SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026: 1,538 Backlog Vacancies, Apply Online
SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026: Apply for 1,538 SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies. Check state-wise vacancies, eligibility, age limit, salary, exam pattern, fee, dates and apply link.
State Bank of India (SBI) has released a special recruitment drive for Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) posts in the clerical cadre. The recruitment is specifically for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies across various States and Union Territories.
According to the official notification, a total of 1,538 vacancies are available. Eligible Indian citizens can apply online from August 7 to August 27, 2026.
Candidates can apply for vacancies in one State/UT only and must have proficiency in the specified local language of the State/UT they choose.
SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026 – Highlights
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | State Bank of India |
| Post | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) |
| Cadre | Clerical |
| Recruitment Type | Special Recruitment Drive – Backlog Vacancies |
| Advertisement No. | CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 |
| Total Vacancies | 1,538 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Application Start Date | August 7, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | August 27, 2026 |
| Preliminary Exam | September 2026 (tentative) |
| Main Exam | October/November 2026 (tentative) |
| Job Location | State/UT opted by candidate |
SBI Junior Associate Vacancy 2026
SBI has announced 1,538 backlog vacancies for SC/ST/OBC candidates.
Some of the larger vacancy numbers include:
| State/UT | Circle | Local Language | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gujarat | Gandhinagar | Gujarati | 289 |
| Maharashtra | Maharashtra/Mumbai Metro | Marathi | 165 |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal | Hindi | 134 |
| Jharkhand | Patna | Hindi/Santhali | 133 |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru | Kannada | 120 |
| Odisha | Bhubaneswar | Odia | 111 |
| Rajasthan | Jaipur | Hindi | 106 |
| Andhra Pradesh | Amaravati | Telugu/Urdu | 88 |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai | Tamil | 65 |
| West Bengal | Kolkata | Bengali/Nepali | 55 |
| Telangana | Hyderabad | Telugu/Urdu | 32 |
| Uttar Pradesh | Lucknow | Hindi/Urdu | 31 |
The complete vacancy table in the notification covers 1,538 posts: 207 SC, 1,219 ST and 112 OBC vacancies.
Karnataka Vacancy
For candidates from Karnataka, the notification lists:
Bengaluru Circle – Karnataka: 120 vacancies
- SC: 85
- ST: 35
- OBC: Nil
- Local language: Kannada
Candidates applying for Karnataka vacancies should therefore satisfy the specified Kannada language requirement.
Who Can Apply?
The recruitment is open to eligible Indian citizens belonging to the categories against which vacancies are available.
Age Limit
Candidates must be 20 to 28 years old as on April 1, 2026.
They should have been born:
Not earlier than April 2, 1998, and not later than April 1, 2006.
Age relaxation is applicable to eligible categories, including:
| Category | Upper Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC | 3 years |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| PwBD – OBC | 13 years |
| PwBD – SC/ST | 15 years |
| Eligible Ex-Servicemen | As per notification |
| Eligible widows/divorced women | 7 years |
The notification also provides specific relaxation provisions for trained SBI apprentices.
Educational Qualification
Candidates should have a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.
Candidates in the final year/semester of graduation can also apply provisionally. However, if selected, they must produce proof of passing their graduation examination on or before December 31, 2026.
Eligible ex-servicemen with the specified Indian Army/Navy/Air Force certificates may also apply subject to the conditions mentioned in the notification.
Local Language Requirement
This is one of the most important conditions in the SBI Junior Associate recruitment.
Candidates can apply for only one State/UT and must be proficient in the specified local language of that State/UT.
For example:
| State | Local Language |
|---|---|
| Karnataka | Kannada |
| Tamil Nadu | Tamil |
| Maharashtra | Marathi |
| Gujarat | Gujarati |
| Odisha | Odia |
| Rajasthan | Hindi |
| West Bengal | Bengali/Nepali |
| Telangana | Telugu/Urdu |
| Andhra Pradesh | Telugu/Urdu |
A Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) will be conducted for candidates who have not studied the specified language in Class 10 or 12.
Candidates who have studied the required language in Class 10/12 and can provide the relevant marksheet/certificate will not have to take the language test.
