SBI Clerk Prelims 2026 Admit Card Out: Vacancies, Exam Pattern & Dates

What happened

State Bank of India has issued the Preliminary Examination admit cards under Advertisement Number CRPD/CR/2026-27/17 for the recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) in the Clerical Cadre.

The regular Preliminary Examination is scheduled across multiple shifts on September 26 and September 27, 2026, following the special backlog drive preliminary exam held on September 16, 2026.

Vacancy details

• General (UR): 3,253
• OBC: 1,716
• SC: 827
• ST: 1,114
• EWS: 760
• Backlog Vacancies: 1,444

Eligibility

• Graduation in any discipline from a recognized University or any equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government as on 31.12.2026.
• Candidates in their final year/semester can apply provisionally, subject to producing proof of passing the examination at the time of joining.
• Mandatory proficiency in the official/specified local language of the State/UT applied for.

Age limit

• Between 20 and 28 years as on 01.04.2026 (born between 02.04.1998 and 01.04.2006, inclusive).
• Upper age relaxation of 5 years for SC / ST.
• Upper age relaxation of 3 years for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer).
• Upper age relaxation of 10 years for PwBD (General/EWS), 13 years for PwBD (OBC), and 15 years for PwBD (SC/ST).
• Upper age relaxation for Ex-Servicemen as per government rules.

Application fee

• General / OBC / EWS: ₹750
• SC / ST / PwBD / ESM / DESM: Nil

Selection process

• Phase-I: Preliminary Examination (Online Objective Test)
• Phase-II: Main Examination (Online Objective Test)
• Phase-III: Specified Opted Local Language Test (before joining for those who did not study the language in 10th or 12th standard)
• No interview round is conducted

Exam pattern

• Mode: Computer-Based Online Test (100 questions, 100 marks, 60 minutes).
• English Language: 30 questions, 30 marks, 20 minutes.
• Numerical Ability: 35 questions, 35 marks, 20 minutes.
• Reasoning Ability: 35 questions, 35 marks, 20 minutes.
• Negative Marking: 1/4th (0.25 marks) deducted for each incorrect answer.
• Sectional Cut-Off: None (qualifying is based on aggregate marks only).

How to apply

1. Visit the SBI careers portal at https://sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings.
2. Locate the link for Recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) (CRPD/CR/2026-27/17).
3. Click on 'DOWNLOAD PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION CALL LETTER'.
4. Enter your Registration Number / Roll Number and Password / Date of Birth (DD-MM-YYYY).
5. Submit the details, download your admit card, and take a clear printout.

What candidates should do

• Download the call letter immediately from the official SBI portal using registration credentials.
• Verify the assigned shift, reporting time, and test venue address.
• Keep original and photocopy versions of required valid photo ID proofs and passport-size photographs ready.

PrepZen analysis

The absence of sectional cut-offs allows candidates to leverage their strongest sections to push their aggregate score higher.

The fixed 20-minute sectional timer means test-takers must balance question selection and accuracy to minimize negative marks.

FAQs

Always confirm dates, fees and eligibility in the official notification before applying. Prepared by the PrepZen Editorial Team from the official notice. Spotted an error? Write to prepzen.app@gmail.com.