The State Bank of India (SBI) has announced a new recruitment drive for Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) posts in its clerical cadre. A total of 1,538 vacancies are available under this special recruitment drive.
The online application process will begin on August 7, 2026, and eligible candidates can submit their applications until August 27, 2026 through the SBI careers website.
It is important to note that this is a Special Recruitment Drive for backlog vacancies reserved for SC, ST, and OBC candidates. Candidates belonging to the General/Unreserved and EWS categories are not eligible to apply under this particular notification.
The recruitment is being conducted under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16. Candidates with a graduation degree and who meet the prescribed age, category, and other eligibility requirements can apply.
The selection process will include an online Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT), wherever applicable. The Preliminary Exam is tentatively scheduled for September 2026, while the Main Exam is expected to be held in October/November 2026.
Important Link
- SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF: https://sbi.bank.in/webfiles/uploads/files_2627/08/JA_2026_Backlog_Detailed_Advt_ENG.pdf
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) |
| Cadre | Clerical Cadre |
| Advertisement No. | CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 |
| Recruitment Type | Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies |
| Total Vacancies | 1,538 |
| SC Vacancies | 207 |
| ST Vacancies | 1,219 |
| OBC Vacancies | 112 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | August 7, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | August 27, 2026 |
| Preliminary Exam | September 2026 (tentative) |
| Main Exam | October/November 2026 (tentative) |
| Selection | Preliminary Exam, Main Exam and Local Language Proficiency Test |
| Job Location | 21 States/UTs, depending on the State/UT selected |
| Official Website | sbi.bank.in |
SBI Junior Associate Vacancy 2026
SBI has announced 1,538 backlog vacancies across 21 States/UTs. These vacancies are available only for SC, ST and OBC candidates.
Candidates can apply for vacancies in only one State/UT. The merit list will be prepared separately for each State/UT and category.
Applicants should also make sure they know the specified local language of the State/UT they choose. Candidates who have not studied the required local language in Class 10 or 12 will have to qualify a Local Language Proficiency Test after the Main Examination.
| Circle | State/UT | Local Language | SC | ST | OBC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amaravati | Andhra Pradesh | Telugu/Urdu | — | 88 | — | 88 |
| Bengaluru | Karnataka | Kannada | 85 | 35 | — | 120 |
| Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh | Hindi | — | 134 | — | 134 |
| Chhattisgarh | Chhattisgarh | Hindi | — | 26 | — | 26 |
| Bhubaneswar | Odisha | Odia | — | 111 | — | 111 |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh UT | Hindi/Punjabi | — | — | 22 | 22 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Jammu & Kashmir UT | Urdu/Hindi | — | 42 | — | 42 |
| Himachal Pradesh | Himachal Pradesh | Hindi | 11 | — | — | 11 |
| Punjab | Punjab | Punjabi/Hindi | — | — | 18 | 18 |
| Chennai | Tamil Nadu | Tamil | 65 | — | — | 65 |
| Hyderabad | Telangana | Telugu/Urdu | — | 32 | — | 32 |
| Jaipur | Rajasthan | Hindi | 20 | 86 | — | 106 |
| Kolkata | West Bengal | Bengali/Nepali | — | — | 55 | 55 |
| Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh | Hindi/Urdu | — | 31 | — | 31 |
| Maharashtra/Mumbai Metro | Maharashtra | Marathi | — | 165 | — | 165 |
| New Delhi | Delhi | Hindi | — | — | 17 | 17 |
| Gandhinagar | Gujarat | Gujarati | — | 289 | — | 289 |
| Guwahati | Assam | Assamese/Bengali/Bodo | — | 39 | — | 39 |
| Tripura | Tripura | Bengali/Kokborok | 22 | — | — | 22 |
| Patna | Bihar | Hindi/Urdu | 12 | — | — | 12 |
| Jharkhand | Jharkhand | Hindi/Santhali | 14 | 119 | — | 133 |
| Total | 207 | 1,219 | 112 | 1,538 |
The vacancies are provisional and can be changed depending on SBI’s requirements.