Selection Process
The SBI Junior Associate selection process has three phases:
Phase I – Preliminary Examination
The preliminary examination will consist of:
| Test | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 hour |
Candidates will be shortlisted for the Main Examination based on their aggregate preliminary examination score. SBI states that approximately 10 times the number of vacancies, subject to availability, may be shortlisted.
Phase II – Main Examination
| Test | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 minutes |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 2 hr 40 min |
There is a negative marking of one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question for each wrong answer in the objective tests.
Importantly, Preliminary Examination marks are not added to the final merit list. The final merit is based on the aggregate marks obtained in the Main Examination, subject to the applicable local language requirement.
Phase III – Local Language Proficiency Test
Candidates who have not studied the specified local language in Class 10 or 12 will have to qualify in the LLPT before joining.
Failure to qualify the language test will result in the candidate not being offered appointment.
SBI Junior Associate Salary
The pay scale for Junior Associates is:
₹24,050 – ₹64,480
The starting basic pay is ₹26,730, which includes two advance increments available to graduates.
SBI states that the total starting emoluments of a clerical employee posted in a metropolitan centre such as Mumbai would be around ₹46,000 per month, including applicable DA, allowances and the two additional increments for newly recruited graduate Junior Associates.
Other benefits include:
- Provident Fund
- Pension under the New Pension Scheme
- Medical benefits
- Leave Fare
- Other applicable facilities and allowances
The actual allowances vary according to the place of posting.
Probation Period
Selected Junior Associates will be placed on probation for a minimum period of six months.
During probation, newly recruited employees must complete the e-lessons prescribed by SBI. The probation period can be extended if the required learning activities or performance standards are not completed.
Application Fee
The application fee/intimation charges are:
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/PwBD/XS/DXS | Nil |
| OBC | ₹750 |
The fee is non-refundable.
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Begins | August 7, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | August 27, 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | August 27, 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | September 2026 – Tentative |
| Main Examination | October/November 2026 – Tentative |
How to Apply for SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026
Candidates must apply online only.
- Visit the SBI Careers website.
- Open Current Openings.
- Find Special Recruitment Drive for Junior Associates 2026.
- Read the detailed advertisement.
- Select the eligible State/UT.
- Complete the online application.
- Upload the photograph, signature, left thumb impression and handwritten declaration.
- Verify all details carefully.
- Pay the applicable fee online.
- Submit the application.
- Download and save the completed application form and e-receipt.
SBI states that only one application should be submitted. If multiple applications are submitted, only the last valid completed application will be retained and fees paid for other registrations will be forfeited.
Official Notification
Download SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF
Official SBI Careers Page
Important Points Before Applying
Candidates should remember:
- Only one State/UT can be selected.
- Only eligible SC/ST/OBC backlog candidates should apply.
- The specified local language requirement is important.
- There is no inter-State/inter-Circle transfer for Junior Associates recruited through this drive, subject to the limited intra-State transfer provisions mentioned by SBI.
- The preliminary examination is only for shortlisting.
- Main Examination marks determine the merit list.
- Candidates should retain their registered email ID and mobile number throughout the recruitment process.
- Candidates must carefully check their eligibility before submitting the application.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vacancies are available in SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026?
SBI has announced 1,538 backlog vacancies for Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) posts.
What is the last date to apply for SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026?
The last date to apply online and pay the applicable fee is August 27, 2026.
What is the age limit for SBI Junior Associate Recruitment?
The age limit is 20 to 28 years as on April 1, 2026, subject to applicable relaxation.
What is the educational qualification?
Candidates need a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification.
Can final-year students apply?
Yes. Final-year/final-semester graduation students can apply provisionally, provided they can produce proof of passing graduation by December 31, 2026, if selected.
Can candidates apply for multiple States?
No. A candidate can apply for vacancies in one State/UT only.
Is there a language test?
Yes, candidates who have not studied the specified local language in Class 10 or 12 must qualify in the Local Language Proficiency Test before joining.
What is the SBI Junior Associate starting salary?
The starting basic pay is ₹26,730, while SBI states that starting emoluments in a metropolitan centre such as Mumbai are around ₹46,000 per month, including applicable allowances.
