🔴 BREAKING: The State Bank of India has officially released the SBI PO Notification 2026 today June 18, 2026 under Advertisement No. CRPD/PO/2026-27/09. A total of 1,500 Probationary Officer vacancies have been announced. Online registration opens today and closes July 8, 2026. Prelims are scheduled for August 2026, Mains for September 2026. Apply at sbi.co.in/web/careers.
The Number That Every Banking Aspirant Needs to See First
1,500 vacancies. That number deserves a moment’s pause before you rush to the application link.
In 2025 SBI released just 541 PO vacancies 500 regular and 41 backlog posts. The year before that, vacancies were similarly constrained. A jump from 541 to 1,500 in a single cycle represents a 177% increase the largest single year vacancy expansion in the SBI PO recruitment in recent memory.
What does that actually mean in practice? It means competition per seat drops significantly. When roughly 6.5 lakh candidates are expected to apply as they did in 2025 and vacancies triple from 541 to 1,500, your statistical probability of selection more than doubles assuming your preparation stays constant.
This is not a normal SBI PO year. This is a genuine once in a few years recruitment surge. If you have been sitting on SBI PO preparation and waiting for the right cycle, 2026 is it.
Also Read: SSC GD Answer Key 2026 Out at ssc.gov.in: Download Response Sheet PDF, Raise Objections, Check Expected Cut Off
SBI PO Notification 2026 Complete Snapshot
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organisation | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post Name | Probationary Officer (PO) |
| Advertisement Number | CRPD/PO/2026-27/09 |
| Total Vacancies | 1,500 (1,446 Regular + 54 Backlog) |
| Notification Release Date | June 18, 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | June 18, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | July 8, 2026 |
| Application Fee (General/OBC/EWS) | ₹750 |
| Application Fee (SC/ST/PwBD) | Nil Exempted |
| Prelims Exam Date | August 2026 |
| Mains Exam Date | September 2026 |
| Phase III (GD + Interview) | Post-Mains (date TBA) |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation in any discipline |
| Age Limit | 21–30 years |
| Date of Birth Range | Not earlier than April 2, 1996; not later than April 1, 2005 |
| Official Website | sbi.co.in/web/careers |
| Pay Scale | ₹48,480–₹85,920 (JMGS-I) |
| Starting Basic Pay | ₹48,480 (with 4 advance increments: effective ₹56,480) |
| Gross Monthly Salary | ₹93,342 |
| Annual CTC (Mumbai) | ₹21.97 lakh |
| Service Bond | ₹2 lakh for 3 years of service |
SBI PO 2026 Vacancies What Changed and What Didn’t
Out of the total 1,500 vacancies 1,446 are regular posts and 54 are backlog posts. These vacancies are distributed across all categories UR, SC, ST, OBC, and EWS in line with the Government of India’s reservation policy.
Year-Wise Vacancy Trend SBI PO
| Year | Vacancies | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1,673 | — |
| 2023 | 2,000 | â–² +327 |
| 2024 | 600 | â–¼ -1,400 |
| 2025 | 541 | â–¼ -59 |
| 2026 | 1,500 | â–² +959 (+177%) |
This pattern reveals something important SBI’s PO hiring is not linear it follows operational and workforce planning cycles. The dip in 2024 and 2025 was a contraction phase. The 2026 surge to 1,500 signals a deliberate expansion likely connected to branch network growth retirement cycles in the officer cadre and SBI’s own strategic targets.
Candidates who cleared Prelims in 2025 but barely missed Mains cutoffs should note with 1,500 seats available the category wise cutoffs in 2026 may ease slightly relative to 2025 even with higher applicant numbers. More seats absorb more candidates across the merit list.
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How to Apply for SBI PO 2026 Complete Step-by-Step Guide
The entire application process is online. No offline mode is available. Here is the exact sequence
Before you start keep these documents/details ready
- Valid personal email ID and mobile number must remain active through the entire recruitment
- Scanned photograph 4.5cm × 3.5cm, clear background, recent
- Scanned signature black ink on white paper
- Scanned left thumb impression
- Handwritten declaration text specified in notification PDF
- Graduation certificate or provisional degree (or proof of appearing in final year/semester
- Category/caste certificate SC/ST/OBC/EWS candidates
- Aadhaar or valid government photo ID
Application Steps:
- Visit the official SBI Careers website: sbi.co.in/web/careers Note: SBI’s official website has moved to sbi.bank.in verify the URL from the official notification to avoid phishing sites
- Click on “Current Openings”
- Find and click “Recruitment of Probationary Officers 2026 (CRPD/PO/2026-27/09)”
- Click “Apply Online” a new registration page will open
- Register with your email ID and mobile number
- You will receive login credentials via SMS/email use these to proceed
- Fill in your personal details name, date of birth, address, category
- Fill in your educational details graduation degree, university, percentage/CGPA
- Upload documents photograph, signature, thumb impression, handwritten declaration in prescribed sizes and formats
- Pay the application fee ₹750 for General/OBC/EWS via Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI. SC/ST/PwBD: no fee.
