State Bank of India (SBI) Junior Associate Special Recruitment Drive 2026-27 — SC/ST/OBC Backlog, 1538 Posts

Overview

State Bank of India (SBI), Central Recruitment & Promotion Department, Corporate Centre, Mumbai (Phone: 022-22820427, Email: crpd@sbi.co.in), invites online applications from eligible Indian citizens for appointment as Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) — popularly known as SBI Clerk — in the clerical cadre, under this Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies. Online registration and fee payment run from 07.08.2026 to 27.08.2026. Candidates may apply for vacancies in one State/UT only, and may appear for the test only once under this recruitment project. Applicants must be proficient (reading, writing, speaking, understanding) in the specified local language of the State/UT they apply for.

There is no provision for Inter-Circle or Inter-State Transfer for Junior Associates recruited under this drive. The only exceptions: intra-state transfer between Delhi Circle and Lucknow Circle (Uttar Pradesh), and between Mumbai Metro Circle and Maharashtra Circle (Maharashtra) — both subject to Bank guidelines.

Preliminary Examination: tentatively September 2026. Main Examination: tentatively October/November 2026. Check sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings regularly for updates — no separate intimation is issued for changes.

State-wise & Category-wise Vacancy Details

✅ Row-sum verified: All 21 state/UT rows sum correctly to their stated totals, and 207 (SC) + 1219 (ST) + 112 (OBC) = 1538, matching the grand total exactly — no discrepancy found in this table.

† Candidates applying for Maharashtra (Maharashtra Circle/Mumbai Metro Circle) or Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow Circle) should verify operational areas via SBI's Branch Locator (Home page → Branch Locator → Select Circle → Enter Captcha). Uttar Pradesh vacancies fall under Lucknow Circle only. Candidate must opt for ONE local language at the time of application. Vacancies are provisional and may vary per the Bank's actual requirement. Merit lists are drawn state-wise and category-wise; selected candidates are posted in the State/UT they applied for.

1. Eligibility Criteria

Age Limit (as on 01.04.2026): Not below 20 years, not above 28 years — i.e., born not earlier than 02.04.1998 and not later than 01.04.2006 (both dates inclusive).

Essential Academic Qualification (as on 31.12.2026): Graduation in any discipline from a recognized University, or equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government. Final-year/final-semester students may apply provisionally, subject to producing proof of passing by 31.12.2026. For Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) holders, the date of passing the IDD must be on or before 31.12.2026. Matriculate Ex-servicemen with an Indian Army Special Certificate of Education (or Navy/Air Force equivalent), after 15+ years of Armed Forces service, are also eligible (certificate dated on or before 31.12.2026).

Age Relaxation

Cumulative age relaxation across items is not available. Category cannot be changed after online registration. Age-relaxation certificates must be submitted at the time of joining.

2. Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)

This post is identified suitable for the following benchmark disability categories (per the RPWD Act 2016 Schedule):

Key eligibility thresholds: Visual Impairment (blindness = total absence of sight, or acuity worse than 3/60, or field of vision under 10°; low vision = acuity up to 6/18–10/200, or field under 40°); Deaf = 70dB+ hearing loss in both ears; Hard of Hearing = 60–70dB loss; Locomotor Disability = inability to perform distinctive movement activities per specified conditions; Specific Learning Disability, Mental Illness, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (Mild) per their standard clinical/legal definitions under the RPWD Act 2016.

Note: There is no horizontal reservation for PwBD in this drive — concessions apply only to PwBD candidates within their SC/ST/OBC parent category. A valid Disability Certificate (prescribed format, from Medical/Competent Authority, dated on or before the last date of registration) is required to avail concessions.

Scribe & Compensatory Time: Available to candidates with 40%+ disability and physical limitation to write (including speed). Eligible candidates get 20 minutes' compensatory time per hour of exam, whether or not a scribe is used. Candidates must arrange their own scribe at their own cost; the scribe's qualification must be one step below the candidate's. Misuse (e.g., a scribe independently answering questions) leads to termination of the exam session and cancellation of candidature, even after joining.

