EXAM SYLLABUS

The SBI Clerk Exam syllabus includes, Preliminary Exam - English Language (comprehension, grammar, vocabulary), Numerical Ability (arithmetic, data interpretation), and Reasoning Ability (puzzles, logical reasoning); Main Exam - General/Financial Awareness (current affairs, banking), General English (reading, writing skills), Quantitative Aptitude (advanced arithmetic, data analysis), and Reasoning & Computer Aptitude (logical reasoning, basic computer knowledge); Local Language Proficiency Test - reading, writing, speaking, and understanding the state-specific language.

Phase I – Preliminary Examination

The Prelims exam is online, 1-hour duration, total 100 marks, divided into 3 sections:

1. English Language

Reading & Vocabulary

Reading Comprehension

Cloze Test

Vocabulary

Synonyms and Antonyms

Word Usage

Spelling

Grammar

Error Detection

Sentence Improvement

Phrase Replacement

Fill in the Blanks

Subject-Verb Agreement

Tenses

Articles

Prepositions

Verbal Ability

Para Jumbles

Sentence Rearrangement

Odd Sentence

Sentence Completion

2. Numerical Ability

Basic Arithmetic

Simplification & Approximation

Number System

HCF & LCM

Percentage

Ratio & Proportion

Average

Profit, Loss & Discount

Simple Interest

Compound Interest

Partnership

Mixture & Allegation

Problems on Ages

Time & Work

Time and Work

Pipes and Cisterns

Work Efficiency

Speed & Distance

Time, Speed and Distance

Trains

Boats and Streams

Advanced/Other Topics

Number Series

Quadratic Equations

Data Interpretation

Mensuration

Probability

Permutation and Combination

3. Reasoning Ability

Puzzles & Arrangements

Floor-Based Puzzles

Box-Based Puzzles

Month/Day-Based Puzzles

Scheduling Puzzles

Linear Seating Arrangement

Circular Seating Arrangement

Logical Reasoning

Syllogism

Inequality

Coding-Decoding

Blood Relations

Direction and Distance

Order and Ranking

Data Sufficiency

Statement and Conclusion

Series & Miscellaneous

Alphanumeric Series

Alphabet Series

Number Series

Coding-Decoding

Input-Output

Word/Number Formation

Pair Formation

Odd One Out

Note: SBI does not prescribe a fixed chapter-wise question distribution in its notification. Therefore, the number of questions from individual topics can vary between shifts. The official Prelims structure remains 30 questions in English Language, 35 in Numerical Ability and 35 in Reasoning Ability, for a total of 100 questions and 100 marks in 60 minutes.

EXAM PATTERN

The SBI Clerk Exam, conducted online, consists of a Preliminary Exam (100 MCQs, 100 marks, 1 hour) with English, Numerical, and Reasoning sections; a Main Exam (190 MCQs, 200 marks, 2 hours 40 minutes) covering General/Financial Awareness, English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning & Computer Aptitude; and a Local Language Proficiency Test (objective and subjective, qualifying).

Negative marking (1/4th mark) applies, and exams are in English, Hindi, or state-specific languages. Selection involves qualifying the Preliminary, scoring in the Main, and passing the LLPT (if required).

Exam Type: Online (Computer-Based Test) for both Preliminary and Main Examinations.

Question Type:

Preliminary and Main Exams: Objective-type Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs).

Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT): Objective (15 questions, 15 marks) and Subjective (3 passages, 15 marks).

Selection Process:

Phase-I: Preliminary Examination (Qualifying, shortlists ~10 times vacancies).

Phase-II: Main Examination (Merit-based, determines final ranking).

Phase-III: Local Language Proficiency Test (Qualifying, exempted with 10th/12th language proof).

Negative Marking: 1/4th (0.25) mark deducted per wrong answer in Preliminary and Main Exams; no penalty for unanswered questions.

Exam Language: English, Hindi, and state-specific languages (e.g., Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati) based on state/UT applied for; English section in English only.

