SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Apply Online for 1538 Junior Associate Posts

The State Bank of India (SBI) has officially announced the SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 for the post of Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) under its clerical cadre. The recruitment notification contains details regarding vacancies, eligibility requirements, important dates, selection procedure, examination pattern, and the online application process. This recruitment drive has been announced under a Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies. A total of 1,538 vacancies are available across various States and Union Territories.

Candidates who meet the prescribed eligibility requirements can apply online through the official SBI recruitment portal within the specified application period. The registration window has opened on 07 August 2026 and candidates can submit their applications until 27 August 2026. Applicants should carefully check the eligibility conditions, State/UT vacancy, local-language requirement and category criteria before completing the application.

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 – Overview

The SBI Junior Associate recruitment is one of the major clerical-level opportunities offered by State Bank of India. Under the latest notification, SBI is conducting a special drive to fill backlog vacancies in the clerical cadre across participating States and Union Territories.

SBI Clerk Vacancy 2026

State Bank of India has announced 1,538 Junior Associate vacancies under the current special recruitment drive. These vacancies are specifically meant to address backlog positions reserved for eligible SC, ST and OBC candidates.

The vacancies have been distributed among different SBI circles and States/UTs. Candidates can apply for vacancies in only one State/UT. The selection and merit list will be prepared according to the State/UT and category for which the candidate has applied.

SBI Clerk 2026 State-Wise Vacancy Details

The 1,538 Junior Associate vacancies are spread across several States and Union Territories. The number of vacancies differs according to the SBI Circle and category.

The official notification states that candidates must choose one State/UT only. Candidates will be considered for vacancies only in the State/UT selected in their application. 

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Important Dates

Candidates should keep track of the complete SBI Clerk recruitment schedule so that registration, examination preparation and subsequent selection stages can be completed on time.

According to the official SBI notification, the Preliminary Examination is tentatively planned for September 2026, while the Main Examination is expected to take place in October or November 2026. Candidates should rely on the SBI careers portal for the final examination schedule and call-letter information. 

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Eligibility Criteria

Before applying for the Junior Associate post, candidates should carefully review the eligibility conditions prescribed by SBI. Eligibility is determined with reference to the dates and requirements mentioned in the recruitment notification.

The major eligibility requirements include:

• Candidate must satisfy the applicable category requirement.

• Candidate must fall within the prescribed age limit.

• Candidate should possess the required educational qualification.

• Candidate must satisfy the local-language requirement for the selected State/UT.

• OBC applicants must meet the prescribed Non-Creamy Layer condition.

• SC/ST candidates must be able to produce valid caste documentation when required.

SBI Clerk Educational Qualification 2026

Candidates applying for the Junior Associate position should have completed graduation in any discipline from a recognized university or hold an equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government.

The qualification is considered as on 31 December 2026. Candidates who are in the final year or final semester of graduation may also apply provisionally, provided they satisfy SBI's prescribed conditions and produce the required proof of passing the graduation examination within the specified timeline.

Applicants holding an Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) must ensure that the date of passing their IDD falls within the qualification requirements specified by SBI.

SBI Clerk Age Limit 2026

The prescribed age limit for the Junior Associate post is 20 to 28 years as on 01 April 2026. Candidates must have been born not earlier than 02 April 1998 and not later than 01 April 2006, with both dates included. 

Candidates claiming age relaxation must possess the relevant supporting documents. SBI has also specified that cumulative age relaxation is not available under multiple categories.

SBI Clerk 2026 Local Language Requirement

Knowledge of the specified local language is an important eligibility and selection requirement for Junior Associate candidates. Applicants must select a State/UT and opt for one of the specified local languages associated with that State/UT.

Candidates applying for a particular State/UT are expected to be able to read, write, speak and understand the selected local language. The language test is conducted after the Main Examination for candidates who do not have acceptable evidence of having studied the specified language in Class 10 or Class 12.

Candidates who provide a Class 10 or Class 12 mark sheet or certificate showing that they studied the specified local language will not be required to appear for the separate Local Language Proficiency Test.

SBI Clerk 2026 Selection Process

The selection process for Junior Associates consists of multiple stages. Candidates should understand each stage before beginning their preparation.

1. Online Preliminary Examination

2. Online Main Examination

3. Local Language Proficiency Test, wherever applicable

4. Document and eligibility verification

5. Final selection and appointment

The Preliminary Examination is used to shortlist candidates for the Main Examination. The final merit list is prepared State-wise and category-wise based primarily on the Main Examination performance, subject to fulfillment of the other prescribed conditions.

SBI states that approximately ten times the number of vacancies, subject to availability, may be shortlisted for the Main Examination based on Preliminary Examination performance. 

SBI Clerk Preliminary Exam Pattern 2026

The Preliminary Examination has a total duration of one hour, with separate timings for each section. SBI has prescribed negative marking for incorrect answers, with one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question deducted for each wrong answer.

SBI Clerk Main Examination Pattern 2026