SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 covers 7,680 regular Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) posts under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17. The State Bank of India also lists 1,444 backlog posts in the same notice. Online registration ran from 11 August to 31 August 2026. The preliminary exam was scheduled for September 2026, and the main exam is due in November 2026.
Rewritten and re-verified on 28 October 2026 using the official notice.
Many websites quote different totals for this drive. This page separates the regular, backlog and special-drive numbers using the official notices. In addition, it covers eligibility, fee, exam pattern, salary and the call letter steps in one place.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | State Bank of India (Central Recruitment & Promotion Department) |
| Post | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales), clerical cadre |
| Advertisement No. | CRPD/CR/2026-27/17 |
| Regular vacancies | 7,680 (provisional) |
| Backlog vacancies in the same notice | 1,444 (provisional) |
| Qualification | Graduation in any discipline |
| Age limit | 20 to 28 years as on 01.04.2026 |
| Selection | Prelims, Mains, Local Language Test |
| Official website | sbi.bank.in/web/careers |
SBI Clerk 2026 Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online registration and fee payment | 11.08.2026 to 31.08.2026 |
| Preliminary exam | September 2026 (tentative, as per notice) |
| Prelims call letter | Released on the SBI careers page |
| Main exam | November 2026 (tentative, as per notice) |
The application window has closed. So, new candidates cannot apply now. Registered candidates should watch the careers page for the prelims result and the Mains call letter.
Separate Special Drive for Backlog Posts
SBI also runs a separate special recruitment drive, Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16. It has 1,538 backlog posts for SC, ST and OBC candidates only. Its Mains exam is scheduled on 29.10.2026. You can read our SBI Clerk backlog prelims result update for that drive.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | Rs 750 |
| SC / ST / PwBD / XS / DXS | Nil |
The fee was payable online by debit card, credit card or internet banking. It is non-refundable.
SBI Clerk 2026 Age Limit (as on 01.04.2026)
Candidates must be between 20 and 28 years of age on 01.04.2026. In other words, they must have been born between 02.04.1998 and 01.04.2006, both days included.
- OBC: 3 years relaxation
- SC / ST: 5 years relaxation
- PwBD: 10 years (General/EWS), 13 years (OBC), 15 years (SC/ST)
- Ex-servicemen: actual service plus 3 years (8 years for SC/ST disabled ex-servicemen), up to a maximum age of 50
- Widows, divorced women and judicially separated women not remarried: 7 years, up to 35 (General/EWS), 38 (OBC) or 40 (SC/ST)
Vacancy Details
The regular vacancies under Advertisement 17 are split by category as shown below. These numbers are provisional, and SBI may change them.
| Category | Regular Posts |
|---|---|
| SC | 1,114 |
| ST | 837 |
| OBC | 1,716 |
| EWS | 760 |
| General | 3,253 |
| Total | 7,680 |
Adding the 1,444 backlog posts gives 9,124 posts under Advertisement 17. The special drive (Advertisement 16) adds another 1,538 posts. A candidate can apply for vacancies of only one State or UT.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
You need a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Final-year students may apply provisionally. However, they must show proof of passing on or before 31.12.2026.
Local Language Requirement
Each candidate chooses one language of the State or UT they apply for. A language test follows the Mains exam. The test is waived if your Class 10 or Class 12 mark sheet shows that you studied that language.
Selection Process and Exam Pattern
Selection has three stages: the online Preliminary exam, the online Main exam and the Local Language Test. Prelims marks are used only for shortlisting. About 10 times the vacancies are called for Mains. The final merit list is state-wise and category-wise, based on Mains marks.
Preliminary Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 hour |
Main Exam Pattern
| Test | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Both exams carry a penalty of 1/4 mark for each wrong answer. There is no sectional cut-off in Mains. Instead, the bank sets an aggregate minimum, with 5% relaxation for SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, XS and DXS candidates. Trained SBI apprentices get 5 bonus marks.
SBI Clerk Salary 2026
The pay scale is Rs 24,050 to Rs 64,480. Starting basic pay is Rs 26,730, which includes two advance increments for graduates. According to the notice, starting emoluments in Mumbai are about Rs 46,000 per month with allowances. New Junior Associates serve a probation of at least six months.
How to Download the SBI Clerk Call Letter
- Open the official careers page at sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings.
- Find “Recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales)”.
- Click the call letter link for your exam stage.
- Log in with the registration details you created while applying.
- Download the call letter and take a clear printout.
- Paste a recent passport-size photo on it before the exam.
- Carry an original photo ID and a photocopy. For Mains, also carry the call letter and ID copy stamped at the Prelims.
Meanwhile, keep your documents ready for later stages. Our DigiLocker guide for government exams explains how to store them safely.
Important Links
| Link | Official Source |
|---|---|
| SBI Careers – Current Openings | sbi.bank.in |
| Detailed Advertisement (English PDF) | Download |
| Special Drive Advertisement (Backlog, PDF) | Download |
| Recruitment Results | sbi.bank.in |
For a study plan before Mains, see our 2026 guide to preparing for government exams.
FAQs on SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026
How many vacancies are there in SBI Clerk 2026?
Advertisement 17 has 7,680 regular posts and 1,444 backlog posts, or 9,124 in total. The separate special drive has 1,538 more backlog posts.
What is the age limit for SBI Clerk 2026?
The age limit is 20 to 28 years as on 01.04.2026, with relaxation for reserved categories.
When is the SBI Clerk Mains exam 2026?
The notice gives November 2026 as the tentative month for the regular Mains exam. The special drive Mains is on 29.10.2026.
Can final-year students apply for SBI Clerk 2026?
Yes. Final-year students could apply provisionally, but they must pass graduation by 31.12.2026.
What is the starting salary of an SBI Clerk?
Starting basic pay is Rs 26,730. Total starting emoluments in Mumbai are about Rs 46,000 per month.
Sources
- State Bank of India, Detailed Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17 (sbi.bank.in)
- State Bank of India, Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 (sbi.bank.in)
- SBI Careers – Current Openings page and Mains “Acquaint Yourself” booklet (sbi.bank.in)
Always confirm details on the official website before applying.