SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Registration Begins for 1,538 Backlog Vacancies; Apply Online, Eligibility, Exam Pattern

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: The State Bank of India (SBI) has started the online application process for 1,538 Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) vacancies under a special recruitment drive for SC, ST and OBC backlog posts. The SBI Clerk 2026 registration has started on August 7, 2026, and eligible candidates can apply online until August 27, 2026.

Candidates can apply for vacancies in only one State or Union Territory (UT). The recruitment is specifically for backlog vacancies and includes 207 SC, 1,219 ST and 112 OBC posts.

The SBI Clerk selection process will include the Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT), wherever applicable. The Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for September 2026, while the Main Examination is expected in October/November 2026.

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Highlights

SBI Clerk Vacancy 2026: 1,538 Backlog Posts

SBI has announced 1,538 backlog vacancies for Junior Associates under this special recruitment drive. The vacancies are reserved for SC, ST and OBC candidates.

The category-wise distribution is:

• SC: 207 vacancies

• ST: 1,219 vacancies

• OBC: 112 vacancies

• Total: 1,538 vacancies

The vacancies are distributed across various States and Union Territories. Candidates selected through this recruitment will be posted in the State/UT for which they have applied.

A candidate can apply for vacancies in only one State/UT under this recruitment.

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Apply Online

The SBI Clerk 2026 apply online process has started on August 7, 2026. Candidates who fulfil all eligibility conditions can submit their applications through the SBI careers portal.

The last date to complete the application process is August 27, 2026.

SBI Clerk 2026 Direct Apply Link

Candidates can apply online through the official SBI careers portal.

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Apply Online

Candidates are advised to complete the application well before the deadline to avoid technical issues or heavy website traffic on the last day.

How to Apply for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026?

Candidates can follow the steps below to complete the SBI Clerk application form 2026:

1. Visit the official SBI website at sbi.bank.in.

2. Go to the Careers section.

3. Open the Current Openings page.

4. Find the SBI Clerk Junior Associate Special Recruitment Drive 2026.

5. Click on the online application link.

6. Complete the registration using a valid email ID and mobile number.

7. Enter personal, educational and other required details.

8. Select the State/UT for which you want to apply.

9. Select the applicable local language.

10. Upload the required documents in the prescribed format.

11. Pay the application fee, if applicable.

12. Submit the application form.

13. Download and save the application form and e-receipt.

The registered email ID and mobile number should remain active throughout the recruitment process because SBI may use them for important communication.

Documents Required for SBI Clerk Application 2026

Candidates should keep the required documents ready before starting the online application.

These include:

• Recent passport-size photograph

• Signature

• Left thumb impression

• Handwritten declaration

• Graduation certificate/marksheet, where applicable

• Category certificate, if applicable

• OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate, where applicable

• Valid identity proof

• Other documents specified in the official notification

Candidates should ensure that all scanned documents meet the size and format requirements specified by SBI.

SBI Clerk Eligibility Criteria 2026

Candidates must fulfil the prescribed SBI Clerk eligibility criteria 2026 before applying.

The eligibility requirements mainly include age limit, educational qualification and local language proficiency.

SBI Clerk Age Limit 2026

Candidates must be between 20 and 28 years of age as on April 1, 2026, before applicable age relaxation.

Candidates must have been born:

• Not earlier than April 2, 1998

• Not later than April 1, 2006

Both dates are inclusive.

Candidates belonging to reserved categories will receive age relaxation according to the applicable government rules and SBI recruitment guidelines.

SBI Clerk Educational Qualification 2026

Candidates must hold a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.

Candidates who are in the final year or final semester of graduation can also apply provisionally. However, they must pass their graduation examination by December 31, 2026, if selected provisionally.

SBI Clerk Local Language Eligibility

Local language proficiency is an important requirement in the SBI Clerk recruitment.

Candidates must be able to read, write, speak and understand the specified local language of the State/UT they select.

Candidates who studied the specified local language in Class 10 or Class 12 and can produce the relevant marksheet or certificate will not have to appear for the Local Language Proficiency Test.