Candidates should also note that inter-circle or inter-state transfers are generally not permitted for Junior Associates. The notification provides for certain intra-state transfer arrangements, including between Delhi and Lucknow Circles within Uttar Pradesh and between Mumbai Metro and Maharashtra Circles within Maharashtra, subject to SBI’s applicable rules.
PwBD and Ex-Servicemen candidates will be considered under their respective parent category, as there is no separate PwBD vacancy column in this recruitment drive.
Who Can Apply for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026?
This recruitment is specifically meant for SC, ST and OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates against backlog vacancies.
Candidates belonging to the General/Unreserved and EWS categories cannot apply under this notification.
Educational Qualification
Candidates should have:
- A graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government.
- Candidates with an Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) must have passed the IDD on or before December 31, 2026.
- Candidates in the final year/semester of graduation can apply provisionally. However, they must produce proof of passing the examination on or before December 31, 2026, if selected.
- Certain matriculate Ex-Servicemen who hold the prescribed Indian Army Special Certificate of Education or equivalent certificates from the Navy/Air Force may also be eligible, subject to the conditions in the notification.
Who Cannot Apply?
The following candidates are not eligible under the recruitment rules:
- Candidates currently working in SBI’s clerical cadre.
- Former SBI clerical employees who resigned from the clerical cadre.
- Candidates against whom there is an adverse report concerning character, antecedents, or moral turpitude.
- OBC candidates who fall under the Creamy Layer.
PwBD Eligibility
The Junior Associate post has been identified as suitable for candidates with several categories of benchmark disabilities, including blindness/low vision, deafness/hard of hearing, specified locomotor disabilities, cerebral palsy, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, specific learning disability, mental illness, and multiple disabilities, subject to the conditions mentioned in the official notification.
PwBD candidates will apply under their respective SC/ST/OBC parent category. A valid disability certificate in the prescribed format is required to claim applicable concessions such as a scribe and compensatory time.
Ex-Servicemen Eligibility
Ex-Servicemen and eligible disabled Ex-Servicemen can apply subject to the Government of India rules mentioned in the notification.
Dependents of servicemen killed in action and eligible Territorial Army personnel may also be covered under specific conditions. Candidates should refer to the official notification for the applicable certificate/proforma requirements.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Age Limit
Candidates must be at least 20 years old and not more than 28 years old as on April 1, 2026.
In other words, candidates should have been born between April 2, 1998 and April 1, 2006, both dates inclusive.
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 | Actual service period + 3 years, subject to applicable maximum age |
| Widows/Divorced Women/Women judicially separated and not remarried | 7 years, subject to prescribed maximum age |
| Trained SBI Apprentices | As specified in the notification |
The notification also provides additional age relaxations for certain categories of candidates. Cumulative age relaxation is not permitted.
Candidates should carefully check their eligibility before submitting the application because the category cannot be changed after registration.
SBI Clerk Application Fee 2026
| Category | Application Fee/Intimation Charges |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/PwBD/XS/DXS | Nil |
| OBC | ₹750 |
The fee is non-refundable. OBC candidates can pay online using a debit card, credit card, or internet banking. Any applicable transaction charges will have to be borne by the candidate.
SBI Junior Associate Salary 2026
The Junior Associate post offers a competitive salary along with various allowances and benefits.
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Scale | ₹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 |
| Starting Basic Pay | ₹26,730 |
| Approx. Starting Emoluments | Around ₹46,000 per month in a metro city such as Mumbai |
The starting basic pay includes two advance increments available to graduate candidates.
Apart from salary, Junior Associates are eligible for various allowances and benefits according to SBI rules. These may include provident fund, pension under the applicable New Pension Scheme, medical benefits, leave-fare concession and other facilities.
