SBI PO Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 1500 Probationary Officer Posts

The State Bank of India (SBI) has officially released the highly anticipated SBI PO Recruitment 2026 Notification under Advertisement No. CRPD/PO/2026-27/09. Touted as one of the most prestigious opportunities in the Indian banking sector, this recruitment drive aims to fill 1,500 vacancies for the post of Probationary Officer (PO) in various branches across the country.

The online application registration window opened on June 18, 2026, and candidates can submit their digital applications along with fee payments until the final closing deadline on July 8, 2026. This drive marks a significant increase in openings compared to previous smaller cycles, making it a golden window for banking aspirants nationwide.

SBI PO Recruitment 2026 Overview

Recruitment Metric	Official Notification Details & Structural Timelines
Recruiting Authority	State Bank of India (SBI)
Post Name	Probationary Officer (PO) – Junior Management Grade Scale-I (JMGS-I)
Advertisement Number	CRPD/PO/2026-27/09
Total Notified Vacancies	1,500 Posts (1,446 Regular + 54 Backlog)
Online Registration Starts	June 18, 2026
Last Date to Apply Online	July 8, 2026
Application Fee Payment Window	June 18 to July 8, 2026
SBI PO Prelims Exam Date	August 1 & 2, 2026 (Expected)
SBI PO Mains Exam Date	September 12, 2026 (Expected)
Phase 3 (Psychometric + Interview)	October / November 2026
Job Location	Across India (Anywhere in India branches)
Official Careers Gateway	sbi.co.in/web/careers

Category-Wise Vacancy Breakdowns

The 1,500 vacancies are divided into regular and backlog pools across different social categories. Horizontal reservation quotas for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) are also allocated in accordance with Government of India directives.

Category Classification	Regular Seats Pool	Backlog Openings	Total Consolidated Seats
Unreserved (UR / General)	588	—	588
Other Backward Classes (OBC)	390	—	390
Scheduled Caste (SC)	216	18	234
Scheduled Tribe (ST)	108	36	144
Economically Weaker Section (EWS)	144	—	144
Grand Total Vacancies	1,446	54	1,500

Detailed Eligibility Criteria & Upper Age Boundaries

To prevent automatic application rejection by the online portal, candidates must fulfill the rigid educational baseline and age limitations detailed below.

1. Educational Profile Requirements

• Core Academic Qualification: Graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized University or any equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government.
• Final Year Provisional Provision: Candidates who are in the final year or final semester of their graduation may also apply provisionally. However, if they are called for the interview stage, they must produce authoritative proof of having cleared their graduation examination on or before September 30, 2026.
• Specialized Degrees: Candidates possessing professional qualifications such as Chartered Accountancy (CA), Cost Accountancy, Engineering, or Medical degrees are completely eligible to register.

2. Age Limit Boundaries (As of April 1, 2026)

• Minimum Age Limit: 21 Years
• Maximum Age Limit: 30 Years
• This means applicants must have been born not earlier than April 2, 1996, and not later than April 1, 2005 (both days inclusive).

3. Category Relaxation Matrices

Upper age relaxations apply for reserved streams under statutory norms:

Category Streams	Permissible Upper Age Relaxations
Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe (SC / ST)	5 Years
Other Backward Classes (OBC Non-Creamy Layer)	3 Years
PwBD (UR / EWS)	10 Years
PwBD (OBC)	13 Years
PwBD (SC / ST)	15 Years
Ex-Servicemen / Commissioned Officers	5 Years

Comprehensive Selection Process & Exam Blueprint

The selection matrix for SBI Probationary Officers is notoriously competitive, featuring a three-phase structure. Notably, there are no sectional cut-off marks in either the Prelims or Mains phases—candidates only need to clear the aggregate category overall cut-off.

Phase I: Preliminary Examination (100 Marks)

This is an online objective test lasting 1 hour with separate sectional timings. It serves as a qualifying screening round to select candidates equal to 10 times the vacancy pool for the next stage.

