Complete exam guide
SBI PO (Probationary Officer), State Bank of India
SBI PO is the single biggest officer-level recruitment in Indian banking: State Bank of India picks Probationary Officers (Junior Management Grade Scale-I) through a three-phase process: an online Preliminary exam, an online Mains with a descriptive paper, and a Psychometric Test followed by Group Exercises and a Personal Interview.
2026 cycle — status
✓ Verified 6 Oct 2026Advertisement CRPD/PO/2026-27/09 was released on 18 June 2026 for 1,500 vacancies. Applications ran from 18 June to 8 July 2026. The Preliminary Examination was held on 1 and 2 August 2026, and the Prelims result (list of candidates shortlisted for Mains) has been declared on the SBI careers page. The Main Examination was held on 12 September 2026 (tentative date given in the prelims result notice). The Mains result is expected between September and October 2026, after which shortlisted candidates face the Psychometric Test, Group Exercises and Interview in October/November 2026. The final result is expected in November/December 2026. The next cycle (2027-28) has not been announced yet, so watch the official careers page.
- Advertisement CRPD/PO/2026-27/09Done18 June 2026
- ApplicationsDone18 Jun – 8 Jul 2026
- Preliminary ExaminationDone1–2 August 2026
- Prelims result (Mains shortlist)AwaitedDeclared August 2026 (exact date on the official careers page)
- Main ExaminationDone12 September 2026Tentative date given in the prelims result notice
- Phase-III (Psychometric, GE, Interview)AwaitedOctober / November 2026Window per advertisement; exact date via call letter
- Final resultAwaitedNovember / December 2026Window per advertisement
1,500 vacancies: 1,446 regular + 54 backlog. Category split: SC 234, ST 144, OBC 390, EWS 144, UR 588 (PwBD 61 horizontal). Age counted as on 1 April 2026; the degree must be in hand by 30 September 2026 (final-year students may apply provisionally). There is also a cap on attempts: 6 chances for UR/EWS, 9 for OBC (and PwBD UR/EWS/OBC), no restriction for SC/ST, and appearing in the Mains counts as one chance (appearing in Prelims does not). Vacancies are provisional and the Bank can change them; the detailed advertisement is the final word.
About this exam
Unlike most bank exams, there is an interview, and it counts: the final merit gives 75% weight to the Mains (objective + descriptive) and 25% to Group Exercise + Interview. The Prelims only screens: its marks are not counted in the final merit. The exam rewards fast, accurate solving in Quant and Reasoning plus a strong grip on banking awareness and written communication, because the descriptive paper (email, situation analysis, report or precis writing) is scored separately. Vacancies are limited (541 to 1,500 in recent cycles), so the competition is much sharper than the IBPS equivalent.
More on SBI PO
Dates, syllabus and results for SBI PO
Exam pattern
Phase-I: Preliminary Examination (screening) Screening (shortlists for Mains)
Online CBT · 60 min · 1 mark per correct; minus 1/4 of the assigned mark (0.25) per wrong answer
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 40 | 40 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 |
| Reasoning Ability | 30 | 30 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
One hour total with strict 20-minute sectional timing for each of the three sections, so you cannot move time between sections. No sectional cut-off (only the aggregate matters), and a category-wise merit list decides the shortlist: roughly 10 times the category-wise vacancies are called for the Mains. Preliminary marks are not counted in the final merit.
Phase-II: Main Examination (objective + descriptive) Merit-deciding (with Phase-III)
Online CBT; descriptive answers typed on the computer · 210 min · Minus 1/4 of the marks assigned to the question per wrong answer (in the Mains English test each question carries 0.5 mark, so a wrong answer costs 0.125)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 60 |
| General Awareness / Economy / Banking Knowledge | 60 | 60 |
| English Language | 40 | 20 |
| Descriptive Paper (Communication Skills) | 3 | 30 |
| Total | 173 | 230 |
The objective paper is 170 questions for 200 marks in 3 hours with separate timing per section: Reasoning & Computer Aptitude 40 Qs / 60 marks / 50 min; Data Analysis & Interpretation 30 Qs / 60 marks / 45 min; General/Economy/Banking Awareness 60 Qs / 60 marks / 45 min; English Language 40 Qs / 20 marks / 40 min. The descriptive paper (30 marks, 30 minutes, typed) follows immediately: one email (out of 2 options), one situation analysis (out of 2 options), and either report writing or precis writing (out of 2 options). There is a sectional cut-off in the Mains (each test and the descriptive paper individually) plus a minimum aggregate qualifying score, both decided by the Bank. Study mapping: computer aptitude is tested inside Reasoning (no separate computer section), and Data Interpretation is the core of the Data Analysis & Interpretation paper. General Awareness is not one of the site's tracked sections for this exam, but the shared GA bank covers it. Roughly 3 times the category-wise vacancies are shortlisted for Phase-III.
