The SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 has created a major opportunity for graduates seeking a clerical job in the State Bank of India. The 10,662 figure currently being reported is made up of two separate recruitment drives: 9,124 Junior Associate posts under the regular recruitment notification and 1,538 posts under a special drive for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies. SBI has published both advertisements on its official careers portal.
For the regular 9,124-post recruitment, online applications are open from 11 August to 31 August 2026. The separate 1,538-post special drive opened on 7 August 2026 and closes on 27 August 2026. Candidates therefore need to read the correct notification carefully before applying.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 Overview
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | State Bank of India |
| Post | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) |
| Total Figure Being Reported | 10,662 |
| Regular Recruitment | 9,124 Posts |
| Special Backlog Drive | 1,538 Posts |
| Regular Application Dates | 11 August to 31 August 2026 |
| Official Website | sbi.bank.in |
SBI Clerk Vacancy 2026: How 10,662 Posts Are Divided
The total figure comes from two separate SBI recruitment advertisements.
| Recruitment Drive | Vacancies | Eligible Categories | Application Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular Junior Associate Recruitment | 9,124 | As per regular notification | 11–31 August 2026 |
| Special Recruitment Drive | 1,538 | SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies | 7–27 August 2026 |
| Combined Figure | 10,662 | — | — |
SBI’s official careers page confirms that these are separate advertisements with different application windows.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
The Junior Associate post is meant for candidates with a graduation qualification. Candidates should carefully check the detailed advertisement applicable to their chosen recruitment drive before submitting the application.
Age Limit
The information provided for this recruitment places the general age bracket at 20 to 28 years, with applicable relaxation for reserved categories. Candidates should rely on the relevant official advertisement for the exact cut-off date and relaxation provisions.
Important Dates
Regular Recruitment
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start | 11 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 August 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | September 2026, as per provided recruitment details |
| Main Examination | November 2026, as per provided recruitment details |
Special Backlog Drive
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Start | 7 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 27 August 2026 |
The two application windows are separately displayed on SBI’s official careers portal.
SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026
The selection process includes three major stages:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Test of Specified Opted Local Language
The local-language requirement is an important part of SBI Junior Associate recruitment. In SBI’s Junior Associate recruitment, candidates apply for vacancies in a particular State/UT and must be proficient in the specified local language. Candidates who can provide qualifying school certificates showing that they studied the specified language may be exempt from the language test, subject to the notification’s conditions.
SBI Clerk Preliminary Exam
As stated in the provided recruitment details, the Preliminary Examination is expected in September 2026 and consists of 100 questions for 100 marks.
Candidates should use this stage mainly to build speed and accuracy because the Main Examination carries greater weight in the overall selection process.
SBI Clerk Main Exam
The Main Examination is scheduled for November 2026 according to the information provided. The paper is more comprehensive than the Preliminary Examination and requires stronger preparation across the prescribed subjects.
Candidates should therefore avoid preparing only for Prelims. A combined preparation strategy for both stages is more effective.
Local Language Test
After qualifying in the written examinations, candidates have to meet the prescribed local-language requirement for the State/UT for which they applied.
The language test checks whether the candidate can understand the specified local language. SBI’s published Junior Associate rules state that candidates who are unable to qualify the required language test are not offered appointment.
Important Note for J&K Candidates
Candidates from Jammu & Kashmir should pay particular attention to the State/UT and local-language requirement before selecting their preferred recruitment location. The exact language specified for a particular vacancy must be checked in the applicable SBI notification rather than assumed.
How to Prepare for SBI Clerk 2026
Candidates should focus on four areas:
- Build strong fundamentals in Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning and English.
- Practise timed mock tests regularly.
- Analyse mistakes instead of only counting scores.
- Start preparing for the Main Examination from the beginning.
A candidate who waits until after Prelims to begin Main-level preparation may find the transition difficult.
Important Instructions
- Read the correct SBI notification before applying.
- Do not confuse the 9,124-post regular recruitment with the separate 1,538-post special drive.
- Check the State/UT choice carefully.
- Confirm the specified local language before submitting the form.
- Keep scanned documents ready.
- Apply only through SBI’s official career portal.
Important Links
| Description | Official Information |
|---|---|
| SBI Current Openings | SBI Careers |
| Regular Junior Associate Recruitment | Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17 |
| Special Backlog Drive | Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 |
| Regular Application Dates | 11–31 August 2026 |
| Special Drive Dates | 7–27 August 2026 |
SBI currently lists both Junior Associate recruitment advertisements on its official Current Openings page.
Conclusion
The SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 is a major opportunity for graduates, with 10,662 posts being discussed across two separate Junior Associate recruitment drives. The regular drive covers 9,124 posts, while the special recruitment drive covers 1,538 SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies.
Candidates should not treat the two notifications as a single application. Check the relevant SBI advertisement, verify the State/UT and local-language requirements, and submit the application within the applicable deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How many SBI Clerk vacancies are there in 2026?
The current recruitment information gives a combined figure of 10,662 Junior Associate vacancies across two separate SBI drives: 9,124 in the regular recruitment and 1,538 in the special backlog drive.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for SBI Clerk 2026?
For the regular 9,124-post Junior Associate recruitment, the last date is 31 August 2026. The separate 1,538-post special drive closes on 27 August 2026.
Q3. What is the educational qualification for SBI Junior Associate?
Graduation is the basic educational qualification stated in the recruitment information provided for SBI Junior Associate 2026.
Q4. Is there a local language test in SBI Clerk recruitment?
Yes. SBI’s Junior Associate recruitment includes a test of the specified opted local language for candidates who do not qualify for exemption through the prescribed school certificate evidence.
Q5. Can I apply for any State in SBI Clerk recruitment?
Candidates must follow the State/UT and recruitment-choice conditions stated in the applicable SBI notification. The local-language requirement should be checked before selecting a State/UT.