India's largest public-sector lender, State Bank of India, has officially launched its much-awaited Probationary Officer (PO) recruitment drive for 2026. The bank has announced 1,500 vacancies for the prestigious officer-level position, offering graduates across the country an opportunity to build a career in the banking sector.
The recruitment notification has been released on SBI's official careers portal, and the online application process is now underway. Eligible candidates can submit their applications until July 8, 2026.
The SBI PO examination is considered one of the most competitive banking recruitment exams in India and attracts lakhs of applicants every year due to its attractive salary package, career growth opportunities, and leadership-oriented role.
The 1,500 vacancies have been distributed across various reservation categories as follows:
Unreserved (General): 588 posts
Other Backward Classes (OBC): 390 posts
Scheduled Castes (SC): 234 posts
Scheduled Tribes (ST): 144 posts
Economically Weaker Sections (EWS): 144 posts
Candidates are advised to carefully review the official notification to understand reservation rules, category-specific eligibility requirements, and applicable relaxations.
Selected candidates will be appointed as Probationary Officers and placed on an attractive pay scale.
Starting Basic Pay: ₹48,480
Includes four advance increments
Pay Scale: ₹48,480–₹85,920 with periodic increments
In addition to the basic salary, officers will receive several allowances and benefits, including:
Dearness Allowance (DA)
House Rent Allowance (HRA)
City Compensatory Benefits
Medical Facilities
Leave Travel Benefits
Retirement Benefits and Other Perks
According to SBI's estimates, the initial annual Cost to Company (CTC) for officers posted in Mumbai may reach approximately ₹21.97 lakh per year.
Candidates selected through this recruitment process will also be required to sign a service bond of ₹2 lakh, committing to serve the bank for a minimum period of three years after joining.
The recruitment process consists of three stages designed to assess candidates' aptitude, knowledge, communication skills, and leadership potential.
The preliminary examination will be conducted online and will consist of objective-type questions covering:
English Language
Quantitative Aptitude
Reasoning Ability
The test will carry 100 marks and candidates will have one hour to complete it.
Candidates who qualify in the preliminary stage will appear for the main examination.
The mains will include:
Online Objective Test (200 marks)
Descriptive Test (30 marks)
The descriptive section may include essay writing, letter writing, and other communication-based assessments.
The final stage will evaluate personality traits, leadership qualities, and communication skills.
It includes:
Psychometric Assessment
Group Exercise (20 marks)
Personal Interview (30 marks)
Candidates should note that both the preliminary and main examinations will include negative marking. One-fourth of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every incorrect answer.
Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree from a recognized university or educational institution.
Candidates currently in the final year or final semester of graduation may also be eligible, subject to conditions specified in the official notification and proof of graduation within the prescribed timeline.
Applicants must be:
Minimum Age: 21 years
Maximum Age: 30 years
Age relaxation benefits will be available for candidates belonging to reserved categories as per government regulations.
Candidates are strongly advised to verify all eligibility conditions before submitting their applications to avoid disqualification at later stages.
Interested candidates can complete the application process online by following these steps:
Visit SBI's official website.
Navigate to the Careers section.
Open the Current Openings page.
Locate the "Recruitment of Probationary Officers (PO) 2026" notification.
Read the detailed advertisement carefully.
Click on the online application link.
Register and create login credentials.
Fill in the application form with accurate information.
Upload scanned copies of required documents.
Pay the application fee through online payment methods such as debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI.
Review all information before final submission.
Submit the form and save a copy of the confirmation page for future reference.
The SBI PO position continues to be one of the most sought-after jobs among graduates due to its competitive salary, structured promotion path, leadership opportunities, and nationwide postings.
With 1,500 vacancies announced for 2026, aspiring banking professionals have a significant opportunity to secure a position in one of India's most respected financial institutions. Candidates planning to apply should begin their preparation early and complete the registration process well before the application deadline.
