SBI Clerk Special Recruitment 2026 Quick Summary:
State Bank of India (SBI) has released official advertisement CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 for 1,538 Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) SC, ST, and OBC Backlog Vacancies across 21 States/UTs. Eligible graduate candidates can apply online from 07 August 2026 to 27 August 2026. Starting monthly gross salary is approx ₹46,000/month in metro cities. Selection is done via Prelims CBT, Mains CBT, and Local Language Test (LLPT). No interview required.
1. SBI Clerk Special Recruitment 2026: Highlights & Overview
Below is the complete official summary of the Special Recruitment Drive for SBI Junior Associate Clerical Cadre 2026:
| Organization | State Bank of India (SBI / भारतीय स्टेट बैंक) |
|---|---|
| Advertisement No. | CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 |
| Post Name | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) – Clerical Cadre |
| Drive Type | Special Recruitment Drive (SC / ST / OBC Backlog Vacancies) |
| Total Vacancies | 1,538 Posts (SC: 207 | ST: 1,219 | OBC: 112) |
| Job Location | Across 21 States / UTs in India |
| Application Mode | Online via sbi.bank.in/web/careers |
| Online Apply Dates | 07 August 2026 to 27 August 2026 |
| Prelims Exam Date | Tentatively September 2026 |
| Mains Exam Date | Tentatively October / November 2026 |
| Selection Process | Phase I Prelims CBT (Qualifying) + Phase II Mains CBT (Merit) + Local Language Test (LLPT) |
| Gross Monthly Salary | ~ ₹46,000 / Month (Basic Pay ₹26,730 + Allowances) |
2. Category & State-Wise Backlog Vacancy Breakdown (1,538 Posts)
State Bank of India has announced 1,538 backlog vacancies across 21 States and Union Territories. Below is the state-wise and category-wise distribution:
| State / Circle | Specified Opted Local Language | SC | ST | OBC | Total Backlog Posts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | Marathi | 14 | 186 | 12 | 212 |
| Madhya Pradesh | Hindi | 18 | 145 | 08 | 171 |
| Gujarat | Gujarati | 12 | 134 | 15 | 161 |
| Telangana | Telugu / Urdu | 16 | 112 | 10 | 138 |
| Rajasthan | Hindi | 15 | 108 | 07 | 130 |
| Karnataka | Kannada | 13 | 94 | 09 | 116 |
| Odisha | Odia | 11 | 88 | 06 | 105 |
| Assam & North East | Assamese / Bengali / Bodo | 10 | 78 | 08 | 96 |
| West Bengal & Sikkim | Bengali / Nepali | 18 | 62 | 11 | 91 |
| Uttar Pradesh & Uttarakhand | Hindi | 25 | 42 | 12 | 79 |
| Bihar & Jharkhand | Hindi | 20 | 52 | 07 | 79 |
| Other 10 States/UTs | Respective Local Languages | 35 | 118 | 07 | 160 |
| TOTAL BACKLOG VACANCIES | 207 | 1219 | 112 | 1538 | |
3. Educational Qualification & Local Language Requirement
- Essential Educational Qualification: Graduation Degree in any discipline from a recognized University or any equivalent qualification recognized as such by the Central Government as on 31 December 2026.
- Final Year Students: Candidates who are in the final year/semester of their Graduation may also apply provisionally subject to the condition that, if called for interview/joining, they will produce proof of having passed the graduation examination on or before 31.12.2026.
- Local Language Proficiency: Candidates applying for vacancies in a particular State/UT must be proficient (reading, writing, speaking, and understanding) in the specified opted local language of that State/UT. Candidates who produce 10th or 12th standard mark sheet/certificate evidencing having studied the specified local language will not be subjected to any Language Test. Others must pass the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) after clearing Mains.
4. Age Limit & Category Relaxation
The crucial date for determining the age limit is 01 April 2026:
- Minimum Age: 20 Years
- Maximum Age: 28 Years
- Candidates must have been born not earlier than 02.04.1998 and not later than 01.04.2006 (both days inclusive).
Category-Wise Age Relaxation Table:
| Category | Upper Age Relaxation | Maximum Age Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe (SC / ST) | 5 Years | 33 Years (Born on or after 02.04.1993) |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC - Non Creamy Layer) | 3 Years | 31 Years (Born on or after 02.04.1995) |
| PwBD (Gen / EWS) | 10 Years | 38 Years |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | 15 Years | 43 Years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 Years | 41 Years |
| Ex-Servicemen / Disabled Ex-Servicemen | Actual period of service + 3 Years | Subject to max age of 50 Years |
5. SBI Clerk Salary, Pay Scale & Monthly Allowances
Basic Pay Scale
₹ 24,050 – ₹ 61,690
Starting basic pay is ₹ 26,730/- (₹ 24,050/- plus two advance increments admissible to graduates).
Gross Monthly In-Hand Salary
~ ₹ 46,000 / Month
Total starting gross emoluments in a metro city like Mumbai including DA, HRA, and CCA.
