The State Bank of India (SBI) Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) recruitment 2026 selection process consists of Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT), wherever applicable. The Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for September 2026, while the Main Examination is tentatively scheduled for November 2026.
SBI Clerk Preliminary Exam Pattern 2026
The Preliminary Examination is an online objective test carrying 100 marks. The total duration is 1 hour, with separate timing of 20 minutes for each section.
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 Minutes |
Preliminary Exam Important Points
There is 1/4 negative marking for every wrong answer. SBI has not prescribed minimum qualifying marks for individual sections or the overall Preliminary Examination. Section-wise marks will not be maintained.
Candidates will be shortlisted for the Main Examination based on their aggregate Preliminary Examination marks. SBI states that approximately 10 times the number of vacancies, subject to availability, may be shortlisted for the Main Examination.
SBI Clerk Main Exam Pattern 2026
The Main Examination consists of 190 questions for 200 marks with a total duration of 2 hours 40 minutes. Each section has a separate time limit.
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Main Exam Important Points
The Main Examination also has 1/4 negative marking for each wrong answer. Candidates are required to secure the minimum aggregate marks prescribed by SBI. There is no minimum qualifying mark for an individual subject, and section-wise marks will not be maintained.
The Preliminary Examination marks are not added to the final merit list. Only the aggregate marks obtained in the Main Examination are considered for preparation of the final merit list.
Local Language Proficiency Test
Candidates who are provisionally selected but have not studied the specified local language in Class 10th or 12th will have to appear for the Local Language Proficiency Test. Candidates who provide a 10th/12th marksheet or certificate showing that they studied the specified local language are exempt from this test.
Candidates who fail the required local language test will not be offered appointment.
SBI Clerk Selection Process
Preliminary Exam → Main Exam → Local Language Proficiency Test (where applicable) → Final Selection
The final merit list is prepared State-wise and category-wise on the basis of Main Examination performance.
Important: SBI Apprentice Bonus Marks
Eligible trained SBI Apprentices may receive 5 bonus marks, equal to 2.5% of the maximum 200 marks in the Main Examination, subject to the conditions specified in the notification.
In short: SBI Clerk Prelims = 100 Questions, 100 Marks, 1 Hour; Mains = 190 Questions, 200 Marks, 2 Hours 40 Minutes. The Main Examination is the basis for the final merit, while the local language test is qualifying wherever applicable.
SBI Clerk Prelims Syllabus
English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Error Detection
- Fill in the Blanks
- Para Jumbles
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Sentence Improvement
- Phrase Replacement
- Vocabulary
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Grammar
- Spelling
Numerical Ability
- Number System
- Simplification & Approximation
- Percentage
- Ratio & Proportion
- Average
- Profit & Loss
- Simple & Compound Interest
- Time & Work
- Time, Speed & Distance
- Partnership
- Mixture & Alligation
- Mensuration
- Data Interpretation
- Problems on Ages
- Quadratic Equations
- Number Series
Reasoning Ability
- Puzzles
- Seating Arrangement
- Syllogism
- Inequality
- Coding-Decoding
- Blood Relations
- Direction & Distance
- Alphanumeric Series
- Order & Ranking
- Input-Output
- Logical Reasoning
- Statement & Conclusions
- Data Sufficiency
- Analogy
- Classification
SBI Clerk Mains Syllabus
1. General & Financial Awareness
Important areas for preparation include:
- Current Affairs
- Banking Awareness
- Financial Awareness
- Indian Banking System
- RBI & Monetary Policy
- Banking Terms
- Government Schemes
- Budget & Economic Survey
- Financial Institutions
- Static GK
- National & International Events
- Awards & Honours
- Sports
- Important Days
- Books & Authors
- Countries, Capitals & Currencies
- Important Appointments
2. General English
- Reading Comprehension
- Cloze Test
- Error Detection
- Sentence Correction
- Fill in the Blanks
- Para Jumbles
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Vocabulary
- Synonyms & Antonyms
- Idioms & Phrases
- Grammar
- Phrase Replacement
- Word Usage
- Connectors
3. Quantitative Aptitude
- Number System
- Simplification
- Approximation
- Percentage
- Ratio & Proportion
- Average
- Profit & Loss
- Simple & Compound Interest
- Time & Work
- Time, Speed & Distance
- Partnership
- Mixture & Alligation
- Mensuration
- Probability
- Permutation & Combination
- Data Interpretation
- Data Sufficiency
- Quadratic Equations
- Number Series
- Problems on Ages
4. Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude
Reasoning:
- Puzzles
- Seating Arrangement
- Syllogism
- Inequality
- Coding-Decoding
- Blood Relations
- Direction Sense
- Input-Output
- Data Sufficiency
- Logical Reasoning
- Statement & Assumption
- Statement & Conclusion
- Ranking
- Alphanumeric Series
- Analogy
Computer Aptitude:
- Computer Fundamentals
- Computer Hardware
- Computer Software
- Operating Systems
- Internet
- Networking
- MS Office
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- Memory
- Input & Output Devices
- Database Basics
- Computer Security
- Viruses & Malware
- Basic Computer Terminology
SBI Bank Clerk Syllabus 2026 Important Links
