SBI SCO Recruitment 2026 – 116 Vacancies for AVP IS Audit, Deputy Manager IS Audit & Chartered Accountant (Internal Audit)

The SBI SCO Recruitment 2026 has been officially announced by State Bank of India’s Central Recruitment & Promotion Department (CRPD), Corporate Centre, Mumbai, vide Advertisement No. CRPD/SCO/2025-26/27, dated 23 February 2026. SBI is inviting online applications from eligible Indian citizens for 116 Specialist Cadre Officer posts across three profiles: Assistant Vice President – IS Audit (12 posts, Contractual), Deputy Manager – IS Audit (43 posts, Regular, MMGS-II), and Deputy Manager – Chartered Accountant (Internal Audit) (61 posts, Regular, MMGS-II). The online registration window is open from 23 February 2026 to 15 March 2026. Age eligibility is determined as on 31 January 2026.

This SBI SCO notification is targeted at experienced IT security professionals, information systems auditors, and practising Chartered Accountants with banking audit backgrounds. These are not entry-level openings — each post carries mandatory post-qualification experience requirements ranging from 1 year (CA-Internal Audit) to 6 years (AVP IS Audit). The fact that SBI — India’s largest commercial bank and recently recognised as “World’s Best Consumer Bank 2025” and “Best Bank in India 2025” by Global Finance — is directly recruiting IS audit specialists reflects the rapidly growing focus on cybersecurity governance, IT audit, and digital banking risk management at the apex level of the Indian banking system. For qualified professionals in the IS audit and information security ecosystem, this is one of the most prestigious employer opportunities of 2026. The application fee is Rs. 750/- for General/EWS/OBC candidates; SC/ST/PwBD candidates are exempted.

SBI SCO Recruitment 2026 – Overview

The IS Audit cadre at SBI is responsible for conducting Information Systems audits, Cyber Security audits, IT Governance audits, and Digital Banking audits across SBI’s massive technology infrastructure — which supports hundreds of millions of customers, thousands of branches, and one of the country’s largest digital banking platforms. The internal audit function at a bank of SBI’s scale operates as a critical risk management pillar, interfacing directly with RBI regulatory requirements including the RBI Master Direction on IT Governance and the Master Direction on Digital Payment Security Controls (DPSC). Officers recruited in this drive will work at the intersection of banking, technology, and regulatory compliance — a rare and professionally enriching career space.

Important Dates – SBI SCO Recruitment 2026

Application Fee

The application fee of Rs. 750/- applies uniformly to General, EWS, and OBC candidates, while SC, ST, and PwBD candidates are fully exempted. Candidates submitting multiple applications for the same post should note that only the last valid completed application is considered — fees paid for earlier registrations of the same post are forfeited. The fee payment happens after the application is filled and is processed through SBI’s own payment gateway. After successful payment, an e-receipt and application form with the submission date are generated — print and retain both. The bank does not bear transaction charges incurred during online payment.

Age Limit (as on 31 January 2026)

Age is calculated strictly as on 31 January 2026. The AVP post has a relatively wide age band (27–45 years for UR) reflecting that it requires 6 years of post-qualification experience. The Deputy Manager posts have the standard MMGS-II age range with a minimum of 25 years (IS Audit) and 21 years (CA, reflecting the typically younger CA pass-out age). Candidates from OBC, SC/ST, and PwBD categories receive standard Government of India age relaxations. EWS candidates receive no age relaxation beyond the standard UR limit.

Eligibility Criteria – SBI SCO Recruitment 2026

Critical Eligibility Rules to Remember

There are several eligibility rules in this notification that are easy to miss but critically important. First, Teaching and Training experience is explicitly excluded from eligibility calculations — this is stated twice in the notification and applies to all three posts. Candidates who have spent years in academic or training roles related to IS audit or accounting must not count this experience toward the mandatory minimums. Second, for IS Audit posts, the relevant experience must come from the BFSI/IT/Information Security Consultancy domain specifically — experience in unrelated sectors does not qualify. Third, for CA-Internal Audit, the minimum 1-year experience must specifically relate to Statutory, Internal, or Concurrent Audit of a Bank — audit experience in non-banking entities alone does not meet the criterion. Fourth, all professional certifications (CISA, CISSP, CISM, etc.) must be valid as on the last date of registration (15 March 2026). An expired certification is not counted. Fifth, experience certificates from employers must explicitly state that the candidate had experience in the specific relevant field — a generic employment certificate without role-specific details will not suffice.

