SBI Clerk (Junior Associate) Special Recruitment Drive Online Form 2026
State Bank of India
- Total Vacancies
- 1,538
- Last Date to Apply
- 27 Aug 2026
- Salary / Pay Range
- ₹26,730 – ₹64,480
- Qualification
- Graduate
Only 18 days left to apply — closes 27 Aug 2026
SBI Clerk 2026 — Overview
State Bank of India has invited online applications for 1,538 Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) posts in the clerical cadre under a Special Recruitment Drive, vide Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 dated 7 August 2026.
This is a BACKLOG drive: the vacancies are reserved for SC (207), ST (1,219) and OBC (112) candidates only. There are no UR or EWS posts, and PwBD and Ex-Servicemen candidates apply under their respective parent category.
Candidates may apply for vacancies in one State/UT only and may appear for the test only once under this project. Merit lists are drawn state-wise and category-wise, so the choice of state materially affects your chances.
Selection is by Preliminary Examination (screening only), Main Examination (which alone decides the merit list) and a Local Language Proficiency Test. There is no interview.
Important Dates
Always reconfirm on the official website before acting on a date.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | 07 Aug 2026 |
| Online application starts | 07 Aug 2026 |
| Last date to apply online | 27 Aug 2026 |
| Last date for fee paymentUsually the same day or the next — confirm in the notification | 27 Aug 2026 |
| Exam schedule | Prelims: September 2026 (tentative) · Mains: October/November 2026 (tentative) |
Vacancy Details & Salary
Total Posts
1,538
Salary Range
₹26,730 – ₹64,480
Job Location
All India
Starting basic pay ₹26,730 (₹24,050 plus two advance increments for graduates); total starting emoluments around ₹46,000 per month at a metro such as Mumbai, inclusive of DA and allowances
Post-wise break-up
| Post | Vacancies | Qualification | Pay Scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) — SC | 207 | Graduate in any discipline | ₹24,050 – ₹64,480 |
| Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) — ST | 1219 | Graduate in any discipline | ₹24,050 – ₹64,480 |
| Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) — OBC | 112 | Graduate in any discipline | ₹24,050 – ₹64,480 |
Application fee
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)₹750
- SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-ServicemenNil
Eligibility Criteria
Age limit: 20 to 28 years as on 01.04.2026 (born between 02.04.1998 and 01.04.2006). Relaxation: SC/ST 5 years, OBC 3 years, PwBD (SC/ST) 15 years, PwBD (OBC) 13 years
- Graduation in any discipline from a recognised University, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government, as on 31.12.2026.
- Final-year and final-semester candidates may apply provisionally, but must produce proof of passing on or before 31.12.2026 if selected.
- Only SC, ST and OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates are eligible — OBC candidates in the creamy layer cannot apply.
- Proficiency in reading, writing, speaking and understanding the specified local language of the State/UT applied for is compulsory.
- Candidates currently working in SBI in the clerical cadre, or who previously resigned from SBI while in the clerical cadre, are not eligible.
Selection process
- 1Phase I — Preliminary Examination (100 marks, 60 minutes, screening only)
- 2Phase II — Main Examination (200 marks, 2 hours 40 minutes, decides the merit list)
- 3Phase III — Local Language Proficiency Test (qualifying; exempt if the language was studied in Class 10 or 12)
- 4Verification of eligibility and documents before appointment
Documents to keep ready
- Matriculation (10th) certificate — for date of birth proof
- All educational marksheets and degree/diploma certificates
- Caste / category certificate (SC, ST, OBC-NCL, EWS) in the prescribed central or state format
- Domicile / residence certificate where the post is state-specific
- Recent passport-size photograph and scanned signature in the notified size
- Aadhaar card or another government photo ID
- PwBD certificate, ex-servicemen discharge book or sports certificate where a relaxation is claimed
- Experience certificate and NOC from the present employer, if in service
Exam Pattern & Question Types
Bank Clerk — Prelims + Mains — exactly what each section asks, so you can start with the papers that carry the most marks.
