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SBI Clerk 2026: Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Study Plan

India · 4 subjects · 43 topics · Updated 2026-04-06

SBI Clerk (Junior Associates) is a banking sector examination conducted by the State Bank of India to recruit candidates for clerical cadre positions in various SBI branches across India. The selection process consists of two stages: Preliminary Examination (online objective test) and Main Examination (online objective test with descriptive paper in English). The Prelims covers Reasoning Ability, Numerical Ability, and English Language — all three sections are equally important for clearing the cut-off. The Mains includes Reasoning Ability, General/Economic Awareness, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language with a separate English Descriptive Test for letter and essay writing. Strong banking awareness is critical for the General Awareness section, which tests knowledge of SBI, banking terminology, government schemes, and current financial developments. It is one of the most popular entry-level banking exams with thousands of vacancies every year.

Live status

Verified 2026-04-24
Year
2026
Subjects
4
Topics
43

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📋 Exam Pattern

Preliminary Exam (100 marks, 1 hour): Reasoning (35 questions), Numerical Ability (35 questions), English Language (30 questions) — each section has separate timing. Main Exam (200 marks, 2 hours 40 min): Reasoning (50 questions), General/Economic Awareness (50 questions), Quantitative Aptitude (50 questions), English Language (40 questions) — plus English Descriptive Test (Letter and Essay, 50 marks). Negative marking of 0.25 in both Prelims and Mains. Both exams are conducted online. Candidates must clear each stage to proceed to the next.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must be Indian citizens aged between 20-28 years for general category (with relaxation for SC/ST/OBC). Educational qualification is a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university or equivalent. Proficiency in local language is preferred. Final year students are not eligible. Computer literacy is essential as the job involves extensive digital banking operations.

Subjects & Topics Covered — 43 topics across 4 subjects

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Frequently Asked Questions — SBI Clerk

Everything you need to know about SBI Clerk. Scroll down for the complete study guide.

What is SBI Clerk and what does it lead to?
SBI Clerk (Junior Associates) is a clerical-level recruitment exam conducted by the State Bank of India for appointment as a Clerk (Junior Associate) in SBI branches across India. It is one of the most sought-after banking exams in India due to SBI's reputation as the largest public sector bank. Selected candidates are appointed as Junior Associates and can grow to higher positions like Probationary Officer (through internal exams) over time. The exam is conducted annually by SBI through its official website.
What is the SBI Clerk exam pattern?
SBI Clerk exam has two stages: Preliminary (Phase 1) and Main (Phase 2). The Preliminary exam has 100 questions (English Language: 30, Numerical Ability: 35, Reasoning Ability: 35) to be completed in 1 hour. The Main exam has 190 questions (General/Financial Awareness: 50, General English: 40, Quantitative Aptitude: 50, Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude: 50) to be completed in 2 hours 40 minutes. There is no negative marking in the Preliminary exam; the Main exam has 0.25 marks deducted for wrong answers.
What is the salary and career progression for SBI Clerks?
SBI Clerks (Junior Associates) receive a starting basic pay of ₹19,900 (in ₹19,900–1,380–45,490–500–1,640–54,630–1,910–63,280) plus allowances (Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Transport Allowance, etc.), totaling approximately ₹29,000–₹35,000 per month in hand depending on the city. After 3 years of service, clerks can appear for the Internal Promotion Exam to become a Probationary Officer (PS Scale-I), and further promotions lead to Middle Management Scale (MMS) and Senior Management Scale positions.

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Exam Name SBI Clerk
Country 🇮🇳 India
Subjects Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, General Awareness
Total Topics 43
Official Source https://example.com
Last Updated 2026-04-06