SBI Clerk Prelims 2026: Acquaint Yourself Booklet with Official Sample Papers Released
📘 Latest Update — 21 September 2026: State Bank of India (SBI) has released the official “Acquaint Yourself Booklet” for the Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) Preliminary Examination under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17. This is SBI’s own sample paper booklet — 9 pages carrying the complete Prelims pattern, the marking rules and 32 official sample questions — and it has been published in both English and Hindi. Along with it, SBI has issued separate scribe guidelines for PwBD candidates. Download everything here:
▸ Download SBI Clerk Acquaint Yourself Booklet 2026 (English)
▸ Download SBI Clerk Acquaint Yourself Booklet 2026 (Hindi Edition)
▸ Download SBI Clerk 2026 Scribe Guidelines for PwBD Candidates
▸ Download Admit Card for SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026 – Download & Official Sample Paper Booklet — the call letter and the booklet open on this page tentatively 10 days before the exam date.
What Is the SBI Clerk 2026 Acquaint Yourself Booklet (Sample Paper Booklet)?
The Acquaint Yourself Booklet is the bank’s own preparation booklet for the Preliminary Examination. Think of it as SBI telling you in writing exactly what your paper will look like. It runs to just 9 pages, but every page earns its place: the full Prelims pattern, the marking rules, solved and unsolved sample questions, the language your paper will appear in, and a screen-by-screen walkthrough of the online test software.
SBI has published the booklet in English and Hindi, so you can study it in whichever language you are comfortable with. One honest warning from the booklet itself — the sample questions are “only illustrative and not exhaustive”, and the real paper may carry question types that are not shown in it. Use it as a map of the exam, not as a question bank. For more practice material, our previous year question papers section is a good next stop.
What is the SBI Clerk Prelims 2026 Exam Pattern? Sections, Marks & Timing
| Test | Questions / Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 / 30 | 20 Minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 / 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 / 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Whole Paper | 100 / 100 | 1 Hour |
Each test is separately timed, so you cannot carry unused minutes from one section into another. Every question carries 5 options, and you are not permitted to submit your answers before the full test duration is over.
What is the Negative Marking and Marking Scheme for SBI Clerk Prelims 2026?
| Rule | What It Means for You |
|---|---|
| Negative marking | 1/4 of the mark for that question is deducted for every wrong answer |
| Qualifying marks | No minimum qualifying marks for individual tests or for the aggregate |
| Section-wise marks | Will not be maintained |
| Shortlisting for Mains | Roughly 10 times the vacancies, category-wise, by descending aggregate score |
| Final merit | Prelims marks are not added — only the Main Examination aggregate counts |
The Preliminary Examination is only the first filter in the selection process; the Main Examination is what decides your rank.
How Many Sample Questions Are in the SBI Clerk 2026 Sample Paper Booklet?
| Section | Sample Questions | Question Types Shown |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 12 | Sentence completion, spotting errors, synonyms, antonyms, comprehension passages |
| Numerical Ability | 9 | Data tables, arithmetical reasoning, graphs and tables |
| Reasoning Ability | 11 | Odd one out, analogies, word rearrangement, inference, coded operations, data sufficiency, syllogism |
Several questions come with the worked answer explained — the most valuable part of the booklet, because it shows the reasoning SBI expects, not just the right option. Pair it with our exam syllabus and pattern guides.
Will the SBI Clerk Prelims 2026 Paper Be in Hindi? State-Wise Language List
The English Language test is always in English. Numerical Ability and Reasoning Ability appear in English plus the language applicable to the State you applied for. The booklet prints the list for all 24 States and UTs.
| Medium of Exam | States / UTs |
|---|---|
| English and Hindi | Andaman & Nicobar, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Sikkim |
| English, Hindi and one regional language | Goa (Konkani), Gujarat (Gujarati), Karnataka (Kannada), Maharashtra (Marathi), Manipur (Manipuri), Odisha (Odia), Tamil Nadu (Tamil) |
| English, Hindi and Urdu | Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttar Pradesh |
| English, Hindi and Bengali | Tripura, West Bengal |
| English, Hindi, Assamese and Bengali | Assam |
| English, Hindi, Telugu and Urdu | Telangana |
If the English question and its translated version differ, the English version shall prevail.
