SBI Clerk 2026 Complete Guide: Prelims Call Letter, Mains, Cut-off, Syllabus and Salary
SBI Clerk, called Junior Associates (Customer Support and Sales) on the State Bank of India careers page, is one of the largest bank exams in India.
Quick answer
SBI Clerk, called Junior Associates (Customer Support and Sales) on the State Bank of India careers page, is one of the largest bank exams in India. The SBI careers page we checked lists the 2026-27 advertisement, and states that the preliminary examination call letter is available for download. The mains, the final cut-off and the result depend on the official schedule, so check sbi.bank.in before you plan.
Where the process stands
| Stage | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support and Sales), advertisement CRPD/CR/2026-27/17 | Preliminary call letter available | Official SBI careers page |
| Prelims exam | Held in late September 2026, with a backlog exam | Other published reports |
| Prelims result | Released for a special drive on 17 October 2026; regular result pending | Other published reports |
| Mains exam | Tentatively November 2026, one report says 23 November | Other published reports |
| Admit cards | Usually about 10 days before each stage | Pattern from earlier cycles |
The official careers page is the only source that settles these points. Use the call letter section for your roll number and date of birth login.
Who can apply
SBI Clerk is open to graduates. Reports describe an age range of roughly 20 to 28 years, with relaxation for reserved categories and some other groups. Check the advertisement for the exact age on the cut-off date, the qualification and the language rule for your state, because a candidate applies for a particular state or union territory.
Exam pattern
Prelims is an online objective test in English language, numerical ability and reasoning, with sectional time limits. Each wrong answer carries a penalty, and the prelims is qualifying.
Mains is a larger objective test with more sections, including general and banking awareness, and a computer aptitude section. The mains decides the merit list for the posts, and the final cut-off is set after the mains result.
Sources differ on the exact question count and time of each section, so confirm the current pattern in the advertisement or the official exam notice before you plan your practice.
Cut-off: what you can and cannot know
No official cut-off for the 2026 cycle was confirmed in the sources we could reach. Cut-offs change with the difficulty of the paper, the number of candidates and the number of vacancies in each state. Published "expected" cut-offs are estimates. Use them to judge how close you are, not as a promise.
Reports for the 2025 cycle listed about 6,589 vacancies. That figure is from the previous cycle and should not be used as the 2026 total.
Syllabus and preparation
English language: reading comprehension, cloze tests, error spotting, sentence rearrangement and vocabulary. Read one editorial a day and make a short list of new words.
Numerical ability: simplification, number series, quadratic equations, data interpretation, percentages, profit and loss, and time and work. Practise the quick methods and time each set.
Reasoning: seating arrangements, puzzles, syllabus-style logical statements, inequalities and coding-decoding. Practise sets, not single questions.
General and banking awareness: current affairs, banking terms, economy, the RBI, government schemes and recent banking news. Keep a monthly list of events.
Computer knowledge: basic hardware, software, internet and office tools, which appears in the mains.
Salary and benefits
SBI Clerk pay is set by the bank's pay scale for junior associates. Reports describe a starting pay band, with allowances added. Check the advertisement and the bank's pay scale for the exact figures, because allowances depend on the state and the posting.
How to prepare in ten weeks
- Weeks 1 to 3: Reasoning and numerical ability, with 30 to 40 questions a day.
- Weeks 4 and 5: English, with one passage a day and a vocabulary list.
- Weeks 6 and 7: General and banking awareness, with a weekly revision of key terms.
- Weeks 8 and 9: Full-length mock tests in the prelims and mains format, twice a week, with an error log.
- Week 10: Revise the error log, and do one full mock every two days before the exam.
Who should apply
Apply if you are a graduate, meet the age rule on the cut-off date, and can work in the state you choose. SBI clerk jobs are branch-based and customer-facing, so the state and the local language matter in daily work. If you cannot meet the language rule for a state, choose a state where you can, rather than leaving the choice blank.
Wait and prepare first if you are not yet sure of your graduation date or if you cannot start a full preparation routine. A rushed attempt in a cycle where you are not ready is a poor use of the fee and the time.
How the prelims and mains differ in practice
The prelims is a speed and accuracy test with sectional limits, so you must finish each section. The mains is longer and asks you to handle a wider range of questions, including computer knowledge and general and banking awareness. Your prelims strategy and your mains strategy should be different. Use the prelims to build speed, and use the mains to build depth.
Time planning on exam day
Plan the sections in the order that suits you. Many candidates start with the section they are most confident in, to build momentum, and leave the hardest section for the end, within its time limit. Keep an eye on the clock for each section, because the timer can run out before you finish.
What to do after the prelims
- Check the result on the official site only. Use your roll number and date of birth.
- Download the mains admit card when it is released. Keep the printed copy with your ID.
- Start mains practice straight away. Do not wait for the mock schedule to begin.
- Review your prelims score by section. Use the section scores to decide your weak areas.
Documents to keep ready
- Degree marksheets and certificates
- Class 10 and Class 12 marksheets, for the date of birth
- Photograph and signature in the size the advertisement gives
- Category and disability certificate, if claimed
- Photo identity proof for the exam centre
Common questions candidates ask
Is it harder than IBPS Clerk? Both use similar sections, but the papers and cut-offs differ. Practise on the pattern of the exam you are sitting.
Can I change my state after applying? Check the advertisement, since the rules on changing the state are set there.
What is the best way to revise banking awareness? Keep a monthly list of banking and economy events, and revise it weekly.
Is the exam online? Yes, the prelims and mains are online objective tests, as reported. The language test rule is set by the state.
Common mistakes
- Missing the call letter download. Keep the login details safe and download early.
- Guessing without a plan. The penalty can cancel gains quickly.
- Trusting a result link from an unofficial site. Use only the SBI careers page.
- Ignoring the language rule. It decides whether you are eligible for a state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check the official SBI careers page for the latest status.
Reports say tentatively November 2026. Check the official schedule.
Clerk selection is based on the prelims and mains, as reported. Check the advertisement.
Check the advertisement, because the rules on state choice are set there.
Keshav founded StudentUpdate.in and edits every recruitment notice, syllabus page and practice set the site publishes. Each notice is read from the issuing body's PDF or portal before it goes live; dates, fees, vacancy tables and eligibility rules are copied from that document, not from other websites.