SBI Junior Associates Clerk Recruitment 2026 | 1,538 Posts, Apply Online
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The State Bank of India (SBI) has released the official notification for the recruitment of 1,538 Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) posts under a special recruitment drive to fill backlog vacancies for SC, ST, and OBC categories . The online application process commenced on 07 August 2026 and will remain open until 27 August 2026. Candidates holding a Bachelor's degree in any discipline and aged between 20 and 28 years are eligible to apply. The selection process consists of Preliminary and Main online examinations followed by a Local Language Proficiency Test .
Quick Highlights
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Body | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post Name | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) / Clerk |
| Total Vacancies | 1,538 |
| Recruitment Type | Special Recruitment Drive (Backlog Vacancies) |
| Applicable Categories | SC, ST, OBC candidates only |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | 07 August 2026 |
| Application Last Date | 27 August 2026 |
| Prelims Exam Date | September 2026 (Tentative) |
| Mains Exam Date | October/November 2026 (Tentative) |
| Official Website |
Opportunity Overview
The State Bank of India (SBI) has released the official notification for the recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) as part of a special recruitment drive to fill backlog vacancies . This recruitment drive is exclusively for candidates belonging to SC, ST, and OBC categories, with a total of 1,538 vacancies announced across various states and Union Territories .
Important: This is a dedicated notification for backlog vacancies. SBI has indicated that the notification for regular vacancies for the 2026-27 recruitment cycle is expected to be released shortly .
Candidates can apply for vacancies in only one State or Union Territory and must be proficient in the specified local language of the state they choose .
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Application Start Date | 07 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 27 August 2026 |
| Prelims Exam Date | September 2026 (Tentative) |
| Mains Exam Date | October/November 2026 (Tentative) |
Vacancy Details
A total of 1,538 vacancies have been announced, distributed category-wise as follows :
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| SC | 207 |
| ST | 1,219 |
| OBC | 112 |
| Total | 1,538 |
Note: The vacancies are spread across various states and Union Territories. Candidates can apply for only one State/UT .
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Qualification | Graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university or equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government |
| Final Year Students | Candidates in the final year or semester of graduation can apply provisionally, provided they complete their graduation by 31 December 2026 |
| Computer Literacy | Basic computer knowledge is required |
Local Language Requirement
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Language Proficiency | Candidates must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the specified local language of the State/UT for which they apply |
| Exemption | Candidates who have studied the specified local language in Class 10 or Class 12 are exempted from the language test |
Age Limit (as on 01 April 2026)
| Criteria | Details |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 20 Years |
| Maximum Age | 28 Years |
| Birth Date Range | Born between 02 April 1998 and 01 April 2006 (both dates inclusive) |
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 Years |
| OBC (NCL) | 3 Years |
| PwBD | As per government rules |
Number of Attempts
There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the SBI Clerk examination. Candidates can apply multiple times as long as they meet the eligibility criteria .
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| OBC | ₹750 |
| SC / ST | No Fee |
| PwBD / Ex-Servicemen / Disabled Ex-Servicemen | No Fee |
Payment Mode: Online via Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, or UPI .
Selection Process
The selection process consists of three stages :
Preliminary Examination (Qualifying Stage)
Main Examination (Final Merit Basis)
Local Language Proficiency Test (Qualifying Stage)
Exam Pattern
Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Exam is qualifying in nature. Marks obtained here are not added to the final merit list .
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 Minutes |
Key Points:
Negative marking: 1/4th mark deducted for every wrong answer
No minimum qualifying marks per section; only overall aggregate ranking matters
Approximately 10 times the number of vacancies (category-wise) will be shortlisted for Mains
Main Examination
The Main Exam is the decisive stage for final selection
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 35 Minutes |
| General/Financial Awareness | 40 | 50 | 20 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 40 | 50 | 35 Minutes |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 Minutes |
| Total | 160 | 200 | 2 Hours 40 Minutes |
Key Points:
Negative marking: 1/4th mark deducted for every wrong answer
Final merit list prepared based solely on Mains aggregate marks
Minimum aggregate qualifying marks prescribed by SBI must be secured
SBI Apprentices with branch experience get 2.5% bonus marks (5 out of 200) added to Mains aggregate
Local Language Proficiency Test
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Who Appears | Candidates who have not studied the specified local language in Class 10 or 12 |
| Test Type | Objective and Subjective tests assessing reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills |
| Consequence of Failure | Candidates who fail the LLPT will not be offered appointment |
Salary Structure
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Pay Scale | ₹24,050 – ₹1,340/3 – ₹28,070 – ₹1,650/3 – ₹33,020 – ₹2,000/4 – ₹41,020 – ₹2,340/7 – ₹57,400 – ₹4,400/1 – ₹61,800 – ₹2,680/1 – ₹64,480 |
| Starting Basic Pay | ₹26,730 (includes two advance increments for graduates) |
| Total Emoluments | ~₹46,000 per month (including DA and allowances at metro city rates) |
| Benefits | DA, PF, Pension, LTC, Medical benefits, and other perks as per bank rules |
How to Apply
Follow these steps to submit your application online :
Step 1: Visit the official SBI Careers portal at sbi.bank.in.
