SBI Clerk Special Recruitment Drive 2026: Apply Online for 1,538 Junior Associate Backlog Vacancies (Advt. No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16)

The State Bank of India (SBI) has officially released the employment notification for a Special Recruitment Drive to fill 1,538 backlog vacancies for the post of Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales)—widely recognized as the SBI Clerk position—under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16.

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This special drive is conducted exclusively for SC, ST, and OBC candidates across various circles and states/UTs pan-India. General and EWS category candidates are not eligible to apply for this specific notification.

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The online application portal went live on 7th August 2026, and eligible candidates can submit their online applications until 27th August 2026.

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Recruitment Overview

Feature	Details
Recruiting Organization	State Bank of India (SBI)
Department	Central Recruitment & Promotion Department (CRPD)
Advertisement Number	CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16
Post Name	Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) / Clerk
Recruitment Type	Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies
Total Vacancies	1,538 Posts
Job Location	Pan-India (Based on the opted State/UT circle)
Application Mode	Online Only
Online Registration Starts	7th August 2026
Last Date to Apply Online	27th August 2026
Official Website Portal	sbi.bank.in/web/careers

Important Exam Schedule Dates

Event	Tentative Dates
Notification Release Date	7th August 2026
Online Registration Window Opens	7th August 2026
Closing Date for Online Applications & Fee Payment	27th August 2026
Download of Preliminary Exam Call Letters	September 2026
SBI Clerk Preliminary Examination 2026	September 2026
Preliminary Examination Result	October 2026
Download of Main Examination Call Letters	October / November 2026
SBI Clerk Main Examination 2026	October / November 2026

Category-Wise & State-Wise Vacancy Distribution

The 1,538 backlog vacancies are segregated across 19 circles and multiple States/UTs exclusively for reserved communities:

Veranda Race

Category	Vacancy Allocation
Scheduled Tribe (ST)	1,219
Scheduled Caste (SC)	207
Other Backward Classes (OBC)	112
Total Backlog Vacancies	1,538 Posts

(Note: Major concentrations of ST backlog slots are allotted under Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Andhra Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir circles, whereas SC and OBC slots are distributed across Bengaluru, Chandigarh, and other operational zones).

Eligibility Criteria

1. Category Restriction

• Strictly for SC, ST, and OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates. General, Unreserved, and EWS candidates are barred from applying under this special backlog notification. Physics Wallah

2. Educational Qualifications (As on 31st December 2026)

• Candidates must possess a Graduation Degree in any discipline from a recognized University or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government. Physics Wallah
• Final Year Students: Candidates in their final year/semester of graduation may also apply provisionally, provided they produce proof of passing graduation on or before 31st December 2026. Physics Wallah

3. Age Limit (As on 1st April 2026)

• Minimum Age: 20 Years Physics Wallah
• Maximum Age: 28 Years Physics Wallah
• Candidates must have been born not earlier than 02.04.1998 and not later than 01.04.2006 (both dates inclusive). Physics Wallah

4. Age Relaxations

• SC / ST Candidates: 5 Years (Upper age limit up to 33 years) Physics Wallah
• OBC Candidates: 3 Years (Upper age limit up to 31 years) Physics Wallah
• PwBD (SC/ST): 15 Years Physics Wallah
• PwBD (OBC): 13 Years Physics Wallah
• Ex-Servicemen: Actual period of service rendered + 3 years (up to 50 years max) Physics Wallah

Salary Structure & Emoluments

• Pay Scale: ₹24,050 – ₹1,340/3 – ₹28,070 – ₹1,650/3 – ₹33,020 – ₹2,000/4 – ₹41,020 – ₹2,340/7 – ₹57,400 – ₹4,400/1 – ₹61,800 – ₹2,680/1 – ₹64,480
• Starting Basic Pay: ₹26,730/- (inclusive of two advance increments admissible to graduates).
• Total Initial Emoluments: Approximately ₹46,000/- per month in metro cities like Mumbai, inclusive of Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other perks.

Selection Process

The multi-stage selection pipeline comprises three phases:

Phase 1: Preliminary Examination (Objective – 100 Marks)

Conducted online with a duration of 1 hour, consisting of 3 sectional tests:

1. English Language: 30 Questions | 30 Marks | 20 Minutes The Economic Times
2. Numerical Ability: 35 Questions | 35 Marks | 20 Minutes The Economic Times
3. Reasoning Ability: 35 Questions | 35 Marks | 20 Minutes The Economic Times

• Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for every incorrect response.

Phase 2: Main Examination (Objective – 200 Marks)

Candidates shortlisted from the Prelims appear for the Main Exam carrying 190 questions in 2 hours 40 minutes:

The Economic Times

1. General / Financial Awareness: 50 Questions | 50 Marks | 35 Minutes
2. General English: 40 Questions | 40 Marks | 35 Minutes
3. Quantitative Aptitude: 50 Questions | 50 Marks | 45 Minutes
4. Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude: 50 Questions | 60 Marks | 45 Minutes

Phase 3: Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)

• Conducted for provisionally selected candidates before final joining. The Economic Times
• Candidates who have studied the specified local language of the opted State/UT in Class 10 or 12 are exempted from this test. The Economic Times

Application Fee & Intimation Charges

• SC / ST / PwBD / Ex-Servicemen / DXS: Nil (Fully exempted) Physics Wallah
• OBC Candidates: ₹750/- (Application fee + intimation charges) Physics Wallah
• Payment Gateway: Online payment modes via Net Banking, Debit Card, Credit Card, or UPI.

How to Apply Online

1. Visit Official Careers Portal: Go to the official SBI recruitment website at sbi.bank.in/web/careers. Physics Wallah
2. Access Notification Link: Click on “Recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) under Special Recruitment Drive for Backlog Vacancies” (Advt. No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16). Physics Wallah
3. New Registration: Click on “New Registration” and provide basic contact details and email address to generate a provisional registration number and password.
4. Fill Application Form: Log in using your credentials, select your desired State/UT circle, and complete personal and academic history fields.
5. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your passport-size photograph, signature, left-hand thumb impression, handwritten declaration, and caste certificate in prescribed configurations.
6. Fee Payment: Remit the fee online (applicable to OBC candidates). The Economic Times
7. Final Submission: Submit the form and print/save a digital PDF copy of the final application submission receipt for future stages. The Economic Times

🔗 SBI Careers Official Registration Portal Link

📄 Download SBI Clerk Backlog Recruitment Notification PDF

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is the total number of vacancies announced under SBI Clerk Special Recruitment Drive 2026?

A: A total of 1,538 backlog vacancies have been notified for Junior Associates across SC, ST, and OBC categories.

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Q2: Can General or EWS candidates apply for this recruitment drive?

A: No, this is a special backlog recruitment notification strictly reserved for SC, ST, and OBC candidates; General and EWS applicants are ineligible.

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Q3: What is the last date to submit the online application form?

A: The online application registration window closes on 27th August 2026.

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Q4: Is there any interview stage in the SBI Clerk selection process?

A: No, the selection process comprises only the Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Local Language Proficiency Test (with no interview round).