How Does the SBI Clerk 2026 Online Exam Screen Work?
| On-Screen Action | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Login | Uses the User ID and password printed on your call letter |
| “I confirm” | Confirms your name, roll number and photograph before the test starts |
| SAVE & NEXT | Saves your answer — without clicking it, the answer is not saved |
| CLEAR RESPONSE | Removes the option you had selected for that question |
| MARK FOR REVIEW & NEXT | Flags a question to revisit; a marked answer is still evaluated |
| Any keyboard key | Locks the exam — never press one once the test has started |
Only one question is shown at a time, and you can jump between questions using the number panel on the right. Time lost while a question loads is not deducted from your test time.
What to Carry on SBI Clerk 2026 Exam Day and What Gets You Disqualified?
| Carry to the Venue | Detail |
|---|---|
| Call letter with photo affixed | Same photograph as uploaded in the application form |
| 2 additional photographs | Same photo as the one pasted on the call letter |
| Photo identity proof | Original plus a photocopy |
| Ball point pen, glue, blue stamp pad | For rough work, pasting photos and the left thumb impression |
Now the part nobody should skip. The booklet lists the exact situations in which you will not be allowed to appear, or will lose your candidature.
| Situation | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Reporting after the printed reporting time | Late comers will not be allowed to take the test |
| Missing photo ID in original and photocopy, call letter without the photograph, or fewer than 2 photographs | Not permitted to appear for the examination |
| Signature does not tally with the uploaded one, or is in CAPITAL LETTERS | Not allowed to appear for the examination |
| Not returning the rough sheet, or taking questions or answers out of the hall | Disqualified, and the Bank may take further action |
| Copying, impersonation, unfair means, misbehaviour or disclosing test content | Disqualification and debarment, permanently or for a specific period |
| Canvassing for a change of date, time or venue | Treated as a disqualification |
| Answer pattern found similar to other candidates | The Bank reserves the right to cancel the candidature |
| Violating the instructions of invigilators | Disqualified, and you may be asked to leave the hall |
No calculator, cell phone, smartwatch, book, slide rule or written note is allowed inside the hall. Your Prelims call letter will not be collected — it is stamped by the exam officials, and you must keep it safely along with the authenticated ID copy, because you have to carry both to the Main Examination. At the venue, your photo is captured and matched against the one in your application. No travelling allowance is paid for attending the exam.
What Are the Scribe Guidelines for PwBD Candidates in SBI Clerk 2026?
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who may use a scribe | Candidates with a physical limitation to write who opted for it in the online application form |
| Arranging the scribe | You arrange your own scribe at your own cost |
| Scribe’s stream | May be from any academic stream |
| Compensatory time | 20 minutes for every hour of the exam — system based, and it cannot be granted later if you did not opt for it |
| Disability certificate | Must be dated on or before 31 August 2026, the last date of registration |
| OM dated 10.08.2022 route | Appendix I medical certificate from a Government healthcare institution and Appendix II undertaking; the scribe’s qualification must be one step below yours |
| Scribe declaration form | Fill it online using the link in the exam intimation email, print it, carry it, and submit it before leaving the venue |
The bars in these guidelines are strict, so read them before exam day.
| Scribe Violation | Consequence |
|---|---|
| Appendix I certificate or Appendix II undertaking not produced (2022 OM route) | Not allowed to appear for the examination |
| Scribe is himself or herself a candidate in this same recruitment | Candidature of both the candidate and the scribe is cancelled |
| Using a scribe while not eligible to use one | Disqualified from the process; can be removed from service even after joining |
| Scribe answering independently, or giving hints, cues or prompts | Session terminated and candidature cancelled — even if detected after the exam |
| Eligibility criteria not met, or material facts suppressed in the undertaking | Candidature stands cancelled, whatever the result of the test |
| Deliberately wrong information in the declaration form | Candidate and scribe debarred from SBI examinations, permanently or for a set period |
SBI also runs online Aadhaar verification at different stages, and both documents draw attention to The Public Examinations (Prevention of Unfair Means) Act, 2024.