Preliminary Examination

Total Questions: 100

Total Marks: 100

Duration: 1 hour (20 minutes per section, separately timed)

Sections:

English Language: 30 questions, 30 marks

Numerical Ability: 35 questions, 35 marks

Reasoning Ability: 35 questions, 35 marks

Note: No minimum marks per section; aggregate score used for shortlisting; section-wise marks not maintained.

Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)

Applicability: Mandatory for candidates without 10th/12th proof of studying the opted local language; conducted post-Main Exam, before joining.

Pattern:

Non-Verbal Test: Objective (3 passages, 15 questions, 15 marks) + Subjective (3 passages, 15 marks)

Verbal Test: 20 marks (details not fully specified)

Note: Candidates must score minimum qualifying marks (decided by SBI, 5% relaxation for reserved categories); failure disqualifies appointment.

Merit List: State-wise, category-wise, based on Main Exam aggregate marks; Preliminary marks not counted.

Final Selection: Subject to verification of eligibility, documents, and qualifying LLPT (if applicable).

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

According to the official SBI Clerk 2026 notification, candidates must fulfil the following eligibility conditions for the post of Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales):

Nationality

Candidates must be citizens of India.

Certain candidates from Nepal, Bhutan and Tibetan refugees may also be eligible, subject to the conditions specified in the official notification.

Age Limit

The candidate must be 20 to 28 years old as on 1 April 2026.

The candidate should have been born not earlier than 2 April 1998 and not later than 1 April 2006.

Age relaxation is applicable to reserved categories as per Government of India rules.

Age Relaxation

SC/ST: 5 years

OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years

PwBD (Gen/EWS): 10 years

PwBD (SC/ST): 15 years

PwBD (OBC): 13 years

Ex-Servicemen/Disabled Ex-Servicemen: As per the applicable Government rules.

Other eligible categories may receive relaxation according to the official notification.

Educational Qualification

Candidates must have a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.

Candidates who are in the final year/semester of their graduation can also apply provisionally, subject to fulfilling the prescribed conditions and producing proof of passing within the specified date.

Local Language Requirement

Candidates must be proficient in the specified local language of the State/UT for which they apply.

Candidates may be required to appear for the Local Language Proficiency Test (LPT) after the Main Examination.

Candidates who have studied the specified local language as a subject in Class 10 or 12 and can produce the relevant marksheet/certificate may be exempt from the LPT.

Number of Attempts

There is no restriction on the number of attempts for SBI Clerk, provided the candidate satisfies the prescribed age and other eligibility conditions.

State/UT-wise Application

A candidate can apply for vacancies in only one State/UT under the recruitment.

The candidate should ensure that they fulfil the local-language requirement for the State/UT selected.

Other Important Conditions

Candidates must satisfy all eligibility conditions prescribed in the official SBI notification.

Eligibility is provisional and is subject to verification of original documents at the relevant stage of recruitment.

Candidates should provide correct and authentic information in the application form; candidature can be cancelled if any information is found to be incorrect or if the candidate does not meet the prescribed eligibility conditions.

IMPORTANT DATES

The SBI Clerk Exam is conducted annually by the State Bank of India (SBI) to recruit candidates for the post of Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) across its branches in India. For SBI Clerk 2026, SBI has announced a total of 9,766 vacancies, comprising 7,680 regular vacancies and 2,086 backlog vacancies. The detailed notification and online application form were released on 11 August 2026, and eligible candidates can submit their applications online until 31 August 2026.

EXAM ANALYSIS

The SBI Clerk 2026 Preliminary Examination is tentatively scheduled for September 2026, so an actual 2026 exam analysis is not available yet. The following analysis is based on the SBI Clerk 2025 examination and previous-year trends. The official Preliminary Examination pattern consists of 100 questions for 100 marks: 30 questions in English Language, 35 in Numerical Ability and 35 in Reasoning Ability, with a total duration of 1 hour.

The SBI Clerk 2025 Preliminary Examination was conducted on 20, 21 and 27 September 2025 across multiple shifts. Overall, the paper was reported as Easy to Moderate, with Reasoning generally being the easiest section, while Numerical Ability required comparatively more calculation and time.