Step 2: Navigate to "Current Openings" and click on the link titled "RECRUITMENT OF JUNIOR ASSOCIATES - SPECIAL RECRUITMENT DRIVE".
Step 3: Click on "Apply Online" and then "Click here for New Registration". Fill in your basic details (Name, Mobile Number, Email ID) and complete registration. A Registration Number and Password will be sent via SMS and email.
Step 4: Log in with your credentials and fill in the detailed application form with personal, educational, and category details. Choose your preferred state.
Step 5: Upload scanned documents including:
Recent passport-size photograph
Signature
Left thumb impression
Handwritten declaration
Step 6: Pay the application fee through the online payment gateway.
Step 7: Review all details carefully before final submission.
Step 8: Submit the final application form and download/save the confirmation page and payment receipt for future reference.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| APPLY LINK | |
| SBI Official Website |
FAQs
1. What is the last date to apply for SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026?
The last date to submit the online application is 27 August 2026 .
2. How many vacancies are available?
A total of 1,538 vacancies have been announced for SC, ST, and OBC candidates under a special recruitment drive .
3. What is the required qualification?
Candidates must hold a Graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Final year students can also apply provisionally .
4. What is the age limit?
The age limit is 20 to 28 years as on 01 April 2026, with relaxation for reserved categories .
5. What is the application fee?
OBC: ₹750
SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen: No Fee
6. Is there an interview?
No, the selection process consists of Prelims, Mains, and Local Language Proficiency Test only .
7. What is the exam pattern?
Prelims: 100 questions, 100 marks, 1 hour. Mains: 160 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours 40 minutes .
8. What is the salary?
Starting basic pay is ₹26,730, with total emoluments of approximately ₹46,000 per month at metro cities .
9. Can General category candidates apply?
This special recruitment drive is currently open only to SC, ST, and OBC candidates for backlog vacancies. The notification for regular vacancies is expected soon .
10. What is the Local Language Proficiency Test?
The LLPT assesses reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension skills in the local language of the state applied for. Candidates who have studied the language in Class 10/12 are exempted .
Best Opportunity For
| Category | Suitable? |
|---|---|
| SC Candidates | ✅ Yes |
| ST Candidates | ✅ Yes |
| OBC Candidates | ✅ Yes |
| Graduates (Any Discipline) | ✅ Yes |
| Final Year Graduating Students | ✅ Yes |
| Fresh Graduates | ✅ Yes |
| General Category Candidates | ❌ Not Applicable (Regular notification expected soon) |
Competition Level
| Area | Level |
|---|---|
| Overall Competition | Very High |
| Selection Difficulty | High |
| Application Complexity | Medium |
CareerFlora Recommendation
| Recommendation Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Salary/Value | Excellent (~₹46,000 in-hand) |
| Career Growth | High (SBI career progression) |
| Application Difficulty | Medium |
| Apply Early | Recommended |
Related Opportunities
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IBPS Clerk Recruitment 2026 – Similar public sector bank clerk positions
Banking Jobs in India 2026 – More government bank vacancies
CareerFlora Expert Insight
The SBI Junior Associates Clerk Recruitment 2026 presents a significant opportunity for SC, ST, and OBC candidates to secure a prestigious position in India's largest public sector bank. With 1,538 backlog vacancies, this recruitment drive addresses a critical need while offering candidates an exceptional career path .
The selection process is rigorous, with the Main Examination being the decisive stage for final selection. The marks scored in the Preliminary Examination are not added to the final merit list, so candidates should focus their preparation on the Main Exam while ensuring they qualify the Prelims . The Local Language Proficiency Test is a qualifying stage; candidates who fail this test cannot be appointed, regardless of their Mains performance .
Candidates from SC, ST, and OBC categories should apply before 27 August 2026. OBC candidates need to pay a fee of ₹750, while SC/ST/PwBD candidates are exempted .
Competition Level: Very High (1,538 vacancies, lakhs of applicants)
Selection Difficulty: High
Application Complexity: Medium
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