SBI Clerk 2026 Notification: 9,766 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 9,766 vacancies in all — 7,680 regular posts plus 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 is open from 11 August 2026 to 31 August 2026. Any candidate who has completed graduation in any discipline by 31 December 2026 can apply — you do not need a commerce or finance background. Final-year students may also 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.
Key Highlights — 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: 9,766 posts — 7,680 regular + 2,086 backlog
- 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
SBI Clerk Vacancy 2026: State-Wise & Backlog Breakdown of 9,766 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 |
Add the two blocks together and the advertisement covers 9,766 posts. 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?
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 |
SBI Junior Associate Application Fee 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
- Apply Online for SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026
- Visit SBI Official Website
- Join WhatsApp Channel for Government Jobs
- Join Telegram Channel for Government Jobs
With 9,766 posts on offer and only a graduation degree needed, this is genuinely one of the best chances you will get this year. Do not wait for the last day — the portal gets very slow near the deadline. Complete your registration well before 31 August 2026, and start revising Reasoning and Numerical Ability from today itself. Keep visiting GovtJobsAlert.in for more banking job notifications and exam updates.