and 28 years of age as on April 1, 2026. They must have been born between April 2, 1998, and April 1, 2006, both dates inclusive.Candidates must have a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government. Those in the final year or semester of graduation can also apply provisionally, provided they complete their graduation by December 31, 2026.Candidates must also be able to read, write, speak and understand the specified local language of the State or Union Territory they choose.
SBI Clerk recruitment 2026: Selection process
The selection process will include three phases:
- Preliminary examination
- Main examination
- Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT), where applicable
The preliminary examination will carry 100 marks and will be held for one hour. It will have three sections:
- English Language: 30 questions
- Numerical Ability: 35 questions
- Reasoning Ability: 35 questions
There will be separate timings of 20 minutes for each section. Candidates will lose one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question for every incorrect answer.The preliminary examination is tentatively scheduled for September 2026.Candidates shortlisted for the main examination will appear for a 190-question paper carrying 200 marks. The exam will have a total duration of 2 hours and 40 minutes.The main examination will cover General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude. One-fourth of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every wrong answer.The marks scored in the preliminary examination will not be added to the final merit list. The final merit list will be prepared based on marks obtained in the main examination, subject to the required local language test wherever applicable.
Local language test
Candidates who have studied the specified local language in Class 10 or Class 12 and can provide the relevant marksheet or certificate will not have to appear for the language test.Other provisionally selected candidates will have to qualify in the Local Language Proficiency Test before joining the bank. Candidates who fail the test will not be offered appointment.
SBI Clerk recruitment 2026: Salary
The pay scale for Junior Associates is Rs 24,050 to Rs 64,480. The starting basic pay will be Rs 26,730, including two advance increments available to graduates.According to SBI, the total starting emoluments for a clerical cadre employee posted in a metro such as Mumbai will be around Rs 46,000 per month, including dearness allowance and other allowances at the current rates.
SBI Clerk recruitment 2026: Application fee
Candidates belonging to the Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), Ex-Servicemen (XS) and Disabled Ex-Servicemen (DXS) categories do not have to pay an application fee.Candidates from the Other Backward Class (OBC) category have to pay Rs 750 as the application fee and intimation charges.
How to apply for SBI Clerk recruitment 2026
Candidates can apply online through the SBI careers portal. The application process includes registration, filling in personal and educational details, uploading the required documents and paying the applicable fee.Direct link to apply here.Applicants will need a valid email ID and mobile number that should remain active until the recruitment process is completed.Candidates should also keep scanned copies of their photograph, signature, left thumb impression and handwritten declaration ready before starting the application.After submitting the form and completing the payment, candidates should download and save the system-generated application form and e-receipt for future reference.The application window will remain open until August 27, 2026. Candidates are advised to apply well before the deadline to avoid last-minute technical issues.