Phase-III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview Part of final merit (GE + Interview) and profiling (Psychometric)
Psychometric: proctored online or at designated centres; GE & Interview in person · No negative marking (no objective scoring in this phase)
The Psychometric Test is a mandatory personality profiling exercise; its findings go to the interview panel but carry no marks of their own. Marks come from the Group Exercise (20 marks) and Personal Interview (30 marks), 50 total, with minimum qualifying marks decided by the Bank. For the final merit, the Mains total (objective + descriptive, 230 marks) is converted to 75 marks and GE + Interview (50 marks) to 25 marks, giving a combined score out of 100. Candidates called for interview must produce original certificates, including category certificates in the prescribed format; outstation candidates get AC-III rail fare reimbursement for the interview. Ties in the final merit are resolved by age in descending order.
Eligibility
Citizen of India (the advertisement invites applications from eligible Indian citizens).
Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government, with proof of passing on or before 30 September 2026. Final-year/semester students may apply provisionally if they produce the passing proof by that date when called for interview. Medical, Engineering, CA, Cost Accountant and similar qualifications are eligible. Integrated Dual Degree candidates must pass by the same date.
| OBC (non-creamy layer) | +3 years |
| SC / ST | +5 years |
| PwBD (UR/EWS / OBC / SC-ST) | +10 / +13 / +15 years |
| Ex-servicemen and commissioned officers (including ECOs/SSCOs with 5 years of military service, per the notice conditions) | +5 years |
Age relaxations are not cumulative across categories. Category chosen at registration is final; no change is allowed at any stage. OBC candidates need a non-creamy-layer certificate issued on or after 1 April 2026; EWS candidates need an Income & Asset certificate for FY 2025-26 valid for 2026-27. There is a limit on the number of chances: 6 for UR/EWS, 9 for OBC (and PwBD UR/EWS/OBC), no restriction for SC/ST, and appearing in the Mains consumes a chance. Candidates with loan defaults or adverse CIBIL records must regularise dues before joining, or the offer can be withdrawn. Selected candidates sign a service bond of ₹2 lakh for a minimum of 3 years and serve a 2-year probation with continuous assessment.
Posts, pay & who should apply
| Post | Department | Group | Pay level | Approx. in-hand |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Probationary Officer | State Bank of India, Junior Management Grade Scale-I (JMGS-I) | Officer | Starting basic pay ₹48,480 (plus 4 advance increments) in the scale 48480-2000/7-62480-2340/2-67160-2680/7-85920 |
Special requirements: Probationary Officer — Approximate CTC at the Mumbai centre is ₹21.97 lakh per year (per the advertisement), including DA, HRA, CCA, lease rental, medical and other perquisites. Posting anywhere in India; ₹2 lakh service bond for 3 years; 2-year probation.
Selection process
Preliminary exam (screening) → Main exam (objective 200 marks + descriptive 30 marks, with sectional cut-offs) → Psychometric Test + Group Exercise + Interview → Provisional selection. Prelims shortlists roughly 10 times the category-wise vacancies for the Mains and its marks do not count further. The Mains shortlists roughly 3 times the vacancies for Phase-III, subject to sectional and aggregate qualifying scores. The final merit out of 100 combines the converted Mains score (230 marks scaled to 75) and the converted Group Exercise + Interview score (50 marks scaled to 25). Candidates must qualify Phase-II and Phase-III separately, and final appointment is subject to document verification, medical fitness and background verification.
Normalisation (why your raw score ≠ final score)
The SBI PO advertisement does not describe a cross-shift score adjustment for the Prelims or Mains the way railway exams do, so do not assume raw scores are scaled between shifts. Check the official notices for the cycle. What the notice does specify is the merit normalisation: the Main Examination total (objective + descriptive, 230 marks in the 2026-27 scheme) is converted to 75 marks, and the Group Exercise + Interview total (50 marks) to 25 marks, producing the final merit score out of 100. Practical takeaways: (1) only the combined Mains + Phase-III score decides selection, so interview preparation is not optional; (2) in the Prelims, clearing the aggregate is all that matters because there is no sectional cut-off, but in the Mains every section including the descriptive paper has its own qualifying bar.
Preparation topics
Every topic below has full notes, formulas, shortcut tricks and practice — tap in.
- Number System
- Simplification
- HCF & LCM
- Percentage
- Ratio, Proportion, Partnership & Ages
- Average
- Interest (SI & CI)
- Profit, Loss & Discount
- Mixtures & Alligation
- Time & Work
- Time, Speed & Distance
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Mensuration (2D)
- Mensuration (3D)
- Trigonometry
- Heights and Distances
- Statistics
- Data Interpretation
- Permutation, Combination & Probability
- Sequences & Progressions
- Set Theory & Venn Diagrams
- Functions, Graphs & Logarithms
- Analogy
- Classification (Odd One Out)
- Series (Number & Letter)
- Coding - Decoding
- Mathematical Operations
- Missing Number
- Blood Relations
- Direction & Distance
- Order & Ranking
- Seating Arrangement
- Syllogism
- Venn Diagrams
- Dictionary Order & Alphabet
- Statement & Conclusion
- Counting Figures
- Mirror & Water Images
- Paper Folding & Cutting
- Embedded Figures
- Cube & Dice
- Figure Series
Notification dates history
| Year | Vacancies | Notification | Exam | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1500 | 18 Jun 2026 (CRPD/PO/2026-27/09) | 1–2 Aug 2026 | Expected Nov/Dec 2026 |
| 2025 | 541 | 23 Jun 2025 (CRPD/PO/2025-26/04) | 4–5 Aug 2025 | 19 December 2025 |
| 2024 | 600 | 27 Dec 2024 (CRPD/PO/2024-25/22) | March 2025 (reported 8, 16 and 24 March; multi-day CBT) | June 2025 era (final result PDF on the official careers page) |
FAQs
Is there negative marking in SBI PO?
