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The SBI Clerk syllabus defines exactly what the State Bank of India tests when it recruits Junior Associates through the Preliminary and Main examinations. SBI does not publish a granular topic list in its official notification - it specifies broad subject areas from which questions are drawn. This page provides the most complete and accurate topic-level breakdown of the SBI Clerk syllabus for both stages, based on the official notification framework and question paper analysis from the 2023, 2024, and 2025 examination cycles.
For the complete examination overview, visit the SBI Clerk main page. Track your topic-level completion using the SBI Clerk Syllabus Tracker.
| Stage Sections Total Marks Duration | |||
| Prelims | English Language, Numerical Ability, Reasoning Ability | 100 marks | 60 minutes |
| Mains | General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude and DI, Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude | 200 marks | 160 minutes |
Critical note: Prelims marks are not counted in the final merit list. Prelims only determines shortlisting for Mains. Mains marks alone decide the final state-wise merit and provisional selection.
The most important syllabus distinction between SBI Clerk and IBPS Clerk is that SBI Clerk Mains includes Computer Aptitude in the Reasoning section, while IBPS Clerk removed Computer Aptitude from Mains in 2025. Candidates appearing for both must account for this difference.
English Language in SBI Clerk Prelims tests reading comprehension, grammar, and vocabulary at a moderate difficulty level. The section must be completed in exactly 20 minutes with no ability to borrow time from adjacent sections.
Reading Comprehension (RC) contributes 8 to 10 questions from 1 to 2 passages per paper. In SBI Clerk Prelims:
Cloze Test presents a 5 to 7-blank passage where candidates fill the most appropriate word. SBI Clerk Cloze Tests have shifted from simple grammar-based fills to context-sensitive vocabulary-and-meaning-driven blanks. The passage theme often relates to economics, environment, or social issues.
Error Detection tests grammatical accuracy. The most frequently tested error types in SBI Clerk are:
Para Jumbles presents 4 to 6 sentences to be rearranged into a logical paragraph. The opening sentence (introducing a topic without referring to something mentioned earlier) and closing sentence (conclusive tone, summarising) are the anchors. Discourse markers (therefore, however, nevertheless, consequently, on the other hand) signal sentence order.
Sentence Improvement and Correction asks for replacement of a highlighted phrase or clause with the grammatically and contextually superior option.
Fill in the Blanks tests vocabulary at a formal English level, including homophones, near-synonyms, and contextually appropriate word usage.
Miscellaneous New Pattern Questions seen in recent SBI Clerk papers include column-matching (match sentence halves in Column A and Column B), word usage in multiple contexts, and single/double blank contextual fills.
Preparation approach: Daily reading of one editorial from The Hindu or Indian Express is the single most effective preparation habit for this section. It simultaneously builds reading speed, vocabulary range, and grammatical intuition. Targeted grammar rule study for error detection (subject-verb agreement, tenses, articles, prepositions) using a dedicated banking English preparation book covers the remaining requirement.
Numerical Ability in SBI Clerk Prelims tests data interpretation, arithmetic competence, and numerical reasoning under significant time pressure. With 35 questions in 20 minutes (average 34 seconds per question), calculation speed is as critical as conceptual knowledge.
Data Interpretation (DI) is the highest-weightage topic, typically contributing 12 to 18 questions from 2 to 4 DI sets per paper. Common formats:
Number Series tests pattern recognition. One set of 5 questions typically appears per paper. Common patterns:
Simplification and Approximation are the fastest marks in this section for prepared candidates. Questions test BODMAS-based arithmetic with fractions, percentages, surds, and mixed operations. The approximation variant requires rounding to the nearest convenient number before computing - a skill that requires deliberate daily practice.
Quadratic Equations present two quadratic expressions. Candidates find the roots of each equation and compare them using the relationship (greater than, less than, equal to, or cannot be determined).
