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The SBI Clerk examination is the recruitment gateway for Junior Associates (Customer Support and Sales) at the State Bank of India, the country's largest public sector bank with over 22,000 branches across India and abroad. Known officially as the Junior Associate (JA) post in the clerical cadre, the SBI Clerk is the first point of contact for every customer who walks into an SBI branch - handling cash transactions, account services, customer queries, cheque processing, and financial product assistance. Every year, nearly 9 to 10 lakh candidates register for this examination, making it one of the most competitive bank recruitment exams in the country.
The 2025 cycle (Advt. No. CRPD/CR/2025-26/06) announced 6,589 vacancies (5,180 regular and 1,409 backlog), with the Prelims conducted on 20th, 21st, and 27th September 2025 and the Mains on 21st November 2025. The Mains result was declared on 27th February 2026, with sectional cutoffs released on 10th March 2026. The 2026 cycle notification is expected in July or August 2026, with Prelims tentatively in September or October 2026.
This page covers every essential aspect of the SBI Clerk examination - the nature of the role, the two-stage selection process, eligibility conditions, exam pattern, salary, vacancy trends, cutoff benchmarks, and the preparation strategy that consistently produces qualifiers.
The Junior Associate (Customer Support and Sales) post at SBI is categorised in the clerical cadre, which sits below the officer cadre. Despite being an entry-level clerical position, it is considered among the most prestigious clerical banking jobs in India purely because of the institution - State Bank of India. The brand, the stability, the salary, the promotion pathway, and the sheer scale of the bank make the SBI Clerk post the first choice among banking aspirants targeting clerical recruitment.
The daily responsibilities of an SBI Junior Associate include:
The role is not purely administrative. It involves sustained customer interaction, product knowledge, and the ability to handle cash accurately under the scrutiny of both customers and supervisors. SBI selects candidates who demonstrate aptitude for this work through its rigorous two-stage examination process.
The 2026 notification is expected in July or August 2026. Based on the 2025 cycle, here is the expected framework:
| Feature Expected Detail (2026) | |
| Official Designation | Junior Associate (Customer Support and Sales) |
| Conducting Body | State Bank of India |
| Notification Release | July or August 2026 |
| Application Portal | sbi.co.in/web/careers |
| Total Expected Vacancies | To be announced (6,589 in 2025) |
| Application Fee (General/OBC/EWS) | Rs. 750 |
| Application Fee (SC/ST/PwBD) | Nil |
| Prelims Exam | September or October 2026 (tentative) |
| Mains Exam | November or December 2026 (tentative) |
| Selection Stages | Prelims, Mains, Language Proficiency Test |
| Interview | None |
| Final Merit Basis | Mains marks only |
All dates are tentative pending the official 2026 notification. Verify from sbi.co.in/web/careers once released.
The SBI Clerk selection process is transparent and purely merit-based with no interview or group discussion at any stage. The three components are:
Stage 1 - Preliminary Examination (Qualifying) The Prelims is a 60-minute, 100-mark online objective test divided into three sections with strict 20-minute sectional time limits. Prelims marks are not counted in the final merit. The Prelims shortlists candidates for Mains at approximately 10 times the total vacancies.
Stage 2 - Main Examination (Merit-determining) The Mains is the decisive stage. Marks from Mains (out of 200) determine the final state-wise and category-wise merit list. There are four sections with individual sectional time limits. Both sectional and overall cutoffs apply. SBI Apprentices who have completed their apprenticeship training successfully receive 5 bonus marks (2.5%) in the Mains.
Language Proficiency Test (LPT) After Mains shortlisting, candidates who cannot prove that they studied the official language of their applied state in Class 10 or 12 must appear in the LPT conducted by SBI. Failing the LPT disqualifies the candidate from joining even after clearing written stages. Candidates who passed the relevant language as a subject in Class 10 or 12 are exempted by producing their marksheet.
No Group Discussion. No Personal Interview. Final selection is based entirely on Mains performance.
