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The SBI PO notification is the document that formally begins the recruitment cycle for Probationary Officers at India's largest public sector bank. Released annually by the State Bank of India on its official careers portal at sbi.co.in, the notification contains everything an aspirant needs to apply: vacancy count, category-wise breakdowns, eligibility conditions, exam schedule, application instructions, fee details, exam centre list, and the selection process outline. Reading the notification carefully is not optional. Every year, candidates face preventable disqualifications because they relied on unofficial summaries instead of the source document.
This page covers the expected 2026 notification details, the year-wise vacancy trend, how to download and read the notification PDF, what changed in 2025 that is expected to continue, and the steps aspirants must take immediately after the notification is released.
For the complete examination guide, visit the SBI PO main page.
The official SBI PO 2026 notification is expected to be released in June 2026 on sbi.co.in/web/careers. Based on the 2025 notification and historical patterns, the following details are anticipated:
| Feature Expected Detail (2026) | |
| Notification Release | June 2026 |
| Application Start Date | June 2026 (same day as notification) |
| Application Last Date | Approximately 3 weeks after notification |
| Prelims Exam Dates | 1st and 2nd August 2026 (tentative) |
| Mains Exam Date | 12th September 2026 (tentative) |
| Application Fee | Rs. 750 (General/OBC/EWS); Nil (SC/ST/PwBD) |
| Total Vacancies (Expected) | 500 to 900 posts |
| Official Portal | sbi.co.in/web/careers |
These dates are based on the official SBI PO 2025 timeline and expert expectations. The confirmed dates will only be available in the official notification PDF. Candidates should monitor sbi.co.in regularly and subscribe to SBI's official communication channels from May 2026 to ensure they do not miss the release.
The 2025 notification was released on 24th June 2025 under advertisement number CRPD/PO/2025-26/04. Key details from the 2025 notification:
The 2025 notification also introduced the revised exam pattern with changes to the Prelims section distribution and the broadened Descriptive Test format in Mains - details that every 2026 aspirant must understand. For the full pattern breakdown, visit the SBI PO Exam Pattern page.
One of the most practical uses of historical notification data is understanding how vacancies have moved over the years. Higher vacancies reduce competition per seat; lower vacancies intensify it.
| Year Total Vacancies Notable Context | ||
| 2025 | 541 | Lowest in the recent 8-year window |
| 2024 | 1000 (approx.) | Recovery from 2023 |
| 2023 | 2,000 | High vacancy year |
| 2022 | 1,673 | Second highest in the period |
| 2021 | 2,056 | Highest vacancy year in recent history |
| 2020 | 2,000 | COVID impacted timeline |
| 2019 | 2,000 | Large recruitment cycle |
| 2018 | 2,000 | Peak recruitment phase |
| 2017 | 2,313 | Very high vacancy year |
The 2025 cycle with only 541 vacancies represents a sharp contraction from the 2017-2023 period where vacancies were consistently in the 1,600 to 2,313 range. This has two direct implications for aspirants:
First, competition per seat intensified dramatically in 2024 and 2025. With 6.5 lakh applicants competing for 541 seats, the selection ratio was approximately 1 in 1,200 - one of the toughest in SBI PO history.
Second, the cutoff can move unpredictably when vacancy numbers change significantly. A candidate who benchmarks preparation against 2021's final cutoff of 55.12 (when 2,056 vacancies were available) may be surprised by a lower 2025 final cutoff of 46.79 (with 541 vacancies) despite the intensified competition. The normalisation formula absorbs much of the vacancy-driven variation in the final score.
The 2025 notification's 541 total vacancies were distributed as follows:
| Category Regular Vacancies Backlog Vacancies Total | |||
| UR (General) | 200 | 0 | 200 |
| OBC | 135 | 10 | 145 |
| EWS | 50 | 0 | 50 |
| SC | 75 | 20 | 95 |
| ST | 40 | 11 | 51 |
| Total | 500 | 41 | 541 |
PwBD candidates are accommodated through horizontal reservation across the above categories. The backlog vacancies represent positions from previous recruitment cycles that remained unfilled and were carried forward to the 2025 cycle.
The official SBI PO notification is a comprehensive document. Candidates should download and read all sections before applying. Here is what each section typically covers:
Part 1 - Introduction and Overview. The notification opens with a general introduction to SBI PO recruitment, the nature of the post, and the selection process summary.
Part 2 - Vacancies. The total number of posts, category-wise breakdown, and distribution across backlog and regular vacancies are detailed here.
Part 3 - Eligibility Conditions. This section covers nationality, age limits with relaxations, educational qualifications, attempt limits, and any specific provisions for the current year. This is the most critical section for aspirants to verify before applying. For detailed eligibility guidance, visit the SBI PO Eligibility Criteria page.
