SBI Junior Associates Special Recruitment Drive 2026 – 1,538 Backlog Vacancies

Organization: State Bank of India (SBI)
Recruitment: Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) – Special Recruitment Drive
Advertisement No.: CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16
Cadre: Clerical Cadre
Vacancy Type: SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies
Total Vacancies: 1,538
Application Start Date: 7 August 2026
Last Date: 27 August 2026
Application Mode: Online
Preliminary Exam: Tentatively September 2026
Main Exam: Tentatively October/November 2026

SBI's official careers page confirms that applications are currently open from 7 August to 27 August 2026.

Vacancy Details

This is a special recruitment drive specifically for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies. There are no General or EWS vacancies under this advertisement.

Vacancies are provisional and may change according to SBI's actual requirements. Candidates can apply for vacancies in only one State/UT.

Karnataka Vacancies

Total: 120

SC: 85
ST: 35
OBC: 0

Local Language: Kannada

So Karnataka candidates applying under this drive must belong to the applicable SC or ST category for the advertised Karnataka backlog vacancies.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must have:

Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university

OR

An equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government.

Final-year/final-semester graduation students can also apply provisionally, but they must produce proof of passing graduation on or before 31 December 2026 if provisionally selected.

Eligible matriculate ex-servicemen with the prescribed Armed Forces education certificate and service conditions may also apply.

Age Limit

Age calculated as on: 1 April 2026

Minimum Age: 20 years
Maximum Age: 28 years

Candidates must have been born between 2 April 1998 and 1 April 2006, both dates inclusive.

Age Relaxation

Special relaxation is also prescribed for eligible PwBD SBI-trained apprentices.

Local Language Requirement

Applicants must be able to read, write, speak and understand the specified local language of the State/UT for which they apply.

Candidates who studied the chosen local language in Class 10 or Class 12 and can produce the relevant certificate/marksheet do not need to undergo the language test.

Other provisionally selected candidates must clear the Local Language Proficiency Test before joining SBI. Failure to qualify means appointment will not be offered.

Selection Process

Phase I: Preliminary Examination

Phase II: Main Examination

Phase III: Local Language Proficiency Test, where applicable

There is no interview.

Final merit is prepared State-wise and category-wise primarily from the Main Examination marks. Preliminary Examination marks are not included in final merit.

Preliminary Examination Pattern

Negative Marking: 1/4th mark assigned to the question is deducted for every incorrect answer.

No minimum qualifying marks are prescribed for individual sections or the aggregate Preliminary Examination score.

Main Examination Pattern

Negative Marking: 1/4th of the marks assigned to a question for every incorrect response.

Local Language Proficiency Test

Candidates who did not study their opted local language in Class 10 or 12 must take SBI's language test.

The notified pattern includes non-verbal objective and subjective components plus a verbal test. Candidates must obtain the minimum qualifying marks prescribed by SBI.

Application Fee

OBC: ₹750

SC/ST/PwBD/XS/DXS: No Fee

Once paid, the fee/intimation charge is non-refundable.

Salary

Pay Scale: ₹24,050 – ₹64,480

Starting Basic Pay for Graduates: ₹26,730

The starting monthly emoluments at a metro location such as Mumbai are approximately ₹46,000, including DA and applicable allowances.

Employees are also eligible for applicable benefits including provident fund, defined-contribution pension, medical benefits, leave-fare benefits and other facilities under SBI rules.

Probation

Minimum Probation Period: 6 months

New Junior Associates must complete the prescribed SBI e-learning modules during probation. Their performance will also be evaluated before confirmation.

Posting

Candidates can apply for vacancies in one State/UT only.

The merit list will be prepared State-wise and category-wise, and selected candidates will be posted in the State/UT for which they applied.

SBI states that there is generally no provision for inter-circle/inter-state transfer for Junior Associates recruited under this drive, subject to the limited intra-state exceptions specified in the notification.

SBI Apprentice Benefit

Eligible candidates who successfully completed the prescribed SBI apprenticeship can receive 5 bonus marks (2.5% of the Main Examination's 200 marks), subject to the conditions specified by SBI.

Special upper-age relaxation is also available to qualifying SBI-trained apprentices.

Important Dates

Online Application Start: 7 August 2026

Last Date to Apply: 27 August 2026

Last Date for Fee Payment: 27 August 2026

Preliminary Examination: Tentatively September 2026

Main Examination: Tentatively October/November 2026

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online only. Candidates must register through SBI's recruitment portal, complete the application, upload the required photograph, signature, left-thumb impression and handwritten declaration, and pay the applicable fee online.

Apply Online – SBI Junior Associates Special Recruitment Drive 2026

SBI Current Openings – Official Page

Official SBI Special Recruitment Drive Notification PDF