For the complete exam pattern with section-wise marks and timing, visit the SBI Clerk Exam Pattern page.
| Section Questions Marks Time | |||
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Negative marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer. Sectional time limits are strict - the system automatically locks each section after 20 minutes. Both sectional and overall cutoffs apply in Prelims. Prelims marks are NOT counted in the final merit list.
| Section Questions Marks Time | |||
| General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 minutes |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude and Data Interpretation | 50 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 160 minutes |
Negative marking: 0.25 marks per wrong answer. Both sectional and overall cutoffs apply. Mains is available in English and Hindi (except the General English section).
Candidates must be Indian citizens. Subjects of Nepal, Bhutan, and Tibetan refugees settled in India before 1st January 1962 are also eligible with a Government of India eligibility certificate.
Age Relaxation:
| Category Relaxation | |
| SC/ST | 5 years (maximum 33 years) |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years (maximum 31 years) |
| PwBD - General/EWS | 10 years (maximum 38 years) |
| PwBD - SC/ST | 15 years (maximum 43 years) |
| PwBD - OBC | 13 years (maximum 41 years) |
| Ex-Servicemen | 3 years after deducting military service period |
| Widows/Divorced/Judicially Separated Women (General) | 9 years (maximum 37 years) |
A graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university. No minimum percentage required. Final-year graduation students may apply provisionally but must produce degree proof before a specified cut-off date mentioned in the notification (typically 31st December of the joining year). Ex-servicemen with specific service certificates are also eligible under conditions specified in the notification.
Existing SBI clerical cadre employees and former SBI clerical employees who resigned are not eligible to apply.
For the complete eligibility breakdown with all conditions, visit the SBI Clerk Eligibility Criteria page.
The SBI Clerk salary is one of the most attractive entry-level clerical pay packages in Indian public sector banking. Understanding the complete salary structure is a strong motivation for consistent preparation.
Starting basic pay: Rs. 26,730 per month (Rs. 24,050 base plus two advance increments for graduate joiners)
Pay scale: Rs. 24050 - 1340/3 - 28070 - 1650/3 - 33020 - 2000/4 - 41020 - 2340/7 - 57400 - 4400/1 - 61800 - 2680/1 - 64480
Gross monthly salary (Metro posting, Mumbai): Approximately Rs. 46,000 to Rs. 46,329 per month, inclusive of DA, HRA, Special Allowance, Transport Allowance, and other components
In-hand monthly salary: Approximately Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 43,000 per month after standard deductions (PF, NPS, Professional Tax)
This makes SBI Clerk the highest-paying clerical position among all public sector banks in India. The gross package at a metro posting is approximately Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 7,000 higher than equivalent IBPS Clerk positions at other PSU banks, primarily due to SBI's higher Special Allowance and the leased accommodation facility.
Leased Accommodation: One of SBI's most valued perks is the Leased Accommodation facility, where SBI pays rent directly to a landlord on the employee's behalf. In metro cities like Mumbai, this can be up to Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 20,000 per month - significantly higher than the standard HRA component. Employees who opt for leased accommodation over HRA receive substantially higher effective monthly benefit.
JAIIB and CAIIB increments: Passing JAIIB (Junior Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers) earns one salary increment. Passing CAIIB earns two additional increments. These certifications permanently increase basic pay and accelerate the promotion timeline.
For the complete salary breakdown with all allowances, deductions, and in-hand calculations, see the SBI Clerk Salary page.
The SBI Junior Associate is not a dead-end role. SBI has one of the most clearly defined internal promotion systems among all public sector banks, with a defined path from Clerk to General Manager.
Within the Clerical Cadre:
Promotion to Officer Cadre:
This means a Junior Associate who joins SBI at 22 can realistically reach officer level by 25 to 28 years of age through the Fast Track route with JAIIB and CAIIB qualifications and consistent performance.
