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SBI PO Prelims 2026 Exam Date, Eligibility, Syllabus and Salary

The SBI PO 2026 notification is expected to be released on the SBI official website sometime in May or June 2026. The State Bank of India is expected to hold its preliminary exam on the 1st and 2nd of August 2026. Due to the anticipated 500 to 900 vacancies for the Probationary Officer post, this exam is among the most competitive in the banking sector. Therefore, candidates for this exam are expected to start their preparations immediately.

By : Abhishek 2026-05-22 16:26:16

SBI PO Prelims 2026: India’s Most Anticipated Banking Exam Returns

The State Bank of India (SBI) is recruiting for its flagship Probationary Officer (PO) position for the second time with the SBI PO 2026 notifications. Having attracted over 6.5 lakh applicants last year, the SBI PO exam is, without question, India’s most prestigious and fiercely contested banking recruitment exam. SBI is expected to publish the 2026 notifications between May and June 2026 on the SBI Careers page at the SBI Official Website. If we look at the recent recruitment trends, the SBI PO Prelims 2026 is likely to be conducted on August 1 and 2, 2026, with the Mains scheduled for September 12, 2026. The recruitment process is one of the most comprehensive among public sector banks, as written tests are followed by a Psychometric Test, a Group Exercise, and a Personal Interview. The next leg of the recruitment process is the opportunity for the millions of hopefuls in the country.

 

Eligibility for SBI PO 2026

Check whether you qualify for the requirements published by SBI in the official notification. Education requirements stipulate that the applicant would have completed an undergraduate degree from a recognised university, or have an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government. Final year undergraduate students would qualify, provided they have proof of degree completion before the interview. Final-semester students are also eligible to apply. Candidates who have completed the CA qualification and IDD are also eligible to apply. Candidates in the 21 to 30-year age range, as mentioned in the official notification, will also qualify.

For the 2026 cycle, candidates born between April 2, 1996, and April 1, 2005, qualify. Age relaxations are as per the guidelines of the Government of India: candidates from SC and ST categories are provided 5 years of age relaxation, those from OBC categories 3 years, and those persons with benchmark disabilities (10 to 15 years) relaxation. Indian Citizenship is mandated. For General Candidates, domicile restrictions are not applicable.

 

SBI PO Prelims 2026 Exam Pattern: General Overview

The SBI PO Prelims Exam is an online, objective-type exam with 100 questions. The exam lasts 60 minutes and is divided into 3 sections, with a maximum score of 100. The sections are English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability, each with a different time limit. In recent cycles, the major change was the absence of sectional cutoffs in the Prelims.

Candidates are chosen based on the total combined score across all 3 sections. For the Mains, around 10 times the number of openings in each candidate category is considered. There is a 0.25 penalty for each incorrect answer. The Prelims are the first screening round, and the scores are not used for the final merit list. The Mains exam has 170 questions for a total of 250 marks and an objective-type Descriptive Paper. The Mains exam is combined with the Interview for the final selection.

 

SBI PO 2026: Salary and Career Advancement Opportunities.

The approximate number of SBI PO 2026 vacancies will be 900, with a minimum of 500. All categories and all circles will be represented, i.e., General, OBC, SC, ST, EWS. The number of vacancies is important to candidates, as it affects cutoff scores. Junior Management Grade Scale I officer positions are secured by selected Probationary Officers and have a base salary of Rs 48,480. After joining, POs can expect an in-hand salary of approximately Rs 80,000 to Rs 85,000. This can change post location, as factors such as Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, and other benefits are considered.

SBI offers a well-structured career path for their employees. POs have opportunities to become Managers, Senior Managers, and Chief Managers, and to progress through the Deputy General Manager, Assistant General Manager, and Chief General Manager positions. During the two-year probation period, POs will receive extensive training and knowledge in banking, credit, and operations.

 

SBI PO Prelims 2026 Preparation Strategy.

The most significant advantage an aspirant to the SBI PO can gain is starting to study before the official notification. In the SBI PO Prelims, the English Language section may include Reading Comprehension or Error Spotting questions. Quantitative Aptitude can cover Simplification and Data Interpretation. Reasoning can cover Seating Arrangement.

Many trainers advise solving the previous year’s papers in the first stage of your preparation to familiarise yourself with the style of the questions and difficulty. Establishing a daily reading habit can improve English comprehension and General Awareness. Both are vital at the Mains level. Regular mock tests under time constraints are mandatory for scoring well in 60 minutes. Keep checking the official SBI portal on Tuesdays and Fridays for new updates.

 

Important Dates to Keep in mind :

Expected Date for SBI PO 2026 Notification (Announcement): May - June 2026

Expected Date for SBI PO 2026 Application Opening: June 2026

Expected Dates for SBI PO  Prelims 2026: August 1st and 2nd, 2026

Expected Date for SBI PO Mains 2026: September 12, 2026

Expected Dates for Group Exercise and Interview: October - November 2026

Expected Date for Final Result: January 2027

Expected Number of Vacancies: 500 - 900

Starting Basic Salary: ₹ 48,480

 

FAQ

Q1. When is the SBI PO 2026 notification expected to be released?

The SBI PO 2026 notification should be available in May or June 2026 and can be found on the SBI careers portal at sbi.co.in. Candidates should check the site regularly, preferably on Tuesday or Friday, to find the most up-to-date information.

Q2. What are the eligibility requirements for SBI PO Prelims 2026?

Candidates are required to have a bachelor's degree from a recognised institution in any field. Age requirements are 21 to 30 years by the notification's cutoff date. Those from SC, ST, OBC, and PwBD are subject to the Government of India norms.

Q3. What is the SBI PO 2026 Exam Pattern?

SBI PO Prelims 2026 is a 60-minute exam worth 100 marks. The three subjects are English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. There are no sectional cutoffs, and a wrong answer results in a 0.25 mark deduction.

Q4. How many vacancies will there be for SBI PO 2026?

The number of vacancies for SBI PO 2026 is expected to be around 500-900, based on previous-year trends for each category and circle. This number will be confirmed once the official notification is released.

Q5. What will be the salary of an SBI PO?

A new SBI Probationary Officer will have a starting monthly salary of Rs 48,480 of which the new SBI PO will take home Rs 80,000 to Rs 85,000 based on their location and other allowances given to employees.

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