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SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026: Prelims, Mains & LPT Explained

SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026 includes Preliminary and Main online examinations followed by a Language Proficiency Test and document verification. The multi-stage process evaluates aptitude, reasoning, banking awareness, and language skills to ensure the selection of capable Junior Associates.
authorImagePriyanka Dahima15 Jan, 2026
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SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026

SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026: SBI Clerk selection process is designed to assess candidates for the Junior Associate post across SBI branches nationwide. It begins with an online Preliminary Examination to evaluate basic aptitude, followed by the Main Examination, which tests advanced reasoning and banking awareness. Candidates shortlisted from the Mains must qualify for the Language Proficiency Test and undergo document verification before the final merit list is prepared. This multi-stage process ensures the selection of competent and job-ready candidates.

SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026 

The State Bank of India is one of the largest public sector bank of India. It conducts various exams for different roles in its bank. Working as a clerk in the SBI offers a steady career path and room for advancement in the banking industry. SBI has a well-planned selection process for choosing the best candidates for a particular role. There are three main stages in the SBI Clerk Selection process: preliminary, main, and language proficiency tests. Candidates need to clear all SBI Clerk prelims and mains stages to get selected for the Clerk post at the State Bank of India.

SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026

Candidates can check the breakdown of the three major stages in the SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026 below.

Preliminary Examination

The initial stage of the selection process is the Preliminary Examination (Prelims). This exam is conducted online and consists of three sections: English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. Achieving the minimum cut off marks in each section is crucial to qualify for the main examination. Please note that preliminary exam scores are not considered for the final selection but are essential for advancing to the mains.

Mains Examination

The second stage of the selection process is the SBI Clerk Main Examination (Mains). Those who successfully clear the preliminary examination are eligible to appear for the mains. The main examination is also conducted online and consists of four sections: General/Financial Awareness, General English, Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, and Quantitative Aptitude. Marks obtained in the Phase 2 examination play a significant role in determining the final merit list.
Similar to the preliminary exam, candidates must secure minimum cutoff marks in each section and achieve the overall cutoff to progress further. There is no interview round, which means SBI Clerk selection without interview.

Language Proficiency Test

This is the last stage of the SBI selection process 2026. Candidates who qualified SBI Clerk Mains Exam need to take the Language Proficiency Test (LPT). This stage ensures that candidates can read, write, and speak the official language of the state they are applying from.

SBI Clerk Selection Process Prelims Phase

This is the screening stage of the selection process. It consists of objective-type questions for a total of 100 marks. The total time allotted for the paper is 60 minutes. Also, there are sectional time limits for each section in the SBI Clerk exam 2026. The preliminary stage has three major sections: Reasoning ability, English language, and numerical ability. For each section, candidates get a time limit of 20 minutes. However, candidates will lose ¼ of the total marks allotted to the question for each wrong answer.
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
Section Medium of Exam  No. of Questions Total Marks Duration
English Language English 30 30 20 minutes
Numerical Ability English / Hindi 35 35 20 minutes
Reasoning English / Hindi 35 35 20 minutes
Total   100 100 60 minutes

SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026 Main Phase

Candidates who clear the first preliminary round get selected for the main stage. However, this stage has no sectional limit, like the preliminary stage. Also, candidates need to achieve a minimum cut off mark as decided by the State Bank of India. Like in the preliminary round, candidates will lose ¼ mark for each wrong answer they attempt.
SBI Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2026
Section Medium of Exam  No. of Question Total Marks Duration
General English English 40 40 35 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude English / Hindi 50 50 45 minutes
Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude English / Hindi 50 60 45 minutes
General/Financial Awareness English / Hindi 50 50 35 minutes
Total   190 200 2 hours 40 minutes

SBI Clerk Language Proficiency Test

Candidates who clear the main exam get selected for the Language proficiency test. Those candidates who can produce the 10th or 12th Certificate, evidencing that they have studied the opted local language, need not appear for the Language Test. SBI Clerk Language Proficiency Test will help to assess them based on their reading and writing ability in the official language.
  It will also assess them based on their understanding of the official language of the state in which they are registered. Candidates who cannot clear this language proficiency test will be disqualified from the selection process.

