SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 1538 Junior Associate Posts

Vacancies: 1538 · Posts: 1 · Type: Regular · Mode: Online · Fee: Nil / ₹750 · Apply: 07 Aug–27 Aug 2026 · Salary: ₹46,000 approx · Selection: Prelims + Mains + LLPT · Location: State/UT-wise (All India)

While the regular SBI Clerk cycle for 2026-27 is still awaited, State Bank of India has opened a dedicated window for 1,538 backlog Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) posts reserved exclusively for SC, ST and OBC candidates. Applications are live from 07 August to 27 August 2026 on the official careers portal.

This special drive under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 fills pending reserved vacancies across 21 States and Union Territories. Candidates can apply for only one State or UT and must meet the local language requirement of that region.

Graduation in any discipline is the basic eligibility, with age calculated as on 01 April 2026. Selected candidates join the clerical cadre of India’s largest public sector bank with starting emoluments around ₹46,000 per month in metro centres.

Also Read: SBI Junior Associate (Clerk) Recruitment 2026 – Apply Online for 9124 Posts

Who Should Apply?

Graduation in any discipline (final-year candidates provisionally eligible if they pass by 31 December 2026) → Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) – 1,538 posts (SC 207 + ST 1,219 + OBC 112)

• Only SC, ST and OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates are eligible. UR and EWS candidates cannot apply under this special drive.
• Candidates must be proficient in the specified local language of the State/UT they choose (or clear the Local Language Proficiency Test).
• Matriculate Ex-servicemen with the Indian Army Special Certificate of Education (or equivalent) after 15 years of service are also eligible.
• Current or former SBI clerical cadre employees are not eligible.

Special reservations for PwBD and Ex-Servicemen/Disabled Ex-Servicemen are available within the parent category.

Important Dates

Quick Overview – SBI Clerk Junior Associate 2026

• Organisation: State Bank of India (SBI)
• Sector: Banking & Insurance
• Notification No.: CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16
• Post: Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales)
• Total Vacancies: 1,538 (SC 207, ST 1,219, OBC 112)
• Job Type: Regular (Clerical Cadre)
• Job Location: State/UT selected by candidate (no inter-circle transfer)
• Application Mode: Online
• Official Website: SBI Careers Current Openings
• Apply Online: Apply for SBI Junior Associate Special Drive 2026
• Notification PDF: Download SBI Clerk Special Recruitment Drive 2026 PDF
• Last Date: 27 August 2026

What Posts Are Available? – SBI Vacancy & Eligibility 2026

Only one designation is advertised. Vacancies are distributed state/UT-wise under the reserved categories only. Candidates must apply for exactly one State or UT.

Interpretation note: Gujarat (289), Maharashtra (165), Madhya Pradesh (134) and Jharkhand (133) account for the largest shares. Most vacancies are ST-heavy. Candidates from states with high ST backlog have a clearer numerical advantage, but competition will still be intense because only one State/UT can be chosen.

Qualification: BA / B.Sc / B.Com / BBA / BCA or any other graduation from a recognised university (or equivalent). Final-year candidates may apply provisionally if they produce proof of passing by 31 December 2026.

What Is the Age Limit?

Examples: ✅ A 32-year-old SC candidate born on 15 March 1994 — eligible (within 33-year limit as on 01 April 2026). ❌ A 34-year-old SC candidate born on 15 March 1992 — not eligible (exceeds maximum age by 1 year).

Use our Age Eligibility Calculator to check instantly.

What Is the Salary? – SBI Junior Associate 2026

Pay scale: ₹24,050 – 1,340/3 – 28,070 – 1,650/3 – 33,020 – 2,000/4 – 41,020 – 2,340/7 – 57,400 – 4,400/1 – 61,800 – 2,680/1 – 64,480.

Starting basic pay for graduates: ₹26,730 (includes two advance increments).

Approximate starting emoluments in a metro centre such as Mumbai: ₹46,000 per month (basic + DA + HRA + other allowances).

In-hand salary after NPS contribution and standard deductions typically ranges ₹38,000–₹42,000 in metro cities and slightly lower in smaller centres, depending on HRA class and current DA rate.

Calculate your exact take-home using our Bank Salary Calculator.

Probation is a minimum of six months (extendable). Confirmation depends on satisfactory performance and clearing the language test if required.

What Is the Application Fee?

Fee is paid online through debit card, credit card or net banking at the time of application.

How to Apply?

1. Visit the SBI Careers Current Openings page or go directly to the SBI Junior Associate Special Drive registration portal.
2. Click “Apply Online” for Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16.
3. Complete registration with name, mobile number and email ID. Note the system-generated Registration Number and Password.
4. Log in and fill personal, educational and category details carefully. Select only one State/UT.
5. Upload photograph, signature, left-hand thumb impression and handwritten declaration as per the size specifications given in the notification.
6. Pay the fee (if applicable) and submit the form. Take a printout for future reference.

