SBI Announces 1500 Probationary Officer Vacancies for 2026-27 Recruitment Cycle

The State Bank of India (SBI) has officially announced the much-anticipated notification for the recruitment of Probationary Officers (PO) for the 2026-27 financial year. The notification, released on June 18, 2026, details a total of 1500 vacancies for PO posts across the country, significantly higher than the previous two years.

Key Dates and Application Process

The online application process for SBI PO 2026 began on June 18, 2026, and will conclude on July 8, 2026. Aspiring candidates can submit their applications through the official SBI website, sbi.bank.in, by navigating to the 'Careers' section and then 'Current Openings'. The application fee payment deadline also aligns with the application closing date, July 8, 2026.

Applicants are required to register using their personal details, create login credentials, and then meticulously fill out the online application form with personal, educational, and communication details. Scanned copies of necessary documents such as a passport-sized photograph, signature, left thumb impression, and a handwritten declaration must be uploaded as per SBI guidelines. It is crucial for candidates to review all entered details carefully before final submission to avoid disqualification.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the SBI PO 2026 recruitment, candidates must meet specific criteria as of April 1, 2026. The age limit mandates applicants to be between 21 and 30 years old. However, age relaxations are applicable for candidates belonging to reserved categories, in accordance with government guidelines.

In terms of educational qualification, a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification approved by the Central Government is mandatory. Candidates in their final year or semester of graduation are also eligible to apply provisionally, provided they furnish proof of passing their degree examination on or before September 30, 2026, if called for an interview. Indian citizenship is a fundamental requirement, though subjects of Nepal/Bhutan, Tibetan refugees, and Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) migrating from specific countries with the intent of permanent settlement in India are also eligible under certain conditions.

Selection Process and Examination Pattern

The selection process for SBI PO 2026 is rigorous and comprises three phases: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and a final stage involving a Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, and Interview.

• Phase I: Preliminary Examination

  • This is a qualifying stage, and marks obtained here are not factored into the final merit list.
  • The exam consists of 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions across three sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability.
  • The total duration is one hour, with 20 minutes allocated to each section. There is a negative marking of 0.25 for each incorrect answer, but no sectional cut-off.
  • The preliminary examination is tentatively scheduled for August 2026.

• Phase II: Main Examination

  • This phase includes both an Objective Test and a Descriptive Test.
  • The Objective Test is 3 hours long and consists of four sections: Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, and English Language, totaling 200 marks. There are sectional timings for each part.
  • The Descriptive Test is 30 minutes long, carrying 30 marks, and assesses English Language skills through letter writing and essay composition. This year, the marks for the descriptive paper have been reduced from 50 to 30. A penalty of 0.25 marks for incorrect answers applies.
  • The main examination is slated for September 2026.

• Phase III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview

  • Candidates who clear the Mains examination are shortlisted for this final stage.
  • This phase, scheduled for October and November 2026, carries significant weightage in the final selection.

Significant Changes for 2026

The 2026 recruitment cycle introduces several notable changes:

• Aadhaar Verification has been made mandatory for all candidates.
• The number of attempts a candidate can make has been increased by two for each category (e.g., General category now has 6 attempts, OBC has 9).
• As mentioned, the marks allotted to the descriptive paper in the Mains exam have been revised from 50 to 30.
• A new official SBI website, www.sbi.bank.in, has been introduced.
• The annual Cost to Company (CTC) has seen an increase from ₹20.43 Lakhs to ₹21.97 Lakhs, making the position even more attractive.
• New exam centers have also been added for both preliminary and main examinations.

Salary and Career Progression

SBI PO is considered one of the most sought-after banking jobs due to its attractive salary, growth opportunities, and job stability. The starting basic pay for an SBI PO is ₹48,480 per month, with four advance increments. This places the basic pay under the Junior Management Grade Scale-I (JMGS-I), with a pay scale of ₹48,480 – ₹1,24,250. Including various allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Medical benefits, and City Compensatory Allowance (CCA), the in-hand salary for a newly appointed SBI PO is approximately ₹80,000 to ₹86,000 per month, depending on the posting location. The approximate annual CTC has been revised to ₹21.97 lakh. Probationary Officers undergo extensive training and have significant career growth prospects within SBI, moving into key operational and administrative roles.

The final result for the SBI PO 2026 recruitment cycle is expected to be declared between November and December 2026.