SBI Junior Associates Recruitment 2026 – Backlog Vacancies
The State Bank of India (SBI) has released Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 for the recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) under a special drive for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies.
Recruitment Overview
- Post: Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales)
- Cadre: Clerical
- Application Mode: Online
- Registration Dates: 07 August 2026 to 27 August 2026
- Exams: Preliminary (Sep 2026) & Main (Oct/Nov 2026)
- Language Requirement: Candidates must be proficient in the local language of the State/UT applied for (reading, writing, speaking, understanding).
- Transfers: No inter‑circle or inter‑state transfer allowed; only intra‑state transfer permitted in specific circles (Delhi–Lucknow in UP, Mumbai Metro–Maharashtra).
Vacancy Summary
Total backlog vacancies announced: 1538 across multiple States/UTs.
| Circle | State/UT | Language | SC | ST | OBC | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amaravati | Andhra Pradesh | Telugu/Urdu | -- | 88 | -- | 88 |
| Bengaluru | Karnataka | Kannada | 85 | 35 | -- | 120 |
| Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh | Hindi | -- | 134 | -- | 134 |
| Bhubaneswar | Odisha | Odia | -- | 111 | -- | 111 |
| Chennai | Tamil Nadu | Tamil | 65 | -- | -- | 65 |
| Jaipur | Rajasthan | Hindi | 20 | 86 | -- | 106 |
| Mumbai Metro | Maharashtra | Marathi | -- | 165 | -- | 165 |
| Gandhinagar | Gujarat | Gujarati | -- | 289 | -- | 289 |
| Patna | Jharkhand | Hindi/Santhali | 14 | 119 | -- | 133 |
| Total | -- | -- | 207 | 1219 | 112 | 1538 |
Eligibility Criteria
🛠️ Essential Tools
- Age Limit (as on 01.04.2026): 20 to 28 years (Born between 02.04.1998 and 01.04.2006, both days inclusive).
- Age Relaxation:
- OBC – 3 years
- SC/ST – 5 years
- PwBD (OBC) – 13 years
- PwBD (SC/ST) – 15 years
- Ex‑Servicemen – Service period + 3 years (max age 50 years)
- Widows/Divorced Women – 7 years (max 38 years for OBC, 40 years for SC/ST)
- Trained Apprentices of SBI – OBC: 4 years, SC/ST: 6 years, PwBD (OBC): 14 years, PwBD (SC/ST): 16 years
- Educational Qualification (as on 31.12.2026): Graduation in any discipline from a recognized University or equivalent qualification. Final year/semester students may apply provisionally, subject to producing proof of graduation by 31.12.2026.
- Ex‑Servicemen: Matriculate Ex‑servicemen with Indian Army Special Certificate of Education or equivalent Navy/Air Force certificate (15 years service) are also eligible.
Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)
The post is identified suitable for candidates with the following categories of disabilities under RPwD Act 2016:
- Blindness / Low Vision
- Deaf / Hard of Hearing
- Locomotor Disabilities (One Arm, Both Arms, One Leg, Both Legs, Cerebral Palsy, Leprosy Cured, Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victims, Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal Deformity/Injury)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (Mild), Intellectual Disability, Specific Learning Disability, Mental Illness
- Multiple Disabilities involving above categories
Candidates must produce a valid Disability Certificate issued by a competent authority before the last date of registration.
Use of Scribe & Compensatory Time
- Scribe facility allowed for candidates with ≥40% disability or with limitation in writing speed.
- Candidate must arrange their own scribe at their own cost.
- Compensatory time: 20 minutes per hour of examination.
- Undertaking with scribe’s details and photograph must be submitted at exam time.
- Violation of scribe guidelines will lead to disqualification.
Ex‑Servicemen Rules
- Ex‑Servicemen as per Government of India definition are eligible.
- Disabled Ex‑Servicemen (injured in operations) are eligible for relaxation.
- Dependents of servicemen killed in action are also considered under special provisions.
- Certificates in prescribed formats (A, B, C, D) must be submitted at joining.
- Territorial Army personnel treated as Ex‑Servicemen w.e.f. 15.11.1986.
Selection Procedure
The selection process will consist of three phases:
- Phase I – Preliminary Examination: Online objective test for 100 marks.
- Phase II – Main Examination: Online objective test for 200 marks.
- Phase III – Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT): Conducted for provisionally selected candidates who have not studied the specified local language in 10th/12th standard.
Preliminary Examination Pattern
| Test | Medium | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | English | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
| Numerical Ability | -- | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Reasoning Ability | -- | 35 | 35 | 20 min |
| Total | -- | 100 | 100 | 1 Hour |
Note: 1/4th negative marking for each wrong answer. No sectional cut‑off.
Main Examination Pattern
| Test | Medium | No. of Questions | Max Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General/Financial Awareness | -- | 50 | 50 | 35 min |
| General English | English | 40 | 40 | 35 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | -- | 50 | 50 | 45 min |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | -- | 50 | 60 | 45 min |
| Total | -- | 190 | 200 | 2 Hr 40 min |
Note: 1/4th negative marking for each wrong answer. Aggregate qualifying marks as decided by SBI.
Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)
Provisionally selected candidates who have not studied the specified local language in 10th/12th must appear for LLPT.
| Test Pattern | Section | No. of Passages | No. of Questions | Max Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non‑Verbal Test | Objective | 3 | 15 | 15 |
| Subjective | 3 | 15 | 15 | |
| Verbal Test | -- | -- | -- | 20 |
Candidates must secure minimum qualifying marks in LLPT as decided by SBI.
Marking Scheme
- Negative marking: 1/4th mark deducted for each wrong answer.
- No sectional cut‑off; merit list prepared State‑wise and Category‑wise.
- Trained Apprentices of SBI (engaged after 01.01.2022) get bonus 5 marks in Main Exam (2.5% of total marks).
Application Process
- Candidates must apply online through SBI’s official career portal SBI Careers.
- Fill in all mandatory fields and upload scanned copies of certificates/mark sheets.
- Choose one State/UT and the specified local language at the time of application.
- Pay the application fee online during registration.
- Download and retain a copy of the application form and fee receipt for future reference.
- Only registered candidates will be permitted to appear for the Preliminary Examination.
Important Dates
- Online Registration & Fee Payment: 07 August 2026 to 27 August 2026
- Preliminary Examination: Tentatively September 2026
- Main Examination: Tentatively October/November 2026
- Local Language Test: After Main Exam, before joining
Documents Required
🛠️ Essential Tools
- Graduation certificate/mark sheet (or provisional certificate if final year).
- 10th/12th mark sheet showing study of local language (if applicable).
- Caste certificate for SC/ST/OBC (Non‑Creamy Layer) candidates in prescribed format.
- OBC candidates must submit certificate with “Non‑Creamy Layer” clause issued on or after 01.04.2026.
- PwBD candidates must submit valid Disability Certificate issued by competent authority.
- Ex‑Servicemen must submit discharge certificate or prescribed proforma (A/B/C/D).
- Recent passport‑size photographs.
- Valid ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, etc.).
- No Objection Certificate (NOC) for candidates employed in Government/PSU.
Exam Centres
Candidates can appear for the examination from any notified centre across India. However, the Local Language Proficiency Test will be conducted in the State/UT applied for, at candidate’s own expense.
Salary & Career Growth
- Basic Pay: ₹19,900/- (plus allowances as per SBI rules).
- Emoluments: Approx. ₹29,000/- per month (depending on posting location).
- Career Path: Junior Associate → Senior Associate → Officer Cadre (via internal exams).
Call Letters
Eligible candidates can download their Prelims & Mains Exam Call Letters from SBI’s official website. No hard copy will be sent by post.
Important Instructions
- Candidates must bring a valid photo ID proof along with the call letter.
- Electronic gadgets (mobile phones, smart watches, calculators) are strictly prohibited inside exam hall.
- Biometric verification will be conducted at exam centres.
- Suppression of facts or misrepresentation will lead to cancellation of candidature.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Q1: Can I apply for more than one State/UT? A: No, candidates can apply for vacancies in one State/UT only.
- Q2: Is inter‑state transfer allowed for Junior Associates? A: No, only intra‑state transfer is permitted in specific circles (Delhi–Lucknow in UP, Mumbai Metro–Maharashtra).
- Q3: What is the age limit for SBI Clerk Backlog Recruitment 2026? A: 20 to 28 years as on 01.04.2026 (with relaxations for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/Ex‑Servicemen).
- Q4: What is the educational qualification required? A: Graduation in any discipline from a recognized University (final year students can apply provisionally).
- Q5: Is knowledge of local language mandatory? A: Yes, candidates must be proficient in the local language of the State/UT applied for.
- Q6: What is the exam pattern for SBI Clerk 2026? A: Preliminary Exam (100 marks), Main Exam (200 marks), followed by Local Language Proficiency Test.
- Q7: Is there negative marking in SBI Clerk exam? A: Yes, 1/4th mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.
- Q8: What is the salary of SBI Junior Associate? A: Basic Pay ₹19,900/- plus allowances; total emoluments approx. ₹29,000/- per month.
- Q9: Can PwBD candidates apply for this recruitment? A: Yes, the post is identified suitable for multiple categories of benchmark disabilities under RPwD Act 2016.
- Q10: How can I download my admit card? A: Admit cards for Prelims and Mains will be available on SBI’s official career portal; no hard copy will be sent.
- Q11: Are apprentices of SBI given any preference? A: Yes, trained apprentices engaged after 01.01.2022 get bonus marks (5 marks) in the Main Exam.
- Q12: What documents are required at the time of joining? A: Graduation certificate, caste certificate (if applicable), PwBD certificate, NOC (for Govt/PSU employees), Aadhaar, and other originals.