Prelims — English Language
- Reading comprehension
- Error spotting
- Fill in the blanks
- Para jumbles
- Cloze test
Prelims — Numerical Ability
- Simplification
- Number series
- Data interpretation (simple)
- Arithmetic: percentage, average, ratio, time & work
Prelims — Reasoning Ability
- Puzzles & seating arrangement
- Inequality & syllogism
- Alphanumeric series
- Coding–decoding
- Order & ranking
Mains — General / Financial Awareness
- Banking awareness
- Static GK
- Current affairs
- Government schemes
Mains — General English
- Comprehension
- Vocabulary
- Grammar & sentence correction
Mains — Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
- Puzzles
- Data sufficiency
- Computer fundamentals & MS Office
Mains — Quantitative Aptitude
- Data interpretation
- Arithmetic
- Number series
- Quadratic equations
The pattern above reflects the standard structure of this exam family. The number of questions, marks and negative-marking rule for this specific cycle are fixed by the official notification — check it before you plan your attempt strategy.
How to Apply Online
- 1Go to sbi.bank.in › Careers › Current Openings and open "Special Recruitment drive for Junior Associates 2026".
- 2Complete the basic registration and note the provisional registration number and password shown on screen.
- 3Upload your photograph (200×230 px, 20–50 KB), signature (140×60 px, 10–20 KB), left-hand thumb impression (240×240 px, 20–50 KB) and handwritten declaration (800×400 px, 50–100 KB), all in JPG/JPEG.
- 4Capture and upload a live photograph using your webcam or by scanning the on-screen QR code with your phone.
- 5Fill in personal, category and educational details, choose ONE State/UT and ONE local language, and select your exam centre.
- 6Verify every field carefully and submit — no correction of any particular, including category, is allowed afterwards.
- 7Pay the fee online (OBC ₹750; SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen nil) and print the e-receipt and completed form. Do not post the printout to SBI.
Books to Refer for This Exam
Standard titles that cover the syllabus above — pick one per subject rather than collecting many.
Banking AwarenessMCQs on Banking & Banking General AwarenessArihant / DishaView on Amazon 
Computer AwarenessObjective Question Bank of Computer AwarenessArihant ExpertsView on Amazon Current Affairs Yearly / Monthly CompilationCurrent AffairsCurrent Affairs Yearly / Monthly CompilationArihant / Pratiyogita DarpanView on Amazon 
Previous Year PapersPrevious Year Solved Papers & Practice SetsKiran / ArihantView on Amazon These are widely used titles for SBI-level preparation. Links to Amazon.in are affiliate links — MyInternships.in may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Always check that you are buying the latest edition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can General or EWS candidates apply for SBI Clerk 2026?
No. This is a Special Recruitment Drive to clear backlog vacancies reserved for SC, ST and OBC candidates, so only those three categories are eligible. PwBD and Ex-Servicemen candidates may apply, but only under their parent category.
Is there an interview in SBI Clerk selection?
No. Selection is by Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and the Local Language Proficiency Test only. The Prelims is purely a screening test — only the Mains aggregate decides the final merit list.
Who has to take the Local Language Proficiency Test?
Provisionally selected candidates who did not study the opted local language in Class 10 or Class 12. The test carries 50 marks and is qualifying; candidates who fail it are not offered appointment.
Can I apply for more than one state?
No. You may apply for vacancies in one State/UT only and may appear for the test only once under this recruitment project. There is also no inter-state transfer for Junior Associates recruited under this drive.
What is the last date to apply for SBI Clerk (Junior Associate) Special Recruitment Drive?
The last date to submit the online application is 27 Aug 2026. Apply on sbi.bank.in well before the deadline — government portals are usually overloaded on the final day.
How many vacancies are there in this recruitment?
SBI has notified 1,538 vacancies. The post-wise and category-wise break-up is given in the official notification PDF.
What is the educational qualification required?
Candidates need Graduate from a recognised board or university. Exact subject and percentage requirements per post are listed in the notification.
What is the salary for this post?
₹26,730 – ₹64,480 — Starting basic pay ₹26,730 (₹24,050 plus two advance increments for graduates); total starting emoluments around ₹46,000 per month at a metro such as Mumbai, inclusive of DA and allowances. Allowances such as DA, HRA and TA are payable over and above this as per the applicable rules.
Can candidates from other states apply?
Yes. This is an all-India recruitment and eligible candidates from any state can apply.
How should I prepare for the exam?
Start with the question-type table on this page to see exactly what each section asks, then work through previous-year papers. Bank Clerk — Prelims + Mains rewards consistent practice more than last-minute reading — the recommended books listed above cover the full syllabus.
Disclaimer: MyInternships.in is an independent information portal and is not affiliated with State Bank of India or any government body. The details above are reproduced from the official notification for information only. Always verify the current dates, vacancies and eligibility on sbi.bank.in before applying or paying a fee.