What Are the SBI Clerk Prelims 2026 Important Dates and Call Letter Status?
| Event | Status As Printed |
|---|---|
| Preliminary Examination | Tentatively in September 2026 |
| Main Examination | Tentatively in November 2026 |
| Exact Preliminary Exam date | Not printed — it is given on your call letter |
| Call letter and booklet download | Tentatively from 10 days before the exam date |
| Hard copy by post | Will not be sent for the call letter or the booklet |
Please do not trust any “confirmed exam date” you see elsewhere — none of the four official SBI documents for this advertisement carries one. Note your roll number, exam date, reporting time and venue from the call letter itself when it is released, and keep an eye on our admit card updates page.
Is the SBI Junior Associate 2026 Application Form Still Open?
The application window is closed. Online registration and fee payment ran from 11 August 2026 to 31 August 2026, and SBI accepted no other mode of application. No fresh applications are being taken for this advertisement, so there is nothing to submit now — this booklet release does not reopen the form, and no vacancy, fee, age or qualification condition has been changed by it.
If you did apply, here is what to do instead. Keep your registration number and password safe, because the call letter and the Acquaint Yourself Booklet are downloaded with them. Watch your registered email for the exam intimation. PwBD candidates who opted for a scribe must fill the online scribe declaration form as soon as that link reaches them. And remember that the application fee already paid — ₹750 for General, OBC and EWS, and Nil for SC, ST, PwBD, XS and DXS candidates — is non-refundable and cannot be carried over to any other SBI exam or selection.
You have done the hard part already. The booklet is the closest thing to an official practice paper you will get, so work through all 32 questions, get comfortable with the SAVE & NEXT screen, and remember the 1/4 negative marking before you guess. The Preliminary Examination is tentatively in September 2026 and the exact date comes on your call letter, so keep checking your email. Keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in for every banking job notification and exam update on this recruitment.
SBI Clerk 2026 Notification: Junior Associate Vacancies, Eligibility, Pay Scale & Exam Pattern
State Bank of India (SBI) has released Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17 for the recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) in the Clerical Cadre. The advertisement carries 7,680 regular vacancies, plus a separately printed block of 2,086 backlog posts — spread across 24 States and Union Territories. If you are a graduate in any stream and dreaming of a bank job, this is the biggest opening of the year. The starting basic pay is ₹26,730 and gross starting emoluments come to around ₹46,000 per month at a metro city like Mumbai. Very few banking sector jobs offer this kind of scale and stability.
Online registration ran from 11 August 2026 to 31 August 2026 and that window has since closed. The post was open to any candidate who completed graduation in any discipline by 31 December 2026 — a commerce or finance background was never needed — and final-year students could apply provisionally. In this article we have covered the complete state-wise vacancy list, age limit, pay scale, exam pattern for Prelims and Mains, application fee and the step-by-step apply process. Read it fully so you do not miss a single detail, and keep GovtJobsAlert.in bookmarked for every update on this recruitment.
What Are the Key Highlights of SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026?
State Bank of India is the country’s largest public sector bank and its Central Recruitment & Promotion Department (CRPD), Mumbai, conducts this clerical recruitment every year. The Junior Associate post is a customer-facing role in branches, handling cash, deposits, customer service and sales of banking products. It is one of the most popular entry-level bank jobs in India because a simple graduation degree is enough to apply.
- Post Name: Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) — Clerical Cadre
- Total Vacancies: 7,680 regular posts plus 2,086 backlog posts (SBI prints no combined figure)
- Pay Scale: ₹24,050 – ₹64,480 (starting basic ₹26,730)
- Job Location: 24 States / UTs across India — you can apply for one State only
- Application Start Date: 11 August 2026
- Last Date to Apply: 31 August 2026 — this window is closed
What is the SBI Clerk Vacancy 2026? State-Wise & Backlog Breakdown of Junior Associate Posts
The 7,680 regular posts are distributed state-wise as below. You must choose only one State or UT while applying, and you will be posted in that same State. Choose carefully — there is no inter-state or inter-circle transfer before completing 5 years of service.
| State / UT | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra | 1,718 |
| Tamil Nadu | 1,410 |
| Odisha | 1,100 |
| Karnataka | 760 |
| West Bengal | 555 |
| Rajasthan | 350 |
| Gujarat | 330 |
| Chhattisgarh | 287 |
| Telangana | 260 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 250 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 113 |
| Assam | 110 |
| Jammu & Kashmir (UT) | 84 |
| Goa | 62 |
| Sikkim | 60 |
| Arunachal Pradesh | 55 |
| Tripura | 48 |
| Mizoram | 32 |
| Nagaland | 27 |
| Meghalaya | 24 |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 15 |
| Manipur | 14 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 9 |
| Ladakh (UT) | 7 |
| All Regular Posts | 7,680 |
Category-wise, the 7,680 regular vacancies are divided as below.
