State Bank of India (SBI) has released the SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 notification for 1,538 Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) vacancies under a Special Recruitment Drive for SC, ST and OBC backlog vacancies.
The recruitment has been announced under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16. Online applications started on 7 August 2026, and eligible candidates can submit their application forms until 27 August 2026. SBI’s official Careers portal currently lists both the notification PDF and online application link for this recruitment.
Candidates should note an important point before applying: this is not a regular SBI Clerk recruitment for all categories. The entire 1,538-vacancy recruitment is a special drive for backlog vacancies belonging to the SC, ST and OBC categories. No UR or EWS vacancies have been announced under this particular advertisement.
Graduates who satisfy the age, category and local-language requirements can check the complete SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 eligibility criteria, vacancy distribution, examination pattern, application fee, salary and official links below.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organisation | State Bank of India |
| Post Name | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) |
| Popular Name | SBI Clerk |
| Advertisement No. | CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 |
| Recruitment Type | Special Recruitment Drive |
| Vacancy Type | SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies |
| Total Vacancies | 1,538 |
| Qualification | Graduation |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 7 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 27 August 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 27 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Print Application | 11 September 2026 |
| Preliminary Exam | Tentatively September 2026 |
| Main Examination | Tentatively October/November 2026 |
| Selection Process | Prelims, Mains and Local Language Test |
| Job Location | Multiple States/UTs |
| Official Recruitment Portal | SBI Careers |
SBI’s registration portal confirms that online registration and fee payment are open from 7 August to 27 August 2026, while candidates can print the submitted application until 11 September 2026.
Important Notice for General and EWS Candidates
Candidates must not confuse this notification with a normal SBI Clerk vacancy advertisement.
The 1,538 vacancies announced in Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 are backlog vacancies for SC, ST and OBC candidates only.
The category-wise total is:
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| SC | 207 |
| ST | 1,219 |
| OBC | 112 |
| Total | 1,538 |
Therefore, candidates applying under UR/General or EWS categories do not have a vacancy under this particular Special Recruitment Drive.
SBI Clerk Vacancy 2026 State-Wise
SBI has distributed the 1,538 backlog Junior Associate vacancies across multiple states and Union Territories.
| State/UT | SC | ST | OBC | Total | Local Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | — | 88 | — | 88 | Telugu/Urdu |
| Karnataka | 85 | 35 | — | 120 | Kannada |
| Madhya Pradesh | — | 134 | — | 134 | Hindi |
| Chhattisgarh | — | 26 | — | 26 | Hindi |
| Odisha | — | 111 | — | 111 | Odia |
| Chandigarh UT | — | — | 22 | 22 | Hindi/Punjabi |
| Jammu & Kashmir UT | — | 42 | — | 42 | Urdu/Hindi |
| Himachal Pradesh | 11 | — | — | 11 | Hindi |
| Punjab | — | — | 18 | 18 | Punjabi/Hindi |
| Tamil Nadu | 65 | — | — | 65 | Tamil |
| Telangana | — | 32 | — | 32 | Telugu/Urdu |
| Rajasthan | 20 | 86 | — | 106 | Hindi |
| West Bengal | — | — | 55 | 55 | Bengali/Nepali |
| Uttar Pradesh | — | 31 | — | 31 | Hindi/Urdu |
| Maharashtra | — | 165 | — | 165 | Marathi |
| Delhi | — | — | 17 | 17 | Hindi |
| Gujarat | — | 289 | — | 289 | Gujarati |
| Assam | — | 39 | — | 39 | Assamese/Bengali/Bodo |
| Tripura | — | 22 | — | 22 | Bengali/Kokborok |
| Bihar | 12 | — | — | 12 | Hindi/Urdu |
| Jharkhand | 14 | 119 | — | 133 | Hindi/Santhali |
| Total | 207 | 1,219 | 112 | 1,538 | — |
The largest vacancy allocation is in Gujarat with 289 posts, followed by Maharashtra with 165, Madhya Pradesh with 134, Jharkhand with 133 and Karnataka with 120 vacancies.
Candidates can apply for vacancies in only one State/UT and should carefully check the prescribed local language before submitting the application.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 7 August 2026 |
| Online Application Starts | 7 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 27 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Edit Application | 27 August 2026 |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | 27 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Print Application | 11 September 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | September 2026, tentative |
| Main Examination | October/November 2026, tentative |
Candidates should complete registration well before the deadline instead of waiting until the final day.
SBI Clerk Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates must satisfy SBI’s educational qualification, age and category requirements before applying.
Educational Qualification
Applicants must have a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university or possess an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.
The educational qualification is considered as on 31 December 2026.
Candidates who are studying in the final year or final semester of graduation may apply provisionally. However, if selected, they must be able to produce proof that they passed graduation on or before 31 December 2026.
SBI Clerk Age Limit 2026
The prescribed basic age limit is calculated as on 1 April 2026.
- Minimum age: 20 years
- Maximum age: 28 years
Candidates should have been born not earlier than 2 April 1998 and not later than 1 April 2006, with both dates inclusive.
Category Age Relaxation
Applicable relaxation is available to reserved-category candidates according to SBI/Government rules.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PwBD belonging to OBC | 13 years |
| PwBD belonging to SC/ST | 15 years |
| Other eligible categories | As per SBI rules |
Because this recruitment itself is restricted to SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies, applicants should carefully verify the category certificate and relaxation conditions in the official notification.
SBI Clerk Application Fee 2026
The application fee for the Special Recruitment Drive is:
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| SC | Nil |
| ST | Nil |
| OBC | ₹750 |
SC and ST candidates are exempt from paying the application fee, while eligible OBC candidates are required to pay ₹750.
The fee, where applicable, must be paid online during the registration period.
SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026
Selection for Junior Associate will consist of the following stages:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Local Language Proficiency Test, wherever applicable
There is no interview stage for SBI Clerk recruitment.
Marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are used for shortlisting candidates for the Main Examination. Final merit is primarily based on performance in the Main Examination, subject to qualifying the prescribed local-language requirement.
SBI Clerk Preliminary Exam Pattern 2026
The SBI Clerk Preliminary Examination will be conducted online.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Each section has a separate time limit.
There will be a penalty of one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question for every incorrect answer.
SBI Clerk Main Exam Pattern 2026
Candidates shortlisted through the Preliminary Examination will appear for the Main Examination.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 minutes |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 2 hours 40 minutes |
Negative marking of one-fourth mark for an incorrect response also applies in the Main Examination.
Local Language Proficiency Test
Candidates applying for a particular State/UT must be proficient in the specified local language.
Candidates who can produce their Class 10 or Class 12 certificate showing that they studied the specified local language may be exempt from the separate language test.
Candidates who do not have such academic evidence may be required to qualify the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) before appointment.
Failure to qualify the prescribed local-language requirement can affect final appointment even after clearing the online examinations.
SBI Clerk Salary 2026
The Junior Associate pay scale 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 for a graduate Junior Associate is approximately ₹26,730 per month, consisting of ₹24,050 basic pay plus two advance increments available to graduates.
Total starting monthly emoluments at a metro posting such as Mumbai are approximately ₹46,000, although actual salary varies according to place of posting and applicable allowances.
Employees may also receive applicable benefits and allowances under SBI rules.
SBI Clerk Probation Period
Candidates appointed as Junior Associates are generally placed on a minimum probation period of six months.
During this period, employees may be required to complete prescribed training or e-learning requirements. Continuation and confirmation remain subject to satisfactory completion of SBI’s conditions.
How to Apply for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates can submit the SBI Clerk online application through SBI’s official recruitment portal.
Follow these steps:
- Open the State Bank of India Careers page.
- Locate “Recruitment of Junior Associates Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies.”
- Open Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16.
- Read the detailed official notification carefully.
- Click the Apply Online link.
- Select New Registration.
- Enter the required personal, educational and category details.
- Upload the prescribed photograph, signature and other required files.
- Pay the application fee, if applicable.
- Review all information carefully before final submission.
- Save and print the submitted application and payment receipt.
SBI advises candidates to read the notification and application instructions carefully before submitting the form.
Useful Regal Career Application Tools
Before uploading application documents, candidates can prepare their files using the Regal Career Application Tools Hub.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Official Links
Official Notification PDF:
Download SBI Clerk 2026 Official Notification PDF
Apply Online:
SBI Clerk 2026 Official Online Application
SBI Careers – Current Openings:
State Bank of India Careers Portal
Advertisement Number: CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16
Application Period: 7 August 2026 to 27 August 2026
Applicants should rely on the SBI notification and official recruitment portal for any correction, extension or subsequent announcement. SBI’s Careers page currently shows the recruitment as active with 27 August 2026 as the last date to apply.
Documents Candidates Should Keep Ready
Before starting the online application, candidates should generally keep the following information or documents ready:
- Recent photograph
- Signature
- Graduation details
- Class 10 certificate for date of birth
- SC/ST/OBC category certificate, as applicable
- OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate where prescribed
- Valid photo identity document
- Active mobile number
- Active email address
- Local-language educational proof, where applicable
- Payment details for candidates required to pay the application fee
Candidates should confirm the exact document and upload requirements on the official application portal before submitting the form.
Important Instructions for Applicants
Candidates should keep the following points in mind:
- This recruitment is specifically for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies.
- A candidate can apply for only one State/UT.
- Candidates should select a State/UT where they satisfy the prescribed local-language requirement.
- OBC candidates must ensure that they satisfy the applicable reservation and certificate requirements.
- Final-year graduation candidates can apply provisionally subject to completing the qualification within the prescribed date.
- Candidates already serving in SBI’s clerical cadre, or who previously resigned from SBI’s clerical cadre, are subject to the restrictions mentioned in the notification.
- Applications should be submitted only through the official SBI-linked online registration portal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 released?
Yes. State Bank of India released Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 on 7 August 2026 for a Special Recruitment Drive covering 1,538 Junior Associate backlog vacancies.
How many vacancies are available in SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026?
A total of 1,538 vacancies have been announced: 207 SC, 1,219 ST and 112 OBC vacancies.
Can General category candidates apply for these 1,538 vacancies?
No vacancy for the UR/General category has been announced under this specific Special Recruitment Drive. The notified posts are SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies.
Can EWS candidates apply?
There are no EWS vacancies under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16.
What is the last date for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026?
The last date for submitting the online application and paying the applicable fee is 27 August 2026.
What qualification is required for SBI Clerk?
Candidates need a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university or equivalent recognised qualification. Final-year candidates can apply provisionally subject to satisfying the qualification deadline.
What is the age limit for SBI Clerk 2026?
The basic age limit is 20 to 28 years as on 1 April 2026, with applicable relaxation for reserved categories.
What is the SBI Clerk application fee?
SC and ST candidates do not have to pay an application fee. Eligible OBC candidates are required to pay ₹750.
What is the SBI Clerk starting salary?
The starting basic pay for a graduate Junior Associate is approximately ₹26,730 per month, while total starting monthly emoluments can be around ₹46,000 at a metro location, depending on allowances and place of posting.
Is there an interview in SBI Clerk recruitment?
No. Selection consists of the Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and the prescribed Local Language Proficiency Test where applicable.
Where can I download the official SBI Clerk notification?
Candidates can download the notification directly from SBI’s Careers portal through the official notification PDF link provided in the Important Links section above.