- Review the complete form before final submission errors cannot be corrected after submission
- Submit and download the confirmation page with your registration number
- Save a printed copy you will need it for the admit card and future reference
Critical Warning: The fee once paid is non refundable under any circumstances. Apply only after verifying that you meet all eligibility criteria age qualification attempt limits.
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SBI PO 2026 Eligibility Criteria Read Before Applying
Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government. Final-year students can also apply provisionally subject to fulfilling eligibility requirements before the prescribed date. Proof of passing graduation must be produced on or before September 30, 2026.
Age Limit
Candidates must have been born not earlier than April 2, 1996 and not later than April 1, 2005 making the effective age range 21 to 30 years as on April 1, 2026.
Age Relaxation:
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC / ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| PwBD (General/EWS) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| J&K Domicile (1980–1989) | 5 years |
| Ex-Servicemen / ECO / SSCO | As per Government norms |
Number of Attempts
As per the SBI PO 2026 notification General/EWS candidates can avail a maximum of 6 attempts while OBC candidates are allowed 9 attempts. There is no restriction on the number of attempts for SC/ST candidates provided they meet the age eligibility criteria.
Important: Only appearing in the Main Examination counts as an attempt. Appearing in the Preliminary Examination alone is not counted. Attempts are counted from the SBI PO examination held on April 18, 2010 onwards.
Nationality
Candidates must be Indian citizens. Candidates from Nepal Bhutan and specific categories of persons of Indian origin from certain countries may also be eligible check the official notification for detailed provisions.
Also Read: BSF Constable Tradesman Result 2025 Out: Merit List PDF Released, Check Cut Off & Selection Status
SBI PO 2026 What’s New and Changed This Year
The SBI PO 2026 notification brings several notable changes that candidates must know about
1. Official Website Updated The bank’s official website has shifted from bank.sbi to sbi.bank.in. Always verify the URL before entering any personal details or making fee payments.
2. PwBD Eligibility Change Candidates with temporary disabilities likely to improve are no longer eligible under the PwBD category. This is a significant clarification for PwBD applicants.
3. New Exam Centres Added Kurukshetra, Ayodhya, Churachandpur and Mysuru have been added as new exam centres expanding accessibility for candidates in these regions.
4. Anti-Coaching Clause Added A new disclaimer has been included in the notification regarding coaching institutes. This signals SBI’s intent to independently verify candidates’ genuine capability during Phase III.
5. CIBIL Relaxation Extended Credit history compliance deadline has been extended to the date of joining easing the requirement for candidates with minor credit score concerns.
6. Scribe Rules Updated More detailed declaration and verification process introduced for candidates using scribes in the examination reducing misuse and ensuring genuine accessibility.
SBI PO 2026 Exam Pattern Phase by Phase
Phase I Preliminary Examination
The SBI PO Prelims exam pattern English Language 40 questions, 40 marks, 20 minutes Quantitative Aptitude 30 questions, 30 marks, 20 minutes Reasoning Ability 30 questions 30 marks 20 minutes.
Total: 100 questions | 100 marks | 60 minutes
Key points:
- Online computer based exam
- No sectional cut-off in the preliminary examination the overall score across all 3 sections is considered for selection to the next round
- Negative marking: ¼ mark deducted per wrong answer no penalty for unanswered questions
- Prelims marks are NOT counted in final merit it is a qualifying/screening round only
- Candidates numbering up to 10 times the category wise vacancies will be shortlisted for the SBI PO Mains exam
What this means practically: With 1,500 vacancies approximately 15,000 candidates per category proportionally roughly 1.5 lakh total will be shortlisted from Prelims for Mains. This is far more than previous years. If you score reasonably well in Prelims you have a strong chance of making the Mains cut.