3. Ex-Servicemen (XS)

Governed by the Government of India's revised Ex-Serviceman definition (Notification No.36034/5/85/Estt(SCT), 27 October 1986, as amended). Disabled Ex-Servicemen (DXS) are those disabled in operations against the enemy or in disturbed areas. Territorial Army Personnel are treated as Ex-Servicemen w.e.f. 15.11.1986.

Dependents of servicemen killed in action (war, warlike operations/border skirmishes, counter-insurgency operations, peacekeeping missions abroad, mine clearance, frost-bite during operations, dealing with agitating paramilitary personnel, or IPKF operations in Sri Lanka) are covered — widow, son, daughter, or near relations who agree to support the family — though age/educational relaxation benefits available to Ex-servicemen themselves do not extend to these dependents.

Documentation required varies by service status — released/retired personnel need a certificate per Proforma A; serving personnel due for release within a year need Proforma B; serving personnel applying under Ex-Servicemen category need Proforma C (undertaking) with SPE completion on or before 31.08.2027; and those on extended assignment beyond their initial term need Proforma D. All four are blank certificate/undertaking templates attached to the official notification, to be filled and attested by the competent military authority (Army: Military Secretary Branch/Regimental Record Offices; Navy: Naval HQ/CABS Mumbai; Air Force: Air HQ/Air Force Records) as applicable — refer to the official PDF for the exact template text.

4. Selection Procedure

Selection consists of an Online Preliminary Exam, an Online Main Exam, and (where applicable) a Local Language Proficiency Test.

Phase I: Preliminary Examination (100 marks, 1 hour)

1/4th mark deducted for each wrong answer. No minimum qualifying marks per section or aggregate. Approximately 10x the number of vacancies (category-wise, subject to availability) will be shortlisted for Main Exam, ranked by aggregate Prelims score. Prelims marks are not added to the final merit list — they're used only for shortlisting.

Phase II: Main Examination (200 marks, 2 hr 40 min)

1/4th mark deducted per wrong answer. Minimum qualifying aggregate percentage is decided by the Bank; no per-subject minimum. Only Main Exam marks count toward the final merit list. Trained SBI Apprentices (engagement start on/after 01.01.2022, one year's branch experience completed satisfactorily by 27.08.2026) get 2.5% bonus marks (5 of 200) added to their aggregate.

Phase III: Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)

Required only for provisionally selected candidates who did not study the applied State's specified local language up to 10th or 12th standard.

Candidates who qualify but fail the LLPT will not be offered appointment. Those who produce a 10th/12th mark sheet showing study of the specified language are exempt from this test entirely.

Provisional Selection & Final Merit: Only Main Exam aggregate marks (plus apprentice bonus, where applicable) determine the final merit list — Prelims marks don't count. Final selection is subject to eligibility verification and (where applicable) qualifying the LLPT. Merit lists are drawn state-wise and category-wise. A wait list of up to 50% of vacancies (state-category wise) is maintained, released quarterly against non-joining/resignations, valid for one year from the final result date.

Medium of Examination by State

5. Preliminary Exam Centres (Annexure I — Tentative)

SBI's tentative centre list covers all States/UTs (its standard reference annexure); centres relevant to the 21 states/UTs with backlog vacancies in this drive are the ones that matter here.

SBI reserves the right to cancel/add centres or allot a candidate to a different centre than requested. No request for change of centre, date, or session is entertained.

6. Pay Scale

Rs. 24050-1340/3-28070-1650/3-33020-2000/4-41020-2340/7-57400-4400/1-61800-2680/1-64480. Starting Basic Pay: Rs. 26,730 (Rs. 24,050 plus two advance increments admissible to graduates).