Vacancy Details – Post-wise & Category-wise

A noteworthy feature of this vacancy table: a significant proportion of vacancies — particularly for AVP IS Audit — are backlog vacancies (SC: 2, ST: 1, OBC: 3), meaning these are reserved category posts that were unfilled in previous recruitment cycles. With 61 posts, Deputy Manager (CA-Internal Audit) is the largest category in this SBI SCO 2026 notification and reflects SBI’s significant push to strengthen its internal audit function with qualified CA professionals. PwBD horizontal reservations are also available for the DM CA-Internal Audit post (VI: 2, HI: 1, LD: 1, d&e: 1) as indicated in the official notification.

Selection Process – SBI SCO Recruitment 2026

Stage 1: Application Screening & Shortlisting

Merely meeting the minimum qualification and experience criteria does not guarantee a call for interview. SBI’s shortlisting committee constitutes its own parameters for shortlisting — which are not published in advance and may include factors such as the quality of experience, relevance of certifications, industry background, and seniority of roles held. The bank will shortlist an adequate number of candidates as it decides, and its decision is final. No correspondence is entertained regarding shortlisting decisions. This means candidates must not only meet eligibility thresholds but should present a strong, complete, and well-documented application with their resume, experience certificates, certification proof, salary documents, and the completed Biodata Form — all uploaded as required.

Stage 2: Interview (100 Marks)

The Interview carries a maximum of 100 marks. The qualifying marks in the interview are decided by SBI and are not disclosed in advance. Call letters for the interview are sent by email and uploaded on SBI’s website — no hard copy is dispatched. Outstation candidates called for interview are reimbursed air fare (Economy Class): up to Rs. 15,000 (both sides) for AVP IS Audit, and up to Rs. 10,000 (both sides) for Deputy Manager posts. Local conveyance (taxi, cab, personal vehicle) is not reimbursable. If a candidate is found ineligible after arriving for the interview, no fare reimbursement is paid. Candidates in government/quasi-government/PSU/nationalised bank service must bring a No Objection Certificate from their employer at the time of interview.

Stage 3: CTC Negotiation (AVP IS Audit Only)

For the contractual AVP (IS Audit) post, CTC negotiation takes place at the time of the interview itself. Candidates must bring Form-16 / ITR / Form 26AS and the latest 3 months’ salary slips, along with the CTC Negotiation Form (available on SBI’s career website). The annual CTC is negotiable and depends on the candidate’s current emoluments and place of posting — within the ceiling of Rs. 50 Lakhs per annum. This negotiation-based structure gives SBI flexibility to attract exceptional candidates at appropriate compensation levels.

Stage 4: Merit List

The final merit list is prepared in descending order based on interview scores only. In case of a tie at the cut-off mark, candidates are ranked in descending order of age (older candidates ranked higher). Final appointment is subject to medical fitness clearance by SBI’s designated medical board. Appointment/engagement is also subject to a CIBIL check — candidates with unresolved loan or credit card defaults are ineligible.