SBI Clerk Provisional Selection

The State Bank of India releases a provisional sectional merit list on its official website after the successful completion of all its three main stages. SBI releases the merit list based on the categories and states of the candidates. This merit list is prepared based on the performance of candidates in all three stages. However, the merit list keeps varying every year based on various factors. The final selection of candidates depends on their performance in the third round of the SBI selection process. Candidates will not be transferred for next 5 years after completing the joining process.

SBI Clerk Document Verification Process

Candidates need to go for document verification after the provisional merit list is released. Document verification is followed by an interview round. The final selection depends on the recruitment cycle and the number of vacancies for the post. Document verification for the SBI Clerk position involves a thorough check of various documents to ensure the authenticity and accuracy of the information provided by candidates. Following are the documents required for the SBI Clerk DV round.

Identity and Address Proof:

  • Valid ID Proof: PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, Driving License, or Passport.

  • Address Proof: Aadhar Card, Voter ID, Passport, Utility Bill, etc. 

Educational Qualification:

  • 10th Class Marks Certificate and Certificate:

  • 12th Class Marks Certificate and Certificate:

  • Graduation Degree and Marksheets (all years/semesters): 

Caste/Category Certificate (if applicable):

  • Caste Certificate: For SC/ST/OBC candidates, issued by a competent authority in the prescribed format.

  • Non-Creamy Layer Certificate: For OBC candidates.

  • Income & Asset Certificate: For EWS candidates.

  • PWD certificate (if applicable) 

Other Important Documents:

  • Recent Passport-size Photographs:

  • Signature and left thumb impression:

  • Handwritten Declaration:

  • PAN Card (mandatory)

  • Military Discharge Certificate (in case of appointment of ex-servicemen)

  • Birth Certificate/High School Certificate (10th pass) (for verification of date of birth) 

SBI Clerk Probation Period 

Candidates selected for the SBI Clerk position need to undergo a probationary period of 6 months. Candidates need to complete the e-lessons allotted to them within these six months. If it fails, then the probation period will automatically be extended. After completing e-lessons, their performances are assessed based on various factors, and if the performance is not up to the mark, their probation period is again extended.

SBI Clerk Waiting List

After the declaration of the SBI Clerk Result 2026, the SBI Clerk Waiting List is released, which is valid for the next 1 year. In case of non-joining or resignation by the candidates when vacancies are available from the current Batch only, then the candidates will be released from the waitlist every quarter.

Clerk Exam Other Related Links
SBI Clerk Apply Online SBI Clerk Syllabus
SBI Clerk Eligibility Criteria SBI Clerk Score Card
SBI Clerk Cut Off SBI Clerk Result
SBI Clerk Salary SBI Clerk Selection Process

SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026 FAQs

Q1. What are the three major stages in the SBI Clerk Selection process?

Ans. Candidates need to go through three primary stages in the selection process, namely the preliminary stage, the main stage, and the language proficiency test. However, complete detail on the SBI Selection process is given in the article above.

Q2. Is there any section time limit in the SBI Clerk prelims exam?

Ans. Yes, there is a sectional time limit in the SBI Clerk prelims exam. Candidates get 20 minutes for each section in the prelims exam.

Q3. How many number of attempts are allowed in the SBI Clerk Selection process?

Ans. There is no limit on the number of attempts for the SBI Clerk exam. Candidates can attempt the exam up to the maximum age limit.

Q4. Is there a negative marking in the SBI Clerk 2026 exam?

Ans. Yes, there is a negative marking in the SBI Clerk prelims and main exam. Candidates will lose ¼ marks for each wrong answer attempted.
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