SBI PO Syllabus 2026, Exam Pattern for Prelims And Mains
Lata Negi15 Jan, 2026
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SBI PO Syllabus 2026: The State Bank of India (SBI) is expected to release the official SBI PO 2026 notification in 2026 soon on its career portal sbi.co.in, announcing detailed vacancies, eligibility, and exam dates for Probationary Officer recruitment. This comprehensive SBI PO Syllabus 2026 and Exam Pattern guide covers Prelims and Mains stages, helping aspirants prepare strategically for the highly competitive exam.
Prelims typically feature 100 objective questions across English Language (30 marks), Quantitative Aptitude (35 marks), and Reasoning Ability (35 marks) in 60 minutes, while Mains include a descriptive test and advanced sections like Data Analysis, Reasoning, and General Awareness. Success in SBI PO 2026 hinges on mastering the updated pattern, including sectional timing and negative marking of 0.25 per wrong answer. Candidates should monitor the official website for the exact notification release and application window.
SBI PO Syllabus 2026
Cracking the SBI PO exam requires knowledge of the SBI PO Syllabus 2026. Candidates preparing for the exam must go through detailed syllabus of SBI PO 2026 and Exam Pattern. The SBI PO exam has three stages: prelims, mains, psychological test/ interview, and group discussion. SBI PO Syllabus for Prelims has three subjects - Quantitative, Reasoning, and English Language. SBI PO Syllabus for the Mains Exam includes subjects like Quantitative Aptitude (QA), English Language and Conceptual Ability, Computer Science, General Intelligence/Economics/Banking, etc. The SBI PO Prelims Exam tests the candidate's reasoning ability, quantitative ability, and English. For the SBI PO Mains Exam, you will have to tackle these subjects:- Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude
- Data Analysis and Interpretation
- General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness/Current Affairs
- English Language
SBI PO Syllabus in Hindi
SBI PO Syllabus किसी भी अन्य बैंक परीक्षा के समान ही है। प्रारंभिक परीक्षा में सफल होने के लिए उम्मीदवार को तीन प्रमुख खंडों की तैयारी करनी होती है। ये हैं रीजनिंग, क्वांटिटेटिव एप्टीट्यूड और अंग्रेजी भाषा। इन खंडों में कई विषय हैं जिन पर प्रश्न आधारित हैं। यह अनुशंसा की जाती है कि उम्मीदवार पिछले वर्ष के प्रश्नपत्रों को देखें और प्रत्येक विषय के महत्व के बारे में जानें।
SBI PO Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026
State Bank of India conducts 2 phases of online examination i.e., Preliminary and Mains. Only the candidates qualifying in both stages will be eligible to appear for the interview round. You can find the essential details of the SBI PO Syllabus below.| SBI PO Exam Pattern and Syllabus 2026- Overview | |
| Recruitment Body | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Exam Name | SBI PO 2026 |
| Posts | Probationary Officer (PO) |
| Category | Syllabus |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| No. of Questions |
|
| Negative Marking | 0.25 |
| Selection Process |
|
| Official website | www.sbi.co.in |
SBI PO Syllabus Weightage
Understanding the topic-wise weightage for the SBI PO Prelims exam is crucial for effective preparation. By identifying which topics are more frequently tested and carry higher marks, you can prioritize your study efforts on these areas, increasing your chances of achieving a higher score. This targeted approach ensures comprehensive preparation, helping you maximize your performance in the exam
SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026
To select eligible candidates for probationary officer posts, the State Bank of India conducts the SBI PO Exam in three stages: an online preliminary exam, a main exam, and an interview process. All applicants must be familiar with the SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026 to crack the exam. It won't be simple to pass the exam because there are fewer vacancies and a huge number of aspirants. Knowing the SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026 in advance is, therefore, important as it will provide you with a foundation for effective SBI PO Exam preparation. To help you prepare, let us have a look at the comprehensive details of the SBI PO Exam Pattern.
SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
The SBI PO Prelims Exam has three subjects: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. It is a 100-mark online test that you will complete in 1 hour (60 minutes). For each section, 20 minutes are specified. There will be a negative marking of 1/4 mark for each incorrect response. No mark will be deducted for unmarked questions.
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SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2026 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL. No. | Name of Test | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| 1 | English Language | 40 | — | 20 minutes |
| 2 | Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | — | 20 minutes |
| 3 | Reasoning Ability | 30 | — | 20 minutes |
| Total | — | 100 | 100 | 1 hour |
SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern 2026
The SBI PO Mains Exam has four parts Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, and English Language. You will have 3 hours for the objective test, with specific timings for each section. The total marks for these sections add up to 200. Additionally, there is a descriptive paper worth 50 marks, which you will take right after the objective test.
