The State Bank of India (SBI) has officially released the schedule for the Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) Phase-I examination. Candidates who submitted online applications can now confirm the SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Date 2026 Out notice on the official SBI careers portal (sbi.co.in/web/careers or sbi.bank.in).
The recruitment drive aims to fill 9,766 vacancies (including 9,124 regular posts and 1,538 backlog seats) across various circles in India. The preliminary test serves as the first competitive screening stage for securing a coveted clerical position in India’s largest public sector bank.
The SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Date 2026 has been announced for candidates appearing for the Junior Associate recruitment. Candidates should check the official SBI notification and their respective admit cards for the confirmed examination schedule, shift timing, reporting time, and exam-centre details.
The recruitment process includes the Prelims and Mains examinations, with candidates who qualify in Prelims proceeding to the next stage. SBI advises candidates to regularly check the official website for updates regarding the exam schedule and admit card. Backlog prelims take place on Sept 16, and regular prelims on Sept 26 & 27, 2026.

According to the official notification issued by Central Recruitment & Promotion Department (CRPD), Mumbai, the preliminary computer-based test (CBT) will take place across multiple shifts in September 2026.
Recruitment Authority: State Bank of India (SBI)
Post Name: Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales)
Total Vacancies: 9,766 Posts (Regular + Backlog)
SBI Clerk Backlog Prelims Date: 16 September 2026
SBI Clerk Regular Prelims Exam Date: 26 & 27 September 2026
Admit Card Release Date: Soon be Available online on sbi.co.in
SBI Clerk Mains Exam Date (Expected): November 2026
Official Portal: sbi.co.in/web/careers
Also Check: SBI Clerk PYQ
Candidates must download and print their preliminary exam call letter before heading to the assigned exam center:
Visit the official State Bank of India careers website at sbi.co.in/web/careers or sbi.bank.in.
Scroll to the Current Openings section and locate RECRUITMENT OF JUNIOR ASSOCIATES (CUSTOMER SUPPORT & SALES).
Click on the link reading Download Preliminary Exam Call Letter.
Enter your Registration Number / Roll Number and Password / Date of Birth (DD-MM-YYYY).
Solve the captcha verification code and click Submit.
Your call letter will appear on the screen. Save the PDF and print 2 copies for examination day.
The SBI Clerk Prelims Admit Card 2026 for the regular Junior Associate recruitment is expected to be released by 18 September 2026. Candidates will be able to download their call letters online through the SBI Careers portal using their registration number/roll number and password or date of birth. The regular SBI Clerk Prelims examination is scheduled for 26 and 27 September 2026.
Also Check: SBI Clerk English Previous Year Questions
The preliminary exam is a 100-mark objective test conducted online over a 60-minute duration with strict sectional timing.
| Section | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Sectional Duration |
| English Language | 30 | 30 Marks | 20 Minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 Marks | 20 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 Marks | 20 Minutes |
| Total | 100 Questions | 100 Marks | 60 Minutes (1 Hour) |
Negative Marking: 1/4th mark (0.25 marks) will be deducted for each wrong answer. Unattempted questions attract no penalty.
No Sectional Cut-Off: As per SBI guidelines, there are no individual sectional cut-off marks in the preliminary exam. Candidates are shortlisted for Mains based on their aggregate score (approximately 10 times the number of vacancies in each category).
To gain entry into the examination hall, candidates must present the following documents:
Printed Admit Card: Hard copy of the SBI Junior Associate prelims call letter with a recent passport-size photograph pasted on it.
Original Photo ID Proof: Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Voter ID, Passport, or Driving License.
Photocopy of ID Proof: One clear photocopy attached to the hall ticket.
Extra Passport Photographs: Two additional photos identical to the image uploaded during application registration.
Speed & Accuracy Practice: Focus on sectional mock tests to optimize speed without compromising accuracy under 20-minute constraints.
Target High-Yield Topics: Revisit Simplification, Data Interpretation, Quadratic Equations, Puzzles, Seating Arrangements, and Reading Comprehension.
Avoid Guesswork: Due to the 0.25 negative marking penalty, avoid making wild guesses during the exam.
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