Overview
The State Bank of India (SBI) has outlined the syllabus and examination structure for the Junior Associate (Customer Support and Sales) 2026 recruitment under the SC/ST/OBC Backlog Special Recruitment Drive, Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16. The drive will fill backlog vacancies in the clerical cadre; the total number of posts is TBA and candidates should confirm the state- and category-wise distribution from the detailed notification.
Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|
| Organization | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post Name | Junior Associate (Customer Support and Sales) — Clerk |
| Total Vacancies | TBA — Backlog vacancies for SC/ST/OBC categories |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | sbi.co.in/web/careers |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|
| Application Start | TBA |
| Last Date | TBA |
| Exam Date | TBA |
| Result Date | TBA |
Candidates should rely on the SBI Careers portal for the confirmed registration schedule, examination call letters and result announcements.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
- Applicants must hold a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university or possess an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.
- Candidates with an integrated dual degree must ensure that the date of passing falls within the cut-off specified by SBI.
- Knowledge of the specified local language of the state or Union Territory applied for is required.
- Applicants who studied the local language in Class 10 or Class 12 may be exempted from the separate Local Language Proficiency Test, subject to documentary proof.
Age Limit
- The standard SBI Junior Associate age bracket is 20 to 28 years, calculated on the cut-off date stated in the detailed advertisement.
- Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe candidates generally receive an upper-age relaxation of five years.
- Other Backward Classes candidates from the non-creamy layer generally receive an upper-age relaxation of three years.
- Additional relaxation for eligible PwBD, ex-servicemen and other categories will be governed by SBI and Central Government rules.
Fees
- SC/ST/PwBD/eligible exempted categories: No application fee, subject to the notification.
- OBC and other fee-paying categories: SBI’s applicable recruitment fee, generally ₹750, including intimation charges.
- Fees must be paid online and are normally non-refundable once the transaction is completed.
Selection Process
- Preliminary Examination: An online qualifying examination carrying 100 marks.
- Main Examination: Shortlisted candidates take the 200-mark main examination; mains performance determines merit.
- Local Language Test and document verification: The language test is qualifying in nature. There is no interview for the Junior Associate post.
Preliminary Examination Pattern
| Subject | 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 |
The test has separately timed sections. A penalty of one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question applies to each incorrect answer, while unanswered questions carry no penalty.
Main Examination Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|
| --- | ---: | ---: | ---: |
| General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 minutes |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 2 hours 40 minutes |
Negative marking of one-fourth mark applies in the mains examination as well.
Subject-wise Syllabus
- English Language: Reading comprehension, cloze test, error detection, sentence improvement, para jumbles, fillers, vocabulary and grammar.
- Numerical/Quantitative Aptitude: Simplification, number series, percentages, ratio and proportion, profit and loss, averages, time and work, speed and distance, simple and compound interest, data interpretation and arithmetic problems.
- Reasoning Ability: Puzzles, seating arrangements, syllogism, inequalities, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, ranking, alphanumeric series and input-output.
- General/Financial Awareness: Current affairs, banking terminology, RBI and monetary policy, financial institutions, government schemes, static awareness and economic developments.
- Computer Aptitude: Computer fundamentals, hardware and software, operating systems, internet, networking, databases, cybersecurity and office applications.
How to Apply
- Visit the SBI Careers portal and open the Current Openings section.
- Select the Junior Associate Backlog Special Recruitment Drive advertisement and read the eligibility conditions carefully.
- Complete new registration using an active mobile number and email address.
- Enter personal, educational, category and state preference details exactly as shown in official documents.
- Upload the prescribed photograph, signature, handwritten declaration and other required files in the specified format.
- Pay the applicable fee online, review the form and submit it before the deadline.
- Download the completed application and e-receipt for future reference.
Important Links
FAQs
What is the negative marking in the SBI Clerk 2026 examination?
One-fourth of the marks allotted to a question will be deducted for every wrong answer in both prelims and mains.
Is the preliminary examination counted in the final merit list?
No. Prelims is qualifying; final merit is generally prepared from mains marks after candidates qualify in the local language requirement.
Is a Local Language Test compulsory?
It is compulsory for candidates who cannot produce Class 10 or Class 12 pro
