SBI Probationary Officer Recruitment 2026: 1500 Vacancies Announced

The State Bank of India has officially released the notification for the recruitment of Probationary Officers (PO) for the year 2026. This is one of the most prestigious banking career opportunities in India, offering a total of 1500 vacancies across various categories. Aspiring candidates with a graduation degree from any discipline are eligible to apply for this esteemed position. The online application window is open from June 18, 2026, to July 8, 2026. The selection process is rigorous and comprises three phases: Preliminary, Main, and a final round with Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, and Interview. This is a significant opportunity for graduates seeking a secure and rewarding career in the banking sector with India’s largest public sector bank.

Based on official notification CRPD/PO/2026-27/09 by State Bank of India. Verified: June 2026.

Quick Eligibility Check

Expert Note:

Candidates in their final year of graduation can also apply provisionally, provided they produce proof of passing on or before September 30, 2026. This is a crucial opportunity for final-year students, but they must ensure they meet the deadline.

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Important Dates

Vacancy and Category Analysis

The SBI PO 2026 recruitment offers a total of 1500 vacancies. A detailed breakdown of these vacancies by category, including regular and backlog vacancies, is provided below. This analysis is critical for understanding your competition and the reservation landscape.

PwBD (Horizontal) Vacancies: 14 (VI), 15 (HI), 16 (LD), 15 (d & e). These are not additional but are filled horizontally across categories.

Competition Analysis: With 1500 vacancies and a history of high competition for SBI PO, this remains a highly sought-after exam. The UR category has the highest number of seats (588), but it also faces the most intense competition. For OBC candidates, the “non-creamy layer” clause is mandatory. PwBD candidates have specific sub-categories (VI, HI, LD, d&e) with 1% horizontal reservation each. The highest seat allocation for a category is in the UR (588 seats), followed by OBC (390 seats). The competition ratio is expected to be high, with candidates competing for these prestigious roles.

Salary and In-Hand Calculation

The SBI PO salary is highly attractive, with a starting basic pay of ₹48,480/- (plus 4 advance increments). The approximate annual CTC at the Mumbai centre is ₹21.97 Lakhs, translating to a substantial in-hand monthly salary. The pay scale is 48480-2000/7-62480-2340/2-67160-2680/7-85920 applicable to Junior Management Grade Scale-I.

In-Hand Salary Breakdown:

• NPS: Approx. ₹4,848 (10% of Basic Pay) is contributed towards the National Pension System.
• HRA: 10-24% of Basic Pay depending on the city of posting (e.g., Class X cities).
• DA: Dearness Allowance (currently revised) adds a significant amount to the gross pay.
• TA: Travel Allowance is provided as per the post level.

After all standard deductions, the approximate in-hand salary for a newly appointed SBI PO is ₹90,000–₹98,000 per month. Compared to other bank PO exams like IBPS PO or RBI Grade B, the SBI PO offers a superior pay package and faster career progression.

City-Wise Variation Note: Candidates posted in X-class cities like Mumbai or Delhi receive a higher HRA, which can increase the in-hand salary by ₹2,000-₹5,000 per month compared to those posted in Y or Z-class cities.

Application Fee

Important:

Ensure you successfully complete the transaction. An e-receipt and application form will be generated only upon successful payment. If the transaction fails, you must register and pay again. The fee is non-refundable.

Age Limit

As on April 1, 2026, candidates must be between 21 and 30 years of age. This translates to a birth date between April 2, 1996, and April 1, 2005.

For example, a candidate born on April 1, 1995, would be 31 years old as of April 1, 2026, and thus not eligible for the General category. However, an OBC candidate with the same birth date would be eligible under the 3-year relaxation.

Eligibility Criteria

Final Year Candidates: Candidates in their final year/semester of graduation are eligible to apply provisionally. They must produce proof of having passed the examination on or before September 30, 2026.

Equivalent Qualifications: Any equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government is also acceptable. Candidates with professional degrees like CA, ICWA, or Engineering are also eligible.

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Selection Process

The SBI PO selection is a rigorous three-phase process designed to identify the best candidates for the banking industry.

Phase-I: Preliminary Examination

This is a qualifying online objective test with 100 marks, covering English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. There is no sectional cut-off. The marks from this phase are not added to the final merit list.

