SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Applications Open for 9,766 Junior Associate Vacancies; Check Eligibility, Dates and How to Apply
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 is now open for Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) posts across India. Candidates can submit applications online until August 31, 2026. Here is what applicants need to know about vacancies, eligibility, age limit, selection and important dates.
The State Bank of India (SBI) has opened applications for its Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) Recruitment 2026, commonly known as the SBI Clerk recruitment.
According to SBI's official recruitment notification, online registration and payment of application fees opened on August 11, 2026, and will continue until August 31, 2026. The recruitment is being conducted under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17.
The notification lists 7,680 regular vacancies, along with separately listed backlog vacancies across different categories. Taken together, the vacancy tables under the recruitment notification account for 9,766 advertised positions.
SBI says candidates can apply for vacancies in only one State or Union Territory under this recruitment project.
How many SBI Clerk vacancies are available in 2026?
SBI's official notification lists 7,680 regular vacancies.
It also lists backlog vacancies separately, including 287 SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies, 355 PwBD backlog vacancies and 1,444 XS/DXS backlog vacancies. These bring the total positions reflected in the notification's vacancy tables to 9,766.
Vacancies vary considerably by State and Union Territory.
Among the larger regular vacancy allocations are:
Candidates should check the complete official notification before choosing a State or UT because local-language requirements also apply.
SBI Clerk Vacancy 2026 in West Bengal
For candidates in West Bengal, SBI has announced 555 regular Junior Associate vacancies under the Kolkata Circle.
The specified local languages for West Bengal are Bengali and Nepali.
This makes the recruitment particularly relevant for graduate job seekers in West Bengal looking for opportunities in the banking sector.
Who can apply for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026?
Candidates must hold a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.
Students currently in the final year or semester of graduation can also apply provisionally. However, if selected, they must provide proof that they passed their graduation examination on or before December 31, 2026.
Candidates holding an Integrated Dual Degree must similarly ensure that their date of passing is on or before December 31, 2026.
SBI Clerk 2026 age limit
The basic age requirement is:
Minimum age: 20 yearsMaximum age: 28 years
The age is calculated as of April 1, 2026.
According to SBI, applicants should have been born not earlier than April 2, 1998 and not later than April 1, 2006, with both dates inclusive.
Age relaxation applies to eligible reserved categories.
For example:
OBC: 3 yearsSC/ST: 5 yearsPwBD (General/EWS): 10 yearsPwBD (OBC): 13 yearsPwBD (SC/ST): 15 years
Separate provisions apply to eligible ex-servicemen, certain categories of women and trained SBI apprentices. Applicants should refer to the official notification for the complete conditions.
Local language requirement is important
One requirement candidates should not overlook is proficiency in the specified local language of the State or Union Territory for which they apply.
SBI says applicants should be able to read, write, speak and understand the opted local language.
A local-language test forms part of the selection process and is conducted after a candidate qualifies in the Main examination but before joining.
However, candidates who can produce a Class 10 or Class 12 marksheet or certificate showing that they studied the specified local language will not be required to take the language test.
SBI Clerk 2026 selection process
The recruitment process primarily involves:
1. Preliminary Examination
Candidates first appear for the online preliminary examination.
2. Main Examination
Candidates shortlisted from the preliminary stage proceed to the Main examination.
3. Local Language Test
Where applicable, candidates must demonstrate proficiency in the specified local language before appointment.
SBI has tentatively scheduled the Preliminary Examination for September 2026 and the Main Examination for November 2026.
Candidates should rely on SBI's careers portal for subsequent examination dates, admit cards and other recruitment updates.
Can candidates apply in more than one state?
No.
SBI specifically states that candidates can apply for vacancies in one State or Union Territory only and can appear for the test only once under this recruitment project.
Candidates should therefore check the vacancy distribution and language requirement carefully before submitting the application.
How to apply for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026
Candidates interested in the Junior Associate vacancies should:
Visit the official SBI Careers — Current Openings page.
Find “Recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales)”.
Open Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17.
Read the complete official notification.
Select the official Apply Online option.
Complete registration and enter the required information.
Upload the required documents.
Pay the applicable application fee.
Review the application carefully before final submission.
Save a copy of the completed application and payment receipt.
SBI's careers portal currently shows the application link as active, with August 31, 2026 as the last date.
SBI Clerk 2026: Important dates
Event | Date |
Online applications begin | August 11, 2026 |
Last date to apply | August 31, 2026 |
Preliminary examination | Tentatively September 2026 |
Main examination | Tentatively November 2026 |
Candidates should remember that examination schedules may be updated. The official SBI careers website should be treated as the final source for changes.
What about SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
Candidates searching for SBI jobs may also encounter reports about 7,150 SBI Apprentice positions with a ₹15,000 stipend.
That is a different recruitment drive.
The SBI careers portal currently lists the Apprentice recruitment under Advertisement No. CRPD/APPR/2026-27/07, but its application deadline was extended only until June 15, 2026. The current SBI listing now provides an online examination call-letter link rather than a fresh application window.
Therefore, candidates should not confuse the closed SBI Apprentice application process with the currently open SBI Clerk/Junior Associate recruitment.
Candidates should apply only through official SBI links
Banking recruitment attracts significant search interest and can also result in misleading application pages circulating online.
Candidates should verify recruitment details through SBI's official careers portal before providing personal information, uploading documents or making payments.
The currently open Junior Associate recruitment is listed on the SBI Careers website under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17, with the application deadline of August 31, 2026.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: What applicants should remember
The latest SBI Clerk recruitment provides a major opportunity for graduates seeking entry-level banking jobs, with thousands of positions distributed across States and Union Territories.
But candidates should pay particular attention to three requirements: the State/UT selected, local-language proficiency and the August 31 application deadline.
With the preliminary examination tentatively scheduled for September, applicants planning to participate should also factor the relatively short preparation window into their decision.
EDITORIAL DISCLAIMER
Job Alert: Recruitment details are based on the official SBI notification available at the time of publication. Candidates should verify eligibility, vacancies, deadlines and subsequent updates on the official SBI Careers website before applying. Updated+ does not recruit candidates or collect application fees.