Prelims Exam Analysis

Reasoning Ability: The section was generally Easy. Questions were asked mainly from puzzles and seating arrangements, syllogism, inequality, coding-decoding, blood relations, direction sense and alphanumeric series. The section was considered highly scoring for candidates with good speed.

Numerical Ability: The difficulty level was Easy to Moderate. Questions were primarily based on simplification/approximation, number series, arithmetic and data interpretation. Arithmetic questions covered areas such as percentage, ratio, profit and loss, time and work, age and partnership.

English Language: The section was generally Easy. Reading Comprehension, fillers, error detection, cloze test, sentence rearrangement and vocabulary-based questions were asked.

Overall Good Attempts: Depending on the shift, approximately 71–86 questions were considered good attempts, provided candidates maintained a high level of accuracy.

Mains Exam Analysis

The SBI Clerk 2025 Mains Examination was conducted on 21 November 2025. Compared with Prelims, the Mains paper was more analytical and time-consuming. General/Financial Awareness was considered particularly unpredictable, while Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude required effective time management.

General/Financial Awareness: Questions were based largely on current affairs, banking awareness and financial awareness. This section was considered the most unpredictable because of the wide range of topics covered.

General English: The section was generally Easy to Moderate, with Reading Comprehension, error spotting, fillers, para jumbles and word rearrangement among the major question types.

Quantitative Aptitude: The section was Easy to Moderate, with simplification, arithmetic and Data Interpretation forming the major components. Questions were largely manageable but required speed.

Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude: The section was Easy to Moderate overall. Puzzles and seating arrangements formed a significant portion, along with syllogism, inequality, direction sense and alphanumeric series.

Overall Assessment

The SBI Clerk 2025 Prelims was Easy to Moderate, whereas the Mains was comparatively more analytical and time-consuming. Candidates who combined high accuracy with good time management had an advantage, particularly in the Mains examination.

What to Expect in SBI Clerk 2026

Based on the 2025 paper and previous trends, candidates preparing for SBI Clerk 2026 should expect a time-bound paper with moderate competition. The difficulty may vary from shift to shift, so candidates should focus on accuracy, speed, sectional time management, puzzles, arithmetic, data interpretation, reading comprehension and current/financial awareness rather than relying only on expected cutoff scores. The exact difficulty level and good-attempt range for 2026 can be assessed only after the examination is conducted.

STUDY TIPS

The SBI Clerk Prelims Exam is the first stage of selection for Junior Associates in the State Bank of India. It tests candidates in English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability through an online objective test. The exam is highly competitive, so speed, accuracy, and consistent practice are key to success.

Focus on basics first, then move to shortcuts and advanced questions.

Practice sectional tests daily to improve speed and accuracy.

Give regular mock tests to analyze weak areas.

Strengthen vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension for English.

Revise formulas and practice mental calculation for Numerical Ability.

For Reasoning, solve puzzles, seating arrangements, and practice coding-decoding, syllogisms daily.

STUDY PLANS

1-Month Plan (Crash Preparation)

Week 1: Revise basics of Arithmetic (Simplification, Number Series, Percentages), English grammar rules, and basic reasoning topics.

Week 2: Start solving topic-wise quizzes daily (at least 3 per subject).

Week 3: Attempt full-length mock tests every alternate day, analyze mistakes.

Week 4: Focus on weak topics and high-weightage areas like puzzles, DI, and reading comprehension.

3-Month Plan (Balanced Preparation)

Month 1: Cover all fundamentals (Arithmetic chapters, Grammar, Reasoning basics). Practice 2-3 quizzes daily.

Month 2: Increase difficulty level, start practicing puzzles, data interpretation, and RC passages. Take weekly full mock tests.

Month 3: Focus on speed-building, short tricks, and revision. Take 2-3 mock tests per week and analyze performance thoroughly.

6-Month Plan (Comprehensive Preparation)

Months 1–2: Build strong fundamentals across all subjects. Maintain notes for formulas, grammar rules, and reasoning tricks.