| Category | Regular Vacancies |
|---|---|
| General (GEN) | 3,253 |
| OBC | 1,716 |
| SC | 1,114 |
| ST | 837 |
| EWS | 760 |
| All Regular Posts | 7,680 |
Backlog Vacancies — 2,086 Additional Posts
On top of the regular seats, the notification carries a backlog block of 2,086 posts — vacancies from earlier years that were never filled and are now being carried forward. These are listed in three separate groups in the official vacancy table.
| Backlog Group | Break-up | Posts |
|---|---|---|
| SC / ST / OBC | SC 58, ST 161, OBC 68 | 287 |
| PwBD | VI 76, HI 113, LD 80, d&e 86 | 355 |
| Ex-Servicemen | XS 964, DXS 480 | 1,444 |
| All Backlog Posts | — | 2,086 |
The advertisement prints these two blocks separately and gives no combined grand total, so read them as two lists and not as one number. One clarification worth knowing: the backlog seats shown here are net of SBI’s separate Special Recruitment Drive (Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16) for SC / ST / OBC candidates — so if you have seen another SBI Clerk notification with a smaller backlog-only vacancy count, that is a distinct drive with its own last date, and those seats have already been excluded from the figures above.
What is the Eligibility for SBI Clerk 2026? Qualification & Age Limit
Educational Qualification
- Graduation in any discipline from a recognised University, or any equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government — the degree must be completed as on 31 December 2026.
- Candidates holding an Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) must have passed on or before 31 December 2026.
- Students in the final year or final semester of graduation may apply provisionally. If selected, they must produce proof of passing on or before 31 December 2026.
- Matriculate Ex-servicemen who have obtained the Indian Army Special Certificate of Education (or the corresponding Navy / Air Force certificate) after not less than 15 years of service are also eligible.
Because the degree can be in any stream, this vacancy is open to arts, science, commerce and engineering students alike. If you are searching for more such openings, check the full list of government jobs for graduates on our site.
Language Requirement
You must be proficient in reading, writing, speaking and understanding the specified local language of the State you apply for. Candidates who have studied that language in Class 10 or Class 12 are exempt from the Local Language Proficiency Test.
Age Limit
Age is calculated as on 1 April 2026. Candidates must be not below 20 years and not above 28 years, meaning you must have been born not earlier than 2 April 1998 and not later than 1 April 2006 (both dates inclusive).
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC | 3 years |
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| PwBD (Gen / EWS) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | 15 years |
| Widows / divorced women | 7 years (max age 35 for Gen / EWS, 38 for OBC, 40 for SC / ST) |
🎂 Not sure if you meet the age criteria? Use our free Age Calculator for Government Exams to find your exact age on the cut-off date and instantly check your eligibility — including SC / ST / OBC / PwBD age relaxation. →
Ex-Servicemen get relaxation equal to the actual period of service rendered plus 3 years (8 years for Disabled Ex-Servicemen of SC / ST), subject to a maximum age of 50 years. Trained Apprentices of SBI get relaxation from 1 year to 16 years depending on category. Do note that cumulative age relaxation under two different heads is not allowed — you can claim only one.
What is the SBI Clerk Salary 2026 (Junior Associate Pay Scale)?
The pay for Junior Associates is governed by the bank’s clerical cadre pay scale as stated in the notification.
- Pay Scale: ₹24,050 – 1340/3 – 28,070 – 1650/3 – 33,020 – 2000/4 – 41,020 – 2340/7 – 57,400 – 4400/1 – 61,800 – 2680/1 – ₹64,480
- Starting Basic Pay: ₹26,730 (₹24,050 plus two advance increments admissible to graduates)
- Probation Period: minimum 6 months, with e-lessons to be completed for confirmation
Starting emoluments for a Clerical Cadre employee at a metro like Mumbai come to around ₹46,000 per month, inclusive of DA, other allowances at current rates and the two additional increments for newly recruited graduate Junior Associates. Allowances vary depending on the place of posting.
