EXAM SYLLABUS

The SBI CBO Descriptive Test syllabus is designed to evaluate candidates’ English writing ability, communication skills, grammar, vocabulary, and clarity of expression. Candidates are required to type their answers on the computer during the examination.

Detailed Topics for Essay Writing

Most Expected Topics (High Weightage)

Digital Banking & Financial Inclusion

Impact of AI on Banking Sector

Role of Women in Economic Development

Climate Change & Sustainable Development

Cybersecurity Challenges in Banking

PMJJBY, PMJDY, Mudra Yojana, etc.

Cashless Economy / UPI Revolution

Inflation & its impact on Economy

Education System in India

Work from Home Culture – Pros & Cons

Letter Writing

Formal Letter Topics

Complaint Letter (about faulty product, poor service, ATM issue, etc.)

Letter to Bank Manager (for issue of duplicate passbook, credit card problem, etc.)

Letter to Editor (about social issues, pollution, traffic problems)

Request Letter (for loan, educational certificate, etc.)

Recommendation / Suggestion Letter

Note: Informal letters are rarely asked in SBI PO.

Important Tips for Descriptive Paper:

Essay should have proper Introduction - Body - Conclusion structure.

Use formal language, avoid grammatical errors.

Maintain word limit strictly.

Practice typing on computer (speed + accuracy is important).

Current Affairs of last 6–8 months are very important.

Marking Criteria:

Content & Relevance

Structure & Format

Grammar & Vocabulary

Coherence & Clarity

EXAM PATTERN

The duration of the SBI CBO Online Descriptive Test is 30 minutes. Below is the detailed exam pattern for the Descriptive Test. The updated SBI CBO Descriptive Test Pattern 2026 is provided here for reference.

Overview

The full process includes:

1. Online Examination (Objective + Descriptive)

2. Screening (document verification and job profile matching)

3. Interview (50 marks)

4. Local Language Proficiency Test (qualifying, before joining)

Final merit: Online Test (75% weightage after normalization) + Interview (25% weightage).

Online Test Pattern

The online test is computer-based and conducted in English/Hindi (except English section).

The SBI CBO Descriptive Test is conducted immediately after the completion of the Objective Test. Candidates are required to type their answers on the computer.

Descriptive Test Pattern

Duration: 30 Minutes

Total Marks: 50

Mode of Exam: Online (Typing-Based)

Total Questions: 2

Important Points About Descriptive Test

The Descriptive Test is conducted in English language only.

Candidates must type their answers using the keyboard provided during the examination.

The test is designed to assess:

English writing skills

Grammar and vocabulary

Communication ability

Clarity of expression

Logical presentation of ideas

The Descriptive Test is conducted immediately after the Objective Test without any break.

Marks obtained in the Descriptive Test are added to the Objective Test marks for preparing the final merit list.

The final merit list is prepared after normalization with 75% weightage to Online Test (Objective + Descriptive) and 25% weightage to Interview marks.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The eligibility criteria for SBI CBO examination are based on factors such as Educational Qualification, Age Limit, Work Experience, and Knowledge of the Local Language. A detailed explanation of these requirements is provided below.

Nationality

A candidate must be either -

1. A Citizen of India or

2. A subject of Nepal or

3. A subject of Bhutan or

4. A Tibetan Refugee who came over to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India or

5. A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India, 

Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (2), (3), (4) & (5) above shall be a person in whose favor a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India.

Age Limit

Not below 21 years and Not above 30 years

Age Relaxation

State Bank of India provides relaxation in the upper age limit for candidates belonging to certain reserved categories, as detailed below. 

Essential Academic Qualifications: Graduation in any discipline from a recognised University or any equivalent qualification recognised as such by the Central Government
including Integrated Dual Degree (IDD). Candidates possessing qualifications such as Medical, Engineering, Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant would also be eligible.

Note: The date of passing eligibility examination will be the date appearing on the mark sheet or provisional certificate issued by the University/ Institute. In case the result of a particular examination is posted on the website of the University/ Institute, a certificate issued by the appropriate authority of the University/ Institute indicating the date on which the result was posted on the website will be taken as the date of passing.

Experience (Post Essential Academic Qualification): Minimum 2 years’ experience (Post Essential Academic Qualification Experience) as an officer in any Scheduled Commercial Bank or any Regional Rural Bank as listed in Second Schedule of Reserve Bank of India.

Candidates shall have to submit job profile certified by their existing/ previous employer(s) with whom they are/were employed. In case their job profile does not match substantially or is different than the job profile of a Scale-I Generalist officer of State Bank of India then the application of such candidates will be summarily rejected at any stage of the recruitment process. Decision of the Bank in this regard would be final and binding on all candidates. No representation or correspondence will be entertained by the Bank in this regard.

Candidates having experience in Scheduled Commercial Banks other than Public Sector Banks / Regional Rural Banks shall be drawing minimum annual gross salary of Rs.9.50 lacs for each year and shall provide documentary evidence for their annual gross salary such as Form-16 / Annual Income Statement (AIS) / pay slips for last 24 months or certificate from employer.

Local Language

The candidates applying for vacancies of a particular Circle, should be proficient (reading, writing and understanding) in any one of the specified opted local language of that Circle (mentioned against each Circle). The test of knowledge of specified opted local language of the applied circle will be conducted as a part of selection process. It will be conducted for provisionally selected candidates (based on performance in online test, Screening and interview) before joining the Bank. Candidate who fails to qualify this test will not be offered appointment. Candidates who produce 10th or 12th standard mark sheet/ certificate evidencing having studied the specified opted local language of the applied circle as one of the subjects will not be required to undergo the language test.

Other: i. Candidates who have defaulted in repayment under any lending arrangement with Banks or NBFCs including credit card dues and have not regularised / repaid their outstanding thereunder till the date of issuance of letter of offer of appointment by the Bank, shall not be eligible for appointment to the post. However, candidates who have regularised / repaid such outstanding on or before the date of issuance of offer of appointment, but whose CIBIL status has not been upda

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The eligibility criteria for SBI CBO examination are based on factors such as Educational Qualification, