SBI Announces 1538 Vacancies for Clerk (Junior Associate) Recruitment 2026
The State Bank of India (SBI) has officially published a notification regarding the recruitment for the position of Clerk (Junior Associate) for the year 2026, offering a total of 1538 vacancies. The application process will be open for eligible candidates from August 7, 2026, to August 27, 2026. Interested individuals can submit their applications through the SBI official website at sbi.bank.in.
Overview
The recruitment advertisement, numbered CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16, pertains specifically to the hiring of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) within the clerical cadre. This recruitment drive is categorized as a Special Recruitment Drive exclusively for SC/ST/OBC candidates for backlog vacancies, thus excluding General/Unreserved and EWS candidates. A detailed breakdown of the vacancies includes:
- SC: 207
- ST: 1219
- OBC: 112
The available positions span across 21 states and Union Territories. Eligible candidates, aged between 20 and 28 years as of April 1, 2026, from SC, ST, or OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) categories, can apply from August 7 to August 27, 2026.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Start Date | August 7, 2026 |
| Online Registration Last Date | August 27, 2026 |
| Preliminary Exam (Tentative) | September 2026 |
| Main Exam (Tentative) | October/November 2026 |
Vacancy Details
The total of 1538 vacancies are designated specifically for SC, ST, and OBC candidates. Candidates are permitted to apply for positions in only one State/UT, with merit lists compiled based on the category and state of application. It is crucial that applicants are proficient in the local language specified for their chosen State/UT.
| Circle | State/UT | Language | SC | ST | OBC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amaravati | Andhra Pradesh | Telugu/Urdu | - | 88 | - | 88 |
| Bengaluru | Karnataka | Kannada | 85 | 35 | - | 120 |
| Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh | Hindi | - | 134 | - | 134 |
| Chhattisgarh | - | - | - | 26 | - | 26 |
| Bhubaneswar | Odisha | Odia | - | 111 | - | 111 |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh UT | Hindi/Punjabi | - | - | 22 | 22 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Jammu & Kashmir UT | Urdu/Hindi | - | 42 | - | 42 |
| Himachal Pradesh | Himachal Pradesh | Hindi | 11 | - | - | 11 |
| Punjab | Punjab | Punjabi/Hindi | - | - | 18 | 18 |
| Chennai | Tamil Nadu | Tamil | 65 | - | - | 65 |
| Hyderabad | Telangana | Telugu/Urdu | - | 32 | - | 32 |
| Jaipur | Rajasthan | Hindi | 20 | 86 | - | 106 |
| Kolkata | West Bengal | Bengali/Nepali | - | - | 55 | 55 |
| Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh | Hindi/Urdu | - | 31 | - | 31 |
| Maharashtra/Mumbai Metro | Maharashtra | Marathi | - | 165 | - | 165 |
| New Delhi | Delhi | Hindi | - | - | 17 | 17 |
| Gandhinagar | Gujarat | Gujarati | - | 289 | - | 289 |
| Guwahati | Assam | Assamese/Bengali/Bodo | - | 39 | - | 39 |
| Tripura | Tripura | Bengali/Kokborok | - | 22 | - | 22 |
| Patna | Bihar | Hindi/Urdu | 12 | - | - | 12 |
| Jharkhand | Jharkhand | Hindi/Santhali | 14 | 119 | - | 133 |
| Total | - | - | 207 | 1219 | 112 | 1538 |
Note: Candidates applying for positions in Maharashtra or Uttar Pradesh should verify their specific operational areas through SBI's Branch Locator available on the official website.
Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Apply
This recruitment drive is exclusively for candidates belonging to SC, ST, and OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) for filling backlog vacancies. General/UR and EWS candidates are not eligible.
Educational Qualification
Applicants should possess a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university, or an equivalent qualification endorsed by the Central Government. Final-year candidates can apply provisionally, as long as they obtain their graduation certificate by December 31, 2026.
Age Limit
As of April 1, 2026, candidates must be aged between 20 and 28 years (born between April 2, 1998, and April 1, 2006, inclusive).
