The State Bank of India (SBI) has issued the official notification outlining the recruitment structure for its Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) role. This hiring process is a Special Recruitment Drive specifically organized for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16.
Candidates can register online between 7 August 2026 and 27 August 2026. The official document provides a comprehensive breakdown of the exam pattern for the Prelims and Mains, the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) protocols, the marking schemes, and the overarching selection process.
Note regarding the syllabus: SBI’s official notification defines the names of the test sections, question counts, maximum marks, and time allocations for every phase, but it does not include a detailed, topic-by-topic syllabus. The sub-topics provided in this guide serve strictly as a general reference for candidates. Any detail not explicitly mentioned in the official notification is treated accordingly, without assumption.
SBI Junior Associates (Clerk) Syllabus 2026 – Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
| Organisation | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) |
| Recruitment Type | Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies |
| Advertisement No. | CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 |
| Total Vacancies | 1,538 (SC: 207, ST: 1,219, OBC: 112) |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Selection Stages | Preliminary Exam → Main Exam → Local Language Proficiency Test |
| Official Website | https://sbi.bank.in/ |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
| Start of online registration and fee payment | 7 August 2026 |
| Last date for online registration and fee payment | 27 August 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | Tentatively September 2026 |
| Main Examination | Tentatively October/November 2026 |
SBI indicates that these examination dates are tentative. Applicants should monitor the official careers page for confirmed schedules and call letter announcements.
SBI Junior Associate Exam Pattern 2026
The recruitment process involves three primary stages: the Preliminary Examination, the Main Examination, and, if required, a Local Language Proficiency Test. For both online exam phases, candidates will face a negative marking penalty of 1/4th of a mark for each incorrect answer.
Phase I: Preliminary Examination Pattern
The Preliminary phase is a one-hour objective assessment totaling 100 marks. It is divided into three timed sections. Although SBI does not enforce a sectional cut-off, candidates are shortlisted for the Main Examination based on their aggregate scores. The shortlisting ratio is approximately 10 times the number of category-wise vacancies, dependent on candidate availability.
| S.No. | Test Name | Medium of Exam | No. of Questions | Max. Marks | Duration |
| 1 | English Language | English | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| 2 | Numerical Ability | English/Hindi (as per state) | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| 3 | Reasoning Ability | English/Hindi (as per state) | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 Hour |
Phase II: Main Examination Pattern
The Main Examination is an objective test worth 200 marks, spanning 2 hours and 40 minutes across four separately timed sections. The final merit list is determined exclusively by the aggregate score from the Main Exam; marks secured in the Preliminary phase are not considered for final selection.
| S.No. | Test Name | Medium of Exam | No. of Questions | Max. Marks | Duration |
| 1 | General/Financial Awareness | English/Hindi (as per state) | 50 | 50 | 35 minutes |
| 2 | General English | English | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| 3 | Quantitative Aptitude | English/Hindi (as per state) | 50 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| 4 | Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | English/Hindi (as per state) | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 2 Hr. 40 min. |
Applicants must achieve minimum qualifying marks in the aggregate, as determined by the Bank. Sectional qualifying limits do not apply, nor are individual sectional scores tracked separately.
Phase III: Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)
Candidates selected provisionally who do not possess a Class 10 or 12 mark sheet confirming they studied the specified local language of their applied state must pass the LLPT. This test takes place after qualifying the Main Exam and before formal induction. Candidates who provide evidence of studying the local language are exempt.
| S.No. | Test Pattern | Section | No. of Passages | No. of Questions | Max. Marks |
| 1 | Non-Verbal Test | Objective | 3 | 15 | 15 |
| 1 | Non-Verbal Test | Subjective | 3 | 15 | 15 |
| 2 | Verbal Test | – | – | – | 20 |
Failure to clear the LLPT will result in the immediate cancellation of the appointment offer.
SBI Junior Associate Syllabus 2026 (Section-wise Guide)
While the official document specifies the subjects, a detailed curriculum is not published. Drawing from standard clerical-cadre banking assessments, the subsequent topics typically outline the examination scope. This should be utilized solely as a broad study reference.
Prelims Sections
- English Language: Reading comprehension, cloze test, para jumbles, error detection, fill in the blanks, vocabulary-based questions.
- Numerical Ability: Simplification, number series, quadratic equations, data interpretation, arithmetic problems (percentage, profit & loss, average, ratio, time & work, simple/compound interest).
- Reasoning Ability: Puzzles, seating arrangement, syllogism, inequality, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense, alphanumeric series.
Mains Sections
- General/Financial Awareness: Current affairs, banking and financial awareness, static general knowledge.
- General English: Comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, sentence correction, and para-based questions at a slightly higher difficulty than Prelims.
- Quantitative Aptitude: Data interpretation, data sufficiency, arithmetic word problems, number series, simplification/approximation.
- Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude: Advanced puzzles and seating arrangement, logical reasoning, plus basic computer knowledge (fundamentals, MS Office, internet, and banking-related computer terms).