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SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern 2026 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| (i) Objective Test | ||||
| Test | Name of the Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| I | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 50 minutes |
| II | Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| III | General Awareness / Economy / Banking Knowledge | 60 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| IV | English Language | 40 | 20 | 40 minutes |
| Total | — | 170 | 200 | 3 hours |
| (ii) Descriptive Paper | ||||
| Communication Skills (Emails, Reports, Situation Analysis & Precis Writing) | 3** | 50 | 30 minutes | |
| Total Marks | 250 | |||
** Emails (Compulsory, one out of two options), Reports(Compulsory, one out of two options) and Either of Situation Analysis or Precis Writing (one of the two)
SBI PO Prelims Syllabus 2026
The SBI PO Prelims exam covers reasoning, math, and English skills. The SBI PO Mains exam covers reasoning with computers, data analysis, general knowledge about banking and the economy, and English. Here is a breakdown of the topics for the SBI PO Phase 1 exam. The topics broken down by section that will be covered in the SBI PO Prelims Exam questions are listed below:
| Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus | Reasoning Syllabus | English Syllabus |
| Simplification/ Approximation | Alphanumeric Series | Reading Comprehension |
| Profit & Loss | Directions | Fill in the blanks |
| Mixtures & Allegations | Logical Reasoning | Cloze Test |
| Permutation, Combination & Probability | Data Sufficiency | Para jumbles |
| Work & Time | Ranking & Order | Vocabulary |
| Sequence & Series | Alphabet Test | Paragraph Completion |
| Simple Interest & Compound Interest | Seating Arrangement | Multiple Meaning /Error Spotting |
| Surds & Indices | Coded Inequalities | Sentence Completion |
| Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere | Puzzle | Tenses Rules |
| Time & Distance | Syllogism | |
| Data Interpretation | Blood Relations | |
| Ratio & Proportion | Coding-Decoding | |
| Number Systems | Input-Output | |
| Percentage | Tabulation |
SBI PO Mains Syllabus 2026
The SBI PO Mains Syllabus 2026 has four sections: Reasoning + Computer Aptitude, English Language, Data Analysis & Interpretation, and General/Economy/Banking Awareness. You need to know about the SBI PO Syllabus 2026 for the Mains Exam. Here are the section-wise topics you should cover to prepare for the SBI PO 2026 Mains Exam:
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | Reasoning | General/Economy/Banking Awareness | English Language | Computer |
| Tabular Graph | Verbal Reasoning | Current Affairs | Reading Comprehension | Internet |
| Line Graph | Syllogism | Financial Awareness | Grammar | Memory |
| Bar Graph | Circular Seating Arrangement | General Knowledge | Verbal Ability | Keyboard Shortcuts |
| Charts & Tables | Linear Seating Arrangement | Static Awareness | Vocabulary | Computer Abbreviation |
| Missing Case DI | Double Lineup | Banking Terminologies Knowledge | Sentence Improvement | Microsoft Office |
| Radar Graph Caselet | Scheduling | Banking Awareness | Word Association | Computer Hardware |
| Probability | Input Output | Principles of Insurance | Para Jumbles | Computer Software |
| Data Sufficiency | Blood Relations | Error Spotting | Computer Fundamentals /Terminologies | |
| Let it Case DI | Directions and Distances | Cloze Test | Networking | |
| Permutation and Combination | Ordering and Ranking | Fill in the blanks | Number System | |
| Pie Charts | Data Sufficiency | Operating System | ||
| Coding and Decoding | Basic of Logic Gates | |||
| Code Inequalities | ||||
| Course of Action | ||||
| Critical Reasoning | ||||
| Analytical and Decision Making |
SBI PO Descriptive Syllabus 2026
- After the preliminary and main exams, there is a 30-minute descriptive paper with two questions in English (Letter Writing & Essay), worth 50 marks.
- If you pass both the preliminary and main exams, you will have an interview.
- The final list of who gets selected is based on your marks from the SBI PO mains exam and the interview combined.
SBI PO Interview 2026
After successful completion of the SBI PO Prelims and Main examinations, the candidates will be called for the SBI PO Interview round.
| Sr. No | Name of the Test | Maximum Marks |
| 1 | Group Exercise | 20 |
| 2 | Interview | 30 |
SBI PO Syllabus 2026 For Group Discussion & Interview
The last part of the SBI PO Examination is the group discussion and interview. Here's what you need to know in a nutshell:
- Group Chat: You want to have a group chat where you talk to others about a topic.
- Interview: This is when you talk to the interviewers one-on-one, which carries 30 points. They ask you to see if you are a good fit for the job.