7. Emoluments

Total starting emoluments for a Clerical Cadre employee at a Metro like Mumbai: approximately Rs. 46,000/month, inclusive of DA, other current-rate allowances, and two additional increments for newly recruited graduate Junior Associates. Allowances vary by posting location. Eligible for provident fund, Pension under New Pension Scheme (Defined Contribution), Medical, Leave-Fare Concession, and other facilities per Bank rules.

8. Probation & Training

Probation: Minimum 6 months, governed by Bank Service Regulations. Newly appointed Junior Associates must complete prescribed e-lessons to get confirmed — failing which probation is extended. Performance is evaluated before probation ends; underperforming employees may have probation extended further.

Pre-Examination Training: Available (online) per Government of India guidelines, for eligible candidates who opt in via the online application.

Role note: New recruits must have a flair for marketing — duties include customer calls, banking/advisory services, and cross-selling products inside and outside Bank premises, with extensive outdoor travel and flexible/shift working hours as required.

9. Application Fee (Non-Refundable)

10. How to Apply

1. Register online at sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings → "Special Recruitment Drive for Junior Associates 2026."
2. Pay the applicable fee online via Debit Card/Credit Card/Internet Banking (OBC only; SC/ST/PwBD/XS/DXS exempt).
3. Fill the application carefully; save and resume using the system-generated registration number and password (editable up to 3 times before final submission). No changes allowed after final submission.
4. Print the e-receipt and application form for your records — do not send it to SBI.
5. Not more than one application should be submitted; multiple applications retain only the last valid one, with other fees forfeited.
6. Helpdesk for application issues: 022-22820427 (11:00 AM–5:00 PM, Bank working days only), or lodge a query at cgrs.ibps.in — mention "Special Recruitment drive for Junior Associates 2026" in the email subject.

Documents & Scanning Specifications

Before applying, candidates must scan: Photograph (4.5cm×3.5cm / 200×230px, 20–50KB, colour, light background), Signature (140×60px, 10–20KB, black ink, NOT capital letters), Left Hand Thumb Impression (3cm×3cm / 240×240px at 200 DPI, 20–50KB, black/blue ink — use right thumb if left is unavailable), and a Hand-written Declaration (10cm×5cm / 800×400px at 200 DPI, 50–100KB, written in English in black ink). The declaration text: "I, [Name], Date of Birth [DOB], hereby declare that all the information submitted by me in the application form is correct, true and valid. I will present the supporting documents as and when required. The signature, photograph and left thumb impression is of mine." All four items must belong to the applicant only. Unclear/smudged uploads may lead to application rejection. Live photo capture (webcam or mobile QR scan) is also required in addition to the uploaded photograph. Candidates should retain at least 8 copies of the uploaded photograph for later stages.

Call Letters, ID, and Exam-Day Rules

• Call letters for Preliminary and Main Exams are downloaded from the Bank's website (tentatively 10 days before each exam) — no hard copies are sent by post. The Preliminary Exam call letter is not collected at the venue but is authenticated/stamped there; candidates must retain it (with an authenticated ID copy) to bring to the Main Exam.
• Photographs: Candidates must bring two additional photographs (matching the one pasted on the call letter) to each exam — without these, or without a photograph on the call letter, entry is denied.
• ID Proof: One original photo ID (Passport/Aadhaar/PAN/Driving Licence/Voter Card/Bank Passbook with photo, or a School/College/Gazetted Officer-attested ID) plus a self-attested photocopy, submitted with the call letter.
• Biometric verification (thumb impression/IRIS) may be captured at various stages; inconsistencies can lead to candidature cancellation. Avoid mehendi, ink, or chemicals on hands before the exam.
• Banned items: mobile phones, pagers, smartwatches, calculators, and similar devices are not allowed inside the exam premises — infringement leads to candidature cancellation and possible ban from future exams. SBI cannot guarantee safekeeping of banned items brought to the venue.
• Misconduct (unfair means, impersonation, misbehaviour, irregular means to secure candidature, or answer-pattern similarity detected via response analysis) leads to disqualification, possible debarment from future Bank exams, and potential criminal prosecution.

