SBI Clerk Backlog Vacancy 2026: 1,538 Junior Associate (SC/ST/OBC) Posts, Apply Online by 27 August

The State Bank of India (SBI) has released the official notification for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 - Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies. The official SBI Clerk Notification 2026 has been released today, 7th August 2026, at www.sbi.bank.in/careers, and a total of 1538 vacancies have been announced for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies. The online registration for this recruitment begins on 7th August 2026 and last date is 27th August 2026. This is a Special Recruitment Drive exclusively for reserved category candidates with backlog vacancies from previous recruitment cycles.

About SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026

The SBI Clerk Exam is one of the most popular banking exams in India, conducted by the State Bank of India (SBI) to recruit candidates for the post of Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) department. SBI conducts this examination annually to select talented graduates for clerical positions across all SBI branches and offices throughout the country. The selected candidates work as Junior Associates and are responsible for handling customer transactions, providing banking services, and ensuring smooth branch operations.

SBI Clerk Backlog Vacancy 2026 Overview

Exam Name: Special Recruitment Examination for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies - SBI Clerk 2026

Conducting Authority: State Bank of India (SBI)

Post Name: Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales), commonly known as SBI Clerk

Total Vacancies: 1,538 (Backlog Vacancies Only)

Advertisement Number: CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16

Category: SC/ST/OBC (General and EWS candidates are NOT eligible for this recruitment)

Vacancy Breakdown - Category-wise

The 1,538 backlog vacancies are distributed among SC, ST, and OBC categories as follows:

• Scheduled Tribe (ST): 1,219 vacancies
• Scheduled Caste (SC): 207 vacancies
• Other Backward Classes (OBC): 112 vacancies

Important Note: PwBD, ex-servicemen and disabled ex-servicemen candidates may apply under their respective SC, ST or OBC parent category. State-wise and Circle-wise vacancy distribution details are available on the official SBI website.

Important Dates

• Recruitment Notification Released: 7 August 2026
• Employment News Publication: 7 August 2026
• Online Registration Starts: 7 August 2026
• Online Registration Last Date: 27 August 2026 (11:59 PM)
• Application Fee Last Date: 27 August 2026
• Preliminary Examination Date (Tentative): 26 & 27 September 2026, 03 October 2026
• Main Examination Date (Tentative): 23 November 2026
• Admit Card Release: To be announced with exam schedule
• Result Declaration: Expected December 2026 / January 2027
• Document Verification & Joining: To be announced after result declaration

Eligibility Criteria

Nationality

• Must be an Indian citizen
• Indian Constitution Article 5 definition applies

Age Limit (As on 1st April 2026)

• Minimum Age: 20 years (candidates should not be born before 02.04.1998)
• Maximum Age: 28 years (candidates should be born not later than 01.04.2006)
• Age Relaxation for Reserved Categories: Cumulative age relaxation is not permitted under multiple categories combined.
• Relaxation Details: 5 years additional age relaxation for SC/ST; 3 years for OBC candidates (as per Government guidelines)

Educational Qualification

• Mandatory Qualification: Bachelor's Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a recognized University or equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government
• Field of Study: Any discipline accepted (Engineering, Arts, Science, Commerce, Medicine, etc.)
• Distance Education: Accepted if from recognized/approved institutes
• Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) & Dual Degree Programs: Accepted; candidates must have completed/passed on or before 31.12.2026
• Final Year Candidates: Candidates currently studying in the final year or final semester may apply provisionally. If selected, they must produce evidence of passing graduation on or before 31 December 2026.

Category Requirements

• Candidates must belong to SC, ST, or OBC category as per certificate issued by competent authority
• Category certificate must be issued by authorized government office
• Candidates without valid category certificate cannot be considered
• This recruitment is ONLY for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies; General and EWS candidates cannot apply

State/Circle Preference

• Candidates may apply for vacancies in only one state/UT, with intra-state transfers allowed only between Delhi and Lucknow Circles and between Mumbai Metro and Maharashtra Circles, per bank guidelines.
• Candidate can appear only once under this recruitment project

Application Fee

Fee Structure (Non-Refundable)

• General, OBC, EWS Candidates: Rs. 750/-
• SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen (XS)/Disabled Ex-Servicemen (DXS) Candidates: NIL (EXEMPTED FROM FEE)

Payment Method (Online Only)

• Debit Card
• Credit Card
• Internet Banking (All major banks)
• IMPS
• UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm, etc.)
• Mobile Wallet options

Important Notes:

• Fee payment is non-refundable under all circumstances
• If application is rejected or cancelled, fee will NOT be refunded
• Online payment only; no offline payment method accepted

Selection Process

The selection process is conducted in two main stages: Prelims and Mains Examination. Candidates who qualify in both stages are appointed as clerks/Junior Associates in SBI branches.

