The State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest public sector bank, has officially released the Probationary Officer (PO) Recruitment 2026 Notification under Advertisement No. CRPD/PO/2026-27/09. This is one of the most anticipated banking recruitment drives of the year, offering 1,500 vacancies for aspiring candidates across the country. The notification was published on 18 June 2026, and the online application window is now open until 8 July 2026. Interested and eligible candidates can apply online from the official website before the last date. In this article, we will cover all important details like eligibility criteria, application. process, selection process and other key details.
SBI PO Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Organisation | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post | Probationary Officer (PO) – Junior Management Grade Scale-I |
| Advertisement No. | CRPD/PO/2026-27/09 |
| Total Vacancies | 1,500 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Period | June 18, 2026, to July 8, 2026 |
| Notification Release | June 18, 2026 |
| Official Website | www.sbi.co.in |
Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, candidates must ensure they meet the eligibility requirements set by SBI.
Educational Qualification
- Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.
- Candidates appearing in their final year/semester may also apply provisionally, but they must furnish proof of passing the graduation examination at the time of the interview.
Age Limit
- The minimum age to apply is 21 years, and the maximum is 30 years as on the relevant cut-off date.
- Age relaxation is available for reserved categories as per government norms:
Category-Wise Vacancy Breakdown
The total of 1,500 vacancies is distributed across categories as follows:
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| General (UR) | 588 |
| OBC | 390 |
| SC | 234 |
| ST | 144 |
| EWS | 144 |
| Total | 1,500 |
SBI PO Recruitment Exam Pattern and Syllabus
Understanding the examination pattern is crucial for effective preparation. The SBI PO recruitment process involves multiple stages, each testing different competencies.
Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (August 2026)
The Preliminary Examination serves as the initial screening stage. It is a two-hour online test with a total of 100 questions.
Exam Structure:
| Section | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 Hour |
Key Points:
- Questions are objective type with multiple-choice answers
- Negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer applies
- Candidates scoring above the cutoff are eligible for the Main Examination
- Cutoff marks vary by category and overall performance
Stage 2: Main Examination (September 2026)
The Main Examination is a comprehensive test designed to assess candidates’ in-depth knowledge and professional capabilities.
Exam Structure:
| Section | Number of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 45 | 60 | 60 minutes |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 35 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 155 | 200 | 3 Hours |
Preparation Tips for Main Exam:
- Focus on current affairs and banking sector developments
- Practice data interpretation problems with diverse graphs and tables
- Strengthen your reasoning skills through regular practice
- Improve vocabulary and comprehension for the English section
Stage 3: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview (October/November 2026)
Candidates clearing the Main Examination are called for the final selection round, which includes:
Psychometric Assessment: A personality and aptitude evaluation conducted by SBI’s psychology team to assess suitability for the Probationary Officer role.
Group Exercises: Participating in group discussions or problem-solving tasks to evaluate teamwork, communication, and leadership potential.
Personal Interview: A one-on-one interview with the selection panel covering your background, motivation, banking knowledge, and suitability for a customer-facing banking role.
Final Selection: Based on performance across all stages, the final merit list will be prepared. The weightage typically is:
- Preliminary Exam: Screening only
- Main Exam: 75% weightage
- Interview/Psychometric: 25% weightage
How to Apply Online for SBI PO 2026
The application process is entirely online. Follow these steps to register:
- Go to sbi.co.in and navigate to the Careers section.
- Click on “Current Openings” and locate the Probationary Officers Recruitment 2026 link.
- Read the official PDF carefully before proceeding.
- Complete the one-time registration by entering your basic details.
- Enter personal, educational, and contact details accurately.
- Upload your photograph, signature, left thumb impression, and handwritten declaration as per the specified format and dimensions.
- Complete the payment through the available online modes.
- Review the preview, submit the form, and save a copy for future reference.
Important Links
| SBI PO Notification PDF | Check Here |
| Apply Link | Check Here |
| Official Website | Check Here |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the total number of vacancies in SBI PO 2026?
State Bank of India has announced 1500 vacancies for Probationary Officers under Advertisement No. CRPD/PO/2026-27/09.
2. When was the SBI PO 2026 Notification released?
The official notification was released on 18 June 2026.
3. Who is eligible to apply for SBI PO 2026?
Any Indian citizen who holds a Graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university and is between 21 and 30 years of age (as on the cut-off date) is eligible to apply.