Arithmetic Topics that appear individually (not within DI sets):
| Topic Key Subtopics | |
| Percentage | Percentage change, percentage-of-percentage, reverse percentage problems |
| Profit and Loss | CP, SP, markup, discount, successive discounts, dishonest dealings |
| Simple and Compound Interest | SI/CI formulae, instalment calculations, difference between SI and CI |
| Ratio and Proportion | Direct/inverse proportion, partnership profit sharing |
| Average | Simple average, weighted average, changes when a new member is added or removed |
| Time and Work | Individual work rates, combined work, pipes and cisterns |
| Time, Speed, and Distance | Relative speed concepts, train crossing problems, boat and stream problems |
| Mixtures and Alligations | Mixing two solutions or substances, replacement problems |
Preparation approach: Master arithmetic topics first - they form the stable scoring foundation. Practise DI sets daily from the second month onwards, covering all five main formats. Simplification should be practised in short daily bursts for speed. Number series recognition becomes automatic through 5 to 10 daily series questions practised over 4 to 6 weeks.
Reasoning Ability in SBI Clerk Prelims is moderate in difficulty - harder than basic banking exams but significantly simpler than SBI PO or IBPS PO. The dominant topic is Puzzles and Seating Arrangements.
Puzzles and Seating Arrangements consistently account for 15 to 22 questions across 3 to 4 sets. Common formats:
SBI Clerk puzzle sets at Prelims level typically have 3 to 5 conditions and are solvable within 3 to 5 minutes using the systematic grid approach.
Syllogisms present 2 to 3 categorical statements with 2 to 3 conclusions. Candidates determine which conclusions logically follow using Venn diagram logic. SBI Clerk includes both definite and possibility-type syllogism questions.
Inequalities (Direct and Coded):
Coding-Decoding: SBI Clerk uses the 3-word coded sentence format where the code for each word is determined by comparing common elements across multiple coded sentences.
Blood Relations: Coded blood relation format (e.g. "A@B" means A is the father of B) and straightforward statement-based formats both appear.
Direction and Distance: Tracking movement through a sequence of directional turns. Distance calculation for diagonal paths uses the Pythagorean theorem.
Input-Output: A machine processes a line of words and numbers through a specific rearrangement rule across multiple steps. Candidates identify the rule and predict any given step's arrangement.
Alphanumeric Series: A mixed sequence of letters, numbers, and symbols from which positional, count, and pattern-based questions are asked.
Data Sufficiency: A question is followed by two statements. Candidates determine whether the statements individually or together are sufficient to answer the question.
Preparation approach: Begin with Puzzles. A candidate who cannot reliably solve 2 moderately complex puzzle sets in 12 to 14 minutes will not score competitively in Reasoning. After Puzzles, master Syllogisms and Inequalities - they are conceptually systematic and reward consistent rule application. Blood Relations, Directions, and Coding-Decoding together account for 8 to 12 questions and can be learned in 2 to 3 weeks of focused daily practice.
This section is absent from Prelims and is the most differentiating section in the Mains examination. Candidates who have maintained 6 months of sustained banking and current affairs preparation score 35 to 45 out of 50; those who have not consistently prepared score 15 to 25.
| Sub-topic Coverage | |
| Current Affairs (6 months before Mains) | National events, international summits, appointments, awards, sports, government schemes |
| Banking Awareness | RBI functions, monetary policy tools (repo rate, reverse repo, CRR, SLR, MSF), inflation targeting, MPC |
| Financial Terms | GDP, GNP, NNP, fiscal deficit, current account deficit, balance of payments |
| Types of Banks | Scheduled and non-scheduled banks, commercial, cooperative, small finance, payment banks, RRBs |
| RBI and Regulatory Bodies | SEBI, IRDAI, PFRDA, NABARD, NHB, SIDBI |
| Financial Inclusion Schemes | PM Jan Dhan Yojana, PM Suraksha Bima Yojana, PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, Atal Pension Yojana, Mudra Yojana |
| Government Schemes | Budget highlights, Union Budget key announcements, infrastructure schemes |
| BASEL Norms | BASEL III capital adequacy requirements, Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital |
| Negotiable Instruments | Cheque types, demand draft, promissory note, bill of exchange |
| Banking History | Nationalisation of banks, SBI formation and mergers |
| International Finance | IMF, World Bank, ADB, SWIFT, forex market |
| Acts and Regulations | Banking Regulation Act, RBI Act, SARFAESI Act, IBC, PMLA, FEMA |
Preparation approach: Read one financial newspaper daily throughout preparation. Maintain a monthly current affairs compilation. Use a dedicated Banking Awareness book for static topics. Do not begin this section 2 weeks before Mains - it requires 5 to 6 months of ongoing preparation.
