The State Bank of India (SBI) has released Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 for 1,538 vacancies of Junior Associate (Customer Support and Sales) under a Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies. Online registration is open from 7 August 2026 to 27 August 2026 at sbi.bank.in. The selection process has three stages – Preliminary Examination (Prelims), Main Examination (Mains) and, where applicable, a Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT). The Prelims is tentatively scheduled in September 2026 and Mains in October/November 2026. This article covers the complete SBI Junior Associate Exam Pattern 2026 – section-wise question count, marks, duration, marking scheme, LLPT structure and selection process – exactly as published in the official notification. An important clarification upfront: the official notification does not publish a topic-wise syllabus – it specifies only section names, questions and marks. Wherever sub-topics are listed below, they are clearly marked as a general preparation guide based on the named sections, not an official syllabus document.
Important Note: Three things every aspirant must understand before beginning preparation. First, this recruitment is exclusively for SC, ST and OBC Backlog candidates – General/EWS category candidates are not eligible. The vacancy split is SC: 207, ST: 1,219 and OBC: 112, totalling 1,538. Second, Prelims marks are not counted for the final merit list – only Mains aggregate marks determine the final ranking. Use Prelims preparation as a confidence-building exercise to cross the shortlisting threshold, and direct the bulk of your preparation towards Mains. Third, this is a one-state, one-attempt recruitment – candidates can apply for vacancies in only one state/UT and can appear in the exam only once. Choose your state carefully before applying, as no changes to category or state will be entertained after submission.
SBI Junior Associate Syllabus 2026 – Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post | Junior Associate (Customer Support and Sales) |
| Recruitment Type | Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies |
| Advertisement No. | CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 |
| Total Vacancies | 1,538 (SC: 207, ST: 1,219, OBC: 112) |
| Application Mode | Online only |
| Application Dates | 7 August 2026 to 27 August 2026 |
| Selection Stages | Preliminary Exam – Main Exam – Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) |
| Prelims (Tentative) | September 2026 |
| Mains (Tentative) | October/November 2026 |
| Negative Marking | 1/4th of marks per wrong answer (both Prelims and Mains) |
| Official Website | sbi.bank.in |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Online Registration Opens | 7 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Register and Pay Fee | 27 August 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | Tentatively September 2026 |
| Main Examination | Tentatively October/November 2026 |
| Local Language Proficiency Test | After Mains, before joining (for applicable candidates) |
Exam dates are tentative and subject to confirmation on sbi.bank.in.
Vacancy Details
| Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| SC (Scheduled Caste) | 207 |
| ST (Scheduled Tribe) | 1,219 |
| OBC (Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer) | 112 |
| Total | 1,538 |
Note: This recruitment is exclusively for SC/ST/OBC Backlog vacancies. General and EWS category candidates are not eligible.
Selection Process
| Stage | Details | Counts for Final Merit? |
|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 – Preliminary Examination | Objective online test. Candidates shortlisted for Mains (approx. 10x vacancies, category-wise). | No – shortlisting only |
| Stage 2 – Main Examination | Comprehensive objective online test. Aggregate marks used for final merit list. | Yes |
| Stage 3 – LLPT (if applicable) | Local Language Proficiency Test for candidates who did not study the local language at Class 10 or 12. | Qualifying only |
SBI Junior Associate Exam Pattern 2026 – Preliminary Examination
The Prelims is an objective test of 100 questions for 100 marks in 1 hour, with each section having a separate 20-minute time limit.
| Section | Medium | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | English only | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | English/Hindi (as per state) | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | English/Hindi (as per state) | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Negative Marking: 1/4th mark per wrong answer. Unattempted questions carry no penalty.
Shortlisting for Mains: SBI shortlists candidates for Mains based on Prelims aggregate marks, approximately 10 times the number of vacancies per category and state, subject to availability. Prelims marks are not added to the final merit list at any stage.
SBI Junior Associate Exam Pattern 2026 – Main Examination
The Mains is an objective test of 190 questions for 200 marks in 2 hours 40 minutes, with each section having a separate time limit.
| Section | Medium | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General/Financial Awareness | English/Hindi (as per state) | 50 | 50 | 35 minutes |
| General English | English only | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | English/Hindi (as per state) | 50 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude | English/Hindi (as per state) | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 2 hours 40 minutes |
Negative Marking: 1/4th of the marks assigned to the question per wrong answer.
Important: There are no sectional cut-offs in Mains and sectional marks are not maintained separately. Only the aggregate Mains score is used for the final merit list. Candidates must score the minimum qualifying marks on aggregate as decided by SBI.
Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)
The LLPT is conducted for candidates who have been provisionally selected after Mains but did not study the local language of the state/UT they applied to as a subject in Class 10 or Class 12. Candidates who submit a Class 10 or Class 12 mark sheet showing the local language as a subject are exempted.
| Component | Type | Passages | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Verbal Test – Objective | Objective | 3 | 15 | 15 |
| Non-Verbal Test – Subjective | Subjective (written) | 3 | 15 | 15 |
| Verbal Test | – | – | – | 20 |
| Total | 50 |
Qualifying condition: Candidates who fail to qualify the LLPT will not be offered appointment, regardless of their Mains score.
SBI Junior Associate Syllabus 2026 – Section-wise Guide
Important disclaimer: The official SBI notification does not publish a topic-wise syllabus. It specifies only section names, question counts, marks and duration. The sub-topics listed below are a general preparation guide based on what typically appears in banking clerical examinations under each section name. They are not an officially notified syllabus document.
Prelims Sections
English Language (30 questions, 30 marks, 20 minutes)
- Reading Comprehension (passage-based MCQs)
- Cloze Test
- Para Jumbles and Sentence Rearrangement
- Error Detection and Sentence Correction
- Fill in the Blanks (single and double)
- Vocabulary – Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms and Phrases
- One Word Substitution
Numerical Ability (35 questions, 35 marks, 20 minutes)
- Simplification and Approximation
- Number Series (missing and wrong)
- Quadratic Equations
- Data Interpretation (table, bar, line, pie chart)
- Arithmetic – Percentage, Profit and Loss, Average, Ratio and Proportion, Time and Work, Time and Distance, Simple Interest and Compound Interest, Partnership, Mixtures and Alligations
Reasoning Ability (35 questions, 35 marks, 20 minutes)
- Puzzles (Linear, Circular, Box, Floor-based)
- Seating Arrangement
- Syllogism
- Inequalities (direct and coded)
- Coding-Decoding
- Blood Relations
- Direction Sense
- Alphanumeric Series and Order-Ranking
- Data Sufficiency
Mains Sections
General/Financial Awareness (50 questions, 50 marks, 35 minutes)
- Current Affairs – last 4 to 6 months (national and international)
- Banking and Financial Awareness – key banking terms, RBI functions, recent policy decisions, monetary policy, repo rate, SBI-specific updates
- Indian Economy – budget highlights, government schemes, key economic indicators
- Static General Knowledge – countries, capitals, currencies, national parks, important days, awards
- Insurance and Finance basics
- Recent mergers and acquisitions in banking sector
General English (40 questions, 40 marks, 35 minutes)
- Reading Comprehension (longer passages than Prelims)
- Cloze Test (higher difficulty)
- Para Jumbles and Sentence Rearrangement
- Error Detection and Sentence Improvement
- Vocabulary – Synonyms, Antonyms, Fill in the Blanks
Quantitative Aptitude (50 questions, 50 marks, 45 minutes)
- Data Interpretation (multi-set DI – caselet, combination)
- Data Sufficiency
- Arithmetic Word Problems (percentage, profit and loss, interest, time-work, distance, ratio, partnership, mixtures)
- Number Series
- Simplification/Approximation
- Probability, Permutation and Combination (basic)
- Mensuration (area, volume)
Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude (50 questions, 60 marks, 45 minutes)
- Advanced Puzzles and Seating Arrangement (multi-variable, complex)
- Logical Reasoning – Statement and Conclusion, Assumptions, Inferences
- Input-Output
- Syllogism
- Coding-Decoding (advanced)
- Data Sufficiency
- Computer Aptitude – Fundamentals, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Internet and Networking, Computer Abbreviations, Banking-related Computer Applications, Keyboard Shortcuts
Preparation Tips for SBI Junior Associate 2026
1. Prelims is shortlisting only – clear the bar, don’t over-prepare.
With Prelims marks not counting for merit, your strategy should be to cross the shortlisting threshold in all three sections within the sectional time limits and move on. Focus the bulk of your preparation on Mains content depth.
2. Mains sectional time limits are the real challenge.
The Mains has separate time limits for each section – 35 minutes each for GK and English, and 45 minutes each for Quant and Reasoning+Computer. Practice under strict sectional timings, not just full-length mocks without time pressure per section.
3. General/Financial Awareness is the fastest differentiator in Mains.
50 questions in 35 minutes is the GK section. This is the one section where preparation from daily current affairs reading (last 4-6 months), banking awareness and SBI-specific updates gives a disproportionately large score advantage in the shortest exam time.
