SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 1538 Junior Associate Posts
This information is from a third-party source. Always verify job details, eligibility, deadlines, and application procedures from the official government website before applying.
State Bank of India has thrown open a large-scale Government Jobs opportunity in the banking sector, though this one comes with an important catch — it's reserved entirely for SC, ST and OBC candidates. The SBI Junior Associate (Clerk) Recruitment 2026 is a Special Recruitment Drive covering 1538 backlog vacancies across 21 states and union territories. Online applications are open from 7 August 2026 to 27 August 2026. Here's a complete breakdown of eligibility, the exam pattern, and how to register before the window shuts.
Table of Contents
About State Bank of India (SBI)
State Bank of India is India's largest public sector bank, and its Junior Associate (Clerk) cadre is one of the most sought-after entry points into the banking sector for graduates nationwide. This particular round is being run through SBI's Central Recruitment & Promotion Department specifically to clear pending SC, ST and OBC backlog vacancies, which is why the eligibility this time is narrower than a typical SBI Clerk notification.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 – Overview
| Organization Name | State Bank of India (SBI) |
|---|---|
| Advertisement Number | CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 |
| Post Name | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales), Clerical Cadre |
| Nature of Drive | Special Recruitment Drive — SC/ST/OBC Backlog Only |
| Total Vacancies | 1538 (SC: 207, ST: 1219, OBC: 112) |
| Category | Government Job (Bank) |
| Job Location | 21 States/UTs, as per applied circle |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 07 Aug 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 27 Aug 2026 |
| Official Website | https://sbi.bank.in |
Important: This is a Special Recruitment Drive for backlog vacancies only — it is open exclusively to SC, ST and OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates. General/Unreserved and EWS category candidates are not eligible to apply under this advertisement.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Registration & Fee Payment Start Date | 07 Aug 2026 |
| Online Registration & Fee Payment Last Date | 27 Aug 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | Tentatively September 2026 |
| Main Examination | Tentatively October/November 2026 |
| Call Letter (Prelims & Main) | Tentatively 10 days before each exam |
Vacancy Details (State/UT-wise Break-up)
Candidates can apply for only one State/UT, and each post also requires proficiency in that state's specified local language. Gujarat carries the single largest allocation at 289 posts, followed closely by Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
| State/UT | Local Language | SC | ST | OBC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Telugu/Urdu | - | 88 | - | 88 |
| Karnataka | Kannada | 85 | 35 | - | 120 |
| Madhya Pradesh | Hindi | - | 134 | - | 134 |
| Chhattisgarh | Hindi | - | 26 | - | 26 |
| Odisha | Odia | - | 111 | - | 111 |
| Chandigarh UT | Hindi/Punjabi | - | - | 22 | 22 |
| Jammu & Kashmir UT | Urdu/Hindi | - | 42 | - | 42 |
| Himachal Pradesh | Hindi | 11 | - | - | 11 |
| Punjab | Punjabi/Hindi | - | - | 18 | 18 |
| Tamil Nadu | Tamil | 65 | - | - | 65 |
| Telangana | Telugu/Urdu | - | 32 | - | 32 |
| Rajasthan | Hindi | 20 | 86 | - | 106 |
| West Bengal | Bengali/Nepali | - | - | 55 | 55 |
| Uttar Pradesh | Hindi/Urdu | - | 31 | - | 31 |
| Maharashtra | Marathi | - | 165 | - | 165 |
| Delhi | Hindi | - | - | 17 | 17 |
| Gujarat | Gujarati | - | 289 | - | 289 |
| Assam | Assamese/Bengali/Bodo | - | 39 | - | 39 |
| Tripura | Bengali/Kokborok | - | 22 | - | 22 |
| Bihar | Hindi/Urdu | 12 | - | - | 12 |
| Jharkhand | Hindi/Santhali | 14 | 119 | - | 133 |
| Total | - | 207 | 1219 | 112 | 1538 |
These numbers are provisional and can change based on the Bank's actual requirement. There's generally no inter-circle transfer for this cadre, barring a couple of exceptions between Delhi and Lucknow circles (within UP) and between Mumbai Metro and Maharashtra circles. PwBD and Ex-servicemen candidates apply under their own parent category (SC/ST/OBC), since there's no separate PwBD column in this particular drive.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification (as on 31 Dec 2026)
Candidates need a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government. Those in their final year or final semester can apply provisionally, but must be able to prove they've passed by 31 December 2026 if selected. Matriculate Ex-servicemen holding an Indian Army Special Certificate of Education (or the equivalent Navy/Air Force certificate) after 15 years of service also qualify. Candidates currently working in SBI's own clerical cadre, or who previously resigned from it, are not eligible, and OBC candidates falling under the Creamy Layer cannot apply against OBC vacancies.
Age Limit (as on 01 Apr 2026)
- Minimum Age: 20 Years
- Maximum Age: 28 Years
Age Relaxation
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC | 3 Years |
| SC/ST | 5 Years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 Years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen/Disabled Ex-Servicemen | Service rendered + 3 years (8 years for Disabled Ex-Servicemen from SC/ST), capped at 50 years |
| Widows/Divorced/Judicially Separated Women (not remarried) | 7 years, up to 38 years (OBC) or 40 years (SC/ST) |
| Trained SBI Apprentices | OBC – 4 years; SC/ST – 6 years; PwBD(OBC) – 14 years; PwBD(SC/ST) – 16 years |
Cumulative relaxation across multiple categories is not permitted, and no category change is allowed once the online application is submitted.
