SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 7680 Clerk Posts

State Bank of India (SBI) has released the much-awaited notification for recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) in the clerical cadre, inviting online applications from eligible Indian citizens against Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17. Online registration and payment of fees will be open from 11 August 2026 to 31 August 2026, and this recruitment offers a very large number of vacancies across nearly every State and Union Territory in the country.

Candidates can apply for vacancies in only one State/UT, and must be proficient in the specified local language of that State/UT, since a language proficiency test forms part of the selection process. The Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for September 2026, and the Main Examination is tentatively scheduled for November 2026.

Overview of SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026

State/UT-wise and Category-wise Regular Vacancy Details

Vacancies are distributed across 24 States/UTs, each with a specified local language requirement. The full state-wise, category-wise break-up of the 7,680 regular vacancies is given below.

Maharashtra (1,718 posts), Tamil Nadu (1,410 posts) and Odisha (1,100 posts) carry the largest number of vacancies among all States/UTs. Within these totals, horizontal reservation of 4% for PwBD candidates, 10% for Ex-Servicemen, and 4.5% for Disabled Ex-Servicemen/dependents of Servicemen killed in action is also applicable, as detailed in the official notification.

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Backlog Vacancies

In addition to the 7,680 regular vacancies, the notification also carries backlog vacancies (net of those already advertised in the Special Recruitment Drive, Advt. No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16) for SC/ST/OBC, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen/Disabled Ex-Servicemen categories, state-wise. Candidates belonging to these categories are advised to refer to the detailed backlog vacancy table in the official notification for their specific State/UT.

Eligibility Criteria

Age Limit (as on 1 April 2026)

Candidates must not be below 20 years and not above 28 years as on 1 April 2026 – that is, born not earlier than 2 April 1998 and not later than 1 April 2006 (both days inclusive).

Cumulative age relaxation is not available either under the above items or in combination with any other items.

Educational Qualification (as on 31 December 2026)

Graduation in any discipline from a recognised University, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government. Candidates in the final year/semester of graduation may also apply provisionally, subject to producing proof of having passed the graduation examination on or before 31 December 2026. Matriculate Ex-servicemen with the Indian Army Special Certificate of Education (or corresponding Navy/Air Force certificate), after completing not less than 15 years of service, are also eligible.

Selection Procedure

The selection process consists of an online test (Preliminary and Main examination) followed by a test of the specified opted local language.

Phase-I: Preliminary Examination

Approximately 10 times the number of vacancies (category-wise, subject to availability) will be shortlisted for the Main Exam, based on descending order of aggregate marks in the Preliminary Exam.

Phase-II: Main Examination

Only the aggregate marks obtained in the Main Examination (not the Preliminary Exam) will be considered for the final merit list. Trained SBI Apprentices meeting specific eligibility conditions are given a bonus of 2.5% of maximum marks (5 out of 200) in the Main Examination.

Phase-III: Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)

Provisionally selected candidates who have not studied the specified local language of the State applied for (in Class 10th or 12th) must appear for the LLPT – comprising a Non-Verbal Test (Objective, 3 passages, 15 questions, 15 marks) and a Verbal Test (Subjective, 3 passages, 15 questions, 20 marks). Candidates who fail to qualify this test will not be offered appointment.

Negative Marking

There is negative marking for wrong answers in both the Preliminary and Main Examination objective tests. 1/4th of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each wrong answer. No minimum qualifying marks are prescribed for individual tests, only for the aggregate score, as decided by the Bank (5% relaxation available to SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/XS/DXS candidates).

Pay Scale and Emoluments

Pay Scale: Rs.24050-1340/3-28070-1650/3-33020-2000/4-41020-2340/7-57400-4400/1-61800-2680/1-64480. The starting Basic Pay is Rs.26,730 (Rs.24,050 plus two advance increments admissible to graduates). The total starting emoluments of a Clerical Cadre employee at a Metro location like Mumbai will be around Rs.46,000 per month, inclusive of DA and other allowances at current rates, plus two additional increments for newly recruited graduate Junior Associates. Selected candidates are also eligible for Provident Fund, Pension under the New Pension Scheme, Medical benefits, Leave Fare Concession and other facilities.