Interview Pattern – No Written Exam

Interview Preparation Guide

For AVP & Deputy Manager (IS Audit) Posts

• Core IS Audit frameworks: COBIT 5/2019, ISO 27001, NIST Cybersecurity Framework, RBI Master Direction on IT Governance, RBI DPSC Master Direction
• Cyber Security Auditing: VAPT methodology, tools (Nessus, Nmap, Burp Suite, Kali Linux, Metasploit), penetration testing lifecycle, vulnerability assessment reporting
• Banking technology landscape: Core Banking Systems (CBS), Internet Banking, Mobile Banking, UPI, IMPS, SWIFT, ATM/POS infrastructure, cloud computing in banking
• Information Security standards: ISO 27001/27002, PCI-DSS, OWASP Top 10, GDPR/DPDP Act (India), RBI circular on cybersecurity in banks
• Audit concepts: Risk-based auditing, Control testing, IS Continuous Audit, IT Outsourcing Audit, IS Concurrent Audit
• Certifications knowledge: Deep understanding of your held certifications (CISA, CISSP, CISM, DISA, CEH) is expected — the panel will probe your actual working knowledge, not just the fact of holding the certificate
• SBI’s technology ecosystem: Familiarise yourself with SBI’s published annual reports discussing IT risk, cybersecurity, and digital banking — demonstrates employer-specific preparation

For Deputy Manager (CA-Internal Audit) Post

• Bank audit specifics: RBI’s Long Form Audit Report (LFAR) framework, concurrent audit procedures, credit audit (RFIA), FEMA audit, Internal Financial Controls over Financial Reporting (IFCoFR)
• Credit appraisal & NPA identification: Credit risk assessment, sanction review, IRAC norms, NPA classification and provisioning, CIBIL/credit bureau reporting
• Internal control frameworks: COSO framework, risk-based internal audit, governance frameworks (IIA standards)
• Ind AS / IFRS applicable to banks: Fair value measurement, expected credit loss (ECL) model, financial instruments (IND AS 109)
• Digital & IS audit for CAs: Familiarity with IT Governance Controls, digital payment audit, IS audit basics — especially relevant since CAs with DISA qualification may be preferred for certain IS audit assignments
• RBI regulations: Basel III, SARFAESI Act, IBC, Foreign Exchange Management Act, Know Your Customer (KYC) norms, Priority Sector Lending guidelines
• Vendor risk: Non-IT OSA (Outsourced Service Activities) audit, third-party risk management

General Interview Preparation Tips

At SBI’s SCO level, the interview panel typically includes senior SBI officers from the IS Audit/IA departments and possibly external experts. The interview tests both technical depth and professional judgement — expect case-based questions like “How would you approach an IS audit of SBI’s mobile banking platform?” or “You detect a critical vulnerability in CBS during an audit — walk us through your response process.” For CA candidates, credit audit case studies involving NPA assessment and regulatory reporting gaps are commonly discussed. For IS Audit candidates, expect questions on specific VAPT findings and how you would report and escalate them to management. Be prepared to walk the panel through specific audits you have personally conducted — SBI values hands-on experience over theoretical knowledge.

Salary & CTC Details

AVP IS Audit – Variable Pay Structure

The MMGS-II pay scale for the regular Deputy Manager posts (64820-2340/1-67160-2680/10-93960) represents a starting basic pay of Rs. 64,820/- per month, reaching Rs. 93,960/- after increments. Combined with Dearness Allowance (revised quarterly), House Rent Allowance, City Compensatory Allowance, and other perquisites, the total monthly gross compensation for MMGS-II officers at SBI is significantly higher than the basic pay alone — estimated in the range of Rs. 1,10,000 – 1,30,000/- per month depending on posting location. Regular SBI MMGS-II officers also receive the benefit of SBI’s NPS-linked contributory pension, LFC, medical benefits, and concessional staff housing loans — a comprehensive total compensation package that compares favourably with peers in the banking sector. The contractual AVP post, with up to Rs. 50 Lakhs CTC and no additional perks, is positioned for more senior mid-career professionals who bring exceptional IS audit expertise at a negotiated market-aligned rate.

