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SBI Clerk Exam 2026: Complete Guide to Pattern, Syllabus, Eligibility and Preparation
SBI Clerk recruits Junior Associates for State Bank of India branches through prelims and mains with a local-language test. Graduates aged 20 to 28 can apply on sbi.co.in.
Reading time: about 10 minutes. Verify dates, vacancies and post-wise rules in the official notification before applying.
What this guide covers
SBI Clerk exam overview
SBI Clerk (Junior Associate - Customer Support and Sales) staffs SBI branches across circles with circle-wise vacancies. Like IBPS Clerk there is no interview, but SBI adds a local-language test and generally sets a notch higher mains. Official details appear only on sbi.co.in careers pages.
| Stage | Format | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Prelims | 100 marks, 60 minutes | Screening for mains |
| Mains | 200 marks, 160 minutes | Final merit |
| Local language test | Qualifying | Eligibility for joining |
Eligibility criteria
| Criterion | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Age | 20 to 28 years as on the cut-off date, with relaxation for reserved categories |
| Education | Bachelor's degree in any discipline |
| Language | Proficiency in the local language of the applied circle, tested where not proven by school records |
Exam pattern
Prelims
English 30, Numerical Ability 35, Reasoning 35 in 60 minutes with sectional timing and 0.25 negative marking. Screening only.
Mains
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General and Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 minutes |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| Reasoning and Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 160 minutes |
Confirm section timings in the notification since SBI revises them.
Syllabus, subject by subject
Quant: simplification, series, quadratics, arithmetic, caselet DI. Reasoning: puzzles of mains depth, syllogism, inequality, coding, computer basics. English: comprehension, cloze, errors, parajumbles. GA: SBI and banking news, schemes, RBI policy, static banking.
Important dates and how to apply
SBI advertises Junior Associates on sbi.co.in circle-wise. This guide carries no dates. Apply for one circle whose local language you can demonstrate.
Selection process
- Prelims screening.
- Mains merit with sectional and overall cut-offs.
- Local-language test where applicable, then verification and medical.
No interview stage.
How to prepare
Drill prelims sections to 20-minute reflexes, then raise mains difficulty with SBI-level puzzles and DI. Revise banking GA from monthly compilations and practise local-language reading if your test is due.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing a circle for vacancies while weak in its language.
- Practising only prelims difficulty.
- Ignoring computer aptitude.
- Skipping GA until mains shortlist.
- Guessing under negative marking.
Career opportunities
Junior Associates handle branch operations with promotion to officer cadre through internal exams and JAIIB or CAIIB qualifications. Check pay scales in the notification.
Practise with Pratiyogita Kosh
Use Pratiyogita Kosh the way toppers use any test series: take a timed mock for SBI Clerk, review every error within 48 hours, then build a custom practice set around your weakest topics and re-test. Your dashboard tracks accuracy by subject and topic so each session targets real gaps.
Pratiyogita Kosh is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with any exam body. Archived papers credit their source on the paper page.
Frequently asked questions
What is SBI Clerk officially called?
Junior Associate (Customer Support and Sales) in State Bank of India branches.
Is there an interview in SBI Clerk?
No, but a qualifying local-language test applies where proficiency is not otherwise proven.
What is the age limit for SBI Clerk?
20 to 28 years as on the cut-off date, with relaxation for reserved categories.
What qualification is needed?
A bachelor degree in any discipline from a recognised university.
What is the SBI Clerk exam pattern?
Prelims of 100 marks for screening and mains of 200 marks deciding merit, with 0.25 negative marking.
Can I apply for any circle?
You apply for one circle and must be proficient in its local language.
How is SBI Clerk different from IBPS Clerk?
SBI generally sets tougher mains, runs its own calendar, and adds its local-language verification.
Where can I practise SBI Clerk mocks?
On Pratiyogita Kosh: clerk-pattern mocks and custom sectional sets with dashboard tracking.