The State Bank of India (SBI) has released the official notification for the recruitment of Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) posts for the year 2026-27. A total of 9766 vacancies have been announced under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17. Online applications can be submitted from 11 August 2026 to 31 August 2026. This article explains eligibility, vacancy details, selection process, salary and the step-by-step application procedure based on the official SBI notification.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Authority | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post Name | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) |
| Advertisement Number | CRPD/CR/2026-27/17 |
| Total Vacancies | 9766 (Regular 7680 + Backlog 2086) |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Dates | 11 August 2026 to 31 August 2026 |
| Selection Process | Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, Local Language Proficiency Test |
| Official Website | sbi.bank.in |
Note: SBI has separately released another notification, CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16, as a Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies, with online applications open from 7 August to 27 August 2026. This is a distinct advertisement from the 9766-vacancy notification covered in this article, and candidates should check that separate advertisement if they wish to apply under that drive.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 11 August 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 11 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 31 August 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | Tentatively September 2026 |
| Main Examination | Tentatively November 2026 |
Exact exam dates, shifts and city intimation will be announced separately through the official website and call letters. This information has not yet been confirmed by the official authority.
SBI Clerk Vacancy Details 2026
The 9766 vacancies are distributed Circle-wise and State/UT-wise across the country and include both regular and backlog vacancies.
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Regular Vacancies | 7680 |
| Backlog Vacancies (SC/ST/OBC, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen) | 2086 |
| Total | 9766 |
Candidates can apply for vacancies in only one State/UT, and must be proficient in the specified local language of that State/UT, as detailed in the official notification’s state-wise vacancy table. No vacancies under this advertisement have been listed for some States/UTs; candidates should check the official PDF for the complete state-wise breakup.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a Graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government, on or before 31 December 2026. Candidates in the final year or final semester of graduation may also apply provisionally, subject to producing proof of having passed the examination by 31 December 2026.
Age Limit and Age Relaxation
Candidates must be not below 20 years and not above 28 years as on 1 April 2026 (born between 2 April 1998 and 1 April 2006, both dates inclusive).
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC | 3 years |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| PwBD (General/EWS) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen/Disabled Ex-Servicemen | Actual service period + 3 years (8 years for disabled SC/ST ex-servicemen), subject to a maximum age of 50 years |
| Widows/Divorced/Judicially Separated Women (not remarried) | 7 years, subject to maximum age of 35 (Gen/EWS), 38 (OBC), 40 (SC/ST) |
| Trained Apprentices of SBI | 1 year (Gen/EWS), 4 years (OBC), 6 years (SC/ST), and higher relaxation for PwBD categories |
Cumulative age relaxation under more than one category is not permitted.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/PwBD/XS/DXS | Nil |
| General/OBC/EWS | Rs. 750 |
The fee is non-refundable and must be paid online through debit card, credit card or internet banking.
Salary and Pay Level
Selected candidates will be placed in the pay scale of Rs. 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. The starting Basic Pay is Rs. 26,730 (Rs. 24,050 plus two advance increments admissible to graduates). Total starting emoluments at a metro location like Mumbai are approximately Rs. 46,000 per month, inclusive of Dearness Allowance and other allowances at current rates.
Selection Process
Selection consists of three stages:
- Phase-I: Preliminary Examination — Objective test of 100 marks (English Language, Numerical Ability, Reasoning Ability), 1-hour duration. Negative marking of 1/4th mark applies for each wrong answer.
- Phase-II: Main Examination — Objective test of 200 marks (General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude), 2 hours 40 minutes duration. Only the Main Exam marks are used for the final merit list. Negative marking of 1/4th mark applies.
- Phase-III: Local Language Proficiency Test — Required for candidates who have not studied the specified local language in Class 10 or 12.
Approximately 10 times the number of vacancies (category-wise) will be shortlisted from Prelims for the Main Exam. The final merit list is prepared State-wise and category-wise based on Main Exam marks. A wait list of up to 50% of vacancies will also be maintained, valid for one year.
Preliminary Exam Pattern
| Test | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 Hour |
Main Exam Pattern
| Test | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 minutes |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 2 Hours 40 Minutes |
Required Documents
- Valid photo ID proof (Passport, Aadhaar, PAN, Driving Licence, Voter ID, or similar)
- Scanned photograph, signature, left thumb impression and hand-written declaration as per notification specifications
- Graduation mark sheet/certificate or provisional certificate
- Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC non-creamy layer/EWS), if applicable
- PwBD or Ex-Servicemen certificate, if applicable
- Preliminary and Main Exam call letters, as applicable at each stage
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Visit the official SBI careers website at sbi.bank.in and open the “Current Openings” section.
- Locate “Recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales)” under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17 and download the detailed advertisement to read it fully.
- Click on “Apply Online” and register with a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in personal, educational and category details carefully. Editing is allowed only up to three times before final submission.
- Upload scanned photograph, signature, left thumb impression and hand-written declaration as per the prescribed specifications.
- Pay the application fee (where applicable) through debit card, credit card or internet banking.
- Submit the application and save the printout of the system-generated form for future reference.
Important Instructions
- Candidates can apply for vacancies in only one State/UT and can appear for the test only once under this recruitment project.
- There is no provision for Inter Circle/Inter State Transfer for Junior Associates before completion of 5 years of service, except in exceptional cases.
- Candidates currently working in SBI’s clerical cadre, or who resigned from SBI while in clerical cadre, are not eligible to apply.
- No changes or corrections to the application form will be entertained after final submission.
- Mobile phones, smart watches, calculators and similar devices are strictly banned inside the examination hall.
- State Bank of India does not endorse any external coaching platform, consultancy or agent claiming to guarantee selection. Candidates should rely only on the official SBI career portal for authentic information and beware of fraudulent recruitment offers or unofficial payment requests.
Common Application Mistakes to Avoid
- Uploading a photograph or signature that does not meet the prescribed size and format may lead to rejection.
- Selecting the wrong State/UT, since candidature will be considered only against the State/UT applied for.
- Waiting until the last date to apply, which risks application failure due to website load.
- Submitting more than one application, which leads to forfeiture of fees paid for extra registrations.
Official Notification and Application Links
Official Notification PDF (CRPD/CR/2026-27/17)
Apply Online for SBI Junior Associate 2026
Official SBI Careers Website (Current Openings)
Conclusion
The SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 for 9766 Junior Associate posts is a major opportunity for graduates seeking a banking career. Eligible candidates should read the complete official notification carefully and apply online before the last date, 31 August 2026, to avoid last-minute issues.