How to Apply Online – Step-by-Step Guide

1. Visit SBI’s official career portal at sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings. Scroll down and click on Advertisement No. CRPD/SCO/2025-26/27. Download and read the full notification carefully before applying.
2. Click “Apply Online.” Register with your email ID and mobile number to get a provisional registration number and password. Note these carefully — you will need them if you need to re-access and edit your application (editing permitted up to 3 times).
3. Fill in all personal details, educational qualifications, experience details, and category. Upload your recent passport-size photograph (20–50 KB, 200×230 pixels, colour, white background, JPEG) and signature (10–20 KB, 140×60 pixels, black ink on white paper, no CAPITALS, JPEG).
4. Upload all required PDF documents (each max 500 KB, A4 size): Brief Resume, ID Proof, Date of Birth Proof, PwBD Certificate if applicable, Educational Certificates, Experience Certificates, Form-16/Offer Letter/Latest Salary Slip, NOC if applicable, Biodata Form (from SBI career website), and for AVP IS Audit: Form-16/ITR/Form 26AS + 3 months salary slips + CTC Negotiation Form (both available on SBI’s career website).
5. Once all information is complete and all documents are uploaded, proceed to final submission. After submission, no corrections are allowed.
6. Pay the application fee (Rs. 750/- for General/EWS/OBC; Nil for SC/ST/PwBD) through the payment gateway using Debit Card, Credit Card, or Internet Banking. Transaction charges are borne by the candidate.
7. On successful payment, an e-receipt and application form will be generated. Print and retain these for your records.
8. Monitor your registered email (including spam/promotions folders) and SBI’s career website regularly for shortlisting status, interview schedule, and other communications. No hard copies will be sent by post.

Important Instructions for Candidates

Expert Tips to Crack SBI SCO Recruitment 2026

1. Your Experience Certificate Is Your Most Important Document — Get It Right

Unlike competitive exams where marks decide eligibility, SBI SCO shortlisting is entirely profile-based. The shortlisting committee will scrutinise your experience certificates carefully. Ensure each certificate explicitly mentions: your designation, the period of employment (from–to dates), the nature of work performed (IS Audit, Cyber Security Audit, Information Security Consultancy, or Bank Audit as applicable), and the domain (BFSI/IT). A certificate that only says “employed as IT executive from 2019–2023” without specifying IS Audit responsibilities will not count. Contact HR at your current/past employers to obtain properly worded experience letters before applying.

2. Professional Certifications Are Game-Changers at the Shortlisting Stage

While certifications like CISA, CISSP, CISM, and DISA are listed as “preferred/desirable” rather than mandatory for DM posts, they function as critical shortlisting differentiators in practice. With many candidates meeting basic qualifications, SBI’s shortlisting panel will weigh the certification portfolio heavily. If you have a valid CISA or CISSP and your competitor does not, you are substantially more likely to be called for interview. If you are close to completing a certification, consider accelerating your timeline — a certification obtained before 15 March 2026 and valid as on that date is eligible.

3. Resolve Your CIBIL Issues Before Applying

The CIBIL condition in this notification is binding and enforced at the appointment stage. If you have any active loan default, overdue credit card balance, or adverse entry in your credit bureau report, address it proactively. Candidates whose CIBIL status has an adverse record but who have subsequently repaid the dues must ensure their CIBIL record is updated before the date of joining — or produce NOCs from lenders. Do not assume this is a formality — SBI as a bank takes credit behaviour of its officers very seriously.

4. Download and Submit the Biodata Form Without Fail

The Biodata Form (available on SBI’s career website under this advertisement) must be duly filled, signed, scanned, and uploaded as a PDF as part of the application. Many candidates overlook this separate form — but without it, your candidature will not be considered for shortlisting/interview. Download it first, fill it carefully, and keep the PDF ready before you begin your online application.

5. For AVP IS Audit Candidates — Know Your CTC Before You Enter the Room

CTC negotiation for the AVP contractual post happens at the interview itself, making it a combined technical assessment and salary negotiation in a single sitting. This is unusual and requires specific preparation. Know your current annual gross CTC (with breakups), your expected CTC (with justification), and the market rate for IS Audit professionals at AVP level in BFSI. Bring all salary documents (Form-16, 3 months salary slips, ITR, Form 26AS) and the completed CTC Negotiation Form. Walk in prepared for a confident negotiation — under-bidding your market value or being unable to justify your ask will both work against you.