The actual salary and allowances can vary depending on the place of posting.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Begins | August 7, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply and Pay Fee | August 27, 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | September 2026 (tentative) |
| Main Examination | October/November 2026 (tentative) |
| Preliminary Exam Call Letter | Expected around 10 days before the exam |
| Main Exam Call Letter | Expected around 10 days before the exam |
Candidates should regularly check the SBI careers website in case there is any change in the examination schedule.
SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026
The selection process consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Local Language Proficiency Test, wherever applicable
Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination carries 100 marks and will be conducted for one hour.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 hour |
There will be a 1/4th mark penalty for every incorrect answer.
SBI has not prescribed minimum qualifying marks for individual sections or the overall Preliminary Exam. Candidates will be shortlisted for the Main Exam based on their aggregate performance, with approximately 10 times the number of vacancies being considered, subject to availability.
Main Examination
The Main Examination carries 200 marks and has a total duration of 2 hours and 40 minutes.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
A negative marking of 1/4th mark applies for each wrong answer.
The Main Examination marks will be used for preparing the final merit list. Preliminary Exam marks will not be added to the final merit score.
Local Language Proficiency Test
Candidates who qualify for provisional selection may have to take the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) before joining if they did not study the specified local language in Class 10 or Class 12.
Candidates who fail the language test will not be offered appointment.
SBI-trained apprentices meeting the conditions mentioned in the notification may receive 2.5% bonus marks, equivalent to 5 marks out of 200, in the Main Examination.
Wait List
SBI will maintain a wait list of up to 50% of the vacancies, calculated State-wise and category-wise. The wait list will remain valid for one year from the declaration of the final result and may be used against non-joining or resignation vacancies, subject to the prescribed conditions.
SBI Clerk Exam Centres
The Preliminary and Main Examinations will be conducted at various centres across India. Some of the major locations include:
- Andhra Pradesh: Vijayawada, Guntur, Kurnool, Nellore, Tirupati, Visakhapatnam and others
- Assam: Guwahati, Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Silchar and Tezpur
- Bihar: Patna, Gaya, Bhagalpur, Darbhanga and others
- Chhattisgarh: Raipur, Bilaspur and Bhilai
- Delhi NCR: Delhi and other NCR cities
- Gujarat: Ahmedabad-Gandhinagar, Vadodara, Rajkot and Surat
- Haryana: Ambala, Faridabad, Gurugram and Kurukshetra
- Himachal Pradesh: Shimla region centres including Hamirpur, Mandi and Solan
- Jammu & Kashmir: Jammu, Samba and Srinagar
- Jharkhand: Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Dhanbad and others
- Karnataka: Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi/Dharwad and others
- Madhya Pradesh: Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior, Jabalpur and others
- Maharashtra: Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Kolhapur, Solapur and others
- Odisha: Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Balasore and others
- Punjab: Amritsar, Bhatinda, Mohali, Patiala and Phagwara
- Rajasthan: Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur, Kota, Bikaner and others
- Tamil Nadu: Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, Salem, Tiruchirappalli and others
- Telangana: Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam and Warangal
- Tripura: Agartala
- Uttar Pradesh: Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Noida/Greater Noida and others
- Uttarakhand: Dehradun, Haldwani and Roorkee
- West Bengal: Kolkata, Asansol, Durgapur, Siliguri and others
SBI reserves the right to add, remove, or change examination centres. Requests to change the allotted centre, date, or examination session will generally not be accepted.
Documents Required for SBI Clerk Exam
Candidates should keep the required documents ready for the examination and subsequent selection stages.
These include:
- Valid photo identity proof such as Aadhaar card, PAN card, passport, driving licence, voter ID or other accepted ID.
- Preliminary Exam call letter with the required authenticated ID copy.
- Main Exam call letter.
- Two additional recent photographs.
- Valid SC/ST caste certificate, wherever applicable.
- OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate issued within the prescribed period.