Phase-II: Main Examination

The Main Examination is more substantial, with objective and descriptive tests. The objective test has four sections with a total of 200 marks, and the descriptive test on Communication Skills is worth 30 marks. This phase has sectional cut-offs and is crucial for progressing to Phase-III.

Phase-III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview

Candidates shortlisted from Phase-II are called for a psychometric test, followed by a Group Exercise and a Personal Interview. The psychometric test is for personality profiling, and the Group Exercise and Interview carry 50 marks combined (20 for GE, 30 for Interview).

Your First 7 Days After Applying

1. Download and review the official notification for any future updates.
2. Start preparing for the Preliminary exam with a focus on speed and accuracy.
3. Keep checking the SBI career portal for the release of the Preliminary exam call letters.
4. Ensure your photograph, signature, and thumb impression are uploaded clearly, as per the guidelines.
5. Plan your study schedule based on the exam pattern and syllabus.

Exam Pattern and Syllabus

Preliminary Exam Pattern

Main Exam Pattern

Syllabus: The detailed syllabus for each section is as per the standard SBI PO exam pattern. For Reasoning, topics include Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, etc. Data Analysis covers Bar Graphs, Line Charts, and Pie Charts. General Awareness is focused on recent banking and economic events.

How to Apply for SBI PO 2026

The application process is completely online. Follow the steps below to apply successfully.

1. Visit the SBI Career Portal: Go to SBI Official Website and navigate to the ‘Current Openings’ section.
2. Click on the Application Link: Find and click on the advertisement for “Recruitment of Probationary Officers 2026”.
3. Read the Notification Carefully: Go through the detailed notification to understand eligibility criteria and guidelines.
4. Register Online: Click on “Apply Online”. Fill in your basic details to generate a provisional registration number and password.
5. Fill the Application Form: Enter your personal, educational, and other required details carefully. Review all information before final submission.
6. Upload Documents: Upload scanned images of your photograph, signature, left-hand thumb impression, and hand-written declaration as per the specified format and size.
7. Pay the Application Fee: Complete the online payment process via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI.
8. Submit and Print: After successful payment, submit the form and take a printout of the generated application and e-receipt for future reference.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the approximate in-hand salary for SBI PO 2026 after all deductions?

Approximately ₹90,000 to ₹98,000 per month. This is calculated after deductions like NPS (approx. 10% of Basic Pay) and tax, and includes DA, HRA, and other allowances.

What is the last date to apply for SBI PO 2026?

The last date to apply online is July 8, 2026. The application window is open from June 18, 2026. It is advisable to apply well before the deadline to avoid technical glitches.

What are the total vacancies for SBI PO 2026?

There are a total of 1500 vacancies for the Probationary Officer post. The break-up includes regular and backlog vacancies across SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and UR categories.

What is the minimum educational qualification for SBI PO 2026?

Candidates must hold a graduation degree from any discipline from a recognized University. Final year students can also apply provisionally.

What is the age limit for General category candidates in SBI PO 2026?

The age limit for General candidates is 21 to 30 years as of April 1, 2026. This includes both the minimum and maximum age requirements.

What is the age relaxation for OBC, SC, and ST candidates?

OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates get 3 years of relaxation (up to 33 years). SC/ST candidates get 5 years of relaxation (up to 35 years). PwBD candidates get significant relaxations, up to 15 years.

Is the SBI PO application fee refundable for any category?

No, the application fee is non-refundable. Ensure you are eligible before applying. The fee is ₹750 for UR/EWS/OBC candidates and ‘Nil’ for SC/ST/PwBD candidates.

What is the selection process for SBI PO 2026?

The selection process has three phases: Preliminary Examination (qualifying), Main Examination (objective and descriptive), and Phase-III which includes a Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, and Personal Interview.

Can final year graduation students apply for SBI PO 2026?

Yes, candidates in their final year/semester can apply provisionally. However, they must provide proof of passing their graduation examination on or before September 30, 2026.

Is there negative marking in the SBI PO exam?

Yes, there is a penalty of 1/4th of the marks for every wrong answer in the objective tests. There is no penalty for unanswered questions.