Back to SBI Clerk overview
Exam Pattern CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16India

SBI Clerk 2026 — Exam Pattern

Paper-wise structure, marks per section, duration, marking scheme and the full stage-by-stage selection process.

Mode

CBT (online)

Negative marking

−0.25

SBI Clerk (Junior Associate) selection under this drive is a two-tier online examination — Preliminary followed by Main — plus a qualifying test of the specified opted local language. There is no interview. Preliminary marks are not added for selection; the merit list is prepared State-wise, category-wise from Main Examination aggregate marks alone.

Scoring

Marking scheme

Correct answer

+1

Wrong answer

−0.25

Unattempted

−0

  • 1/4 of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer, in both Prelims and Mains.
  • No penalty for unattempted questions.
  • Trained SBI apprentices (engagement start on/after 01.01.2022, one year successful branch experience by 27.08.2026, joint National Apprenticeship Certificate) get 2.5% of maximum marks — 5 of 200 — added to the Mains aggregate.
  • Only Main Examination aggregate marks count for the final merit list; Preliminary marks are excluded.

Process

Selection process

1

Online Preliminary Examination

Qualifying

100 objective questions for 100 marks in 1 hour — English Language 30, Numerical Ability 35, Reasoning Ability 35, each separately timed at 20 minutes. 1/4 negative marking. No minimum qualifying marks per test or aggregate; approximately 10 times the vacancies per category are shortlisted for Mains in descending order of aggregate. Prelims marks are not added for selection.

2

Online Main Examination

Merit

190 questions for 200 marks in 2 hours 40 minutes — General/Financial Awareness 50Q/50M/35 min, General English 40Q/40M/35 min, Quantitative Aptitude 50Q/50M/45 min, Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude 50Q/60M/45 min. 1/4 negative marking; minimum aggregate percentage as decided by the Bank, with no minimum per subject. Merit list drawn State-wise, category-wise from Mains aggregate.

3

Test of Specified Opted Local Language (qualifying)

Qualifying

Provisionally selected candidates who did not study the opted local language in Class 10th or 12th appear for the Local Language Proficiency Test — Non-verbal: objective (3 passages, 15 questions, 15 marks) + subjective (3 passages, 15 questions, 15 marks); Verbal test: 20 marks — with minimum qualifying marks in each individual test as decided by the Bank. Candidates who fail are not offered appointment. Producing a 10th/12th mark sheet showing the language gives full exemption.

At a glance

Key facts

Conducting bodyState Bank of India (CRPD)
AdvertisementCRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16
Total vacancies1,538 — SC 207 · ST 1,219 · OBC 112 (backlog special drive)
Who can applySC / ST / OBC (NCL) only; PwBD & Ex-servicemen under parent category
PhasesPrelims → Mains → qualifying Local Language Test (no interview)
Prelims100 questions · 100 marks · 1 hour
Prelims sectional timing20 minutes per test — English 30, Numerical 35, Reasoning 35
Mains190 questions · 200 marks · 2 hours 40 minutes
Mains sectional timing35 / 35 / 45 / 45 minutes, separately timed
Negative marking1/4 (0.25) of the marks assigned, in both Prelims and Mains
Prelims qualifyingNo minimum per test or aggregate — top ~10× vacancies shortlisted on aggregate
Merit basisMain Examination aggregate marks only, State-wise and category-wise
Local language testAfter provisional selection, before joining — exempt if studied in 10th/12th
Apprentice weightageTrained SBI apprentices get 2.5% (5 of 200) bonus marks in Mains
Wait listUp to 50% of vacancies (State-category wise), valid one year, quarterly releases

Both examinations are conducted online at centres across India (tentative list in Annexure-I of the notification — Punjab centres: Amritsar, Bhatinda, Mohali, Patiala, Phagwara; Rajasthan: Ajmer, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kota, Sikar, Udaipur). A candidate may appear from any notified centre, but the local language test is held at a centre in the State applied for, at the candidate's own expense. The Preliminary call letter is authenticated/stamped by centre staff and retained by the candidate — it must be produced again at the Main Examination. No request for change of centre, date or session is entertained.

Answers

Frequently asked questions

When is the SBI Clerk 2026 exam?

The Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled in September 2026 and the Main Examination in October/November 2026. Exact dates are announced on SBI's careers website; call letters release tentatively 10 days before each exam.

Is there negative marking in SBI Clerk?

Yes, in both the Preliminary and Main Examinations — one fourth (0.25) of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each wrong answer. There is no penalty for unattempted questions.

Is there an interview in SBI Clerk recruitment?

No. Selection consists of the online Preliminary Exam (screening), the online Main Exam (merit) and a qualifying test of the specified opted local language. Only Main Examination aggregate marks are considered for the final merit list, drawn State-wise and category-wise.

Do I have to take the local language test for SBI Clerk?

Only if you did not study the specified opted local language in Class 10th or 12th. Provisionally selected candidates without that certificate appear for the Local Language Proficiency Test (non-verbal objective 15 marks + subjective 15 marks, verbal 20 marks) after provisional selection but before joining; failing it means no appointment. Producing the 10th/12th mark sheet showing the language gives full exemption.

Know the pattern — now practise it

Free mock tests built on the exact SBI Clerk pattern — bilingual, real exam interface, detailed solutions.

Take Free Mock TestView Syllabus

Last verified: · MockSutra verifies exam information against official sources.