Looking for SBI PO 2026 details? Get the expected exam schedule, updated pattern (no sectional cut-offs), complete syllabus, salary structure, and application guide.
SBI PO Exam Date 2026: Calendar & Deadlines
📅 Schedule & Key Deadlines
Official Notification Release:
September 2026 (Expected)
Online Application Window:
September – October 2026
Application Fee (Gen/OBC/EWS):
₹750 (SC/ST/PwBD: Nil)
Pre-Exam Training (PET):
October 2026
⏰ Examination Timeframes
Phase-I (Prelims) Exam Date:
November 2026 (Expected)
Phase-II (Mains) Exam Date:
December 2026 / January 2027
Phase-III (Psychometric & Interview):
February – March 2027
Final Result Declaration:
March / April 2027
SBI PO Vacancies 2026 & Job Details
💼 Overall Vacancy Matrix
Expected Total Vacancies:
Approx. 2,000 Posts
Post Category:
Junior Management Grade Scale-I (JMGS-I)
Service Bond Requirement:
₹2.00 Lakhs Bond Amount
Minimum Service Period:
Minimum 3 Years of Service
👑 Career Path & Training
Entry Level Post:
Probationary Officer (PO)
Probation Period:
2 Years
Initial Assessment:
Continuous screening during probation
Future Promotion Prospects:
Deputy Manager, Manager, AGM, GM
Confirmed SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026
⏳ Prelims Exam (Phase-I) Updates
Prelims Sectional Timing:
20 Minutes Per Section
Total Marks & Questions:
100 Questions / 100 Marks (60 Mins)
Sectional Cut-Off Status:
REMOVED (Overall Score determines merit)
Tier-I Qualification:
Marks do not count in final merit
📝 Mains Exam (Phase-II) Details
Objective Test Structure:
155 Qs | 200 Marks | 3 Hours
Descriptive Test Included:
Letter & Essay Writing (50 Marks, 30 Mins)
Negative Marking Penalties:
1/4th Mark (0.25) Deducted per Error
Phase-III Qualifications:
No Sectional Cut-Offs apply in Mains
Detailed Candidate Eligibility Criteria
👤 Age Limit (As on 01/04/2026)
General / EWS Limit:
21 to 30 Years
OBC Category Age Relaxation:
+3 Years (Up to 33 Years)
SC / ST Category Relaxation:
+5 Years (Up to 35 Years)
PwBD Category Relaxation:
+10 to +15 Years
🎓 Degree & Special Qualifications
Basic Required Qualification:
Bachelor’s Degree in Any Discipline
Final Year Students:
Eligible (Must prove passing before Interview)
No. of Attempts (General/EWS):
Maximum 4 Attempts Allowed
No. of Attempts (OBC/SC/ST):
OBC: 7 | SC/ST: No Restriction
SBI PO Form Filling: Signature Size & Photo Rules
✍️ SBI PO Signature Size 2026
Mandatory File Format:
JPEG or JPG only
Signature Size Limit:
10 KB to 20 KB
Image Dimensions:
140 x 60 Pixels (Preferable)
Image Resizer Tool:
Use Free Exam Image Resizer Tool
Rejection Reasons:
Blurry, Capital Letters, or Cropped Uploads
📸 Photograph & Thumb Impression Rules
Passport Photo Size:
20 KB to 50 KB (4.5 cm x 3.5 cm)
Left Thumb Impression Size:
20 KB to 50 KB (JPEG/JPG format)
Handwritten Declaration Size:
50 KB to 100 KB (English only)
Accessories Prohibited:
No Caps, Hats, or Dark Glasses in Photo
SBI PO Salary 2026: Post-Wise Pay Scale Breakdown
💰 Initial Pay & Salary Structure
Starting Basic Pay:
₹41,960 (+ 4 Advance Increments)
Pay Scale (JMGS-I):
36000-1490/7-46430-1740/2…
Gross Monthly Salary:
₹80,000 – ₹90,000 (approx)
Approx. Net In-Hand:
₹70,000 to ₹75,000+ (Based on City)
💵 Allowances & Benefits
Leased Accommodation (HRA):
₹8,000 (Rural) to ₹29,500 (Metro)
Dearness Allowance (DA):
Depends on CPI (Revised Quarterly)
Annual CTC Package:
₹16.50 Lakhs to ₹20.50 Lakhs
Medical & Furniture Perks:
100% Medical Coverage + Furniture Grant
Comprehensive SBI PO Syllabus & Exam Pattern
📝 Core Exam Modules (Phase 1 & 2)
English Language:
Reading Comp, Cloze Test, Error Spotting
Quantitative / Data Analysis:
DI, Arithmetic, Number Series, Algebra
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude:
Puzzles, Seating, Syllogism, Input-Output
General / Economy Awareness:
Current Affairs, Banking Terms, RBI Policies
📚 Core Syllabus Subjects & Notes
Ensure you cover standard topics and Complete Microeconomics Notes for General & Economy Awareness:
Quantitative Aptitude
Reasoning Ability
English Language
General & Banking Awareness
Data Analysis & Interpretation
Computer Aptitude
Essay & Letter Writing
Interview & GD Topics
SBI PO Cut Off 2026: Prelims Safe Score & Past Trends
🎯 Target Safe Score (Out of 100)
General (UR) Safe Target:
60 – 65+ Marks
OBC / EWS Safe Target:
58 – 62+ Marks
SC Category Safe Target:
50 – 55+ Marks
ST Category Safe Target:
45 – 50+ Marks
📊 Factors Affecting Merit List
Normalization Process:
Applied across multiple shifts
Total Applicants vs Vacancies:
High competition for ~2,000 posts
Phase-1 Qualifying Nature:
Marks not added to final selection
Sectional Cut-Offs:
None in Prelims or Mains (Overall score matters)
SBI PO Descriptive Test & Phase III Selection Rules
⌨️ Descriptive Test (Mains Paper)
Test Mode:
Online (Typing on Computer)
Total Marks & Questions:
50 Marks / 2 Questions
Time Allotted:
30 Minutes
Format:
Letter Writing & Essay Writing
👥 Phase III: Psychometric & Interview
Psychometric Test:
Conducted to profile candidate personality
Group Exercise (GD):
20 Marks
Personal Interview:
30 Marks
Total Phase III Marks:
50 Marks
SBI PO Document Verification & Final Merit List 2026
📁 Document Verification Rules
Crucial Date for Certificates:
Date of Interview / As specified
OBC/EWS Validity:
Must be valid for FY 2026-27
Format of Certificates:
Central Government Format Only
Graduation Proof:
Must produce passing certificate at Interview
🏢 Final Merit List Calculation
Mains Examination Weightage:
75 Marks (Normalized from 250)
Interview & GD Weightage:
25 Marks (Normalized from 50)
Total Final Merit Marks:
Out of 100
Prelims Score:
Qualifying only (Excluded from final merit)
Best Books & Study Material for SBI PO 2026
📘 Quantitative Aptitude & DI
Quantitative Aptitude:
R.S. Aggarwal (S. Chand)
Data Interpretation:
Arun Sharma (McGraw Hill)
Magical Book on Quicker Maths:
M. Tyra (BSC Publishing)
Fast Track Objective Arithmetic:
Rajesh Verma (Arihant)
📗 Reasoning & English Language
Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning:
R.S. Aggarwal
Analytical Reasoning:
M.K. Pandey (BSC)
Objective General English:
S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)
Word Power Made Easy:
Norman Lewis
📙 General / Economy / Banking Awareness
For the economy section, supplement your reading with daily newspapers (The Hindu/LiveMint) and our Complete Microeconomics Notes. Key resources include:
Banking Awareness by Arihant
Pratiyogita Darpan (Monthly)
Lucent’s General Knowledge
RBI Official FAQ Page
Economic Survey Summary
Step-by-Step SBI PO Online Application Process
💻 Registration & Form Filling
Step 1: Registration:
Visit SBI Careers → Click “Apply Online”
Step 2: Basic Details:
Enter Name, Mobile, Email to get Reg. ID & Pass
Step 3: Document Upload:
Upload Photo, Signature, LTI & Declaration
Step 4: Academic Details:
Fill graduation marks & center preferences
💳 Payment & Final Submission
Step 5: Preview:
Verify all details (No changes allowed later)
Step 6: Fee Payment:
Pay ₹750 (UR/OBC/EWS) via UPI, Debit/Credit Card
Step 7: Print Confirmation:
Save E-Receipt and Application PDF
Helpdesk Support:
Call 022-22820427 (On working days)
SBI PO Probation, Posting, & Transfer Policy
🌍 Posting & Location Allocation
Initial Posting:
Anywhere in India (All-India Liability)
Rural Posting Mandate:
Mandatory rural branch serving during probation
Circle Allocation:
Based on merit and administrative requirements
Transfer Frequency:
Typically transferred every 3 to 5 years
📈 Career Progression (Promotions)
After 2 Years (Scale I):
Confirmation as Assistant Manager
Scale II Promotion:
Deputy Manager (Fast-track exams available)
Scale III Promotion:
Manager
Top Management:
Can reach General Manager / Chairman level
SBI PO vs IBPS PO: Key Differences
⚖️ Exam Level & Salary Comparison
Basic Pay (Starting):
SBI PO: ₹41,960 | IBPS PO: ₹36,000
Advance Increments:
SBI provides 4 extra increments initially
Exam Difficulty Level:
SBI PO is tougher & highly analytical
Number of Attempts:
SBI has a limit (4 for UR) | IBPS has NO limit
🏥 Perks & Work Environment
Medical Benefits:
SBI covers 100% for employee, 75% for dependents
Foreign Postings:
Higher chances in SBI due to global presence
Work Pressure:
Comparatively higher in SBI due to huge footfall
Brand Value:
SBI holds the highest prestige in PSU banking
Pre-Examination Training (PET) 2026
🎓 PET Details for Reserved Categories
Who can apply?:
SC, ST, OBC, Ex-Servicemen, and Religious Minority Communities
Mode of Training:
Online Mode (E-learning modules via official portal)
Cost of Training:
Absolutely Free of Cost
How to opt-in?:
Must select “Yes” for PET while filling the online application form