Overview
SBI Clerk recruits Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) for branches across State Bank of India, India's largest public sector bank. Like SBI PO, this is conducted independently of the IBPS process. Selection runs through a two-tier written exam — Prelims (qualifying) and Mains (merit-deciding) — followed by a mandatory Local Language Test for candidates who haven't studied the relevant regional language at the school level. There's no separate Interview stage, making Mains performance the single most important factor in selection.
What's New in the 2026 Cycle
What changed in the 2026 cycle
- No Interview stage — final selection is based entirely on the Mains written exam score.
- Local Language Test is compulsory unless the candidate has studied that language up to the 10th standard — this trips up many otherwise well-prepared candidates.
- Mains includes a General/Financial Awareness section with a strong current-affairs and static-banking-GK component.
- Sectional timing applies in Prelims (20 minutes per section) as with other major bank exams.
Eligibility Criteria
| Criterion | Details |
|---|---|
| Age Limit | 20–28 years (relaxation per government norms for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/ex-servicemen) |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university |
| Nationality | Indian citizen |
| Application Fee | ₹750 (General/OBC/EWS). SC/ST/PwBD candidates are exempted. |
SBI Clerk Exam Pattern
The SBI Clerk selection process runs through prelims + mains + local language test. Each stage has its own timing, marking scheme and qualifying rules, detailed below.
Preliminary Examination
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 |
Main Examination
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| General English | 40 | 40 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 |
SBI Clerk Detailed Subject-Wise Syllabus
Below is the complete topic-wise SBI Clerk syllabus for every subject tested across all stages, with a short note on what each section actually rewards — use this to build a section-wise study plan rather than relying on generic topic summaries.
English Language
Comparable to IBPS Clerk difficulty — steady grammar and comprehension practice covers most of the section.
- Reading comprehension
- Cloze test
- Error spotting
- Fill in the blanks
- Vocabulary
- Sentence rearrangement
Numerical Ability / Quantitative Aptitude
Speed-focused, foundational-level questions — timed practice is more valuable than advanced topic study.
- Simplification
- Number series
- Data interpretation
- Arithmetic — percentage, ratio, average, profit & loss
- Time, speed & distance, time & work
- Mensuration
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude
Puzzle-based, similar to other Clerk-level exams — consistent practice closes most gaps.
- Puzzles & seating arrangement
- Syllogism & inequality
- Coding-decoding
- Blood relations & direction sense
- Computer basics — hardware, software, MS Office, internet
General/Financial Awareness
The single largest-weightage Mains section (50 questions) — daily current-affairs habits compound significantly here.
- Current affairs — national & international
- Banking terms & history
- RBI functions
- Government schemes
- Static awareness
Selection Process
- Preliminary Examination — qualifying stage.
- Main Examination — sole basis for final merit (no Interview).
- Local Language Test — for candidates who haven't studied the applicable regional language up to Class 10.
- Document Verification and final allotment based on merit and preference.
Salary & Job Profile
SBI Clerk starting basic pay is around ₹19,900 per the applicable pay scale, with an in-hand salary typically in the ₹30,000–₹34,000 per month range depending on posting location and allowances, plus periodic increments as per SBI's pay structure.
Best Books for SBI Clerk Preparation
- Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Examinations — R.S. Aggarwal
- A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning — R.S. Aggarwal
- Objective General English — S.P. Bakshi (Arihant)
- Banking Awareness — Arihant Publications
Previous Cut-off Trends
Approximate — always verify officially
SBI Clerk cut-offs vary by state/circle given region-wise vacancy allocation, and shift year to year with paper difficulty and applicant volume. Always check the state-wise official cut-off list rather than a single national figure.
Preparation Tips
- Verify your Local Language Test exemption status early, since document issues here can derail an otherwise successful selection.
- Since Mains alone decides selection, prioritise full-length timed mocks over topic-wise practice in the final month.
- General/Financial Awareness carries the most marks in Mains — build a consistent daily current-affairs habit rather than cramming.
- Revisit weak sections identified in Prelims mocks specifically, since Mains tests the same subjects at a higher difficulty.
Exam Day Guidelines
- Carry the Call Letter, a valid original photo ID, and a passport-size photograph.
- Confirm whether you're exempt from the Local Language Test (based on Class 10 language study) well before applying.
- Reach the venue at least an hour before reporting time.
- No electronic devices are allowed inside the exam hall.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, selection is based entirely on the Prelims (qualifying) and Mains (merit-deciding) written stages, with no separate Interview round.
Candidates who have not studied the applicable state/regional language up to the 10th standard must clear a Local Language Test after Mains; those who have studied it are exempted.
No, Prelims is purely qualifying; the Main Examination score alone decides the final merit list.
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer in both Prelims and Mains.
Related Exams
Back to Syllabus Hub — browse all government exam syllabus pagesSyllabus content on this page is compiled and reviewed against the official State Bank of India notification as of 25 May 2026. Exam patterns, vacancies, salary figures and cut-offs are subject to change — always cross-check with the official notification at sbi.co.in before applying.