State Bank of India (SBI) has released a massive recruitment notification for 9,124 Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) / Clerk posts across the country, and Maharashtra has emerged as one of the states with the highest number of vacancies. This is one of the biggest banking sector recruitment opportunities of 2026, and lakhs of graduates are expected to apply before the deadline. In this post, we cover the complete details of SBI Vacancy 2026 — vacancy breakup, eligibility, important dates, salary, selection process, and the official application link.
About SBI Clerk (Junior Associate) Recruitment 2026
The State Bank of India, through its Central Recruitment & Promotion Department at Corporate Centre, Mumbai, has invited online applications for the post of Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) in the clerical cadre. This recruitment is published under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17 and covers both regular and long-pending backlog vacancies across SBI branches nationwide.
SBI Vacancy 2026: Key Highlights
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Bank | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post Name | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) / Clerk |
| Advertisement Number | CRPD/CR/2026-27/17 |
| Total Vacancies | 9,124 Posts |
| Regular Vacancies | 7,680 |
| Backlog Vacancies | 1,444 |
| Circles/States Covered | 24 Circles/States/UTs |
| Notification Release Date | 11 August 2026 |
| Application Start Date | 11 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 August 2026 |
| Age Limit | 20 to 28 years (as on 1 April 2026) |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university |
| Application Fee | ₹750 (General/OBC/EWS); Nil for SC/ST/PwBD/XS/DXS |
| Selection Process | Preliminary Exam → Main Exam → Local Language Test |
| Prelims Exam (Tentative) | September 2026 |
| Mains Exam (Tentative) | November 2026 |
| Official Website | sbi.bank.in |
SBI Vacancy 2026: State-Wise Vacancy Highlights
The 9,124 vacancies are distributed across 24 Circles/States/UTs, with the vacancy count varying significantly by region. Some of the states with the highest vacancy numbers include:
| State/UT | Approx. Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Maharashtra | Highest among all states (well over 1,700 posts) |
| Tamil Nadu | Around 1,410 posts |
| Odisha | Around 1,100 posts |
| Other States/UTs | Remaining vacancies spread across 21 other Circles |
Note: Maharashtra candidates have a strong opportunity here since the state carries one of the largest vacancy shares in this recruitment cycle. Exact circle-wise and category-wise numbers are available in the official notification PDF.
Eligibility Criteria for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026
- Educational Qualification: Candidates must hold a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university, or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government, with the qualifying date on or before 31 December 2026. Final-year students may also apply provisionally.
- Age Limit: Candidates must be between 20 and 28 years of age as on 1 April 2026 (born between 2 April 1998 and 1 April 2006, both dates inclusive). Age relaxation ranges from 3 years (OBC) to 16 years (PwBD-SC/ST trained apprentices) as per official rules.
- Local Language Proficiency: Candidates applying for a particular State/UT must be proficient in the specified local language of that state, since this is verified through a Local Language Test after the Main Exam.
- Nationality: The candidate must be a citizen of India.
- State Selection: Candidates can apply for a vacancy in only one State/UT, and the merit list is prepared state-wise and category-wise.
SBI Clerk 2026: Selection Process
The selection process for SBI Junior Associate/Clerk Recruitment 2026 consists of three stages:
- Preliminary Examination – An online objective-type screening test used to shortlist candidates for the Main Exam, tentatively scheduled for September 2026.
- Main Examination – A more detailed online objective-type test covering General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, tentatively scheduled for November 2026. Marks from this stage determine the final merit list.
- Local Language Proficiency Test – Candidates who qualify the Main Exam and do not have proof of having studied the local language in school must clear a language proficiency test before final selection.
SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2026 (Overview)
| Stage | Subjects Covered | Nature |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Exam | English Language, Numerical Ability, Reasoning Ability | Objective, qualifying only |
| Main Exam | General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | Objective, counted in merit |
| Local Language Test | Reading, writing, and understanding of state-specific language | Qualifying only |
Note: Detailed marks distribution, sectional timing, and negative marking rules are available in the official SBI Clerk notification PDF.
How to Get a Government Job in India in 2026: Complete Beginner’s Guide
SBI Clerk Salary and Benefits 2026
Selected candidates for the Junior Associate (Clerk) post receive a competitive starting basic pay along with Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Special Allowance, and other standard banking sector benefits. In addition to the salary, SBI clerks are entitled to medical insurance, provident fund contributions, pension benefits (under the applicable scheme), leave fare concession, and clear promotional pathways to Officer cadre through internal exams, making it a financially stable and career-oriented government banking job.
How to Apply for SBI Vacancy 2026 Online
- Visit the official SBI careers portal at sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings.
- Locate and click on the link for “Recruitment of Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales).”
- Register with a valid email ID and mobile number to generate your registration ID and password.
- Fill in your personal, educational, and category details, and select your preferred State/UT for application.
- Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and required documents in the prescribed format.
- Pay the application fee online through Debit Card, Credit Card, Net Banking, or UPI (fee is waived for SC/ST/PwBD/XS/DXS candidates).
- Review your application carefully and submit it before the last date, 31 August 2026.
- Take a printout of the submitted application form and fee payment receipt for future reference.
SBI Vacancy 2026: Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | 11 August 2026 |
| Online Application Start | 11 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 31 August 2026 |
| Preliminary Exam (Tentative) | September 2026 |
| Main Exam (Tentative) | November 2026 |
Official Website Links (Government/Bank Sources Only)
| Purpose | Official Website |
|---|---|
| SBI Clerk Apply Online | Apply Online |
| State Bank of India Official Website | sbi.co.in |
| SBI Clerk Recruitment Notification | Download Notification PDF |
Always apply only through the official SBI careers website. Never share personal or banking details with third-party agents claiming to assist with SBI recruitment applications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How many total vacancies are there in SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026? A total of 9,124 vacancies have been announced, including 7,680 regular vacancies and 1,444 backlog vacancies across 24 Circles/States/UTs.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for SBI Vacancy 2026? The online application process started on 11 August 2026, and the last date to apply is 31 August 2026.
Q3. What is the age limit for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026? Candidates must be between 20 and 28 years of age as on 1 April 2026, with age relaxation applicable for reserved categories as per SBI rules.
Q4. How many vacancies are there for Maharashtra candidates? Maharashtra has one of the highest vacancy counts among all states in this recruitment cycle, with well over 1,700 posts, making it a strong opportunity for candidates from the state.
Q5. What is the application fee for SBI Clerk 2026? The application fee is ₹750 for General/OBC/EWS candidates, while it is completely waived for SC/ST/PwBD/XS/DXS category candidates.
Q6. What is the selection process for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026? The selection process consists of a Preliminary Exam, a Main Exam, and a Local Language Proficiency Test for candidates without proof of studying the local language in school.
Final Thoughts
SBI Vacancy 2026, with 9,124 Junior Associate (Clerk) posts, is one of the most significant banking sector job opportunities this year, and Maharashtra candidates have a particularly strong chance given the state’s high vacancy share. Eligible graduates should apply well before the last date of 31 August 2026 and begin preparation immediately, since the Preliminary Exam is expected as early as September 2026. Bookmark Maharashtra Job.in for the latest updates on SBI Clerk admit card release, exam pattern changes, and result announcements.
Disclaimer: Recruitment details, vacancy numbers, and dates are subject to change based on official SBI notifications and corrigenda. Please verify the latest updates on the official SBI website before applying.