Months 3–4: Practice advanced-level questions, sectional mock tests, and topic-wise time-bound quizzes.

Months 5–6: Focus on exam-level mock tests (2–3 per week), fine-tune accuracy, and maximize attempt strategy. Revise all notes and shortcuts.

OVERVIEW

The State Bank of India Clerk Examination, commonly known as the SBI Clerk Exam, is a national-level competitive examination conducted by the State Bank of India (SBI) to recruit eligible candidates for the post of Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) in the clerical cadre. Selected candidates are responsible for various customer service activities, banking transactions and branch-related operations across different States and Union Territories. The examination is generally conducted annually in two stages: Preliminary Examination and Main Examination, followed by the Local Language Proficiency Test (LPT) for candidates, wherever applicable. Candidates must meet the prescribed eligibility requirements, including the age limit of 20 to 28 years and a graduation degree.

The SBI Clerk examination attracts a large number of applicants every year because of the job security, career growth and benefits associated with employment in SBI. As per RTI-based data reported for SBI Clerk 2025, approximately 9,00,771 candidates registered for the Preliminary Examination, of whom around 6,43,828 candidates appeared. Approximately 1,14,052 candidates appeared for the Main Examination, while around 5,782 candidates were finally selected. These figures are based on RTI information and should not be treated as the vacancy or participation figures officially announced in the SBI recruitment notification.

SELECTION PROCESS

The SBI Clerk selection process involves a Preliminary Exam (100 MCQs, 100 marks, 1 hour, qualifying), a Main Exam (190 MCQs, 200 marks, 2h 40m, merit-based), and a Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT, qualifying for those without 10th/12th language proof). Final selection is based on Main Exam marks, document verification, and LLPT clearance.

Phase-I: Preliminary Examination:

Online, objective-type MCQs (100 questions, 100 marks, 1 hour).

Sections: English Language (30 marks), Numerical Ability (35 marks), Reasoning Ability (35 marks).

Qualifying in nature; no minimum marks per section, only aggregate score considered.

Top candidates (approximately 10 times the number of vacancies) shortlisted for Main Exam based on aggregate marks.

Marks not counted in final merit.

Phase-II: Main Examination:

Online, objective-type MCQs (190 questions, 200 marks, 2 hours 40 minutes).

Sections: General/Financial Awareness (50 marks, 35 minutes), General English (40 marks, 35 minutes), Quantitative Aptitude (50 marks, 45 minutes), Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude (60 marks, 45 minutes).

Minimum aggregate marks required (decided by SBI, 5% relaxation for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/XS/DXS).

Bonus: Trained SBI apprentices (engaged post-January 1, 2022, with 1-year experience by August 26, 2025) receive 2.5% bonus marks (5/200).

Marks determine state-wise, category-wise merit list.

Phase-III: Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT):

Mandatory for candidates without 10th/12th mark sheet proving proficiency in the specified local language of the applied state/UT.

Conducted post-Main Exam, before joining.

Pattern: Non-Verbal Test (Objective: 15 questions, 15 marks; Subjective: 3 passages, 15 marks) + Verbal Test (20 marks).

Candidates must score minimum qualifying marks (decided by SBI, 5% relaxation for reserved categories).

Failure to qualify disqualifies candidates from appointment.

Exempted if 10th/12th certificate proves local language proficiency.

Final Selection:

Based on Main Exam aggregate marks, ranked state-wise and category-wise.

Subject to:

Verification of eligibility (age, education, category, etc.) and documents submitted in the online application.

Qualifying the LLPT (if applicable).

Candidates failing verification or LLPT are disqualified.

Waitlist: Up to 50% of vacancies maintained state-wise, category-wise; released quarterly for non-joining/resignation; valid for one year from final result declaration.

Key Notes:

Preliminary Exam marks are not considered for final merit.

Negative marking (1/4th mark per wrong answer) applies in Preliminary and Main Exams.

No inter-circle/inter-state transfers allowed, except intra-state transfers in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana (specific circles).