SBI PO (Probationary Officer) exam details. Find eligibility, application, syllabus, and pattern for State Bank of India's prestigious recruitment.
Conducted by: State Bank of India
The State Bank of India (SBI) Probationary Officer (PO) examination is one of the most prestigious and sought-after recruitment tests in the Indian banking sector. Conducted annually, this exam aims to identify dynamic and capable individuals to join SBI as Probationary Officers, who are groomed to become future leaders and managers within the bank. SBI PO recruitment drives typically announce a significant number of vacancies each year, attracting hundreds of thousands of applicants from across the country. The selection process is rigorous, comprising multiple stages designed to assess candidates' aptitude, knowledge, personality, and communication skills, ensuring that only the most deserving individuals are inducted into India's largest public sector bank. A career as an SBI PO offers immense growth opportunities and a challenging work environment. Probationary Officers undergo comprehensive training in various aspects of banking operations, including retail banking, corporate banking, rural banking, and digital banking. They are placed in different branches and departments, gaining hands-on experience and developing a holistic understanding of the banking industry. Successful candidates can look forward to a structured career path with opportunities for fast-track promotions to higher managerial positions, specialized roles, and even international postings. The role comes with a competitive salary, attractive perks, and the stability associated with a public sector bank, making it a highly desirable career choice for aspiring banking professionals.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start | 2026-07-15 |
| Application End | 2026-08-05 |
| Prelims Exam | 2026-09-20 |
| Mains Exam | 2026-11-08 |
Age Limit: A candidate must be between 21 and 30 years of age as on a specified cut-off date. Age Relaxation: SC/ST: 5 years OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 10-15 years depending on the category. Ex-Servicemen: As per government rules. Educational Qualification: A candidate must hold a Graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized University or any equivalent qualification recognized as such by the Central Government. Candidates in the final year/semester of their graduation may also apply provisionally, provided they produce proof of having passed the graduation examination on or before a specific date. Nationality: A candidate must be either a citizen of India, a subject of Nepal, a subject of Bhutan, a Tibetan Refugee (who came over to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India), or a person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India. Number of Attempts: There is no restriction on the number of attempts for the General category candidates within the prescribed age limit. However, for some reserved categories, specific limits may apply based on past notifications (e.g., OBC candidates generally 7 attempts, SC/ST no restriction within age limit).
| Stage | Type | Duration | Subjects | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims | MCQ | 1 hour (20 minutes per section) | English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability | 100 |
| Mains (Objective) | MCQ | 3 hours (sectional timings) | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, English Language | 200 |
| Mains (Descriptive) | Descriptive | 30 minutes | English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) | 50 |
| Group Exercises & Interview | Group Discussion & Personal Interview | Varies | Personality, Communication Skills, Leadership Qualities, General Awareness | Group Exercises: 20, Interview: 30 (Total 50) |
Visit Official Website: Go to the career section of the official State Bank of India website. New Registration: Click on the 'New Registration' link and provide basic details like name, contact number, email ID to generate a provisional registration number and password. Fill Application Form: Log in using the registration credentials and fill in the detailed application form with personal, educational, and communication details. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of your photograph and signature as per the specified format and dimensions. You may also need to upload a hand-written declaration and left thumb impression. Preview and Edit: Carefully review all the entered information before final submission. Make any necessary corrections. Pay Application Fee: Proceed to the payment gateway to pay the application fee online using debit card, credit card, or net banking. Fees vary for different categories (e.g., General/OBC, SC/ST/PwBD). Submit and Print: After successful payment, submit the application form. Take a printout of the e-receipt and the filled application form for future reference.
Candidates must be between 21 and 30 years of age. Age relaxations are applicable for SC/ST, OBC, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen categories as per government norms.
A Graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university is required. Final year/semester students can also apply provisionally.
Yes, there is negative marking of 1/4th (0.25) of the marks assigned to a question for incorrect answers in the objective tests of both Prelims and Mains.
Yes, candidates in the final year/semester of their graduation can apply provisionally, provided they can produce proof of passing the graduation exam by a specified date.
The selection process comprises three main phases: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination (Objective + Descriptive), and Group Exercises & Interview.
The Preliminary and Main examinations (both objective and descriptive parts) are conducted online. Group Exercises and Interview are conducted in person.
The starting basic pay for an SBI PO is approximately ₹41,960/-, along with various allowances like DA, HRA, CCA, medical, and other perks, making the total CTC significantly higher.
Generally, there is no restriction on the number of attempts for General category candidates within the prescribed age limit. For some reserved categories like OBC, there may be a limit on the number of attempts (e.g., 7 times).