Use our Photo & Signature Resizer before uploading to avoid rejection.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying for more than one State/UT — only the last valid application is retained, and others are cancelled.
• Uploading incorrect size or format of photo/signature/thumb impression/declaration — leads to automatic rejection.
• Selecting the wrong category or forgetting the Non-Creamy Layer certificate for OBC candidates.
• Waiting till the last day — server load is high, and payment failures are common.
• Not checking the local language requirement of the chosen State/UT before applying.

एसबीआई क्लर्क भर्ती 2026 – 1538 जूनियर एसोसिएट पदों के लिए ऑनलाइन आवेदन

स्टेट बैंक ऑफ इंडिया ने एससी, एसटी और ओबीसी बैकलॉग पदों के लिए 1538 जूनियर एसोसिएट (कस्टमर सपोर्ट एंड सेल्स) की विशेष भर्ती निकाली है। आवेदन 07 अगस्त से 27 अगस्त 2026 तक ऑनलाइन स्वीकार किए जा रहे हैं।

कौन आवेदन कर सकता है? किसी भी विषय में स्नातक डिग्री वाले उम्मीदवार आवेदन कर सकते हैं। अंतिम वर्ष के छात्र भी अस्थायी रूप से पात्र हैं यदि वे 31 दिसंबर 2026 तक डिग्री पूरी कर लें। केवल एससी, एसटी और ओबीसी (नॉन-क्रीमी लेयर) उम्मीदवार ही इस ड्राइव में आवेदन कर सकते हैं। आयु 01 अप्रैल 2026 को 20 से 28 वर्ष के बीच होनी चाहिए।

वेतन और चयन प्रक्रिया क्या है? शुरुआती बेसिक पे ₹26,730 है। मेट्रो शहर में कुल शुरुआती परिलब्धियाँ लगभग ₹46,000 प्रति माह हैं। चयन प्रारंभिक परीक्षा, मुख्य परीक्षा और स्थानीय भाषा प्रवीणता परीक्षा के माध्यम से होगा।

आवेदन कैसे करें? एसबीआई करियर पोर्टल पर जाकर ऑनलाइन आवेदन करें। केवल एक राज्य या केंद्र शासित प्रदेश चुनें। फोटो, हस्ताक्षर और हस्तलिखित घोषणा सही साइज में अपलोड करें। विस्तृत जानकारी sbi.bank.in पर उपलब्ध है।

How Are Candidates Selected?

Selection has three phases. Final merit is prepared state-wise and category-wise on the basis of Main Examination marks only.

Phase I – Preliminary Examination (qualifying, marks not counted for merit)

• Duration: 1 hour
• Total: 100 marks
• English Language: 30 questions / 30 marks / 20 minutes
• Numerical Ability: 35 questions / 35 marks / 20 minutes
• Reasoning Ability: 35 questions / 35 marks / 20 minutes
• Negative marking: ¼ mark for every wrong answer
• Approximately 10 times the vacancies are shortlisted for Mains.

Phase II – Main Examination

• Duration: 2 hours 40 minutes
• Total: 200 marks
• 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
• Negative marking: ¼ mark for every wrong answer
• Minimum qualifying marks on aggregate decided by the Bank.

Phase III – Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT): Candidates who have not studied the specified local language in Class 10 or 12 must clear LLPT. It includes non-verbal and verbal components (total 50 marks). Qualifying in nature.

No interview is conducted. A wait-list of up to 50% of vacancies (state-category-wise) is maintained for one year.

Why Does State Bank of India Matter?

State Bank of India is India’s largest public sector bank and a Maharatna institution under the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance. It operates the widest branch network in the country and handles a significant share of government business, retail banking and digital transactions.

Junior Associates form the backbone of customer-facing operations at branches. The role offers exposure to core banking, sales of banking products and day-to-day customer service across urban and rural branches.

One practical downside is that first postings are often outside major cities and inter-circle transfers are not permitted under this drive. Candidates must be prepared to serve in the State/UT they select for the long term.

The SahisarkariJobs.in Analyst’s Take

This special drive is a clear opportunity for SC, ST and OBC graduates who missed earlier regular SBI Clerk cycles. Compared with the regular SBI Clerk or IBPS Clerk notifications that open for all categories, competition here is restricted to reserved categories only, which improves the numerical odds for eligible candidates, especially in high-ST states such as Gujarat, Maharashtra and Jharkhand.

Best fit: Graduates belonging to SC/ST/OBC who already have (or can quickly acquire) proficiency in the local language of a high-vacancy state and are ready for a clerical role with SBI’s salary and benefits structure.

Who should skip: UR and EWS candidates (they are not eligible). Also, candidates unwilling to commit to one State/UT for the foreseeable future or those who prefer officer-level roles should wait for the regular SBI Clerk or IBPS PO/SO cycles.

Also Read: NIT Agartala Research Assistant & Technical Assistant Recruitment 2026 – Apply by Email for 2 Posts

Practical tip: Choose the State/UT carefully after checking both vacancy numbers and your comfort with the local language. Once selected, inter-circle transfer is not available under this advertisement.

