SBI PO 2026 Notification PDF Out - Apply Online for 1,500 Probationary Officer Posts 5 hours ago

SBI PO Important Dates 2026

Candidates need to track a single, fairly long registration window for this recruitment, along with the tentative dates for each subsequent exam phase. Online registration and fee payment run from 18 June 2026 to 8 July 2026, and the bank has also released a tentative schedule for the Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and the final interview stage so candidates can plan their preparation timeline in advance.

These dates are tentative, as stated in the official notification, and any change will be communicated only through SBI's careers website, not through a separate advertisement.

SBI PO Vacancy 2026: Category-Wise Breakdown of 1500 Posts

SBI has notified a total of 1500 Probationary Officer vacancies, made up of 1446 regular vacancies and 54 backlog vacancies, spread across the SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and UR categories. The Unreserved (UR) category carries the largest share with 588 vacancies, followed by OBC with 390, SC with 234 (including 18 backlog), ST with 144 (including 36 backlog), and EWS with 144 vacancies. The bank has clarified that these numbers are provisional and may vary based on its actual requirement.

PwBD Horizontal Reservation

A separate horizontal reservation is available for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) within the above categories, in line with Section 34 of the RPwD Act, 2016. A total of 15 vacancies are reserved for Visually Impaired (VI), 16 for Hearing Impaired (HI), 14 for Locomotor Disability (LD), and 16 for the combined "d&e" category covering Autism Spectrum Disorder-Mild, Mental Illness, and Multiple Disabilities.

SBI PO Eligibility Criteria 2026

Eligibility for the SBI PO post is built on two pillars: an age limit checked as on a fixed cut-off date, and an academic qualification checked as on a separate, later cut-off date. Candidates must satisfy both conditions independently to be considered eligible for this recruitment.

SBI PO Age Limit 2026: 21 to 30 Years

Candidates applying for SBI PO Recruitment 2026 must be not below 21 years and not above 30 years as on 01 April 2026, meaning they must have been born between 02 April 1996 and 01 April 2005 (both dates inclusive). Age relaxation is available to specific categories, but the notification clarifies that cumulative age relaxation across multiple categories is not permitted.

SBI PO Educational Qualification 2026

Candidates need a Graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government, as on 30 September 2026. Final-year or final-semester students can also apply provisionally, but they must produce proof of having passed the graduation examination on or before 30 September 2026 if shortlisted for interview. Candidates holding professional qualifications such as Medical, Engineering, Chartered Accountancy, or Cost Accountancy, as well as those with an Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) passed by the cut-off date, are also eligible.

Number of Attempts Allowed in SBI PO Exam

SBI has fixed a maximum number of attempts permissible for this exam based on category, and candidates who have already exhausted their permissible chances are not eligible to apply again. Appearing in the Main Examination counts as one attempt, while appearing only in the Preliminary Examination does not count as an attempt.

SBI PO Application Fee 2026

The application fee for SBI PO Recruitment 2026 is Rs 750 for Unreserved (UR), EWS, and OBC candidates, while SC, ST, and PwBD candidates are exempted from paying any fee. This fee is non-refundable once paid and cannot be carried forward or held in reserve for any other examination, so candidates should confirm their category and details before making the payment.

CIBIL Score Requirement for SBI PO Candidates

A distinctive eligibility condition for this recruitment relates to credit history, since SBI PO is a banking role with financial responsibility. Candidates who have defaulted on repayment under any loan, NBFC, or financial institution arrangement, including credit card dues, and whose accounts reflect adverse credit history in CIBIL or another recognised credit agency, must regularise or repay all outstanding dues on or before the date of joining the Bank. If the adverse status has not been updated in CIBIL records by the joining date, candidates must either get the status updated or produce a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the lender confirming there are no outstanding dues; failure to do so will render the candidate ineligible and the offer of appointment will be withdrawn. Candidates are advised to check their CIBIL score before applying.

SBI PO Selection Process 2026: Prelims, Mains & Interview

Selection for SBI PO Recruitment 2026 follows a three-phase process: Phase-I Preliminary Examination, Phase-II Main Examination, and Phase-III Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview. Candidates must clear each phase to be considered for the next, and only the marks from Phase-II and Phase-III are carried forward to prepare the final merit list.

Phase-I: SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2026

The Preliminary Examination is an online objective test carrying 100 marks, to be completed in 1 hour, with separate timing for each of its three sections. There is no sectional cut-off in the Preliminary Exam, but a category-wise merit list is prepared based on the aggregate score, and candidates numbering approximately 10 times the vacancies in each category are shortlisted for the Main Exam.

Phase-II: SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern 2026

The Main Examination is conducted online and consists of an Objective Test of 200 marks and a Descriptive Test of 30 marks, taken together in 3 hours 30 minutes. The descriptive paper is administered immediately after the objective test, and candidates must type their answers directly on the computer.

Each candidate must score a minimum qualifying mark in every individual section, including the descriptive paper, with sectional cut-offs decided by the Bank based on vacancies. A category-wise merit list is then prepared from the aggregate Main Exam score, and candidates numbering approximately 3 times the category-wise vacancies are shortlisted for Phase-III.

There is also a penalty for wrong answers in both the Preliminary and Main objective tests: for every wrong answer, 1/4th of the marks assigned to that question is deducted, while unattempted questions carry no penalty.

Phase-III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview

Shortlisted candidates undergo a Psychometric Test for personality profiling, followed by a Group Exercise (20 marks) and a Personal Interview (30 marks), totalling 50 marks. The Psychometric Test findings are shared with the interview panel to give a fuller perspective on each candidate, and all questions in this test are mandatory.