4. Reasoning + Computer Aptitude carries the most marks (60) – weight it accordingly.
At 50 questions for 60 marks, this is the highest-marked Mains section. Spend proportionally more preparation time on complex multi-variable puzzles and seating arrangements alongside the relatively straightforward Computer Aptitude component.
5. LLPT preparation: start early if the local language is not your strength.
The LLPT has a written/subjective component – it is not just MCQ. If the local language of the state you apply for is not your first language and you did not study it at Class 10 or 12, begin consistent daily reading and writing practice in that language immediately.
6. This is a one-attempt, one-state examination.
Choose your state carefully based on the vacancy count, local language strength and the LLPT exemption condition. Once submitted, no changes to state or category are allowed.
Important Links
| Description | Link |
|---|---|
| SBI Junior Associate Official Notification PDF (Advt. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16) | Click Here |
| Apply Online – SBI Careers Portal | Click Here |
| SBI Official Website | Click Here |
SBI Junior Associate Syllabus 2026 – FAQs
Q1. What is SBI Junior Associate Syllabus 2026?
✅ The SBI notification does not publish a topic-wise syllabus – it specifies only section names, question counts, marks and time limits. Prelims covers English Language (30Q/30M), Numerical Ability (35Q/35M) and Reasoning Ability (35Q/35M) in 60 minutes. Mains covers General/Financial Awareness (50Q/50M), General English (40Q/40M), Quantitative Aptitude (50Q/50M) and Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude (50Q/60M) in 2 hours 40 minutes. Sub-topics listed in this article are a general guide based on these section names, not an officially notified syllabus.
Q2. What is the exam pattern for SBI Junior Associate Prelims 2026?
✅ The Prelims has 100 questions for 100 marks in 60 minutes, divided into three sections with a 20-minute individual time limit each – English Language (30Q/30M), Numerical Ability (35Q/35M) and Reasoning Ability (35Q/35M). Negative marking of 1/4th mark per wrong answer applies.
Q3. What is the exam pattern for SBI Junior Associate Mains 2026?
✅ The Mains has 190 questions for 200 marks in 2 hours 40 minutes, divided into four sections with separate time limits – General/Financial Awareness (50Q/50M/35 min), General English (40Q/40M/35 min), Quantitative Aptitude (50Q/50M/45 min), and Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude (50Q/60M/45 min). Negative marking of 1/4th mark per wrong answer applies.
Q4. Are Prelims marks counted in the final merit list?
✅ No. Prelims marks are used only to shortlist candidates for Mains. Only Mains aggregate marks determine the final merit list and selection. There are no sectional cut-offs in Mains.
Q5. What is the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)?
✅ The LLPT is a qualifying test conducted after Mains for provisionally selected candidates who did not study the local language of their applied state/UT at Class 10 or 12. It has a Non-Verbal test (objective – 15Q/15M and subjective – 15Q/15M) and a Verbal test (20 marks), totalling 50 marks. Candidates who fail the LLPT are not offered appointment.
Q6. Who is eligible for SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026?
✅ This is exclusively a Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies (Advt. No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16). Only SC (207 posts), ST (1,219 posts) and OBC-NCL (112 posts) candidates are eligible. General and EWS candidates cannot apply.
Q7. What is the application last date for SBI Junior Associate 2026?
✅ The last date to register and pay the fee is 27 August 2026 at sbi.bank.in. Registration opened on 7 August 2026.
Q8. Can I apply for vacancies in more than one state?
✅ No. Candidates can apply for vacancies in only one state/UT and can appear in the exam only once under this recruitment. No changes to state or category will be entertained after form submission.
Q9. Is there negative marking in the SBI Junior Associate exam?
✅ Yes. 1/4th of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for every wrong answer in both the Preliminary and Main Examinations. Unattempted questions carry no penalty.
Q10. Does the SBI notification include a detailed topic-wise syllabus?
✅ No. The official SBI notification for Advt. No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 specifies only the test section names, number of questions, marks and duration for each phase. It does not publish a topic-wise syllabus. Candidates should prepare based on the general banking clerical exam preparation framework for the officially named sections.
Disclaimer
The information above is compiled from the official SBI Junior Associate (Customer Support and Sales) Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies notification (Advt. No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16), issued by State Bank of India (SBI), as available on the official SBI website sbi.bank.in. The official notification does not publish a topic-wise syllabus – only section names, question counts, marks and duration are specified. Sub-topics listed in the “Section-wise Guide” section of this article are a general preparation framework, not an officially notified syllabus. Exam dates (Prelims: September 2026; Mains: October/November 2026) are tentative – candidates must monitor sbi.bank.in for confirmed dates. All links above lead only to the official SBI website and careers portal.