How to Apply
- Navigate to the official SBI careers portal: https://sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings
- Find and click on the “Special Recruitment drive for Junior Associates 2026” link.
- Download and review Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 carefully.
- Complete the online registration using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Input all required details in the application form and upload scanned copies of a photograph, signature, left thumb impression, and hand-written declaration.
- Process the application fee payment (if applicable) via debit card, credit card, or internet banking.
- Submit the application and retain a printed copy of the system-generated form for personal records (do not mail this document to SBI).
Important Instructions
- Applicants are restricted to applying for vacancies in a single State/UT and can participate in this recruitment cycle only once.
- Inter-Circle or Inter-State transfers are not permitted, with the sole exception of intra-state transfer between Delhi Circle & Lucknow Circle (Uttar Pradesh) and between Mumbai Metro Circle & Maharashtra Circle (Maharashtra), depending on the Bank’s extant guidelines.
- Modifications or corrections to application details, including category classification, will not be entertained post-submission.
- Electronic devices, including mobile phones, smartwatches, and calculators, are strictly banned inside test centers.
- SBI will maintain a waitlist covering up to 50% of the state-category wise vacancies. This list is released quarterly and remains valid for one year following the final result declaration.
- The Bank retains the authority to cancel the entire recruitment drive at any given stage.
- SBI explicitly clarifies that it does not endorse third-party coaching institutes or consultancies promising selection; applicants must depend exclusively on the official career portal.
SBI Junior Associates (Clerk) Syllabus 2026 – Important Links
SBI Junior Associates (Clerk) Syllabus 2026 – FAQs
1. What is the SBI Junior Associates (Clerk) Syllabus 2026?
The SBI Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) recruitment notification specifies the subjects, number of questions, marks, duration, and exam structure for the Preliminary and Main examinations. SBI has not published a detailed topic-wise syllabus in the official notification. The topic-wise subjects commonly used for preparation should therefore be treated only as general study guidance.
2. How many vacancies are available for SBI Junior Associates 2026?
A total of 1,538 backlog vacancies have been announced under the Special Recruitment Drive for SC, ST, and OBC candidates. The vacancies include 207 for SC, 1,219 for ST, and 112 for OBC candidates.
3. What is the SBI Junior Associate selection process?
The selection process consists of the Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT), where applicable. Candidates who qualify for the Main Examination may be required to appear for the LLPT depending on their proof of local language studied in Class 10 or 12.
4. What is the SBI Junior Associate Prelims exam pattern?
The Preliminary Examination is a 100-mark objective test with a total duration of one hour. It consists of English Language with 30 questions, Numerical Ability with 35 questions, and Reasoning Ability with 35 questions. Each section is separately timed for 20 minutes.
5. Is there negative marking in the SBI Junior Associate exam?
Yes. The Preliminary and Main examinations have a negative marking of one-fourth of a mark for each incorrect answer.
6. What is the SBI Junior Associate Mains exam pattern?
The Main Examination carries 200 marks and has a total duration of 2 hours and 40 minutes. It consists of General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude. There are 190 questions in total.
7. Are Preliminary Exam marks considered for the final merit list?
No. Marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are used for shortlisting candidates for the Main Examination. The final merit list is prepared based on the aggregate marks obtained in the Main Examination.
8. Is there a sectional cut-off in the SBI Junior Associate exam?
According to the information provided in the notification, there is no sectional qualifying requirement for the Preliminary or Main Examination. Candidates are required to meet the applicable aggregate qualifying requirements determined by SBI.
9. What subjects are included in the SBI Junior Associate Prelims?
The Preliminary Examination includes English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. The official notification specifies these sections but does not provide a detailed topic-by-topic syllabus.
10. What subjects are included in the SBI Junior Associate Mains?
The Main Examination consists of General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude.
11. What topics should candidates study for the SBI Junior Associate exam?
SBI has not provided a detailed topic-wise syllabus in the notification. For preparation purposes, candidates may use commonly covered topics such as reading comprehension, simplification, data interpretation, arithmetic, puzzles, seating arrangement, syllogism, coding-decoding, current affairs, banking awareness, grammar, vocabulary, and basic computer knowledge as general study references.
12. What is the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)?
The LLPT is a language assessment conducted after the Main Examination for candidates who do not have a Class 10 or 12 mark sheet showing that they studied the specified local language of the State/UT for which they applied.
13. Who is exempt from the SBI Junior Associate LLPT?
Candidates who can provide a Class 10 or 12 mark sheet showing that they studied the specified local language of their applied State/UT are exempt from appearing in the LLPT.
14. What happens if a candidate fails the LLPT?
A candidate who is required to take the LLPT but fails to qualify it will have their appointment offer cancelled.
15. When will SBI Junior Associate 2026 registration begin and end?
Online registration and fee payment are scheduled from 7 August 2026 to 27 August 2026. Candidates should complete the application within the prescribed period.
16. When will the SBI Junior Associate Preliminary and Main Exams be conducted?
The Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for September 2026, while the Main Examination is tentatively scheduled for October/November 2026. SBI may announce the confirmed examination schedule separately through its official careers portal.