General Information (Consolidated)

The source has overlapping "Important Note," "General Information" (23 points), and standalone numbered clauses. Consolidated by theme below.

• Not eligible to apply: Candidates currently working in SBI's Clerical cadre, or who previously resigned from SBI while in the Clerical cadre. Candidates with adverse character/antecedent reports are also ineligible.
• OBC certificate: Must carry the Non-Creamy-Layer clause, issued 01.04.2026 through the date of taking up appointment, submitted at joining.
• SC/ST caste certificate: Government of India-prescribed format, submitted at joining (or document verification). A candidate who migrated from a state where their community is Scheduled to one where it isn't remains deemed SC/ST.
• Provisional admission: The Bank admits all fee-paid applicants to the test based on self-furnished information; actual eligibility (age/qualification/category) is verified only at joining, not before.
• No corrections post-submission: No changes to any particular (including category) are entertained after final submission, under any circumstances.
• Technical/administrative risk: SBI is not responsible for failed submissions due to connectivity issues, nor for exam administration problems that affect test delivery or results (though it will attempt to rectify these, including via re-examination if necessary).
• NOC requirement: Candidates from Govt./Quasi-Govt./PSU/Nationalised Bank/Financial Institution roles must produce a discharge certificate from their employer at the time of taking up appointment.
• Final appointment is subject to medical fitness and satisfactory completion of KYE (Know Your Employee) formalities, plus standard service/conduct rules.
• Jurisdiction: Legal proceedings related to this advertisement fall exclusively under Mumbai courts/tribunals/forums.
• Criminal case disclosure: Selected candidates must disclose pending criminal cases before joining; the Bank may independently verify, including via police records, and can deny appointment based on such verification.
• Record retention: Project records/data will not be maintained beyond one year after the final result is declared.
• DPDP Act 2023 consent: Applying constitutes consent for SBI to collect/process/share personal data with Data Processors as required for the recruitment process, per the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.
• Bank's rights: SBI reserves the right to cancel the recruitment process entirely at any stage, and decisions on all test/selection matters are final and binding — no correspondence entertained.
• Disclaimer: False/incorrect information or unfair practice at any stage — even after appointment — leads to cancellation/termination.
• Canvassing in any form leads to disqualification.

Signatory

General Manager (RP & PM), State Bank of India, Mumbai — notification dated 07.08.2026. Also available on the Bank's website: sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings.

⚠️ SBI's own disclaimer: the Bank does not endorse, authorize, or associate with any external coaching platform, consultancy, individual, or digital channel claiming to offer guaranteed selection or insider guidance. Rely only on the Bank's official career portal. The Bank is not responsible for printing errors.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can General/Unreserved or EWS category candidates apply?
No. This drive is exclusively for SC, ST, and OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) backlog vacancies — there is no General/UR or EWS vacancy in this advertisement at all.

Q2. Is this the same as SBI's regular annual Clerk recruitment?
No — this is specifically a backlog-clearance drive. A separate notification for regular/fresh Junior Associate vacancies (open to all categories) is expected to be released by SBI separately.

Q3. How many total posts are there, and what's the split?
1538 posts total — SC: 207, ST: 1219, OBC: 112 — across 21 States/UTs.

Q4. What is the selection process?
Three phases: Online Preliminary Exam (100 marks, for shortlisting only), Online Main Exam (200 marks, this alone determines the merit list), and a Local Language Proficiency Test for candidates who didn't study the local language up to 10th/12th standard.

Q5. What is the application fee?
Nil for SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen/Disabled Ex-Servicemen; Rs. 750 for OBC candidates.

Q6. Can I apply for more than one State/UT?
No — candidates may apply for vacancies in one State/UT only, and can take the test only once under this recruitment project.

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