Phase II Main Examination
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 50 min |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 60 | 45 min |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | 60 | 60 | 45 min |
| English Language | 40 | 40 | 35 min |
| Total (Objective) | 170 | 200 | 3 hours |
| Descriptive Test (Essay + Letter) | 2 | 50 | 30 min |
Key points:
- Sectional cut-off applies in Mains unlike Prelims
- The Descriptive Test is conducted immediately after the objective examination. The descriptive paper is checked only if the candidate qualifies in the objective test
- Mains scores out of 230 are scaled down to 75 marks. Scores from Group Exercises and Interview 50 marks total are scaled down to 25. These combine for a final score out of 100
- Negative marking: ¼ mark per wrong answer
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Phase III: Psychometric Test + Group Exercise + Interview
Candidates numbering up to 3 times of the category wise vacancies will be shortlisted for Phase III from the top of the category wise merit list.
Psychometric Test Qualifying, No Marks: The psychometric test is conducted online lasts approximately 90 minutes and carries no marks. However the findings may be shared with the interview panel to aid in their assessment. It evaluates personality traits leadership potential and behavioural tendencies.
Group Exercise 20 marks: The GD is conducted with a group of 8–10 candidates given a specific topic to discuss related to current affairs social issues or banking topics. The panel evaluates communication skills, leadership teamwork logical argumentation active listening and confidence and clarity of expression.
Personal Interview 30 marks: Evaluates communication banking knowledge current awareness problem solving and leadership potential.
SBI PO 2026 Salary — The Complete Picture
This is where SBI genuinely stands apart from most public sector banking jobs.
The starting basic pay for the SBI Probationary Officer post is ₹48,480/- plus 4 advance increments on a scale of ₹48,480–2000/7–62,480–2340/2–67,160–2680/7–85,920.
With the 4 advance increments the effective starting basic pay is ₹56,480 per month.
After all allowances the gross monthly salary stands at approximately ₹93,342.61.
Here’s what that total includes
| Component | Amount (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Basic Pay (with increments) | ₹56,480 |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | Variable (linked to CPI) |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | Based on posting city |
| City Compensatory Allowance (CCA) | Based on city tier |
| Medical Benefits | Covered |
| Provident Fund | Covered |
| Gross Monthly (Metro) | ₹93,342 |
| Approximate Annual CTC (Mumbai) | ₹21.97 lakh |
Beyond salary, an SBI PO is entitled to:
- Subsidised housing / lease rental
- Medical coverage for self and dependents
- Concessional loans housing vehicle, personal
- Pension defined benefit for officers who joined under old pension scheme eligibility
- Opportunity for international postings as SBI has branches and associates globally
The career trajectory is equally significant a PO who joins at JMGS-I can rise through MMGS-II, MMGS-III, SMGS-IV, SMGS-V, TEGS-VI, TEGS-VII all the way to General Manager and above within the same organisation.
SBI PO 2026 Selection How Final Merit Is Actually Calculated
Most candidates focus on getting through Prelims and Mains but few understand exactly how the final rank is determined. Here is the formula that decides who gets selected
Marks obtained in the Preliminary Exam Phase 1 are not included in the final selection. Candidates must qualify in both Phase 2 Mains and Phase 3 Group Discussion and Interview individually to be considered. Scores from the SBI PO Mains Exam which are out of 230 are scaled down to 75 marks. Similarly the scores from the Group Exercises and Interview totalling 50 marks are scaled down to 25. These converted scores 75 from Mains and 25 from GD/PI are combined to form a final score out of 100.
This means 75% of your final score comes from Mains 25% from GD/Interview.
The practical implication Mains is the decisive battle. A strong Mains performance can compensate for an average interview but no amount of interview charm compensates for a weak Mains score. Allocate your preparation time accordingly the majority of your focused effort should target Mains.
Also Read: CTET September 2026 Notification Out: Exam Date, Eligibility, Apply Now, Syllabus & Complete Guide
SBI PO 2026 Complete Timeline
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | June 18, 2026 |
| Online Application Opens | June 18, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | July 8, 2026 |
| Download Prelims Admit Card | July 2026 |
| Prelims Examination | August 2026 |
| Prelims Result | Late August / September 2026 |
| Mains Examination | September 2026 |
| Mains Result | October 2026 |
| Phase III (GD + Interview) | November–December 2026 |
| Final Result & Joining | Early 2027 |
The Preparation Strategy No One Tells You About
With 1,500 vacancies in 2026 and 10× shortlist for Mains roughly 1.5 lakh candidates will write the Mains exam. That is a large pool but the marks distribution in SBI PO Mains consistently shows that candidates who clear with strong margins separate themselves in just two sections Data Analysis & Interpretation and Reasoning & Computer Aptitude. Together these carry 120 out of 200 objective marks.
