SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026 has been announced for 1,538 Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) vacancies under a Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies. Eligible Indian citizens can apply online from August 7 to August 27, 2026. The recruitment is for the clerical cadre of State Bank of India and candidates can apply for vacancies in one State/UT only.

📄 Overview

State Bank of India (SBI) has released the official notification for recruitment to the post of Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) in the clerical cadre under a Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies. The recruitment is being conducted under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16.

A total of 1,538 vacancies are available across different States and Union Territories. Candidates can apply for vacancies in one State/UT only and must be proficient in the specified local language of the State/UT selected in the application. The online registration and fee payment window is from August 7, 2026 to August 27, 2026.

The Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for September 2026, while the Main Examination is tentatively scheduled for October/November 2026. Candidates should regularly check the official SBI Careers portal for further updates.

📅 Important Dates

🤝 Vacancy Details

SBI has announced a total of 1,538 Junior Associate vacancies under the Special Recruitment Drive for SC, ST and OBC backlog vacancies. The vacancies are provisional and may vary depending on the actual requirements of the Bank.

Important: Candidates can apply for vacancies in one State/UT only. The candidature will be considered only against the State/UT selected in the application. There is no provision for Inter Circle Transfer or Inter State Transfer for Junior Associates. Intra-State transfer between Delhi Circle & Lucknow Circle in Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai Metro Circle & Maharashtra Circle in Maharashtra may be permitted subject to SBI rules.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

• Graduation in any discipline from a recognized University or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government.
• Candidates with an Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) must have passed the IDD on or before 31 December 2026.
• Candidates who are in the final year/semester of graduation may also apply provisionally, provided they produce proof of passing the graduation examination on or before 31 December 2026 if provisionally selected.
• Matriculate Ex-Servicemen having the Indian Army Special Certificate of Education or equivalent certificate from Navy/Air Force after at least 15 years of Armed Forces service may also be eligible, subject to the notification conditions.

Category Eligibility

• This is a Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies.
• OBC vacancies are available only to candidates belonging to the Non-Creamy Layer.
• OBC candidates must submit an OBC certificate containing the Non-Creamy Layer clause, issued on or after 01 April 2026 and valid up to the date of joining, if selected.
• SC/ST candidates must produce a caste certificate issued by the competent authority in the prescribed Government of India format.
• PwBD and Ex-Servicemen/Disabled Ex-Servicemen can apply under their respective parent category, subject to the applicable conditions.
• Candidates already working in SBI in the Clerical Cadre are not eligible.
• Candidates who were earlier employed by SBI and resigned while working in the Clerical Cadre are also not eligible.

🔞 Age Limit

The age limit is calculated as on 01 April 2026.

Upper Age Relaxation

Cumulative age relaxation is not available under the above provisions or in combination with other relaxation provisions.

💸 Application Fee

The application fee/intimation charges are non-refundable. Payment can be made online through the payment gateway using debit card, credit card or Internet Banking. Any applicable transaction charges are to be borne by the candidate.

🎯 Selection Process

The SBI Junior Associate selection process consists of three stages:

1. Phase-I: Online Preliminary Examination
2. Phase-II: Online Main Examination
3. Phase-III: Test of specified opted Local Language, wherever applicable

Marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination will not be added to the final merit. Candidates will be shortlisted for the Main Examination based on Preliminary Examination performance. Final merit will be prepared State-wise and category-wise based on the aggregate marks obtained in the Main Examination, subject to qualifying the applicable local language test and verification of eligibility.

SBI may shortlist approximately 10 times the number of vacancies, subject to availability, for the Main Examination.

📝 Exam Pattern

Phase-I: Preliminary Examination

There is a separate timing for each section. There are no prescribed minimum qualifying marks for individual tests or aggregate score in the Preliminary Examination. There will be a 1/4th negative marking for each wrong answer.

Phase-II: Main Examination

The Main Examination also has separate timings for each test. Candidates must secure the minimum aggregate marks prescribed by SBI. No minimum qualifying marks are prescribed for individual subjects. A 1/4th negative marking applies to wrong answers.

Bonus Marks for Trained SBI Apprentices

Eligible trained SBI Apprentices may receive bonus marks equal to 2.5% of the maximum Main Examination marks, i.e. 5 marks out of 200. The bonus marks will be added to the aggregate Main Examination score, subject to the conditions specified in the official notification.