6. Apply Well Before 15 March 2026 — Portal Congestion Is Real

SBI’s online application portal for SCO vacancies routinely experiences high traffic near the deadline — especially for a notification attracting experienced professionals from across the IT and CA ecosystem. The requirement to upload multiple large documents (Resume, experience certificates, salary documents, Form-16, Biodata Form, CTC Negotiation Form for AVP) means the upload process itself can take considerable time. Apply at least 5–7 days before the last date. The 3-edit provision gives you flexibility to refine your application before final submission.

Frequently Asked Questions – SBI SCO Recruitment 2026

1. How many total vacancies are there in SBI SCO Recruitment 2026?

There are 116 total posts — 12 for AVP IS Audit (contractual), 43 for Deputy Manager IS Audit (regular, MMGS-II), and 61 for Deputy Manager CA-Internal Audit (regular, MMGS-II).

2. What is the last date to apply for SBI SCO 2026?

The last date for online registration and fee payment is 15 March 2026. Registration is complete only when the fee is deposited on or before this date. Apply and pay early to avoid last-minute technical issues.

3. Is the AVP IS Audit post permanent or contractual?

The AVP IS Audit post is contractual, with an initial contract period of 3 years, extendable for 2 more years at SBI’s discretion. It carries an annual CTC of up to Rs. 50 Lakhs (negotiable, 85% fixed + 15% variable). The Deputy Manager posts are regular/permanent MMGS-II positions.

4. Is Teaching and Training experience counted for eligibility?

No. The notification explicitly states: “Teaching & Training experience will NOT be counted for eligibility.” This applies to all three posts.

5. What qualification is required for Deputy Manager (CA-Internal Audit)?

A Chartered Accountant (CA) degree with active membership of ICAI is the essential qualification. Additionally, minimum 1 year post-CA-qualification experience in Statutory/Internal/Concurrent Audit of a Bank (or with a CA firm engaged in such audits) is mandatory.

6. What is the age limit for Deputy Manager IS Audit?

Minimum 25 years and maximum 35 years as on 31 January 2026 for General/UR category. OBC candidates get 3 years relaxation (max 38 years), SC/ST get 5 years (max 40 years), and PwBD candidates get 10–15 years additional relaxation depending on category.

7. Is there a written exam for SBI SCO 2026?

No. There is no written examination. Selection is based on Profile Shortlisting followed by an Interview (100 marks). For AVP IS Audit, CTC Negotiation also happens at the time of interview.

8. What is the application fee?

Rs. 750/- (non-refundable) for General/EWS/OBC candidates. SC, ST, and PwBD candidates are fully exempted. Payment is made online via Debit Card, Credit Card, or Internet Banking through SBI’s integrated payment gateway.

9. What salary does a Deputy Manager at SBI MMGS-II earn?

The basic pay scale is 64820-2340/1-67160-2680/10-93960. With DA, HRA, CCA, and other allowances, the estimated gross monthly emolument is approximately Rs. 1,10,000 – 1,30,000/- depending on posting location. Additional perquisites include NPS/PF, LFC, medical benefits, and concessional staff loans.

10. Are CISA/CISSP/CISM certifications mandatory or just preferred?

These certifications are preferred/desirable (not mandatory) for IS Audit posts. However, in practice they function as strong shortlisting differentiators. They must be valid as on the last date of registration (15 March 2026). An expired certification is not counted.

11. Can candidates with CIBIL defaults apply?

No. Candidates who have defaulted on any loan or credit card dues with Banks/NBFCs/Financial Institutions and have not regularised/repaid outstanding amounts till the date of SBI’s offer of appointment are not eligible for appointment. Candidates who have repaid but whose CIBIL record hasn’t updated must produce NOCs from lenders at the time of joining.

12. Will SBI reimburse travel expenses for the interview?

Yes, outstation candidates called for interview are reimbursed air fare (Economy Class) by shortest route: up to Rs. 15,000 (both sides) for AVP IS Audit, and up to Rs. 10,000 (both sides) for Deputy Manager posts, or actual fare whichever is lower. Local conveyance (taxi/cab) is not reimbursable. Ineligible candidates found so at the interview stage receive no reimbursement.