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC | 3 years |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen/Disabled Ex-Servicemen | Actual service period plus 3 years (8 years for Disabled Ex-Servicemen in SC/ST category), maximum age of 50 years |
| Widows/Divorced Women/Separated Women | 7 years (maximum 38 years for OBC and 40 for SC/ST) |
| Trained Apprentices of SBI | OBC – 4 years; SC/ST – 6 years; PwBD (OBC) – 14 years; PwBD (SC/ST) – 16 years |
It is important for candidates to confirm they meet the age criteria before proceeding with the application, and they can utilize an age calculator to verify their age against the official cutoff date.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee/Intimation Charges (Non-Refundable) |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/PwBD/XS/DXS | Nil |
| OBC | ₹750/- |
Fees paid are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to any other examination or selection process. Payments can be made online using debit or credit cards and internet banking.
Salary Structure
The Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) position offers a following pay scale:
Rs.24050-1340/3-28070-1650/3-33020-2000/4-41020-2340/7-57400-4400/1-61800-2680/1-64480
The initial basic salary stands at ₹26,730/- monthly, with total starting emoluments around ₹46,000/- per month in metropolitan areas like Mumbai, including allowances.
Selection Process
The selection procedure consists of three phases:
- Phase I: Preliminary Examination (100 marks, 1 hour) with sections in English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability.
- Phase II: Main Examination (200 marks, 2 hours and 40 minutes) covering General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude.
- Phase III: Local Language Proficiency Test for candidates who haven’t pursued the designated local language at the Class 10 or 12 level.
There will be a penalty of 1/4th for each incorrect response. Candidates must achieve a minimum percentage of total marks as set by the Bank for inclusion in the final merit list.
How to Apply
- Visit the official SBI careers page: sbi.bank.in.
- Search for the advertisement titled "Special Recruitment Drive for Junior Associates 2026" and download it.
- Read the full advertisement carefully before completing the online application.
- Register online by filling out the application form accurately, ensuring no more than one application is submitted.
- Upload your photograph, signature, thumb impression, and handwritten declaration as specified.
- If applicable, pay the required application fee.
- Review the application thoroughly before submission, as no changes will be allowed post-submission.
- Retain a printout of the system-generated application form for personal records.
The application process must be completed by August 27, 2026.
Important Instructions
- Applicants may only apply for one State/UT and can only take the exam once.
- Proficiency in the local language of the State/UT applied for is mandatory, and a local language test will be conducted post-Main Exam.
- Bring a valid photo ID, authenticated call letters, and extra photographs to the exam; non-compliance may lead to disqualification.
- Electronic devices are strictly prohibited in examination centers.
- New recruits will undergo a probation period of at least 6 months, along with requisite training.
FAQs
What is SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026?
This is a Special Recruitment Drive (Advt. No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16) initiated by SBI to fill 1538 backlog vacancies for the post of Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales), exclusively for SC, ST, and OBC candidates.
Is this recruitment open to General category candidates?
No, this recruitment is specifically for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies; General/UR and EWS candidates cannot apply for this drive.
How many vacancies are available in the SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026?
There are 1538 total vacancies: SC (207), ST (1219), and OBC (112), across 21 states and UTs.
What is the last date for applying for SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026?
The application period ends on August 27, 2026.
What qualifications are needed for the SBI Junior Associate positions?
Candidates must have a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university as of December 31, 2026. Final-year students may apply provisionally.
What is the age limit for SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026?
Applicants must be between 20 to 28 years old as of April 1, 2026, with certain relaxations applicable.
What is the application fee for SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026?
No fee is required for SC/ST/PwBD/XS/DXS candidates, while OBC candidates must pay ₹750/-, which is non-refundable.
What is the salary for SBI Junior Associate (Clerk)?
The initial basic salary stands at ₹26,730/- per month, with total starting emoluments around ₹46,000/- per month at metro locations like Mumbai.
What does the selection process for SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026 involve?
The selection involves an online Preliminary Examination (100 marks), followed by a Main Examination (200 marks) and a Local Language Proficiency Test for applicants who haven't taken the local language in Class 10 or 12.
When is the SBI Clerk exam 2026 scheduled?
The Preliminary Examination is tentatively set for September 2026, and the Main Examination for October/November 2026.