Section Test Name	Number of Questions	Maximum Marks	Allotted Sectional Duration
English Language	30	30	20 Minutes
Quantitative Aptitude	35	35	20 Minutes
Reasoning Ability	35	35	20 Minutes
Total Prelims Metric	100	100	1 Hour

Phase II: Main Examination (250 Marks)

The Mains stage consists of an Online Objective Test (200 marks) lasting 3 hours, immediately followed by an Online Descriptive Test (50 marks) lasting 30 minutes.

• Objective Test Components: Covers Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, and English Language.
• Descriptive Paper Components: Letter Writing & Essay testing English language proficiency.
• Negative Marking Penalty: For both Phase I and Phase II objective tests, a penalty of one-fourth (0.25) of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each incorrect response.

Phase III: Psychometric Test & Face-to-Face Evaluation (50 Marks)

Candidates short-listed from the Mains round (roughly 3 times the vacancies) undergo a psychometric profiling activity. This is followed by a Group Exercise (20 Marks) and a Personal Interview (30 Marks). Final merit lists are computed by normalizing Phase II and Phase III scores in a 70:30 ratio.

Step-by-Step Procedure to Apply Online

Applicants must complete their registration through the standardized IBPS integrated portal hosting the SBI form. Follow these structural steps:

1.Access the Official SBI Career Node Terminal:Step 1.

Open your secure web browser and navigate to the official landing domain: sbi.co.in/web/careers. Expand the “Current Openings” tab and locate “Recruitment of Probationary Officers (Advertisement No. CRPD/PO/2026-27/09)”.

2.Generate New Applicant Registration Credentials:Step 2.

Click on the “Apply Online” link, which will redirect you to the application engine. Select “Click here for New Registration” and provide your active primary mobile number and email ID to receive your unique system password and registration number.

3.Populate Your Candidate Profile and Upload Documents:Step 3.

Log in with your credentials and complete your profile by entering your exact educational percentages and personal data. Upload a digital passport photo, signature, left-hand thumb impression, and a handwritten declaration as specified in the guidelines.

4.Pay Fees and Download Your Application Form:Step 4.

Review your entries using the application preview tool. General, OBC, and EWS candidates must pay the processing fee of ₹750/- via the integrated payment gateway (SC/ST/PwBD candidates are exempt). Once the transaction clears, download and save a copy of the finalized application form and electronic receipt.

Crucial Recruitment Reference Links

• Official Career Gateway Portal: SBI Careers Home
• Direct Application Link: SBI PO Online IBPS Registration Terminal
• Official Notification:Click Here

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Are there restrictions on the number of attempts a candidate can make for the SBI PO exam?

Yes, SBI restricts the maximum number of times a candidate can attempt the exam. General/EWS candidates are permitted a maximum of 4 attempts, while OBC candidates are allowed 7 attempts. There are no restrictions on the number of attempts for SC and ST candidates. Note that appearing in the Phase I Preliminary exam does not count as an official attempt; attempts are counted only if you sit for the Phase II Main examination.

What is the current application fee structure for the SBI PO 2026 cycle?

The application processing fee is structured at ₹750/- for General, EWS, and OBC category applicants. Candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwBD categories are fully exempted from paying any application or intimation fees.

What is the expected in-hand salary of a newly appointed SBI Probationary Officer?

The starting basic pay is ₹48,480/- (which includes 4 advance increments built directly into the scale). Taking into account prevailing allowances like Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and Special Allowances, the gross monthly salary ranges between ₹80,000 and ₹85,000, varying slightly by location.

Is there a sectional cut-off score that candidates must clear in the Prelims?

No. SBI does not apply sectional cut-offs in either the Preliminary or Main examinations. Candidates are selected for successive phases based entirely on their overall aggregate score relative to their category’s cut-off.

Can final semester graduation students apply for this 1,500 vacancy pool?

Yes, final year/semester students can apply provisionally. However, their selection is strictly conditional on producing official documentation proving they passed their graduation exam on or before September 30, 2026, during the interview round.