Understanding vacancy trends helps aspirants gauge competition levels for each cycle. SBI Clerk vacancy counts have varied significantly across years.
| Year Total Vacancies Notable Context | ||
| 2025 | 6,589 (5,180 regular + 1,409 backlog) | Mains held Nov 2025; result Feb 2026 |
| 2024 | 14,191 | One of the highest vacancy years |
| 2023 | 8,283 | Above average cycle |
| 2022 | Not conducted | No SBI Clerk recruitment in 2022 |
| 2021 | 5,454 | COVID-affected cycle |
| 2020 | Not conducted | No SBI Clerk recruitment in 2020 |
| 2019 | 8,653 | Standard cycle |
| 2018 | 13,735 | High vacancy year |
| 2017 | 9,633 | Standard cycle |
The 2024 cycle with 14,191 vacancies was one of the largest in recent history, while 2025 contracted to 6,589. The 2026 vacancy count will be confirmed in the notification. Note that SBI did not conduct Clerk recruitment in 2020 and 2022, meaning the 2021 and 2023 cycles absorbed pent-up demand from skipped years.
The SBI Clerk cutoff operates at two levels: Prelims (state-wise and category-wise, out of 100) and Mains (state-wise and category-wise, out of 200 before normalisation and expressed after normalisation).
The 2025 Prelims was rated Easy to Moderate. Across major states, General category Prelims cutoffs ranged approximately:
The 2025 Mains sectional and overall cutoffs were released on 10th March 2026. For General/EWS category, the Mains overall cutoff ranged from approximately 72 to 92 marks out of 200 across states, reflecting state-wise vacancy distribution and candidate performance density.
For the complete year-wise cutoff data across all stages and categories, visit the SBI Clerk Cutoff page.
The three Prelims sections cover:
English Language: Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Error Detection, Sentence Improvement, Para Jumbles, Fill in the Blanks, vocabulary-based questions
Numerical Ability: Data Interpretation (Table, Bar, Pie, Line graph), Number Series, Simplification and Approximation, Quadratic Equations, and Arithmetic (Percentage, Profit-Loss, SI/CI, Ratio, Time-Work, TSD, Averages, Mixtures)
Reasoning Ability: Puzzles and Seating Arrangements (dominant topic), Syllogisms, Inequalities, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Direction and Distance, Alphanumeric Series, Input-Output
General/Financial Awareness: Current Affairs (last 6 months), Banking and Financial Awareness, RBI policies, government schemes, international finance, static banking knowledge
Reasoning and Computer Aptitude: All Prelims Reasoning topics at higher difficulty plus Computer Hardware, Software, Operating Systems, Networking basics, MS Office, Internet concepts, Cybersecurity fundamentals, Database basics
Quantitative Aptitude: All Prelims topics at higher difficulty plus Caselet DI, advanced DI formats, Data Sufficiency
For the complete topic-level syllabus, visit the SBI Clerk Syllabus page.
Understanding where SBI Clerk sits relative to other banking examinations helps candidates prioritise their application and preparation calendar.
| Feature SBI Clerk IBPS Clerk SBI PO | |||
| Bank | SBI only | 11 PSU banks | SBI only |
| Post | Junior Associate (Clerical) | Customer Service Associate (Clerical) | Probationary Officer |
| Starting In-Hand (Metro) | Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 43,000 | Rs. 37,000 to Rs. 39,000 | Rs. 80,000 to Rs. 85,000 |
| Interview | No | No | Yes (Phase III) |
| Exam Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate to Difficult |
| Vacancies (2025) | 6,589 | 10,277 | 541 |
| Leased Accommodation | Yes | No (HRA only) | Yes |
| SBI Apprentice Bonus | 5 marks in Mains | Not applicable | Not applicable |
SBI Clerk is preferred over IBPS Clerk primarily because of the SBI brand, higher salary, and the leased accommodation benefit. It is significantly more accessible than SBI PO in terms of examination difficulty but offers lower compensation than the officer-level position.
Candidates who are preparing for SBI PO should also appear for SBI Clerk simultaneously, as the Prelims preparation is largely identical. The IBPS Clerk preparation also transfers well to SBI Clerk with minimal additional subject work (Computer Aptitude for Mains being the primary difference).
The three Prelims subjects have well-defined topic priorities. Build conceptual clarity in this order:
For Numerical Ability, start with arithmetic fundamentals (Percentage, Profit-Loss, SI/CI, Ratio, TSD, Time-Work) before moving to DI sets. Simplification and Approximation should be practised daily from the beginning for speed building. Number Series recognition should become automatic through daily practice of 5 to 10 questions.