Candidates who have not studied the specified language at the Class 10 or 12 level will have to qualify in the LLPT before joining if they are provisionally selected.

Failure to qualify in the language test will result in the candidate not being offered an appointment.

SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026

The SBI Clerk selection process 2026 consists of three stages:

1. Preliminary Examination

2. Main Examination

3. Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT), wherever applicable

There is no interview stage in this recruitment.

Candidates first have to qualify in the Preliminary Examination to be shortlisted for the Main Examination. The final merit list will be prepared using Main Examination marks, subject to fulfilment of the other prescribed requirements.

SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026

The SBI Clerk Preliminary Examination 2026 will carry 100 marks and will have a duration of one hour.

Each section will have a separate time limit of 20 minutes.

There will be a negative marking of one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question for every incorrect answer.

The Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for September 2026.

SBI Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2026

Candidates shortlisted through the Preliminary Examination will appear for the Main Examination.

The SBI Clerk Mains examination will have 190 questions carrying 200 marks. The total duration will be 2 hours and 40 minutes.

There will be a negative marking of one-fourth of the marks assigned to the question for every incorrect answer.

The Main Examination is tentatively scheduled for October/November 2026.

Are SBI Clerk Prelims Marks Counted in Final Merit?

No. The marks obtained in the SBI Clerk Preliminary Examination are not added to the final merit list.

Prelims are conducted mainly to shortlist candidates for the Main Examination.

The final merit list will be prepared based on the marks obtained in the Main Examination, subject to the applicable local language and other recruitment requirements.

This makes the SBI Clerk Mains preparation extremely important for candidates aiming for final selection.

SBI Clerk Application Fee 2026

The application fee depends on the candidate's category.

Candidates belonging to SC, ST, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen and Disabled Ex-Servicemen categories are exempt from paying the application fee.

OBC candidates have to pay ₹750, including applicable application/intimation charges.

SBI Clerk Salary 2026

The SBI Clerk Junior Associate post offers a competitive salary along with various banking-sector benefits.

The pay scale is:

₹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

The starting Basic Pay is ₹26,730, which includes ₹24,050 basic pay and two advance increments admissible to graduates.

According to SBI, the total starting emoluments for a Junior Associate posted in a metropolitan location such as Mumbai are approximately ₹46,000 per month, including applicable allowances at the prevailing rates.

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Important Dates

Candidates should keep track of the following important dates:

Candidates should complete their registration before August 27, 2026 rather than waiting for the final day.

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Important Rules

Only One State/UT Can Be Selected

Candidates can apply for vacancies in only one State/UT. Applications for multiple States/UTs are not permitted.

Local Language Is Important

Candidates should apply for a State/UT only if they meet the prescribed local language requirement.

Final Merit Depends on Mains

Prelims marks are not included in the final merit list. Candidates should therefore begin preparing for Mains along with Prelims.

Keep Your Details Active

The registered email ID and mobile number should remain active throughout the recruitment process.

Save the Application Form

After completing the application, candidates should download and preserve the system-generated application form and payment e-receipt for future reference.

SBI Clerk 2026 Preparation Tips for Aspirants

Candidates applying for the SBI Clerk recruitment should start preparation immediately instead of waiting for the Preliminary Exam date.

Prepare Prelims and Mains Together

Although Prelims is the first stage, Mains carries significant importance in final selection. Candidates should therefore study General/Financial Awareness and other Mains-level topics alongside their Prelims preparation.

Practise Section-Wise Questions

Regular practice of Reasoning, Numerical Ability and English questions can help improve speed and accuracy.

Take Mock Tests

Mock tests are useful for understanding the exam pattern, managing sectional time limits and identifying weak areas.

Focus on Accuracy

The exam has a negative marking of one-fourth marks for incorrect answers. Candidates should avoid blind guessing and focus on accuracy.

Prepare for the Local Language Test

Candidates who have not studied the specified local language in Class 10 or 12 should familiarise themselves with the LLPT requirements early.