SBI Apprentice Previous Year Question Paper: Download PDF Here

The State Bank of India (SBI) Apprentice recruitment is conducted annually by India's largest public sector bank to hire apprentices across various circles throughout the country. This recruitment is governed by the Apprentices Act, 1961, and provides candidates with practical training in banking operations for one year. Selected candidates work in different departments of SBI branches and gain hands-on experience in customer service, cash handling, account opening, and other banking functions. After successful completion of the apprenticeship period, candidates may have opportunities for regular employment through internal recruitment processes. The SBI Apprentice exam is conducted online and tests candidates on basic aptitude, reasoning, and general awareness. This position serves as an excellent entry point into the banking sector for young graduates looking to build a career in public sector banking.

Important Dates

Note: Dates are indicative based on typical SBI Apprentice recruitment cycles. Official dates are announced in the notification.

Vacancy Breakdown (Typical / Indicative)

Note: Total vacancies typically range between 7,000-10,000 across all SBI circles. Exact numbers vary by recruitment cycle and are circle-specific.

Eligibility Criteria

Educational Qualification

• Minimum: Graduate in any discipline from a recognized University or equivalent
• Percentage: Minimum 50% marks in aggregate for General/EWS/OBC candidates
• SC/ST Candidates: Minimum 40% marks in aggregate
• Computer Knowledge: Basic computer knowledge is desirable
• Language: Proficiency in local/official language of the State/UT is required

Age Limit

Typical / Indicative age criteria:

Age Relaxation:

Nationality

• Candidate must be a Citizen of India
• Candidates from Nepal, Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees who came to India before 1st January 1962 are also eligible
• Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, East African countries, Vietnam with intention to permanently settle in India

How to Apply

1. Visit Official Website: Go to the official SBI careers portal at https://bank.sbi/careers or https://sbi.co.in/careers
2. Find Apprentice Notification: Look for the latest SBI Apprentice recruitment notification under "Current Openings"
3. Click on 'Apply Online': Click the application link provided in the notification
4. Registration: Register using valid email ID and mobile number. Note down Registration Number and Password
5. Fill Application Form: Complete all mandatory fields including personal details, educational qualifications, category, circle preference, and upload required documents
6. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of photograph (4.5cm × 3.5cm), signature (3cm × 1cm), left thumb impression, and hand-written declaration as per specifications
7. Pay Application Fee: Pay the fee online using Debit Card/Credit Card/Internet Banking
8. Submit Application: Review all details carefully and submit the application form
9. Take Printout: Download and save the submitted application form for future reference

Application Fee

Payment Mode: Online only (Debit Card/Credit Card/Internet Banking)

Note: Application fees once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances.

Selection Process

1. Online Test: Candidates will be shortlisted based on performance in a single-phase online examination consisting of sections on Numerical Ability, Reasoning Ability, English Language, and General Awareness. The test duration is 1 hour.

1. Merit List Preparation: Based on the marks obtained in the online test, a merit list will be prepared for each category and each State/UT. Candidates are shortlisted circle-wise and category-wise.

1. Document Verification: Shortlisted candidates will be called for document verification where original certificates of educational qualification, category certificate, age proof, and other relevant documents will be verified.

1. Medical Fitness: Candidates must be medically fit as per the standards prescribed by the Bank. Medical examination may be conducted before final selection.

1. Final Selection: Final selection is made based on merit in the online test, successful document verification, and medical fitness. Selected candidates are offered engagement as apprentices.

1. Training Period: Selected candidates undergo one year of apprenticeship training in various banking operations as per the Apprentices Act, 1961.

Note: There is no interview for SBI Apprentice positions. Selection is purely based on online test performance and document verification.

Exam Pattern

Online Test Pattern

Exam Details

• Mode: Computer-based Online Test
• Language: Bilingual (Hindi and English except General English section)
• Negative Marking: 1/4th mark deduction for each wrong answer
• Sectional Timing: Each section has separate timing; candidates cannot switch between sections
• Qualifying Marks: Candidates need to secure minimum qualifying marks in each section and overall as decided by the Bank

Note: The exam pattern may vary slightly; candidates should refer to the official notification for exact details.