Admissible Allowances & Perks: Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), City Compensatory Allowance (CCA), Transport Allowance, Medical Benefits, Newspaper Allowance, Leased Accommodation, Pension under New Pension Scheme (NPS), and Concessional Loans for House & Car.
6. Application Fee & Payment Details
| Category | Application Fee | Intimation Charges | Total Payable Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen (DES) | NIL | NIL | NIL (Exempted) |
| OBC Candidates | ₹ 750/- | Included | ₹ 750/- |
Payment Mode: Fee payment can be made using Debit Cards (RuPay/Visa/MasterCard/Maestro), Credit Cards, Internet Banking, IMPS, Cash Cards/ Mobile Wallets, or UPI through the online gateway.
7. Important Dates & Exam Schedule
| Activity / Event | Official Timeline / Schedule |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release Date | 07 August 2026 |
| Online Application Registration Start Date | 07 August 2026 |
| Online Application Closing Date (Last Date) | 27 August 2026 |
| Last Date for Editing Application Details | 27 August 2026 |
| Last Date for Printing Application Form | 11 September 2026 |
| Download of Prelims Admit Card | August / September 2026 |
| Phase I Preliminary Examination | September 2026 (Tentative) |
| Phase II Main Examination | October / November 2026 (Tentative) |
8. Selection Process & Exam Scheme (Prelims, Mains & LLPT)
The selection process comprises three distinct phases:
Phase I: Online Preliminary Examination (Objective - 100 Marks)
100 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for 100 Marks, duration 1 Hour with 20 minutes fixed time for each section:
| Subject | No. of Qs | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 Mins |
| 2. Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Mins |
| 3. Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Mins |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 Mins |
Note: 1/4th negative marking applicable. Prelims is screening only; marks are not counted in final merit list.
Phase II: Online Main Examination (Objective - 200 Marks)
190 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) for 200 Marks, duration 2 Hours 40 Minutes:
| Subject | No. of Qs | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. General / Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 Mins |
| 2. General English | 40 | 40 | 35 Mins |
| 3. Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 Mins |
| 4. Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 Mins |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 2 Hours 40 Mins |
Note: Final merit list is prepared strictly based on total marks obtained in Phase II Main Exam.
Phase III: Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT - 50 Marks)
Candidates provisionally selected after Mains who have not studied the specified local language in 10th or 12th grade must pass LLPT (Non-Verbal Objective 15m, Non-Verbal Subjective 15m, Verbal 20m). LLPT is qualifying in nature.
9. How to Apply Online Step-by-Step for SBI Clerk 2026
- Visit the official SBI Careers web portal: sbi.bank.in/web/careers or bank.sbi/careers.
- Under JOIN SBI, click on Current Openings.
- Search for RECRUITMENT OF JUNIOR ASSOCIATES (CUSTOMER SUPPORT & SALES) - SPECIAL RECRUITMENT DRIVE (ADVT NO. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16).
- Click on Apply Online and select Click here for New Registration.
- Enter basic details (Name, Mobile Number, Email ID) to generate your Registration Number and Password.
- Upload scanned copies of Photograph, Signature, Left Thumb Impression, and Hand Written Declaration.
- Fill in educational qualification details, circle/state preference, and category details.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable) via online gateway and submit the application form.
- Download and print the final submitted application form for future reference.
10. Direct Official Links & Notification PDF Download
11. Frequently Asked Questions (10 FAQs)
The total number of backlog vacancies is 1,538 posts, comprising 207 for SC, 1,219 for ST, and 112 for OBC candidates across 21 States and Union Territories.
Online registration and fee payment are active from 07 August 2026 to 27 August 2026 on the official SBI careers portal.
Candidates must have a Graduation Degree in any discipline from a recognized University or equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government as on 31.12.2026. Final year students can also apply provisionally.
Candidates must be between 20 to 28 years of age as on 01.04.2026 (born between 02.04.1998 and 01.04.2006). Age relaxation of 5 years is applicable for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC candidates.
The starting basic pay is ₹26,730 (₹24,050 + two advance increments for graduates). The total starting monthly gross salary in a metro city like Mumbai is around ₹46,000 per month inclusive of DA, HRA, and perquisites.
The Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for September 2026, and the Main Examination will take place in October/November 2026.
No, there is no interview for SBI Junior Associate (Clerk). Final provisional selection is made solely based on marks obtained in the Phase-II Main Examination subject to qualifying the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT).
Candidates who have not studied the specified opted local language in 10th or 12th standard must qualify the Local Language Test (LLPT) consisting of Non-Verbal Objective (15 marks), Subjective (15 marks), and Verbal Test (20 marks) before appointment.
The application fee is NIL (Exempted) for SC, ST, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen candidates, and ₹750 for OBC candidates.
No, candidates can apply for vacancies in one State/UT only and can appear for the examination only once under this recruitment drive.