English 40 marks and Banking Awareness 60 marks are important for clearing sectional cutoffs but the candidates who score in the 140–160 range in the Mains objective paper almost always do so by excelling in DI and Reasoning not by maxing out awareness sections.
The 90-day Prelims preparation structure
- Weeks 1–2: Build foundations in Arithmetic SI/CI, Percentage, Ratio and basic Reasoning Syllogisms, Inequalities, Series
- Weeks 3–5: Intensive Data Interpretation tables bar charts line graphs, caselet DI + Puzzle-based Seating Arrangement
- Weeks 6–8: English Reading Comprehension, Error Spotting, Cloze Test + sectional mock tests
- Weeks 9–12: Full-length mock tests daily + analysis. The analysis reviewing wrong answers and near misses matters more than the raw count of mocks taken.
For Mains begin Banking and Economy Awareness on Day 1 of your preparation it cannot be crammed in the last two weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions — SBI PO 2026
Q1. Is the SBI PO 2026 Notification officially out? Yes. The State Bank of India officially released the SBI Probationary Officer Notification 2026 on June 18, 2026.
Q2. How many vacancies are announced for SBI PO 2026? A total of 1,500 vacancies have been announced 1,446 regular and 54 backlog posts.
Q3. What is the last date to apply for SBI PO 2026? The last date to submit the SBI PO Online Application Form 2026 is July 8, 2026.
Q4. What is the application fee? The application fee for SBI PO 2026 is ₹750 for General, OBC and EWS category candidates. Candidates belonging to SC, ST and PwBD categories are exempted from payment of the application fee.
Q5. What is the SBI PO 2026 salary? Selected candidates will receive a starting basic pay of ₹48,480 along with various allowances. The approximate annual CTC reaches around ₹21.97 lakh at the Mumbai Centre.
Q6. Can final year students apply? Yes candidates who are in the final year or final semester of graduation can apply provisionally for SBI PO 2026. However they must produce proof of passing the graduation examination within the timeline specified by SBI.
Q7. What is the SBI PO Prelims exam date 2026? The SBI PO Prelims Exam 2026 is scheduled to be held in August 2026 while the Mains Exam is expected in September 2026.
Q8. Does Prelims score count in final selection? No. Marks obtained in the Preliminary Exam are not included in the final selection. Prelims is a screening test only.
Q9. What is the service bond requirement? Selected candidates must execute a bond of ₹2 lakh to serve SBI for a minimum of 3 years from the date of joining.
Q10. How many attempts are allowed for General category candidates? General/EWS candidates can avail a maximum of 6 attempts counted from the Main Examination appearance. Appearing only in Prelims does not count as an attempt.
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| SBI Official Careers Page | sbi.co.in/web/careers |
| SBI PO Apply Online 2026 | sbi.co.in/web/careers/current-openings |
| Official SBI Website | sbi.bank.in |
| SBI PO Notification PDF 2026 | Available on sbi.co.in under Current Openings |
The Verdict Should You Apply?
If you are a graduate between 21 and 30 years of age and you have been even tangentially preparing for banking exams the answer is unambiguously yes.
1,500 vacancies at SBI India’s largest and most prestigious public sector bank do not come around every year. Vacancies have jumped from 541 in 2025 to 1,500 in 2026 the most promising SBI PO recruitment in recent years. The application window closes July 8. The exam is in August.
You have approximately 50 days from today to prepare for Prelims. That is enough time to clear the screening stage with focused effort. Apply before July 8 start your preparation today and treat the August Prelims as a stepping stone to the Mains which is where the actual battle is won.
Published: June 18, 2026 | Source: State Bank of India Official Notification Advertisement No. CRPD/PO/2026-27/09 | sbi.co.in | SBI PO Notification 2026, SBI PO Recruitment 2026, sbi.co.in, SBI Probationary Officer, SBI PO Apply Online, SBI PO Exam Date, SBI PO Salary, SBI PO Eligibility 2026
Disclaimer: All details in this article are sourced from the official SBI PO 2026 Notification PDF. Vacancies mentioned are provisional. Always verify current information at sbi.co.in before applying. Fee once paid is non-refundable.
Questions about eligibility, exam strategy or the application process? Drop them in the comments we answer every one.
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- Abdul is a Passionate Content Writer at ZeroToScaled, Covering the Latest Updates on Education, Board Results, Recruitment News, He Focuses on Creating Simple, Accurate and User Friendly Content that Helps Readers Stay Updated with Important Announcements.
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