Probation Period

Newly appointed Junior Associates will be on probation for a minimum period of 6 months, and will be required to complete e-lessons prescribed by the Bank during probation to get confirmed – failing which the probation period will be extended. Performance will be evaluated before the end of probation, and the probation period of employees whose performance does not meet the Bank’s expectations may be extended further.

Application Fee

Fee/Intimation charges once paid will not be refunded on any account, nor can they be held in reserve for any other exam or selection.

How to Apply

1. Visit SBI’s official website, https://sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings, and select “Recruitment of Junior Associates 2026”.
2. Register online, filling in the application form carefully with all required personal, educational and category details.
3. Scan and upload your photograph, signature, left-hand thumb impression, and a hand-written declaration as per the format prescribed in the notification.
4. Pay the requisite application fee (where applicable) online, using debit card/credit card/internet banking.
5. Submit the application; not more than one application should be submitted – in case of multiple applications, only the last valid completed application is retained and other fees paid stand forfeited.

No other mode of application, apart from online, will be accepted. Candidates should keep their email ID and mobile number active till declaration of results.

Important Instructions

• Candidates can apply for vacancies in only one State/UT, and can appear for the test only once under this recruitment project.
• There is no provision for Inter Circle/Inter State Transfer for Junior Associates recruited before completion of 5 years of service; thereafter, transfer may be considered only in exceptional cases like Extreme Compassionate Ground/Spouse Ground.
• Candidates currently working in SBI’s Clerical cadre, or who resigned from SBI while in the Clerical cadre, are not eligible to apply.
• Mobile phones, pagers, smart watches, calculators or any communication devices are strictly banned inside the examination premises.
• Biometric verification (thumb impression/IRIS) will be conducted at various stages; candidates should not apply mehendi, ink or chemicals on their hands before appearing.
• A wait list of up to 50% of vacancies (State-category wise) will be maintained, valid for one year from the date of declaration of the final result.

Important Links

• Notification PDF
• Official Website
• Download NaukriPatra App
• Join WhatsApp Channel
• Join Telegram Channel

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026?

It is a recruitment drive by State Bank of India for 7,680 regular vacancies (plus backlog vacancies) of Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) in the clerical cadre, against Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17.

2. What is the online registration period?

Online registration and payment of fees is open from 11 August 2026 to 31 August 2026.

3. What is the age limit for this recruitment?

Candidates must be between 20 and 28 years of age as on 1 April 2026, with age relaxation available for OBC, SC/ST, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen, and certain other categories.

4. What is the educational qualification required?

Graduation in any discipline from a recognised University, as on 31 December 2026; final-year students can also apply provisionally.

5. What is the application fee?

Rs.750 for General/OBC/EWS candidates; Nil for SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen/Disabled Ex-Servicemen candidates.

6. What is the selection process?

Preliminary Examination, followed by Main Examination, and a Local Language Proficiency Test for candidates who have not studied the specified local language in Class 10th/12th.

7. Can I apply for more than one State/UT?

No. Candidates can apply for vacancies in only one State/UT, and can appear for the test only once under this recruitment project.

8. What is the starting salary for a Junior Associate at SBI?

Starting Basic Pay is Rs.26,730, with total starting emoluments at a Metro location like Mumbai around Rs.46,000 per month, inclusive of DA and other allowances.

9. Which states have the highest number of vacancies?

Maharashtra (1,718 posts), Tamil Nadu (1,410 posts) and Odisha (1,100 posts) have the highest number of regular vacancies among all States/UTs.

10. Is there negative marking in the exam?

Yes. 1/4th of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer, in both the Preliminary and Main Examination.