Part 4 - Selection Process. The three-phase selection process, the marking scheme, sectional time limits, and the merit calculation formula are described in detail. Verify this section carefully in the 2026 notification since the exam pattern was revised in 2025 and may see further minor updates.
Part 5 - Application Process. Step-by-step instructions for registering on the SBI portal, filling the form, uploading documents, and paying the fee are provided. For a complete guide to the application steps, visit the SBI PO Application Process page.
Part 6 - Exam Centres. A list of cities where the Prelims and Mains examinations will be conducted. Candidates must select their preferred city from this list. Major cities across all states and union territories are typically included.
Part 7 - Important Instructions. This section lists what candidates must bring on exam day, prohibited items, conduct rules, and consequences of misconduct.
Part 8 - Legal and Service Conditions. The bond requirement (Rs. 2 lakh for three years of service), posting conditions (liability to be posted anywhere in India), and other service-related terms are described.
Annexures. The notification typically includes annexures covering the details of Pre-Exam Training, the format of required certificates (OBC, SC, ST, EWS, PwBD), and the format of the handwritten declaration.
Once the notification is released, candidates can access it as follows:
Do not download or rely on notification PDFs from unofficial websites, coaching institute portals, or social media. The official PDF from sbi.co.in is the only legally valid document. Unofficial versions may have errors, outdated dates, or missing sections.
The SBI PO notification includes details of Pre-Exam Training (PET) offered free of charge to candidates from SC, ST, and minority communities. The training is typically held 15 to 20 days before the Prelims examination.
Key points about Pre-Exam Training:
For candidates who do not have access to structured private coaching, PET is a meaningful free resource. However, it supplements rather than replaces self-study and structured mock test practice.
Several changes introduced in the 2025 notification are expected to continue in 2026:
Revised Prelims question distribution. English Language increased from 30 to 40 questions, while Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability each reduced from 35 to 30 questions. This change emphasises English comprehension speed more heavily than before.
Broader Descriptive Test. The Mains Descriptive Test now covers Email Writing, Report Writing, Situation Analysis, and Precis Writing in addition to the earlier Letter and Essay formats. Candidates preparing for 2026 must practise all these formats.
Increased Mains question count. Total Mains Objective Test questions rose from 155 to 170, with the General/Economy/Banking Awareness section expanding from 50 to 60 questions.
These changes are confirmed for 2025 and expected to be retained in 2026 unless the official 2026 notification states otherwise. Always verify the current year's notification for any further revisions.
From the 2025 cycle, SBI required candidates to upload a scanned copy of a handwritten declaration in their own handwriting, in a prescribed format, as part of the application. The text of the declaration is provided in the notification annexure. This is a biometric-style authenticity measure to prevent fraudulent applications.
For 2026, candidates should:
Candidates with uploaded declarations that are typed, computer-generated, or written by someone else face application rejection.
The notification clearly states that selected candidates must execute a bond of Rs. 2 lakh at the time of joining, binding them to serve the bank for a minimum of three years. Resignation before completing three years triggers recovery of the full bond amount.
Additionally, selected candidates must accept posting anywhere in India. SBI is a nationwide institution with branches across all states, union territories, and even abroad. A new PO has no choice of posting city at the time of joining. This is a condition that aspirants must genuinely evaluate before applying, especially those with specific location constraints.
The window between notification release and application closure is typically just 3 weeks. This is not the time to begin preparation; it is the time to act on preparation already underway.
When the notification is released:
Where is the SBI PO notification released? The official notification PDF is released exclusively on sbi.co.in/web/careers under "Current Openings." It is also linked from the SBI home page when active. There is no other official publication channel.
How long is the SBI PO application window? Typically 3 weeks from notification release. The 2025 window was from 24th June to 14th July 2025 - exactly 21 days. Act promptly within the first few days to avoid last-minute technical issues.
Is there a separate notification for backlog vacancies? No. Regular and backlog vacancies are announced together in a single notification. Candidates do not apply separately for backlog positions; they are filled from the same merit list.
Can I modify my application after submission? SBI typically does not provide a correction window for applications. This makes it critical to verify every field before clicking submit. Unlike UPSC's correction window, SBI PO applications generally cannot be edited post-submission.
What if I miss the SBI PO notification release date? The notification remains available for download on sbi.co.in throughout the application window and beyond. Missing the release date does not prevent application as long as the window is still open. However, applying late risks losing access to preferred exam centres.
The SBI PO notification is the starting point of the selection journey. Treating it with the same seriousness as the examination itself - reading thoroughly, applying promptly, and using the announcement as a signal to intensify preparation - is the right mindset every aspirant should carry into the recruitment cycle.
Stay updated with the latest news and notifications about SBI PO Notification 2026 - Expected Dates, Vacancies, Complete Guide, and Year-wise Trends and other exams.
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24 May 2026
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