SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Big Opportunity With 1,538 Vacancies, Apply by August 27
SBI Clerk recruitment 2026 is now officially open, with the State Bank of India releasing a fresh notification for 1,538 Junior Associate backlog vacancies. The application window is short, so candidates from the eligible categories need to act quickly before the deadline closes.
Here’s a complete breakdown of the SBI Clerk 2026 notification — eligibility, important dates, application fee, exam pattern, salary, and how to apply.
What Is the SBI Clerk 2026 Notification About?
This SBI Clerk recruitment drive has been released specifically to fill backlog vacancies for the Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) post. Unlike a regular annual SBI Clerk recruitment cycle, this is a Special Recruitment Drive open only to SC, ST, and OBC candidates — General/Unreserved and EWS candidates are not eligible to apply under this particular notification.
A total of 1,538 posts are up for grabs across 21 states and union territories.
Important Dates for SBI Clerk 2026
- Notification released: August 7, 2026
- Online application window: August 7 to August 27, 2026
- Preliminary Exam: September 2026 (tentative)
- Main Exam: October/November 2026 (tentative)
With just about three weeks to apply, candidates should not wait until the last date to avoid last-minute technical issues on the application portal.
SBI Clerk Eligibility Criteria
- Category: Open only to SC, ST, and OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates
- Age Limit: 20 to 28 years as on April 1, 2026
- Age Relaxation:
- OBC: 3 years
- SC/ST: 5 years
- PwBD (OBC): 13 years
- PwBD (SC/ST): 15 years
- Widows/Divorced women (OBC): 7 years (maximum age 38)
- Widows/Divorced women (SC/ST): 7 years (maximum age 40)
- Educational Qualification: A graduate degree from a recognized university
SBI Clerk Application Fee
- SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen: No fee (Nil)
- OBC candidates: Rs. 750
Since this drive is exclusively for SC/ST/OBC candidates, there is no General category fee structure to worry about.
SBI Clerk Selection Process
Selection for the SBI Clerk 2026 recruitment happens in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)
Only candidates who clear the Preliminary Exam move on to the Main Exam, and only those who clear the Main Exam are called for the Local Language Proficiency Test before final selection.
SBI Clerk Exam Pattern
Preliminary Exam (100 marks, 60 minutes total):
- English Language — 30 questions, 30 marks (20 minutes)
- Numerical Ability — 35 questions, 35 marks (20 minutes)
- Reasoning Ability — 35 questions, 35 marks (20 minutes)
Main Exam (200 marks, 2 hours 40 minutes total):
- General/Financial Awareness — 50 questions, 50 marks (35 minutes)
- General English — 40 questions, 40 marks (35 minutes)
- Quantitative Aptitude — 50 questions, 50 marks (45 minutes)
- Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude — 50 questions, 60 marks (45 minutes)
Local Language Proficiency Test: 50 marks (objective and subjective components combined), designed to test proficiency in the local language of the state applied for.
SBI Clerk Salary and Pay Scale
Selected candidates for the SBI Clerk post start with a basic pay of Rs. 26,730, and once dearness allowance, house rent allowance, and other components are added, the total in-hand salary in metro cities comes to approximately Rs. 46,000 per month.
State-wise Vacancy Distribution
The 1,538 vacancies are spread across 21 states and union territories, broken down by category as SC: 207, ST: 1,219, and OBC: 112. Some of the states with the highest number of vacancies include:
- Gujarat: 289 vacancies (ST)
- Maharashtra: 165 vacancies (ST)
- Madhya Pradesh: 134 vacancies (ST)
- Jharkhand: 133 vacancies (14 SC, 119 ST)
Candidates should check the official notification PDF for the complete state-wise and category-wise breakup before applying, since vacancies are state-specific and cannot be transferred.
How to Apply for SBI Clerk 2026
- Visit the official application portal for this drive.
- Register with a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in your personal, educational, and category details carefully.
- Upload the required photograph, signature, and documents as per specifications.
- Pay the application fee, if applicable to your category.
- Submit the form and download a copy for your records.
The direct application link for this drive is available at ibpsreg.ibps.in/sbijasrdjl26, and the full official notification can be found on the State Bank of India official careers page.
For more government job updates and exam notifications, check our National section regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SBI Clerk 2026 notification about?
It is a Special Recruitment Drive by the State Bank of India for 1,538 Junior Associate backlog vacancies, open only to SC, ST, and OBC candidates.
What is the last date to apply for SBI Clerk 2026?
The online application window for SBI Clerk 2026 closes on August 27, 2026.
Is the SBI Clerk 2026 drive open to General category candidates?
No. This particular notification is a Special Recruitment Drive exclusively for SC, ST, and OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates.
What is the application fee for SBI Clerk 2026?
There is no fee for SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen candidates, while OBC candidates need to pay Rs. 750.
What is the salary for an SBI Clerk?
The starting basic pay is Rs. 26,730, with the total in-hand salary in metro cities coming to approximately Rs. 46,000 per month after allowances.
What is the selection process for SBI Clerk 2026?
Selection involves three stages: a Preliminary Examination, a Main Examination, and a Local Language Proficiency Test.