Detailed Syllabus

General/Financial Awareness

• Current Affairs (National and International)
• Banking and Financial Awareness
• Indian Economy and Economic Terminologies
• Government Schemes and Policies
• Awards and Honors
• Books and Authors
• Important Days and Dates
• Sports and Games
• Science and Technology
• Static GK (Capitals, Currencies, Headquarters)
• Banking Terms and Abbreviations
• RBI Functions and Monetary Policy
• Union Budget Highlights

General English

• Reading Comprehension
• Vocabulary (Synonyms and Antonyms)
• Grammar (Tenses, Articles, Prepositions, Voice, Narration)
• Sentence Correction and Error Spotting
• Fill in the Blanks
• Cloze Test
• Sentence Rearrangement
• Phrase Replacement
• Idioms and Phrases
• Para Jumbles

Quantitative Aptitude

• Number Systems and Simplification
• Percentages, Profit and Loss
• Ratio and Proportion
• Simple and Compound Interest
• Time and Work
• Time, Speed and Distance
• Averages and Mixtures
• Data Interpretation (Tables, Bar Graphs, Line Charts, Pie Charts)
• Mensuration (Area, Volume)
• Algebra (Linear Equations, Quadratic Equations)
• Probability
• Permutation and Combination

Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude

Reasoning:

• Logical Reasoning
• Alphanumeric Series
• Ranking and Direction
• Data Sufficiency
• Coded Inequalities
• Seating Arrangement (Linear, Circular)
• Puzzles and Scheduling
• Blood Relations
• Syllogism
• Input-Output
• Coding-Decoding

Computer Aptitude:

• Computer Fundamentals and History
• Hardware and Software
• Operating Systems (Windows, Linux)
• MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Internet and Email Basics
• Computer Networks and Security
• Shortcut Keys and Terminologies
• Database Basics
• Computer Abbreviations

Salary Structure (Typical / Indicative)

During Apprenticeship Period (1 Year)

• Apprentices receive a fixed monthly stipend ranging from ₹15,000 to ₹17,000 depending on the circle and location
• No other allowances like DA, HRA, or TA are provided during apprenticeship
• Stipend is taxable as per Income Tax rules

Post-Apprenticeship (If absorbed as regular employee)

Other Benefits (for regular employees): City Compensatory Allowance, Transport Allowance, Medical Benefits, Pension Benefits, Leave Travel Concession, Provident Fund, Gratuity

Note: Stipend figures are indicative. Absorption as regular employee is not guaranteed and depends on performance and vacancy availability.

SBI Apprentices who successfully complete their one-year training have opportunities to apply for regular Clerk positions through internal recruitment drives or participate in regular SBI Clerk examinations with valuable banking experience. After joining as a Clerk, career progression follows the path: Clerk → Junior Associate → Associate → Senior Associate → Chief Associate → Manager Scale I → Manager Scale II → Manager Scale III → Senior Manager Scale IV → Chief Manager Scale V → Assistant General Manager Scale VI → Deputy General Manager Scale VII → General Manager. Promotion is based on seniority-cum-merit, internal examinations, and performance appraisal, with opportunities to reach managerial positions within 10-15 years of service.

SBI Apprentice Admit Cards are typically released 10-15 days before the scheduled examination date on the official SBI careers website. Candidates must download the admit card by logging in with their registration number and password/date of birth. The admit card contains important details like exam date, time, venue address, reporting time, and candidate's photograph and signature. Candidates must carry the admit card along with a valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Driving License, Voter ID, or Passport) to the examination centre; entry without these documents is strictly prohibited.

SBI Apprentice results are declared approximately 3-4 weeks after the online examination is conducted. Results are published on the official SBI careers website as a PDF merit list containing roll numbers of shortlisted candidates arranged circle-wise and category-wise. Candidates can check their individual scores by logging into their application account. Shortlisted candidates are informed via registered email ID and SMS about the next steps including document verification schedule. Cut-off marks for each category and circle are also released along with the results.

SBI Apprentice cutoff marks vary significantly across different circles (states) and categories based on the number of vacancies, difficulty level of the exam, and number of candidates appearing. Typically, General category candidates need to score around 70-80 marks out of 125 (56-64%) to qualify, while SC/ST candidates may qualify with 50-60 marks (40-48%). Highly competitive circles like Maharashtra, Delhi, and Karnataka usually have higher cutoffs (75-85 marks for General) compared to northeastern states. Sectional cutoffs are also applicable, generally ranging between 5-8 marks per section depending on the section's difficulty level.

Examination Centres

SBI Apprentice examination is conducted across major cities in all states and Union Territories of India:

North India: Delhi NCR (Delhi, Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurugram), Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi, Allahabad, Agra, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Dehradun, Shimla, Jammu, Srinagar

South India: Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Coimbatore, Madurai, Mysore, Mangalore, Hubli

East India: Kolkata, Patna, Ranchi, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Guwahati, Agartala, Raipur, Jamshedpur

West India: Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Indore, Bhopal, Goa

Northeast India: Guwahati, Shillong, Imphal, Agartala, Aizawl, Kohima, Itanagar, Gangtok

Note: Candidates can select their preferred exam centre/city during online application. However, final allotment depends on availability and the Bank reserves the right to cancel or add centres based on administrative feasibility.