What Documents Are Required?

• Valid photo ID (Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Driving Licence, Voter ID)
• Graduation mark sheets and degree certificate (or provisional certificate)
• Category certificate (SC/ST/OBC-NCL) in the prescribed format
• PwBD certificate (if applicable)
• Ex-Servicemen discharge book/certificate (if applicable)
• Proof of local language studied in Class 10/12 (to seek exemption from LLPT)
• Recent photograph, signature, left thumb impression and handwritten declaration as per size guidelines

Keep original documents ready for verification after the Main Examination.

What Happens After Selection?

1. Candidates shortlisted on Main Exam marks are called for document verification and biometric verification.
2. Those who clear verification and the Local Language Proficiency Test (if required) receive the appointment letter.
3. Joining formalities and medical examination are completed at the allotted circle.
4. Candidates undergo induction training (usually 2–3 weeks) covering banking products, systems and customer service.
5. They are posted to a branch within the selected State/UT and placed on probation for a minimum of six months.
6. On successful completion of probation and satisfactory performance, they are confirmed in the clerical cadre.

Promotion path typically moves from Junior Associate → Senior Associate → Special Associate through seniority and internal examinations.

Contact & Helpline

Central Recruitment & Promotion Department, State Bank of India, Corporate Centre, Mumbai. Phone: 022-22820427 Email: crpd@sbi.co.in Query portal: http://cgrs.ibps.in (mention “Special Recruitment drive for Junior Associates 2026” in the subject)

⚠️ Contact details sourced from the official notification. Verify before contacting. NEVER pay any money over the phone or to any person claiming to offer job assistance. Report fraud to cybercrime.gov.in.

Important Links – SBI Clerk 2026

FAQs – SBI Clerk Junior Associate Recruitment 2026

Q1: What is the last date to apply for SBI Clerk 2026?

A: 27 August 2026. Late applications are not accepted, and no extension has been announced as of 07 August 2026.

Q2: What is the age limit for SBI Junior Associate?

A: 20 to 28 years as on 01 April 2026 for general calculation. OBC gets 3 years, SC/ST gets 5 years, and PwBD gets up to 15 years of relaxation. Age is calculated as on 01 April 2026.

Q3: Is there an exam for SBI Clerk Special Drive, or is it interview-based?

A: Yes — online Preliminary and Main examinations followed by Local Language Proficiency Test. There is no interview. Final merit is based only on Main Exam marks.

Q4: What is the salary of SBI Junior Associate?

A: Starting basic pay is ₹26,730. Approximate starting emoluments in a metro city are around ₹46,000 per month. In-hand usually falls in the ₹38,000–₹42,000 range after deductions.

Q5: Can final-year students apply for SBI Clerk 2026?

A: Yes. Final-year or final-semester candidates can apply provisionally, provided they produce proof of having passed the examination on or before 31 December 2026.

Q6: Is SBI Junior Associate a permanent government job?

A: Yes. It is a regular appointment in the clerical cadre of State Bank of India with NPS benefits after confirmation.

Q7: Can candidates from other states apply for SBI Clerk Special Drive?

A: Yes, any eligible Indian citizen can apply, but only for one State or UT. You will be posted only in the State/UT you select, and inter-circle transfer is not permitted under this drive.

Q8: Where will I be posted if selected?

A: In a branch within the State or Union Territory you choose at the time of application. First posting can be in rural or semi-urban areas.

Q9: Is this special drive open for General category candidates?

A: No. Only SC, ST and OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates can apply. The regular all-category SBI Clerk notification is expected separately.

Q10: Do I need to know the local language of the State I apply for?

A: Yes. You must either have studied the specified local language in Class 10 or 12 or clear the Local Language Proficiency Test conducted by the Bank.

Q11: What are the disadvantages of this SBI Clerk special drive?

A: Here’s the catch — you can apply for only one State/UT and inter-circle transfers are not allowed. First postings are often outside major cities, and the role remains clerical with limited initial growth compared with officer cadres.

Q12: How much do public sector bank clerks earn in India?

A: Starting in-hand salary for clerical cadre in major public sector banks typically ranges ₹35,000–₹45,000 per month in metro centres, depending on DA and HRA. SBI’s figure of around ₹46,000 gross is among the higher starting packages.

Q13: Is SBI Clerk better than IBPS Clerk?

A: SBI Clerk generally offers slightly higher starting emoluments and the prestige of working in India’s largest bank. IBPS Clerk gives access to multiple banks and sometimes more flexible posting options. Choice depends on vacancy location and personal preference.

Final Checklist – Is This the Right Job for You?

• You belong to SC, ST or OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) category.
• You meet the age and educational criteria as on the respective cut-off dates.
• You are comfortable serving in only one chosen State/UT with no inter-circle transfer.
• You can arrange all required documents and certificates before document verification.
• You are prepared for the Preliminary and Main online examinations plus the language test if needed.

📄 Source: Official notification released by State Bank of India on 07 August 2026. All details sourced from the SBI official notification PDF.