- OBC Certificate: If you belong to the 'OBC' category, you need to present a certificate to participate in the group discussion and interview.
- Score Marks: You must score good marks in this round to advance. If you don't, you won't be considered for the job.
- Marks ratio: Your marks from the mains exam and interview will be counted as 75:25. Therefore, the two components are the same for the bottom line.
SBI PO Psychometric Test 2026
SBI PO Psychometric Test 2026 is conducted for personality profiling. Selected candidates will appear for GD and Interviews. Psychological testing is an objective method of measuring the ability of candidates to perform well in a job. Cognitive tests measure a range of skills from mental ability and intelligence to personality assessment. Tips and tricks to prepare for SBI PO Exam are given below: SBI PO Psychometric Assessment is carried out for personality assessment. The selected candidates will attend Group Exercises and the Interview. The results of the assessment may be presented to the Interview panel to provide a comprehensive view of the candidates. The psychometric assessment serves as an objective method to evaluate the candidates' potential capacity to succeed in the role. Psychometric assessments evaluate various skills, including cognitive abilities, knowledge, and personality. Below are the tips and techniques for preparing for the SBI PO examination:
SBI PO Syllabus 2026 Preparation Strategy
Following the thorough SBI PO Syllabus 2026 completion, it is equally important to move forward and create a detailed action plan. Check out the preparedness advice offered by the Faculty for the SBI PO.
- Understand the Latest SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026: Make sure you know how the SBI PO exam is structured and what topics it covers. This will be your starting point for the SBI PO Exam Preparation.
- Assess Your Strengths and Weaknesses: Identify what you are good at and what needs improvement. Focus on enhancing your strengths and working on your weaknesses.
- Time Management is Key: Practicing to complete tasks within the given time is vital. To master this, a lot of practice is necessary.
- Use SBI PO Syllabus 2026 Exam PDF: Download the official SBI PO Syllabus PDF to have a clear idea of what to study. It is your roadmap to act effectively.
- Solve Past Year Question Papers: Practice with previous years' SBI PO questions to get a feel for the real-time exam environment and level of difficulty.
- Improve Your Speed: Work on answering questions quickly and accurately. Speed matters in this exam.
- Take Practice Tests: To assess your readiness and familiarity with the exam pattern, take practice tests. Try to finish in the time provided.
Remember, these tips can help you prepare effectively for the SBI PO exam. Good luck with your preparations!
SBI PO 2026 Books for Exam Preparation
For the benefit of applicants, the table below includes some of the top SBI PO Exam books.
| Subject | Book Name | Author/Publisher |
| Reasoning and Computer Ability | Bank PO Reasoning: Chapterwise Solved Papers 1999 to Date 7330+Objective Questions | Think Tank of Kiran Prakashan, Pratiyogita Kiran, KICX |
| Bank PO Reasoning Chapterwise Solved Papers | Arihant Experts | |
| General Awareness | Computer Awareness for General Competitive Exams (Objective with Subjective) | Soumya Ranjan Behera |
| English Language and Comprehension | Bank PO English Language Chapter-wise Solved Papers | Arihant Experts |
| Objective English for Competitive Examination | Hari Mohan Prasad, Uma Sinha | |
| Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation | Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations | R.S. Aggarwal |
| Bank PO Quantitative Aptitude Chapter-wise Solved Papers | Arihant Experts | |
| Computer Aptitude | Objective Question Bank of Computer Awareness for General Competitions | Arihant |
| Banking Awareness | Banking Awareness | Arihant |
| Banking Awareness | RPH Editorial Board, Ramesh Publishing House |
SBI PO Interview Preparation Tips
Based on the marks obtained in the mains exam, candidates are called for SBI PO Interview. In the interview, candidates are asked questions based on their past work experiences (If any), educational background, and questions related to general knowledge in the banking sector. The total marks allotted to the interview are 50. Candidates can check below how to prepare for the SBI PO interview 2026:
- Candidates must be thorough with personal questions.
- They should try to frame their strengths and weaknesses as per their job profile.
- As far as profile-based questions are concerned, candidates need to be thorough with their job profile along with its significance.
- Candidates need to know about the sector they are associated with and show their understanding of the same
- For knowledge-based questions, candidates should check current affairs books to strengthen their knowledge of the banking industry
- Candidates should go through the websites of SBI to gain knowledge regarding its history, functions, importance, and recent changes
- Read newspapers to stay updated with recent news. While reading the newspaper, focus on the business and banking sections
- Candidates must be aware of the industry trends affecting the banking sector
- Learn finance terms, the function of financial institutions, and banking terminology