- Relevant discharge certificate for candidates serving in Government offices, PSUs, banks or financial institutions, wherever applicable.
Candidates should carefully follow the document requirements mentioned in the official notification.
How to Apply for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates can apply online through the SBI careers website.
Step-by-step application process
- Visit the SBI official careers website.
- Open the current openings section and find the advertisement for the Special Recruitment Drive for Junior Associates 2026.
- Read the detailed notification carefully before starting the application.
- Register online and enter your personal, educational and category details.
- Upload the required photograph, signature, left-hand thumb impression and handwritten declaration in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee if applicable.
- Check all the details carefully before submitting the form.
- Submit the application before August 27, 2026.
- Save and print the final application form for future reference.
Candidates should submit only one application. If multiple applications are submitted, SBI will consider only the last valid application.
Once the application is finally submitted, changes will generally not be permitted.
Important Instructions for Candidates
Candidates applying for SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026 should keep these points in mind:
- Only one State/UT can be selected.
- Candidates can appear for the recruitment examination only once under this drive.
- Candidates must know the specified local language of the State/UT they select.
- Candidates who have not studied the local language in Class 10 or 12 will have to qualify the LLPT.
- Candidates must carry valid photo ID and the required call letters to the examination centre.
- Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators and other electronic devices are not permitted inside the examination hall.
- SBI may conduct biometric verification at different stages of the recruitment process.
- Candidates found using unfair means or engaging in impersonation or misconduct may be disqualified and may also face further action.
- Newly appointed Junior Associates will normally remain on probation for at least six months.
- Candidates may be required to handle customer calls, outdoor visits, product cross-selling and flexible working hours as part of the job.
- SBI has not authorised any private coaching institute, consultancy or individual to guarantee selection.
- SBI reserves the right to cancel or modify the recruitment process at any stage.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Important Links
- Apply Online: https://ibpsreg.ibps.in/sbijasrdjl26/
- Official Notification PDF: https://sbi.bank.in/webfiles/uploads/files_2627/08/JA_2026_Backlog_Detailed_Advt_ENG.pdf
- SBI Official Website: https://sbi.bank.in/
Graduates interested in banking-sector opportunities can also look for other Bank Clerk, Junior Associate, SBI and IBPS recruitment notifications. Candidates preparing for competitive banking examinations should also keep an eye on upcoming public-sector bank recruitment drives.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 FAQs
Q1. What is SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026?
SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026 is a special recruitment drive conducted by the State Bank of India to fill 1,538 backlog vacancies for Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) posts in the clerical cadre.
Q2. Can General category candidates apply?
No. This particular recruitment drive is only for SC, ST and OBC candidates against backlog vacancies. General/UR and EWS candidates are not eligible.
Q3. How many vacancies have been announced?
SBI has announced 1,538 vacancies, including 207 SC, 1,219 ST and 112 OBC vacancies.
Q4. What is the last date to apply?
The last date for online registration and fee payment is August 27, 2026.
Q5. What is the educational qualification?
Candidates must have a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government. Final-year students can also apply provisionally, subject to the conditions in the notification.
Q6. What is the age limit?
Candidates should be 20 to 28 years old as on April 1, 2026. Age relaxation is available for SC, ST, OBC and other eligible categories according to SBI rules.
Q7. What is the application fee?
SC, ST, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen and certain related categories do not have to pay an application fee. OBC candidates have to pay ₹750.
Q8. What is the salary of an SBI Clerk/Junior Associate?
The starting basic pay is ₹26,730 per month, while the approximate starting total emoluments can be around ₹46,000 per month in a metro location such as Mumbai.
Q9. What is the selection process?
Candidates have to qualify the Preliminary Examination and Main Examination. A Local Language Proficiency Test is also required for candidates who have not studied the specified local language in Class 10 or 12.
Q10. When will the SBI Clerk exams be conducted?
The Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for September 2026, while the Main Examination is expected in October/November 2026.