For Reasoning Ability, begin with Puzzles immediately. A candidate who cannot solve basic puzzle sets within 4 to 5 minutes will not achieve a competitive Reasoning score. Master one puzzle format at a time - linear, then circular, then floor-based. Non-puzzle topics (Syllogisms, Inequalities, Blood Relations) require 2 to 3 weeks of focused practice each.
For English Language, daily editorial reading from The Hindu or Indian Express builds reading speed, vocabulary, and grammatical intuition simultaneously. Targeted grammar practice for Error Detection (subject-verb agreement, tense, articles, prepositions) covers the remaining gap.
The 20-minute sectional time limit is the most operationally demanding feature of SBI Clerk Prelims. Candidates must practise each section specifically within 20-minute windows - not combined 60-minute sessions. Section-wise timed tests and then full-length mock tests with strict sectional locks build the pace and discipline the actual exam demands.
The SBI Clerk Prelims Test Series on Aspirant Mitraa provides full-length mock tests calibrated to actual SBI Clerk difficulty with the strict 20-minute sectional timer structure and post-test analytics by section and topic.
The SBI Clerk Syllabus Tracker helps maintain a structured record of completed topics across all three Prelims sections and four Mains sections.
The gap between the Prelims exam date and Mains is typically 7 to 9 weeks. Candidates who begin Mains preparation on the day of the Prelims - not after the result - have a decisive advantage. Banking Awareness preparation in particular requires sustained daily reading and cannot be compressed into 2 to 3 weeks of pre-Mains cramming.
Computer Aptitude in SBI Clerk Mains (present in SBI Clerk unlike IBPS Clerk post-2025) requires dedicated preparation covering hardware/software basics, networking, MS Office, and database concepts. Candidates from non-technical backgrounds must begin this topic at least 4 to 6 weeks before Mains.
| Page Link | |
| Syllabus - Prelims and Mains | View Syllabus |
| Eligibility Criteria | Check Eligibility |
| Exam Pattern | View Pattern |
| Cutoff Marks | View Cutoffs |
| Salary and Career Growth | View Salary |
| Application Process | How to Apply |
| Official Notification | Read Notification |
| Exam Analysis | Read Analysis |
| Exam Day Guidance | Preparation Checklist |
| Result | Check Result |
| FAQ | Common Questions |
| Test Series | Start Practicing |
| Syllabus Tracker | Track Progress |
Is there an interview in the SBI Clerk selection process? No. There is no Group Discussion or Personal Interview at any stage of the SBI Clerk selection process. Final selection is based entirely on the Mains examination score.
Can I choose my posting location? No. SBI assigns posting locations based on vacancy requirements across its branch network. Candidates are liable to be posted anywhere within the state they applied for. Inter-circle transfer is not provided to Junior Associates after joining.
Are SBI Clerk Prelims marks counted in final selection? No. Prelims marks are qualifying only and are not added to the final merit list. Only Mains marks determine the final selection and merit ranking.
What is the Language Proficiency Test? The LPT is conducted by SBI in the official language of the state the candidate applied for. Candidates who studied the relevant language as a subject in Class 10 or 12 are exempted by producing the marksheet. Failing the LPT disqualifies the candidate from joining.
What is the SBI Apprentice bonus in Mains? SBI Apprentices who have completed their apprenticeship training (engagement start date on or after 1st January 2022, with one year of branch experience completed before the registration last date, and satisfactory performance) receive 5 bonus marks (2.5% of 200) in the Mains examination.
How does the SBI Clerk salary compare to IBPS Clerk? SBI Clerk offers a higher starting gross salary (approximately Rs. 46,000 versus Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 42,000 for IBPS banks) and the additional benefit of Leased Accommodation, which can add Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 20,000 per month in effective housing benefit in metro cities.
The SBI Clerk examination is one of the most rewarding entry points into public sector banking in India. With no interview, a merit-based transparent selection, a highly competitive salary package, and a defined promotion pathway to officer level, it offers aspirants a stable and growth-oriented banking career at the country's most prominent financial institution.