SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: The State Bank of India (SBI) has opened the online application window for a special recruitment drive to fill 1,538 backlog vacancies for Junior Associates (Customer Support and Sales) in the clerical cadre. Eligible candidates can submit their applications online until August 27, 2026.
The recruitment drive is specifically aimed at filling reserved backlog vacancies for Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST) and Other Backward Classes (OBC) candidates. The registration process began on August 7, 2026.
Candidates interested in applying should carefully check the eligibility conditions, age requirements, educational qualifications, local language criteria and examination pattern before completing their application.
Importantly, an applicant can apply for vacancies in only one state or Union Territory under this recruitment exercise.
SBI Clerk Vacancy 2026: Category-Wise Posts
A total of 1,538 Junior Associate vacancies have been announced across different states and Union Territories. The distribution of backlog vacancies is as follows:
| Category | Number of Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 207 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 1,219 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 112 |
| Total | 1,538 |
Candidates selected through this recruitment process will be posted in the state or Union Territory for which they submitted their application.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Important Dates
The online registration window opened on August 7, 2026. Candidates who meet the prescribed eligibility requirements have until August 27, 2026, to complete and submit their applications.
Applicants are advised not to wait until the final day, as heavy traffic on the recruitment portal close to the deadline could potentially cause delays.
Who Can Apply for SBI Clerk Backlog Vacancies?
Candidates must satisfy SBI's prescribed age, educational qualification and local language requirements.
Age Limit
As of April 1, 2026, applicants should be at least 20 years old and should not have crossed the age of 28 years.
According to the eligibility dates mentioned for the recruitment, candidates should have been born between April 2, 1998, and April 1, 2006, with both dates included.
Applicable relaxation in the upper age limit will be governed by the recruitment rules for eligible reserved-category candidates.
Educational Qualification
Applicants should possess a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.
Students who are currently in the final year or final semester of their graduation course can also submit applications provisionally.
However, such applicants will need to provide proof that they completed their graduation on or before December 31, 2026, if required during the recruitment process.
Local Language Knowledge Is Important
Candidates must be able to read, write, speak and understand the specified local language of the state or Union Territory for which they are applying.
This requirement is particularly important because Junior Associates frequently interact directly with customers at SBI branches.
Applicants should therefore carefully check the specified local language requirement before choosing a state or Union Territory in the application form.
SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026
The recruitment process consists of multiple stages designed to assess candidates' aptitude, reasoning, language and banking-related knowledge.
The major stages are:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Local Language Proficiency Test, wherever applicable
Candidates will first have to qualify for the preliminary examination to become eligible for the next stage.
SBI Clerk Preliminary Exam Pattern
The preliminary examination will carry a total of 100 marks and will have a duration of one hour.
The test will contain three sections:
| Section | Number of Questions |
|---|---|
| English Language | 30 |
| Numerical Ability | 35 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 |
| Total | 100 |
Candidates will receive 20 minutes separately for each section.
There will also be negative marking. For every incorrect response, one-fourth of the marks assigned to that particular question will be deducted.
Candidates who qualify in the preliminary examination according to SBI's criteria will be shortlisted for the main examination.
SBI Clerk Main Examination Pattern
The main examination will contain 190 questions carrying a total of 200 marks. Candidates will get 2 hours and 40 minutes to complete the test.
The main examination will assess candidates across areas including General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude.
Negative marking will also apply in the main examination. One-fourth of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for an incorrect answer.
A crucial point for candidates is that marks obtained in the preliminary examination will not be considered while preparing the final merit list.
The final merit position will primarily depend on marks secured in the main examination, subject to fulfilment of the local language requirement wherever applicable.
Who Is Exempt From the Local Language Test?
Candidates who studied the specified local language in Class 10 or Class 12 may not have to appear for the Local Language Proficiency Test, provided they can produce the required marksheet or certificate as evidence.
Other provisionally selected candidates will have to clear the language proficiency test before joining the bank.
Candidates who are required to take the test but fail to demonstrate the prescribed proficiency in the local language will not be eligible for appointment.
How to Apply for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026
Eligible candidates can complete their application through SBI's official careers portal. Applicants should first register themselves and then provide the required personal, academic and other details.
Candidates will also need to upload the prescribed documents and complete the application fee payment, wherever applicable.
Before starting the application, applicants should keep scanned copies of their photograph, signature, left thumb impression and handwritten declaration ready in the prescribed format.
A valid email address and active mobile number are also essential. Candidates should keep both active throughout the recruitment process, as important updates may be communicated through these channels.
After successfully submitting the application and completing the payment process, candidates should download and save the system-generated application form and electronic receipt for future reference.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: What Applicants Should Remember
With 1,538 backlog Junior Associate positions available, this special SBI recruitment drive offers an opportunity to eligible SC, ST and OBC candidates seeking a career in the banking sector.
Candidates should carefully verify the vacancy details for their preferred state or Union Territory, confirm that they meet the educational and local language requirements, and review all information entered in the form before final submission.
Since the application deadline is August 27, 2026, eligible applicants should complete the registration process well before the closing date to avoid last-minute technical difficulties.