Along with salary, you also get reimbursement of various perquisites, Provident Fund, pension under the New Pension Scheme, medical facilities and Leave-Fare concession as per the bank’s rules.
What is the Selection Process for SBI Clerk 2026?
Selection happens in three phases — an online Preliminary exam, an online Main exam, and a local language test.
Phase 1: Preliminary Examination
An online objective test of 100 questions for 100 marks in 1 hour, with each section separately timed: English Language (30 questions, 30 marks, 20 minutes), Numerical Ability (35 questions, 35 marks, 20 minutes) and Reasoning Ability (35 questions, 35 marks, 20 minutes). There is negative marking of 1/4 mark for every wrong answer. Roughly 10 times the number of vacancies are shortlisted category-wise for the Main exam. Remember this important point — Prelims marks are not added to the final merit list.
Phase 2: Main Examination
An online objective test of 190 questions for 200 marks in 2 hours 40 minutes: General / Financial Awareness (50 questions, 50 marks, 35 minutes), General English (40 questions, 40 marks, 35 minutes), Quantitative Aptitude (50 questions, 50 marks, 45 minutes) and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude (50 questions, 60 marks, 45 minutes). Negative marking of 1/4 mark applies here too. Only the Main exam aggregate decides your final merit, so put your maximum effort into this stage. Trained apprentices of SBI also get 5 bonus marks out of 200 (2.5% of the maximum marks) added to their Main exam aggregate, provided their apprenticeship engagement started on or after 1 January 2022 and they completed one year of branch experience in SBI successfully on or before 31 August 2026. You can plan your preparation using our detailed exam syllabus and pattern guides.
Phase 3: Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)
Provisionally selected candidates who have not studied the specified local language in Class 10 or 12 must clear this test. It has a Non-Verbal Test (objective and subjective sections of 15 marks each) and a Verbal Test of 20 marks. Failing the LLPT means the candidature is cancelled.
How to Apply Online for SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026?
This application window closed on 31 August 2026. SBI is not accepting any fresh application under this advertisement, and there was never an offline route — the steps below are kept only as a record of the process candidates followed.
Before you start, scan your photograph, signature, left-hand thumb impression and a hand-written declaration in English on white paper with black ink. Declarations written in capital letters are not accepted.
- Visit the SBI online application portal (direct link given in the Essential Links section below).
- Open the online application form under “Recruitment of Junior Associates”.
- Click “New Registration” and enter your basic details to generate a provisional registration number and password — note both down safely.
- Fill the complete application form, choosing carefully the one State / UT you want to apply for.
- Upload your photograph, signature, left-hand thumb impression and hand-written declaration; the form will not register unless all four are uploaded.
- Capture and upload a live photograph using the webcam option or by scanning the QR code with your mobile.
- Pay the application fee online using debit card, credit card or Internet Banking.
- Submit the form and take a printout of the e-receipt for your record — do not post the printout to SBI.
Saved data can be re-opened and edited only three times before final submission. After submission, no change or correction in any particular, including category, is allowed.
What is the Last Date for SBI Clerk 2026? Important Dates & Exam Schedule
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification released | 11 August 2026 |
| Online registration starts | 11 August 2026 |
| Last date to apply and pay fee | 31 August 2026 |
| Age reckoned as on | 1 April 2026 |
| Qualification reckoned as on | 31 December 2026 |
| Preliminary Exam (tentative) | September 2026 |
| Main Exam (tentative) | November 2026 |
What is the Application Fee for SBI Junior Associate 2026?
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹750 |
| SC, ST, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen (XS), Disabled Ex-Servicemen / Dependents (DXS) | Nil |
The fee is paid online only through the payment gateway integrated with the application, using debit card, credit card or Internet Banking. The fee is non-refundable and is not carried over to any other exam. If a transaction does not complete successfully, you must register again and pay online once more.
Essential Links — SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026
- Download Official Notification PDF
- SBI Junior Associate 2026 Application Portal (registration closed)
- Visit SBI Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
Registration for these 7,680 regular and 2,086 backlog posts closed on 31 August 2026, so the job now is preparation, not paperwork. If you have applied, keep your registration number and password safe, work through the official Acquaint Yourself Booklet, and start revising Reasoning and Numerical Ability from today itself. Keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in for more banking job notifications and exam updates.