Mains English follows the same topic structure as Prelims but with longer, more complex passages and more nuanced grammar questions.
All Prelims QA topics continue at higher difficulty plus:
Reasoning (35 to 40 questions): All Prelims topics at higher complexity. Multi-variable puzzles with 6 to 8 conditions, double-sided seating arrangements, and critical reasoning questions appear at Mains level.
Computer Aptitude (10 to 15 questions): This is the key distinction between SBI Clerk and IBPS Clerk Mains (IBPS Clerk removed Computer Aptitude in 2025, SBI Clerk retains it).
| Computer Topic Specific Coverage | |
| Hardware | CPU, input/output devices, storage types (RAM, ROM, HDD, SSD) |
| Software | System software vs application software, operating systems |
| Networking | LAN, WAN, MAN, IP address, router, modem, protocol types |
| Internet | Browser, email, search engine, URL structure, HTTP/HTTPS |
| Operating Systems | Windows, Linux, Unix basics |
| MS Office | Word processing, spreadsheet formulas, presentation software |
| Cybersecurity | Malware, phishing, firewall, antivirus, encryption basics |
| Database | DBMS concepts, SQL basics, data types |
| Number Systems | Binary, decimal, hexadecimal, octal conversions |
| Computer Abbreviations | Common IT abbreviations tested in banking exams |
Computer Aptitude questions at SBI Clerk Mains are straightforward - they test awareness rather than technical depth. A candidate with basic computer familiarity and 2 to 3 weeks of focused preparation from a standard banking Computer Aptitude book can comfortably score 8 to 12 marks in this sub-section.
Based on question frequency and marks weight across recent SBI Clerk cycles:
Highest Priority (Prelims):
Highest Priority (Mains):
The SBI Clerk Prelims Test Series on Aspirant Mitraa is structured topic-by-topic to align with this syllabus. Topic-wise tests for each Puzzle format, each DI format, each grammar topic, and each arithmetic area allow candidates to test their conceptual command immediately after studying each topic. Section-wise timed tests build 20-minute sectional discipline. Full-length mocks simulate the actual exam environment.
Use the SBI Clerk Syllabus Tracker to maintain a record of which topics have been studied and tested, preventing the common preparation error of repeatedly practising comfortable topics while avoiding weak areas.
Is SBI Clerk Mains syllabus the same as IBPS Clerk Mains? The broad structure is similar with both covering four sections. The key difference is Computer Aptitude - SBI Clerk Mains includes Computer Aptitude as part of the Reasoning section while IBPS Clerk removed Computer Aptitude from Mains in 2025. This means SBI Clerk Mains preparation requires additional Computer Knowledge topics.
Is Computer Knowledge tested in SBI Clerk Prelims? No. Computer Aptitude is only in the Mains examination, specifically within the "Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude" section. Prelims covers only English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability.
How many months of current affairs are relevant for SBI Clerk Mains? The General/Financial Awareness section covers the last 6 months of current events before the Mains examination date. For a Mains scheduled in November 2026, the relevant period is approximately May to November 2026.
Can I skip Computer Aptitude in SBI Clerk Mains? Not recommended. Computer Aptitude contributes 10 to 15 questions to the Reasoning and Computer Aptitude section. Since sectional cutoffs apply, falling below the section's minimum due to leaving Computer Aptitude questions entirely unattempted could lead to disqualification even with strong Reasoning scores. A 2 to 3 week focused preparation for Computer basics is sufficient.
What is the most important subject in SBI Clerk Mains? General/Financial Awareness is the most differentiating subject because it separates candidates who have maintained consistent current affairs preparation from those who have not. Reasoning and DI sections are hard to outperform peers in purely on exam-day effort; GK rewards sustained preparation investment more than any other section.