Salary Details
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Scale | ₹24,050-1340/3-28,070-1650/3-33,020-2000/4-41,020-2340/7-57,400-4400/1-61,800-2680/1-64,480 |
| Starting Basic Pay | ₹26,730/- (₹24,050 base + two advance increments for graduates) |
| Total Starting Emoluments (Metro city, e.g. Mumbai) | Approx. ₹46,000/- per month, inclusive of DA and current allowances |
Actual allowances vary by place of posting. Selected candidates also get access to provident fund, pension under the New Pension Scheme, medical benefits, leave-fare concession, and other standard bank perquisites.
Selection Process
Selection runs through two online exams and, for some candidates, a language test before joining.
Phase I: Preliminary Examination (100 Marks, 1 Hour)
| Test | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 Hour |
There's a negative mark of 1/4th for each wrong answer, and no minimum sectional cutoff. Roughly 10 times the vacancies in each category are shortlisted for the Main Exam based on the aggregate score.
Phase II: Main Examination (200 Marks, 2 Hr 40 Min)
| Test | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 min |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 min |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 min |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 2 Hr 40 min |
Only the Main Exam score decides the final merit list; Preliminary Exam marks are used only for shortlisting. Candidates who haven't studied the applied state's local language in Class 10 or 12 must clear a separate Local Language Proficiency Test before joining — failing it means the offer is withdrawn. A wait list of up to 50% of vacancies is maintained for one year and released quarterly against dropouts.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/PwBD/XS/DXS | Nil |
| OBC | ₹750/- |
The fee, once paid, is non-refundable and cannot be carried forward to any other exam. Payment is accepted only via debit card, credit card, or net banking.
Required Documents
- One photo ID proof (Passport, Aadhaar, PAN, Driving Licence, Voter ID, bank passbook with photo, or an attested school/college ID) — original plus self-attested copy
- Authenticated Preliminary Exam call letter and Main Exam call letter
- Two extra photographs matching the one pasted on the call letter
- Caste certificate for SC/ST candidates, on the government-prescribed format (submitted at the time of joining)
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) certificate issued between 1 April 2026 and the date of joining
- Discharge certificate from employer, for candidates currently in Government/PSU/Nationalised Bank service
How to Apply Online
- Visit SBI's official careers page: sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings.
- Open the advertisement for the "Special Recruitment Drive for Junior Associates 2026" (Advt No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16) and go through it carefully.
- Register online and fill in your personal, educational and category details correctly — only your last valid application counts if you submit more than one.
- Upload your scanned photograph, signature, left thumb impression and handwritten declaration as per Annexure-II of the notification.
- Pay the application fee (OBC candidates only) via debit card, credit card, or net banking.
- Review everything carefully — corrections aren't allowed after final submission — and complete registration before 27 August 2026.
- Take a printout of the system-generated form for your own records; it doesn't need to be sent to SBI.
For queries on the application, fee, or call letters, candidates can call 022-22820427 (11 AM–5 PM on working days) or raise a request at cgrs.ibps.in, quoting "Special Recruitment drive for Junior Associates 2026" in the subject.
Important Instructions
- Candidates can apply for only one State/UT and can appear for the test only once under this drive.
- Proficiency in the specified local language of the applied state is compulsory; a language test follows for those who haven't studied it in Class 10/12.
- Carry a photo ID, both authenticated call letters, and two extra photographs to the exam centre — missing any of these can mean disqualification.
- Mobile phones, calculators, smart watches, and other electronic devices are strictly barred inside the exam hall.
- Biometric verification may be conducted at various stages, so avoid mehendi, ink, or chemicals on your hands before the exam.
- New Junior Associates go through a minimum 6-month probation and must complete prescribed e-lessons for confirmation.
- The role involves outdoor travel, customer calls, cross-selling, and flexible shift timings, so candidates should be prepared for a field-facing job, not a purely desk-based one.
- SBI does not endorse any coaching platform claiming guaranteed selection — rely only on the official career portal for updates.
Why Should You Apply?
A clerical role at India's largest public sector bank remains one of the most stable career starts available to any graduate, and this drive specifically opens the door for SC, ST and OBC candidates against long-pending backlog seats — competition per seat may be comparatively more favourable than a general SBI Clerk cycle. The fee waiver for SC/ST/PwBD candidates and the low fee for OBC candidates also make it an accessible option. If you're a graduate from a reserved category looking for a nationwide banking opportunity with a clear pay structure, this drive is worth prioritising.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Is SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 open to General category candidates?
Ans: No. This is a Special Recruitment Drive against SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies only; General/UR and EWS candidates are not eligible under this advertisement.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026?
Ans: Online registration and fee payment close on 27 August 2026. Registration opened on 7 August 2026.
Q3. How many vacancies are there in SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026?
Ans: There are 1538 total vacancies — 207 SC, 1219 ST and 112 OBC — spread across 21 states and union territories.
Q4. What is the educational qualification required?
Ans: Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university, as on 31 December 2026. Final-year students may apply provisionally.
Q5. What is the age limit for this recruitment?
Ans: Candidates must be between 20 and 28 years as on 1 April 2026, with 3 years relaxation for OBC and 5 years for SC/ST, plus further relaxation for PwBD and other specified categories.
Q6. What is the application fee for this recruitment?
Ans: There is no fee for SC, ST, PwBD, Ex-servicemen and Disabled Ex-servicemen candidates. OBC candidates must pay ₹750/-, which is non-refundable.
Important Links
Final Words
The SBI Junior Associate (Clerk) Recruitment 2026 is a rare, large-scale opportunity aimed squarely at SC, ST and OBC graduates looking to break into public sector banking. With registration closing on 27 August 2026 and the Preliminary Exam expected as early as September, candidates should register early, pick their state carefully (since it can't be changed later), and start preparing for the exam pattern without delay. If this helped, pass it along to eligible friends, and join our Telegram channel above for more government job alerts as they drop.