🗣️ Local Language Proficiency Test

Candidates applying for a State/UT must be proficient in the specified local language for that State/UT, including reading, writing, speaking and understanding.

The Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) will be conducted after the Main Examination for provisionally selected candidates who have not studied the specified local language in Class 10th or 12th. Candidates who provide a Class 10th or 12th marksheet/certificate showing that they studied the specified local language will not be required to appear for the language test.

Candidates who fail to qualify the applicable local language test will not be offered appointment.

💰 Salary & Pay Scale

The actual emoluments and allowances may vary depending upon the place of posting and applicable SBI rules.

📄 Documents & Upload Requirements

Candidates should keep the following documents/details ready before starting the online application:

• Recent passport-size colour photograph.
• Signature in black ink on white paper.
• Left-hand thumb impression in black or blue ink. If the candidate does not have a left thumb, the right thumb may be used.
• Handwritten declaration in English using black ink.
• Graduation qualification details/marksheet.
• Category certificate, wherever applicable.
• Valid email ID and mobile number.
• Aadhaar details, where opted/provided in the application.

Photograph Specifications

• Preferred dimensions: 200 × 230 pixels.
• Photograph size: 20 KB to 50 KB.
• Recent passport-style colour photograph.
• Light-coloured, preferably white, background.
• Face should be clearly visible.
• Caps, hats and dark glasses are not permitted. Religious headwear is allowed provided it does not cover the face.
• Candidates should retain approximately 8 copies of the same photograph for later stages.
• A live photograph will also be captured through webcam or mobile phone during the online application process.

Signature Specifications

• Preferred dimensions: 140 × 60 pixels.
• File size: 10 KB to 20 KB.
• Signature should be made on white paper using black ink.
• Signature in CAPITAL LETTERS will not be accepted.

Left Thumb Impression

• Preferred dimensions: 240 × 240 pixels at 200 DPI.
• Approximate physical dimension: 3 cm × 3 cm.
• File size: 20 KB to 50 KB.
• Use black or blue ink on white paper.

Handwritten Declaration

The declaration must be written by the candidate in English using black ink.

Declaration: “I, ______(Name of the candidate), Date of Birth ______, 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”.

• Preferred dimensions: 800 × 400 pixels at 200 DPI.
• Approximate physical dimension: 10 cm × 5 cm.
• File size: 50 KB to 100 KB.
• File format for uploaded images: JPG/JPEG.

📍 Examination Centres

SBI has provided a tentative list of centres for the Preliminary and Main Examinations. Candidates can choose their preferred examination centre while applying, but SBI reserves the right to cancel a centre, add another centre or allot a candidate to a different centre depending upon administrative requirements.

Candidates will have to appear at the allotted examination centre at their own risk and expense. Requests for changing the examination centre, date or session will not ordinarily be entertained.

Punjab Examination Centres

Other Major Examination Centres

The notification includes examination centres across various States/UTs, including Delhi NCR, Chandigarh/Mohali, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, Bihar and other notified locations.

🔗 Important Links

🔄 Also Check

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✍️ How to Apply

1. Visit the official SBI Careers Current Openings page or use the direct application link provided above.
2. Locate Recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) – Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies.
3. Check Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16.
4. Read the complete official notification carefully before applying.
5. Ensure that you meet the required age, educational qualification and category conditions.
6. Select only one State/UT for which you want to apply.
7. Select the applicable local language for the State/UT.
8. Keep your photograph, signature, left thumb impression and handwritten declaration ready in the prescribed format.
9. Complete the online application form with accurate personal, educational and category details.
10. Save the provisional registration number and password if the application is completed in stages.
11. Upload the required documents/images in the prescribed size and format.
12. Pay the applicable application fee online. SC/ST/PwBD/XS/DXS candidates are exempted from the fee, while OBC candidates have to pay ₹750/-.
13. Review every detail carefully before final submission because corrections will not be allowed after final submission.
14. Submit the application before 27 August 2026.
15. Take a printout/save a copy of the submitted application form and e-receipt for future reference.
16. The application printout does not need to be sent to SBI.

❓ FAQ