Final Merit List and Normalisation

The marks from Phase-II (Main Exam, both Objective and Descriptive) and Phase-III (Group Exercise & Interview) are normalised to 100 marks each before being combined into the final merit list; marks from the Preliminary Exam are not added at this stage.

If two or more candidates score identical marks at the cut-off point in the final merit list, they are ranked according to age in descending order, meaning the older candidate is placed higher.

SBI PO Apply Online 2026: Step-by-Step Registration Guide

Candidates can apply for SBI PO Recruitment 2026 only in online mode, from 18 June 2026 to 8 July 2026; no other mode of application is accepted. Before starting, candidates must have a valid personal email ID and mobile number kept active until the declaration of the final result, since all call letters and result-related communication will be sent there.

1. Visit SBI's official careers portal at https://sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings (also accessible at https://bank.sbi/web/careers/current-openings) and locate Advertisement No. CRPD/PO/2026-27/09.

2. Download and carefully read the detailed advertisement PDF before proceeding with registration.

3. Click Apply Online and open the registration form under "Current Openings."

4. Keep scanned images ready in advance: your photograph (4.5cm x 3.5cm, 200×230 pixels, 20–50 KB), signature (140×60 pixels, 10–20 KB), left-hand thumb impression (3cm x 3cm, 240×240 pixels, 20–50 KB), and a hand-written declaration (10cm x 5cm, 800×400 pixels, 50–100 KB), all in JPG/JPEG format.

5. Fill in the application form carefully; you can save a partially completed form, which generates a provisional registration number and password that you must note down to resume later.

6. Capture a live photograph through your webcam or mobile phone during registration, as this is mandatory in addition to the uploaded photograph.

7. Recheck every field for accuracy, since no edits are allowed once the form is finally submitted.

8. Pay the applicable application fee online through Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, or UPI; SC, ST, and PwBD candidates are exempt from the fee.

9. On successful payment, download and print the e-receipt and application form for your records.

10. Complete your application well before 8 July 2026 to avoid last-minute technical issues caused by heavy website traffic.

You can also apply directly through the dedicated SBI PO registration link at https://ibpsreg.ibps.in/sbipojun26/.

SBI PO Salary 2026: Pay Scale and CTC

Selected candidates for SBI PO Recruitment 2026 will draw a starting basic pay of Rs 48,480, plus 4 advance increments, in the Junior Management Grade Scale-I (JMGS-I) pay scale of 48480-2000/7-62480-2340/2-67160-2680/7-85920. In addition to basic pay, officers are eligible for Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), City Compensatory Allowance (CCA), Provident Fund, the National Pension System (NPS), Leave Fare Concession (LFC), medical facilities, lease rental facility, and other allowances as per the Bank's prevailing rules. The approximate CTC at the initial pay scale for the Mumbai Centre works out to Rs 21.97 Lacs.

Joining, Bond and Probation Period

Selected candidates must complete a basic banking knowledge online course before joining and will be designated as Probationary Officers, placed on probation for two years with continuous performance assessment. At the time of joining, candidates must execute a bond of Rs 2.00 Lacs, committing to serve the Bank for a minimum period of three years; this bond is invoked if the candidate resigns before completing three years of service. Officers who clear the probation assessment standards are confirmed in JMGS-I, and SBI's promotion policy offers a path for high-performing officers to reach senior and top management grades, including opportunities for international postings.

Documents and Identity Proof Required at Examination

Candidates must carry specific documents at each stage of the selection process, and missing or mismatched documents can lead to disqualification. At the time of the Preliminary and Main Examinations, candidates must bring a valid photo identity proof such as a Passport, Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Driving Licence, Voter's ID Card, or Bank Passbook with an attested photograph, along with a self-attested photocopy. The notification also specifies that candidates must possess a valid Aadhaar card, as SBI conducts online Aadhaar verification at different stages of the selection process, and biometric verification (photo and thumb impression/IRIS scan) may also be carried out.

For the Main Exam specifically, candidates must bring the duly authenticated Original Preliminary Exam Call Letter along with the authenticated ID proof copy, the Main Exam Call Letter, and two additional photographs identical to the one used during registration; candidates without these will not be allowed to appear. Use of mobile phones or any electronic devices inside the examination or interview premises is strictly banned and can lead to disqualification.

Common Mistakes to Avoid While Applying for SBI PO 2026

Many otherwise eligible candidates lose out due to small, avoidable errors during the application process, so it helps to be deliberate at each step. Keep your photograph, signature, thumb impression, and hand-written declaration within the exact pixel dimensions and file-size ranges specified, since uploads outside these limits will trigger an error and block submission; also remember that signatures and the hand-written declaration in capital letters are not accepted.

Avoid waiting until the closing date of 8 July 2026 to register, as heavy website traffic close to the deadline is a common cause of failed submissions, and SBI does not take responsibility for applications that fail to go through for this reason. Double-check your category selection before final submission, since no change of category is permitted at any stage after registration, and incorrectly chosen reserved or unreserved status cannot be corrected later. If an online payment fails or appears incomplete, register again and make the payment afresh rather than assuming the transaction went through, since the fee is strictly non-refundable. Finally, save your provisional registration number and password immediately after saving your form, and keep multiple copies of your registration photograph ready, as these are needed at every subsequent stage of the selection process.

Important Links: SBI PO Recruitment 2026