Verified against SBI Advt. No. CRPD/PO/2026-27/09
SBI PO 2026-27 Examination Anatomy & Key Highlights
The SBI PO 2026-27 recruitment is conducted by the State Bank of India for 1,500 Probationary Officer vacancies. Selection is a three-phase process: Phase-I Preliminary Examination (objective, qualifying only), Phase-II Main Examination (objective + descriptive) and Phase-III (Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview). The Main Examination of September 2026 is currently in progress and its call letters are being issued by SBI.
Conducting Body
State Bank of India (SBI)
Exam Frequency
Annual Recruitment Cycle (2026-27)
Total Questions & Marks
Prelims: 100 Qs • Mains: 170 Qs + 3 Descriptive
Exam Duration
Prelims: 1 Hour • Mains: 3 Hours + 30 min Descriptive
Marking Scheme
+1 Mark (Prelims) • Sectional Marks (Mains) • -1/4th penalty
Cutoff / Standards
No sectional cutoff in Prelims • Sectional + Descriptive qualifying in Mains
Score Validity
For CRPD/PO/2026-27/09 Cycle
Attempt Limit
UR/EWS: 6 • OBC: 9 • SC/ST: No Restriction (Main attempt counts)
Minimum Educational Qualifications & Eligibility Norms
SBI PO 2026-27 Official Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility for SBI PO 2026-27 is specific to the Probationary Officer post (Advertisement CRPD/PO/2026-27/09) and is not the same as Clerk, IBPS or RBI norms:
Educational Qualification
Essential Academic Qualification (as on 30.09.2026)
- Graduation in any discipline from a University recognised by the Government of India or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.
- Candidates in the final year / final semester of graduation may apply provisionally, but must produce proof of passing graduation on or before 30.09.2026 if called for document verification / interview.
- The date of passing is the date shown on the mark sheet or provisional certificate issued by the University / Institute.
Age Limit (As on 01.04.2026)
Age Criteria for Probationary Officer
- Not below 21 years and not above 30 years as on 01.04.2026 (born not later than 01.04.2005 and not earlier than 02.04.1996).
- SC / ST: upper age relaxation of 5 years.
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): upper age relaxation of 3 years.
- PwBD: 10 years (UR / EWS), 13 years (OBC) and 15 years (SC / ST); Ex-Servicemen: 5 years (as per the advertisement).
Number of Chances
Maximum Permissible Chances (SBI PO)
- UR / EWS: 6 chances.
- UR (PwBD) / EWS (PwBD) / OBC / OBC (PwBD): 9 chances.
- SC / ST (including PwBD): No restriction.
- Appearing in the Main Examination counts as a chance; appearing in the Preliminary Examination does not.
Important: Application fee (non-refundable): Rs. 750 for UR / EWS / OBC and NIL for SC / ST / PwBD. Candidates with an adverse CIBIL / credit history must regularise all outstanding dues on or before the date of joining the Bank.
Official Exam Structure & Marking Scheme
SBI PO Paper Structure & Marks Distribution
Section-by-section breakdown of total questions, maximum marks, and time duration verified against the official SBI PO scheme.
Preliminary Examination
| Subject / Section |
Questions |
Marks |
Duration |
| English Language |
30 MCQs |
30 Marks |
20 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude |
35 MCQs |
35 Marks |
20 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability |
35 MCQs |
35 Marks |
20 Minutes |
| Total (Preliminary Examination) |
100 Questions |
100 Marks |
60 Minutes |
Main Examination
| Subject / Section |
Questions |
Marks |
Duration |
| Reasoning and Computer Aptitude |
40 MCQs |
60 Marks |
50 Minutes |
| Data Analysis and Interpretation |
30 MCQs |
60 Marks |
45 Minutes |
| General / Economy / Banking Awareness |
60 MCQs |
60 Marks |
45 Minutes |
| English Language |
40 MCQs |
20 Marks |
40 Minutes |
| Total (Main Examination) |
170 Questions |
200 Marks |
180 Minutes |
Step-by-Step Preparation Roadmap
SBI PO 2026-27 Step-by-Step Preparation Roadmap
SBI PO Prelims now carries 40 English, 30 Quantitative Aptitude and 30 Reasoning questions (20 minutes each). The Mains has four sectional objective tests plus a typed Descriptive (Communication Skills) paper. Prepare section-wise:
1
Speed Maths + Data Interpretation (Mains D.I.)
For the 30 Quantitative Aptitude questions in Prelims and the 30 Data Analysis & Interpretation questions in Mains (60 marks, 45 minutes), master tables, bar/line/pie charts and caselets along with simplification, quadratic equations and arithmetic.
2
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
Mains Reasoning & Computer Aptitude is 40 questions for 60 marks in 50 minutes. Solve puzzles, seating arrangements and logical reasoning daily and revise computer-awareness basics.
3
English: 40 Questions (Prelims and Mains)
English is 40 questions in Prelims and 40 questions (20 marks) in Mains. Build speed on reading comprehension, cloze tests, error spotting and para jumbles through daily editorial reading.
4
Descriptive Communication Skills (30 marks)
Do not skip the typed Descriptive paper: 3 questions for 30 marks in 30 minutes covering email, situation analysis and report/precis writing. Practise typing structured, error-free answers under time pressure.
5
Full-Length Mocks + Phase-III Awareness
Attempt full-length timed mocks on TargetExams with sectional timers and analyse weak areas. Know the full process: Prelims (qualifying only) to Mains, then Phase-III Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview (normalised to 75 + 25 out of 100).