Yes, in both the Preliminary and Main objective tests. One-fourth of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for every wrong answer; unattempted questions carry no penalty. In the Prelims every question is worth 1 mark, so a wrong answer costs 0.25. In the Mains, English Language questions are worth 0.5 mark each, so a wrong answer there costs 0.125; other sections scale the same way per their assigned marks.
What is the SBI PO exam pattern?
Prelims: 100 questions, 100 marks, 1 hour with 20-minute sectional timing: English 40, Quantitative Aptitude 30, Reasoning Ability 30, no sectional cut-off. Mains: objective paper of 170 questions for 200 marks in 3 hours (Reasoning & Computer Aptitude 40/60, Data Analysis & Interpretation 30/60, General/Economy/Banking Awareness 60/60, English Language 40/20) plus a 30-mark, 30-minute descriptive paper (email, situation analysis, and report or precis writing). Phase-III adds the Psychometric Test, Group Exercise (20 marks) and Interview (30 marks).
Do Prelims marks count in the final merit?
No. The Preliminary Examination only screens: it shortlists roughly 10 times the category-wise vacancies for the Mains. The final merit is built from the converted Mains score (75% weight) plus the converted Group Exercise and Interview score (25%).
How is the final merit list prepared?
Candidates must qualify in Phase-II and Phase-III separately. The Mains total (objective + descriptive, 230 marks in the 2026-27 scheme) is normalised to 75 marks, and the Group Exercise + Interview total (50 marks) to 25 marks. The two converted scores add up to 100, and the provisional selection list is drawn from the top of the category-wise merit. Ties are broken by age in descending order.
What is the Psychometric Test in Phase-III?
It is a mandatory personality-profiling test for candidates shortlisted after the Mains, conducted in proctored online mode or at designated centres as the Bank decides. All questions are compulsory. Its findings are placed before the interview panel but carry no marks; the marks in Phase-III come from Group Exercise (20) and Interview (30).
What is the age limit and educational qualification for the 2026-27 cycle?
21 to 30 years as on 1 April 2026, with the usual relaxations (OBC +3, SC/ST +5, PwBD +10 to +15, ex-servicemen +5). You need a graduation in any discipline with proof of passing on or before 30 September 2026; final-year students can apply provisionally and must produce proof at the interview stage.
What is the application fee?
₹750 for UR, EWS and OBC candidates; Nil for SC, ST and PwBD candidates. The fee is non-refundable and cannot be held in reserve for another examination. Payment is online (debit/credit card, net banking or UPI).
How many attempts are allowed in SBI PO?
6 chances for UR/EWS, 9 for OBC and PwBD (UR/EWS/OBC) candidates, and no restriction for SC/ST candidates. Note that appearing in the Main Examination counts as one chance, while appearing only in the Preliminary Examination does not. If you have already used your permissible chances, you cannot apply.
What is the salary of an SBI PO?
The starting basic pay is ₹48,480 (plus 4 advance increments) in the Junior Management Grade Scale-I pay scale of 48480-2000/7-62480-2340/2-67160-2680/7-85920, plus DA, HRA, CCA, PF/NPS, LFC, lease rental and medical benefits. The advertisement puts the approximate initial CTC at the Mumbai centre at ₹21.97 lakh per year. Joining requires a ₹2 lakh bond to serve at least 3 years, and probation lasts 2 years with continuous assessment.
Can final-year students apply for SBI PO?
Yes, provisionally. Final-year/semester graduation candidates can register, but if called for interview they must produce proof of having passed the graduation examination on or before 30 September 2026 (for the 2026-27 cycle). Integrated Dual Degree holders must also pass by that date.
Documents for document verification
Keep these ready for the application and for document verification at the interview stage: Class 10 certificate (date of birth proof), graduation marksheets and degree or provisional certificate (final-year candidates must bring passing proof by the notified date), category certificate in the Government of India format: OBC (non-creamy layer, issued on or after 1 April 2026 for the 2026-27 cycle), EWS Income & Asset certificate for FY 2025-26 valid for 2026-27, or SC/ST certificate, PwBD certificate where applicable, ex-servicemen or NOC documents if relevant, a photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, passport, driving licence, voter ID or equivalent), the call letters (the authenticated Prelims call letter must be carried to the Mains), and multiple copies of the same passport photograph uploaded at registration (the notice advises keeping about 8 copies). At application time you also need a scanned photograph (20-50 kb), signature (10-20 kb, not in capitals), left-hand thumb impression and a hand-written declaration in the prescribed sizes, plus a live photo capture. Name and date of birth must match everywhere; biometric (thumb/iris) verification is done at various stages, so avoid mehndi, ink or chemicals on your hands.