SBI Probationary Officers PO Online Form 2026

The State Bank of India (SBI) Probationary Officer (PO) recruitment 2026 is conducted to select candidates for the entry-level officer cadre in India's largest public sector bank. SBI PO is one of the most prestigious banking examinations in India, offering direct appointment to the officer grade. Selected candidates undergo training and are posted across SBI branches nationwide. The recruitment process is conducted through a three-stage examination: Preliminary, Mains, and Group Exercise & Interview. This is an All India recruitment offering opportunities in the banking sector with excellent career growth prospects, attractive salary packages, and various perks and allowances.

Typical / Indicative dates based on previous recruitment cycles

Typical / Indicative vacancy distribution

Educational Qualification

• Graduation: Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized University or any equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government.
• Final year students appearing for their degree examination can also apply provisionally.
• Minimum Percentage: No minimum percentage required, but candidates must have passed their graduation.
• Note: Proficiency in official language of the State/UT for which applying is essential.

Age Limit

As on 01.04.2026 (Typical reference date)

Age Relaxation

Nationality

• Indian Citizen, or
• Subject of Nepal, or
• Subject of Bhutan, or
• Tibetan Refugee who came to India before 01.01.1962 with intention of permanently settling in India, or
• Person of Indian Origin (PIO) who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, or Vietnam with intention of permanently settling in India.

How to Apply

1. Visit Official Website: Go to SBI official website (www.sbi.co.in) or dedicated recruitment portal (https://bank.sbi/careers).

1. Registration: Click on 'Current Openings' and select 'SBI PO Recruitment 2026'. Click on 'New Registration' and fill basic details (name, email, mobile number).

1. Login Credentials: Note down the Registration Number and Password generated after registration.

1. Fill Application Form: Login using credentials and complete the application form with personal, educational, and other required details.

1. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of recent photograph (4.5cm × 3.5cm), signature, left thumb impression, and hand-written declaration in prescribed format and size.

1. Fee Payment: Pay application fee through online mode (Debit Card/Credit Card/Net Banking/UPI).

1. Submit Application: Review all details carefully and submit the application form.

1. Print Confirmation: Take printout of the submitted application form for future reference.

Application Fees

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

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

1. Preliminary Examination: Computer-based objective test (online) to shortlist candidates for Main examination. This is qualifying in nature and marks are not counted for final merit.

1. Main Examination: Computer-based objective and descriptive test (online) for candidates who qualify Prelims. Marks obtained in Main Exam are considered for final merit list preparation.

1. Group Exercise: Psychometric assessment to evaluate leadership qualities, team management, and decision-making abilities. This is qualifying in nature.

1. Personal Interview: Face-to-face interview conducted by expert panel to assess candidate's suitability for banking career, communication skills, and overall personality. Carries 275 marks.

1. Document Verification: Verification of original certificates and documents at the time of interview.

1. Medical Examination: Selected candidates undergo medical fitness examination as per SBI standards.

1. Final Merit List: Prepared based on marks obtained in Main Examination and Interview combined (ratio typically 75:25).

1. Appointment: Final selection subject to fulfilling all eligibility criteria and successful completion of pre-recruitment formalities.

Preliminary Examination

Negative Marking: 1/4th (0.25) mark deducted for each wrong answer.

Note: Candidates must qualify in each section separately. Aggregate score not considered.

Main Examination

Objective Test

Descriptive Test

Total Mains Marks: 250 (200 Objective + 50 Descriptive)

Negative Marking (Objective): 1/4th (0.25) mark deducted for each wrong answer.

Negative Marking (Descriptive): No negative marking.

Interview

Marks: 275

Final Selection: Based on performance in Main Exam (200 marks scaled to 250) + Descriptive (50 marks) + Interview (275 marks) = Total 575 marks.

English Language

• Reading Comprehension: Passages with questions on theme detection, inference, vocabulary
• Grammar: Error spotting, sentence correction, fill in the blanks
• Vocabulary: Synonyms, antonyms, idioms and phrases, one-word substitution
• Para Jumbles: Sentence rearrangement
• Cloze Test: Fill in the blanks in passages
• Sentence Completion
• Letter Writing & Essay (Descriptive in Mains only)

Quantitative Aptitude

• Number System: HCF, LCM, divisibility, remainders
• Simplification & Approximation: BODMAS, percentage calculations
• Data Interpretation: Tables, bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs
• Ratio and Proportion: Partnership, mixture and allegation
• Average, Percentage, Profit & Loss
• Simple & Compound Interest
• Time & Work, Time & Distance
• Mensuration: Area, volume, perimeter
• Algebra: Linear equations, quadratic equations
• Permutation & Combination, Probability

