The State Bank of India (SBI) has released the SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 notification for 1,538 Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) posts. This is a special recruitment drive to fill SC, ST and OBC backlog vacancies in SBI’s clerical cadre across multiple States and Union Territories. Eligible candidates can submit their online applications from 7 August 2026 to 27 August 2026 through the official SBI Careers portal.
SBI Clerk 2026: Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting organisation | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post name | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) |
| Common name | SBI Clerk |
| Advertisement number | CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 |
| Recruitment type | Special drive for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies |
| Total vacancies | 1,538 |
| Application start date | 7 August 2026 |
| Last date to apply | 27 August 2026 |
| Application mode | Online |
| Preliminary exam | Tentatively September 2026 |
| Main exam | Tentatively October/November 2026 |
| Official website | SBI Careers portal |
| Notification PDF | SBI Recruitment 2026 Notification |
SBI has clearly stated that candidates may apply for vacancies in one State/UT only under this recruitment project. Applicants must also be able to read, write, speak and understand the local language prescribed for their selected State or UT.
SBI Clerk Vacancy 2026 Details
The 1,538 vacancies are reserved for eligible SC, ST and OBC candidates. The category-wise distribution is shown below:
| Category | Number of vacancies |
|---|---|
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 207 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 1,219 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 112 |
| Total | 1,538 |
The highest number of posts is available under the ST category. SBI has noted that these vacancies are provisional and may change depending on the bank’s actual requirements.
For Telangana candidates, SBI has announced 32 ST backlog vacancies under the Hyderabad Circle. The prescribed local language for Telangana is Telugu or Urdu. Andhra Pradesh candidates can apply for 88 ST vacancies under the Amaravati Circle, where Telugu or Urdu is the specified local language.
SBI Clerk Eligibility Criteria 2026
Candidates must carefully check the eligibility conditions before applying online. This special drive is intended for applicants belonging to the SC, ST and OBC categories; OBC applicants must belong to the non-creamy layer.
Educational Qualification
Applicants should possess a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government. Final-year or final-semester students may also apply provisionally, but they must submit proof of passing their graduation examination on or before 31 December 2026 if selected.
Age Limit
The candidate must be at least 20 years old and not more than 28 years old as on 1 April 2026. In other words, applicants must have been born between 2 April 1998 and 1 April 2006, inclusive of both dates.
Applicable upper-age relaxations include:
- OBC candidates: 3 years
- SC/ST candidates: 5 years
- PwBD OBC candidates: 13 years
- PwBD SC/ST candidates: 15 years
- Eligible ex-servicemen and SBI-trained apprentices: Relaxation as specified in the official notification
Candidates already working in SBI’s clerical cadre, or those who previously resigned from SBI while serving in the clerical cadre, are not eligible for this recruitment.
SBI Clerk Application Fee 2026
The application fee is non-refundable and must be paid online while submitting the application form.
| Category | Application fee |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-servicemen/Disabled Ex-servicemen | Nil |
| OBC | Rs. 750 |
OBC candidates should ensure they hold a valid Government of India-format OBC Non-Creamy Layer certificate. The certificate must include the non-creamy-layer clause and be issued on or after 1 April 2026 for appointment purposes.
SBI Clerk Selection Process
The SBI Clerk 2026 selection process has three stages:
- Preliminary Examination: An online test of 100 marks with English Language, Numerical Ability and Reasoning Ability sections. The total duration is one hour, with 20 minutes allotted to each section.
- Main Examination: The Main exam carries 200 marks and includes General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude. Only Main examination marks will be considered for the final merit list.
- Local Language Proficiency Test: Candidates who do not provide Class 10 or Class 12 proof of studying the selected State’s local language must qualify the language test before joining.
There is a penalty of one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question for every incorrect answer in both the Preliminary and Main objective tests. SBI will prepare the merit list State-wise and category-wise based on candidates’ Main examination performance.
How to Apply Online
Candidates should visit the official SBI Careers page and select the “Special Recruitment Drive for Junior Associates 2026” application link. They must complete registration, fill in personal and educational details, select one State/UT and local language, upload the required files, pay the applicable fee, and submit the final form before 27 August 2026.
Before applying, keep a valid mobile number and email ID active until the recruitment process ends. Applicants should also keep scanned copies of their photograph, signature, left-hand thumb impression and handwritten declaration ready as per SBI’s specifications. Candidates are advised to download and save the submitted application form and payment receipt for future use.