SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026: Syllabus and Exam Pattern Overview
The State Bank of India (SBI) has unveiled the recruitment notification for the position of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) as part of a Special Recruitment Drive targeting SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16. The online application period spans from 7 August 2026 to 27 August 2026. This article provides detailed insights into the exam pattern for both the Preliminary and Main exams, the Local Language Proficiency Test, the marking scheme, and the selection process pertinent to this recruitment initiative.
It is important to note that while the official notification specifies the sections of the examination, the number of questions, the scores allocated, and the time limits for each stage, it does not provide a detailed topic-wise syllabus. Therefore, any subject breakdown listed herein serves merely as a general reference and not an officially sanctioned syllabus.
SBI Junior Associates (Clerk) Syllabus 2026 - Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) |
| Recruitment Type | Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies |
| Advertisement No. | CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 |
| Total Vacancies | 1,538 (SC: 207, ST: 1,219, OBC: 112) |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Selection Stages | Preliminary Exam → Main Exam → Local Language Proficiency Test |
| Official Website | https://sbi.bank.in/ |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Start of online registration and fee payment | 7 August 2026 |
| Last date for online registration and fee payment | 27 August 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | Tentatively September 2026 |
| Main Examination | Tentatively October/November 2026 |
SBI has indicated that these exam dates are provisional and recommends candidates regularly check the official careers page for updates regarding the confirmed schedule and issuance of call letters.
SBI Junior Associate Exam Pattern 2026
The recruitment process encompasses three stages: the Preliminary Examination, the Main Examination, and, if applicable, a Local Language Proficiency Test. It is essential to note that both online examinations include a penalty of 1/4th mark for incorrect answers.
Phase I: Preliminary Examination Pattern
The Preliminary Exam is an objective test worth a total of 100 marks and lasts for 1 hour, divided into three timed sections. Notably, there are no sectional cut-offs; candidates are shortlisted for the Mains based solely on their total marks, approximately ten times the number of vacancies available per category, depending on candidate availability.
| S.No. | Test Name | Medium of Exam | No. of Questions | Max. Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English Language | English | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| 2 | Numerical Ability | English/Hindi (depending on state) | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| 3 | Reasoning Ability | English/Hindi (depending on state) | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 Hour |
Phase II: Main Examination Pattern
The Main Exam consists of an objective test totaling 200 marks, with a duration of 2 hours 40 minutes, encompassing four independently timed sections. For the final merit list, only the aggregate marks obtained in the Main Examination will be considered; the Preliminary marks do not contribute at this stage.
| S.No. | Test Name | Medium of Exam | No. of Questions | Max. Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General/Financial Awareness | English/Hindi (depending on state) | 50 | 50 | 35 minutes |
| 2 | General English | English | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| 3 | Quantitative Aptitude | English/Hindi (depending on state) | 50 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| 4 | Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | English/Hindi (depending on state) | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 2 Hr. 40 min. |
Candidates must achieve a minimum score that is determined by the Bank on a total aggregate basis; there are no sectional qualifying marks, and individual scores are not recorded separately.
Phase III: Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)
Provisionally selected candidates who have not studied the relevant local language at the Class 10 or 12 levels are required to appear for the LLPT after qualifying the Main Exam but prior to joining. Candidates who provide a mark sheet from Class 10 or 12 indicating the local language as a subject are exempt from this test.
| S.No. | Test Pattern | Section | No. of Passages | No. of Questions | Max. Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Non-Verbal Test | Objective | 3 | 15 | 15 |
| 1 | Non-Verbal Test | Subjective | 3 | 15 | 15 |
| 2 | Verbal Test | - | - | 20 | 20 |
Failure to pass the LLPT will result in ineligibility for appointment.
SBI Junior Associate Syllabus 2026 (Section-wise Guide)
The notification does not provide a comprehensive topic-wise syllabus; it merely names the test sections as outlined above. The following is a broad categorization of common topics typically covered in each section for this clerical banking exam. This should be treated as an informal study guide rather than an official syllabus document.
Prelims Sections
- English Language: Comprehension exercises, cloze tests, para jumbles, error identification, fill in the blanks, vocabulary-related questions.
- Numerical Ability: Simplification, sequences of numbers, quadratic equations, data analysis, and arithmetic tasks (percentages, profit & loss, averages, ratios, time & work, simple/compound interest).
- Reasoning Ability: Puzzles, seating arrangements, syllogistic reasoning, inequalities, coding and decoding, family relationships, direction sense, and alphanumeric sequences.
Mains Sections
- General/Financial Awareness: Recent developments, banking and financial concepts, essential general knowledge.
- General English: Comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, sentence correction, and paragraph-based questions at a more complex level than Prelims.
- Quantitative Aptitude: Data analysis, data sufficiency, arithmetic word problems, number sequences, simplification/approximation.
- Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude: Advanced logical puzzles and seating arrangements, reasoning skills, basic computer knowledge (fundamentals, MS Office, internet, and banking-specific computer terminology).
How to Apply
- Visit the official SBI careers page: https://sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings.
- Find and click on the "Special Recruitment drive for Junior Associates 2026" link.
- Download and review Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 thoroughly.
- Register online using a valid email address and mobile number.
- Complete the application form and upload required documents including a scanned photograph, signature, left thumb impression, and hand-written declaration.
- Pay the application fee (if required) via debit card, credit card, or online banking.
- Submit the application and save/print the auto-generated application form for your own records (this printout is not required to be sent to SBI).
Important Instructions
- Candidates may apply for vacancies in only one State/UT and can participate in the test once for this recruitment effort.
- Transfers between states or circles are not permitted except for intra-state transfers between the Delhi Circle & Lucknow Circle (Uttar Pradesh) and between the Mumbai Metro Circle & Maharashtra Circle (Maharashtra), following the Bank's guidelines.
- No modifications or corrections to submitted application details, including category, will be accommodated under any circumstances.
- Electronic devices such as mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, etc., are strictly banned within examination venues.
- A waitlist comprising up to 50% of vacancies (per state-category) will be maintained and published quarterly, valid for one year following the final result announcement.
- The SBI reserves the right to annul the recruitment process completely at any point.
- SBI has clarified that it does not support any third-party coaching platforms or consultancies that claim to guarantee job placements; applicants are advised to depend solely on the official careers portal.
SBI Junior Associates (Clerk) Syllabus 2026 - Important Links
SBI Junior Associates (Clerk) Syllabus 2026 - FAQs
What is the exam pattern for SBI Junior Associate Prelims 2026?
The Prelims exam consists of 100 objective questions totaling 100 marks. It covers three sections: English Language (30 marks), Numerical Ability (35 marks), and Reasoning Ability (35 marks). The exam must be completed within 1 hour, with each section allotted 20 minutes.
What is the exam pattern for SBI Junior Associate Mains 2026?
The Main Exam is made up of 190 objective questions worth 200 marks, divided into sections for General/Financial Awareness (50 marks), General English (40 marks), Quantitative Aptitude (50 marks), and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude (60). The total duration for this exam is 2 hours 40 minutes.
Is there negative marking in the SBI Junior Associate exam?
Indeed, there is a penalty of 1/4th mark for each incorrect answer, applicable to both the Preliminary and Main Examinations.
Does the SBI notification provide a detailed topic-wise syllabus?
No, the official notification only indicates the sections of the examination, the number of questions, the scores allocated, and the time limits for each stage, without offering a topic-wise syllabus.
Are Prelims marks counted in the final merit list?
No, only the total marks obtained in the Main Examination are considered for the final merit list. Prelims marks are solely used for shortlisting candidates for the Mains.