Reasoning Ability

• Logical Reasoning: Puzzles (seating arrangement, floor-based, scheduling), syllogism
• Analytical Reasoning: Blood relations, direction sense, ranking
• Verbal Reasoning: Statement and conclusions, statement and assumptions
• Non-Verbal Reasoning: Series completion, coding-decoding, analogy
• Input-Output: Machine input-output
• Data Sufficiency
• Inequalities
• Alphanumeric Series

Computer Aptitude (Mains Only)

• Computer Basics: Hardware, software, input-output devices
• Operating Systems: Windows, Linux basics
• MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint
• Internet & Networking: WWW, protocols, email, social media
• Computer Security: Virus, firewall, encryption
• Database Concepts: DBMS basics
• Computer Abbreviations & Terminology

General/Economy/Banking Awareness (Mains Only)

• Current Affairs: National and international events (last 6 months)
• Banking Terms: CRR, SLR, Repo Rate, Reverse Repo, Base Rate, MCLR
• Banking & Financial Institutions: RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, NABARD, SIDBI, functions
• Indian Economy: Budget, five-year plans, economic reforms, GDP, inflation
• Government Schemes: PM schemes, social welfare programs
• Awards & Honors: National and international
• Sports: Major tournaments, winners
• Books & Authors
• Important Days & Dates
• Banking Technology: NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, UPI, digital banking

Descriptive Test Topics (Mains Only)

• Letter Writing: Formal letters, official correspondence
• Essay Writing: Social issues, economic topics, banking sector, technology
• Précis Writing (if applicable)

Typical / Indicative salary structure for SBI PO (as per current pay scales)

Other Benefits:

• Medical facilities for self and family
• Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
• Provident Fund & Gratuity
• Pension benefits
• Newspaper & Telephone reimbursement
• Bank accommodation or lease rent reimbursement
• Annual increment as per pay scale
• Performance-linked incentives

Note: Actual salary may vary based on posting location and specific allowances applicable.

SBI PO offers excellent career progression opportunities with promotions based on performance and experience. The typical career path is: Probationary Officer (JMGS-I) → Assistant Manager (MMGS-II) after 2 years → Deputy Manager (MMGS-III) after 3 years → Manager (SMGS-IV) → Chief Manager (SMGS-V) → Assistant General Manager → Deputy General Manager → General Manager → Chief General Manager, with potential to reach top management positions including Managing Director level. Internal examinations and assessments facilitate faster career advancement.

Admit cards for SBI PO Prelims, Mains, and Interview are released separately on the official SBI career portal approximately 10-15 days before the respective examination date. Candidates must login using their registration number and password/date of birth to download the admit card. The admit card contains important details including candidate's name, photograph, exam centre address, date and time of examination, and important instructions. No physical admit card is dispatched by post; candidates must carry a printout along with valid photo ID proof to the examination centre.

SBI releases results in multiple stages: Prelims result is declared approximately 2-3 weeks after the examination, containing only the list of qualified candidates (roll numbers) without marks. Mains result is declared 3-4 weeks after the exam with individual scores and cut-off marks. Final result after Group Exercise & Interview is published with merit list showing final scores and category-wise selection. All results are published on the official SBI career website, and candidates can check their individual scores by logging in with registration credentials. Selected candidates are intimated through registered email and SMS.

Typical / Indicative cut-off marks based on previous years: SBI PO cut-offs vary significantly across categories and stages. For Prelims, General category candidates typically need 65-75 marks out of 100, while SC/ST candidates require 45-55 marks. For Mains examination, General category cut-off ranges between 55-65 marks (out of 200 in objective section), OBC around 50-60, SC/ST around 40-50. Final selection cut-off (Mains + Interview combined out of 575) for General category is typically 350-400 marks, varying based on vacancy and competition level. Cut-offs are determined by SBI based on total vacancies, difficulty level, and number of candidates.

Typical SBI PO exam centres are available across India in major cities:

North: Delhi, Noida, Gurgaon, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Kanpur, Allahabad, Varanasi, Dehradun, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ajmer, Jammu, Shimla, Ludhiana, Amritsar

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

East: Kolkata, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Patna, Guwahati, Siliguri, Durgapur, Rourkela

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

Northeast: Guwahati, Shillong, Agartala, Imphal, Aizawl, Dibrugarh

Central: Bhopal, Indore, Raipur, Bilaspur, Jabalpur

Note: Candidates can select preferred exam centre cities during application. Final allotment is subject to availability and at SBI's discretion.