Stage 1: Preliminary Examination (Qualifying Round)

• Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
• Duration: 60 minutes (1 hour)
• Total Marks: 100
• Questions: 100 Objective Type Multiple-Choice Questions
• Sections: 4 major sections
• Language: English and Hindi (bilingual)
• Negative Marking: 0.25 marks for each wrong answer
• Cut-off: Qualifying nature; marks will NOT be counted in final merit
• Subjects Covered: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, General Awareness/Current Affairs

Stage 2: Main Examination

• Mode: Computer-Based Test (CBT)
• Duration: 160 minutes (2 hours 40 minutes)
• Total Marks: 200
• Questions: Approximately 190 Objective Type Questions
• Sections: 4 main sections with varying marks distribution
• Language: English and Hindi (bilingual)
• Negative Marking: 0.25 marks for each wrong answer
• Merit Determination: Final merit list prepared based on Main Exam marks only; Prelim exam marks NOT included
• Subjects Covered: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, General Awareness/Current Affairs, Computer Knowledge

Stage 3: Local Language Test (If Applicable)

• Qualifying in nature; marks not counted in final merit
• Required for certain circles/states as per SBI rules

Stage 4: Document Verification

• Verification of educational certificates
• Verification of category certificate
• Verification of age proof documents
• Verification of address and other required documents

Exam Pattern Details

Preliminary Examination Pattern

• Total Questions: 100
• Total Marks: 100
• Time Duration: 60 minutes
• Negative Marking: 0.25 for each wrong answer
• Sectional Time Limit: May be applicable (check official notification)

Main Examination Pattern

• Total Questions: ~190
• Total Marks: 200
• Time Duration: 160 minutes (2 hours 40 minutes)
• Negative Marking: 0.25 for each wrong answer
• Sections with Marks:
• - English Language: 40 marks
• - Quantitative Aptitude: 50 marks
• - Reasoning Ability: 50 marks
• - General Awareness: 40 marks
• - Computer Knowledge: 20 marks

Syllabus Overview

English Language

• Reading Comprehension
• Cloze Test
• Fill in the Blanks
• Spotting Errors
• Sentence Rearrangement/Para Jumbles
• Phrase/Idiom Meaning
• Synonyms & Antonyms
• Word Usage
• Grammar (Tenses, Subject-Verb Agreement, etc.)

Quantitative Aptitude

• Simplification/Approximation
• Number Series
• Percentage
• Profit & Loss
• Simple & Compound Interest
• Speed, Time & Distance
• Time & Work
• Average
• Ratio & Proportion
• Permutation & Combination
• Probability
• Data Interpretation (Tables, Bar Charts, Pie Charts, Line Graphs)

Reasoning Ability

• Analogy
• Classification
• Series (Alphabet/Number/Mixed)
• Blood Relations
• Sitting Arrangement (Linear, Circular, Square)
• Direction Sense
• Logical Reasoning
• Coding-Decoding
• Puzzles
• Syllogism

General Awareness/Current Affairs

• Current Events & News
• Banking Awareness
• Financial Awareness
• Economic News
• Government Schemes
• Static GK (History, Geography, Politics, Science)
• Sports
• Notable Personalities
• Awards & Honors

Computer Knowledge (Main Exam Only)

• Basic Computer Fundamentals
• Hardware & Software Concepts
• Operating Systems
• Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Internet & Email Basics
• Database Concepts
• Networking Basics
• Cybersecurity Awareness

Salary & Benefits

Pay Scale (7th Pay Commission)

• Pay Level: Level 2
• Basic Pay: Rs. 19,900
• In-hand Salary Approximately: Rs. 22,000 - Rs. 27,000 per month (varies by location)
• Maximum Pay in Scale: Rs. 63,200

Additional Benefits & Allowances

• Dearness Allowance (DA): As per RBI guidelines (currently ~8-9%)
• House Rent Allowance (HRA): 9-10% of basic pay (varies by city category)
• Conveyance Allowance: Rs. 1,450 per month
• Medical Facilities: Comprehensive health insurance for self and dependents
• Leave Benefits: 21 days earned leave, 10 days casual leave, 15 days sick leave annually
• Pension Benefits: Defined Benefit Pension Scheme (DBPS)
• Gratuity: As per SBI policies and government guidelines
• Life Insurance: Group Life Insurance coverage
• Vehicle Advance: Loan facility for vehicle purchase
• Housing Loan: Preferential rates on housing loans
• Educational Loan: For children's education at concessional rates
• Performance Bonus: Annual performance-based bonus

Career Growth Prospects

• Promotion to Officer Grade (Scale-I, Scale-II, etc.) after 5-6 years of satisfactory performance
• Training and development programs for skill enhancement
• Opportunities for deputation to other organizations
• International exposure and foreign postings

How to Apply Online for SBI Clerk Backlog 2026

Step-by-Step Application Process:

1. Visit Official Website: Go to https://www.sbi.co.in or https://www.sbi.bank.in
2. Navigate to Careers Section: Click on "Careers" or "Recruitment" link on the homepage
3. Find the Advertisement: Look for "Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies" or Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16
4. New Candidate Registration: If you are a new candidate, click "Register" and fill in basic details (email ID, mobile number, password)
5. Existing Candidate Login: If already registered, login with your credentials
6. Fill Application Form: Complete the online application form with accurate information:
7. - Personal Details (Name, Date of Birth, Gender, Address)
8. - Contact Information (Email, Mobile Number)
9. - Educational Qualifications
10. - Category Certification Details
11. - State/Circle Preference
12. - Bank Account Details (if required)
13. Upload Documents: Upload scanned copies of required documents in specified format:
14. - Photograph (JPEG format, size 10-50 KB, 200x230 pixels)
15. - Signature (JPEG format, size 4-20 KB)
16. - Category Certificate (if applicable, PDF, max 500 KB)
17. Review Application: Carefully review all filled information for accuracy and completeness
18. Select State/Circle: Choose your preferred state/union territory for posting
19. Pay Application Fee: Select payment method (Debit/Credit Card, Internet Banking, etc.) and complete payment (if applicable for your category)
20. Submit Application: Click "Submit" button to submit the final application
21. Print Confirmation: After successful submission, print the confirmation page containing your Registration Number/Application ID
22. Keep Records: Save your registration number, password, and confirmation for future reference and admit card download

Important Instructions During Application:

• All information must be accurate; any discrepancy may lead to rejection
• Mobile number and email ID should be active; SBI will send communications on these
• Category certificate must be uploaded if claiming SC/ST/OBC status
• Ensure photo and signature are clear and meet specifications
• Application can be edited until submission; make corrections if needed before final submission
• Application fee (if applicable) must be paid online by 27 August 2026

Admit Card Download Information

When Will Admit Card Be Released?

• Admit cards will be released tentatively 7-10 days before the Preliminary Examination
• Expected date: Mid-September 2026 (tentatively)

How to Download Admit Card:

1. Visit the official SBI website: https://www.sbi.co.in
2. Navigate to the recruitment section
3. Click on "Download Admit Card" link for SBI Clerk 2026
4. Enter your Registration Number / Application ID
5. Enter your Date of Birth (in DD/MM/YYYY format)
6. Enter any other information requested
7. Click "Submit" button
8. Your admit card will appear on the screen
9. Download the PDF file and take a printout
10. Keep multiple copies safely

What to Carry to Exam Center:

• Printed Admit Card (Original)
• Valid Photo Identification (Original)
• - Aadhar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Driving License, Voter ID, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Is this backlog recruitment only for SC/ST/OBC candidates?

A: Yes, this Special Recruitment Drive is exclusively for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies. General and EWS category candidates are not eligible to apply.

Q2: Can I apply for multiple states/circles?

A: No, you can apply for vacancies in only one State or Union Territory. You cannot apply for multiple states under this recruitment drive.

Q3: What if I don't have my category certificate at the time of application?

A: It is advisable to have your category certificate before applying. However, you can upload it during application or provide it during document verification stage. Without proper category certification, your candidature may be rejected.

Q4: Do I need to pay the application fee again if I register but don't submit the form?

A: No, fee is charged only once when you complete and submit the final application form. Incomplete or saved drafts don't incur any fee.

Q5: Will my prelims exam marks count towards final selection?

A: No, the Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature. Your final merit list will be prepared based ONLY on Main Examination marks. Prelims marks are NOT included in final ranking.

Q6: What is the maximum age limit, and can it be relaxed?

A: Maximum age is 28 years as on 1 April 2026. Age relaxation of 5 years is allowed for SC/ST candidates and 3 years for OBC candidates. However, cumulative relaxation under multiple categories is not permitted.

Q7: Can Final Year Graduation students apply?

A: Yes, students in their final year/semester of graduation may apply provisionally. If selected, they must produce evidence of passing graduation on or before 31 December 2026.

Q8: When will the result be declared?

A: Results are expected to be declared in December 2026 or January 2027 (tentatively). Exact dates will be announced on the official website.

Q9: Can I change my circle/state preference after application submission?

A: Generally, no changes are allowed after final submission. However, check the official notification or contact SBI for specific provisions.

Q10: What documents will I need for document verification?

A: You will need to produce original copies of: graduation degree/diploma, mark sheets, category certificate (for reserved categories), aadhar/passport/any government-issued ID, address proof, etc. Complete list will be provided before document verification.

Important Links

• Official SBI Website: https://www.sbi.co.in
• Careers Portal: https://www.sbi.bank.in/careers
• Online Application Portal: Opens on 7 August 2026 (Check official website for direct link)
• Download Notification PDF: Available on official SBI website
• Download Admit Card: Will be available 7-10 days before prelims exam
• Check Exam Schedule: Available after admit card release

Important Notes & Disclaimers

Candidates must note the following important points:

• This is a Special Recruitment Drive ONLY for backlog vacancies; Regular/Fresh vacancies for 2026-27 will be announced separately
• All information provided in this article is based on official SBI Notification (Advt No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16) released on 7 August 2026
• For any discrepancies or clarifications, refer to the official notification PDF available on SBI website
• Candidates are advised to visit www.sbi.co.in regularly for latest updates and announcements
• Any changes in schedule, fees, or other details will be announced officially; candidates will be notified via email/official website
• All candidates must follow the instructions provided in the admit card and official notification strictly during the examination
• Selection is based purely on merit and adherence to eligibility criteria; no requests for modification in category or state will be entertained after submission