SBI Clerk 2026 Notification: Vacancies, Eligibility and Dates
SBI Clerk 2026 notification is out with 9,766 posts. Check vacancies, eligibility, application dates (11 to 31 Aug 2026), exam pattern and the confirmed Prelims dates (27 Sep and 3 Oct 2026).
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The SBI Clerk 2026 notification is out. State Bank of India has released the regular Junior Associate (Clerk) notification on 11 August 2026 for 9,766 posts as per the notification (7,680 regular plus 2,086 backlog). The online application window is 11 to 31 August 2026. To apply you must be a graduate in any discipline and be aged 20 to 28 years as on 1 April 2026, with relaxations for reserved categories. Prelims are confirmed for 27 September and 3 October 2026, with 16 September 2026 for backlog vacancies, and Mains is expected around 26 November 2026, the date the main exam trackers now carry, since the advertisement itself commits only to November 2026. This page answers the exact questions aspirants are searching, with a pattern table, a key-dates table and a quick prep plan.
Note: some trackers cite 9,124 posts. Treat 9,766 as the figure stated in the notification and always confirm your own state-wise vacancy count on sbi.co.in/web/careers before you apply.
As of September 2026 the front half of this cycle is fixed and the back half is not. Applications closed on 31 August 2026, the backlog drive writes its Prelims first on 16 September 2026, the regular Prelims follows on 27 September and 3 October 2026, and only the Mains date is still soft. Download the call letter the day it appears, because you do not choose between the 2 regular Prelims dates; SBI allots them.
How many vacancies are in the SBI Clerk 2026 notification?
There are two live 2026 drives, so read the numbers carefully.
- Regular notification (released 11 Aug 2026): 9,766 posts as per the notification, made up of 7,680 regular and 2,086 backlog posts. Application window 11 to 31 August 2026.
- Backlog drive (SC/ST/OBC): a separate 1,538 posts, split as SC 207, ST 1,219 and OBC 112. Application window 7 to 27 August 2026.
The vacancy count is distributed state and circle wise, and the count for your preferred state is what actually matters for your cut-off. Always cross-check the state-wise breakup and category split in the official PDF on the SBI careers portal, because circle-level numbers decide competition far more than the national total.
Who is eligible for SBI Clerk 2026?
Eligibility for the SBI Clerk 2026 notification has three simple pillars: age, education and local language.
- Age: 20 to 28 years as on 1 April 2026. SC and ST candidates get 5 years relaxation and OBC candidates get 3 years, as per government norms.
- Education: a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university. There is no minimum percentage requirement. Final-year students can apply provisionally if they can produce their degree proof by the specified date.
- Local language: you must be proficient (read, write and speak) in the official language of the state or circle you apply for. If you studied that language in Class 10 or Class 12, you are exempt from the separate language test.
Not sure which banking exam fits your profile? Compare options on the Quiz4Exam exams page before you lock your application.
What is the SBI Clerk 2026 exam pattern?
Selection runs in stages: Prelims, then Mains, then a Local Language Test, and finally the merit list. Prelims is only qualifying; your Mains score decides the merit. Both phases carry 0.25 negative marking per wrong answer, so a high strike rate beats a high attempt count.
| Phase | Sections | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prelims (qualifying) | English 35, Numerical Ability 35, Reasoning Ability 35 | 100 | 100 | 60 min |
| Mains (decides merit) | General & Financial Awareness 50, General English 40, Quantitative Aptitude 50, Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude 50 | 190 | 200 | 160 min |
In Prelims the three sections split 35, 35 and 35 questions across 100 marks. In Mains the Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude section carries 60 marks even though it has 50 questions, which is why it is the biggest single lever on your final score. For the full topic-by-topic list, see our SBI Clerk syllabus 2026 section-wise breakdown.
What are the SBI Clerk 2026 important dates?
Keep these dates handy. Application and Prelims dates are confirmed in the notification; the Mains date is still expected and to be confirmed by SBI.
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Regular notification released | 11 Aug 2026 |
| Regular application window | 11 to 31 Aug 2026 |
| Backlog (SC/ST/OBC) application window | 7 to 27 Aug 2026 |
| Prelims exam (confirmed) | 27 Sep and 3 Oct 2026 (16 Sep backlog) |
| Mains exam (expected) | 26 Nov 2026, some trackers still list 23 Nov |
Application fee: Rs 750 for General, OBC and EWS candidates. It is free for SC, ST and PwBD candidates. Apply only through the official portal at sbi.co.in/web/careers and keep a printout of your confirmation.
How should you start preparing right now?
With Prelims expected in late September, you have roughly six weeks from the notification date. That is enough for a focused, mock-led push if you use it well.
- Lock the basics (week 1 to 2): revise arithmetic (percentages, ratios, averages, DI), the core reasoning sets (puzzles, seating, syllogism, inequalities) and English grammar and reading comprehension.
- Speed with accuracy (week 3 to 4): practise in timed sets and hold accuracy above 85 percent. Respect the 0.25 negative marking and skip a question the moment it crosses your time budget.
- Full mocks (week 5 to 6): take full-length Prelims mocks under real conditions, then spend more time analysing each paper than taking it. Fix repeat leaks before the next attempt.
Practise on an exam-accurate interface with Quiz4Exam SBI Clerk test series, available in English, Hindi and Marathi with all-India rank and detailed solutions. For a longer plan, read our full SBI Clerk 2026 preparation strategy guide.
Related reading
- SBI Clerk 2026 preparation strategy guide
- SBI Clerk syllabus 2026: section-wise breakdown
- SBI Clerk salary and job profile 2026
References and Official Sources
Always confirm the latest dates, vacancies and pattern on the official website before applying.
How many vacancies are in SBI Clerk 2026?
The regular SBI Clerk 2026 notification released on 11 August 2026 lists 9,766 posts (7,680 regular plus 2,086 backlog). A separate backlog drive covers 1,538 SC, ST and OBC posts. Some trackers cite 9,124, so confirm your state-wise count on sbi.co.in/web/careers.
What is the last date to apply for SBI Clerk 2026?
For the regular notification the online application window is 11 to 31 August 2026, so the last date is 31 August 2026. The separate SC/ST/OBC backlog drive closes earlier, on 27 August 2026.
What is the eligibility for SBI Clerk 2026?
You need a bachelor's degree in any discipline with no minimum percentage, and age 20 to 28 years as on 1 April 2026 (SC/ST plus 5 years, OBC plus 3 years). Local language proficiency is required, with an exemption if you studied that language in Class 10 or 12. Final-year students can apply provisionally.
What is the SBI Clerk 2026 exam pattern?
Prelims has 100 questions for 100 marks in 60 minutes (English, Numerical Ability and Reasoning Ability, 35 each) and is only qualifying. Mains has 190 questions for 200 marks in 160 minutes across General and Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude. Both carry 0.25 negative marking.
When is the SBI Clerk 2026 exam date?
SBI Clerk 2026 Prelims is confirmed for 27 September and 3 October 2026, with 16 September 2026 for the backlog drive, and Mains is expected around 26 November 2026. The Mains date is still tentative and will be confirmed by SBI, so track the official admit card schedule on sbi.co.in/web/careers.
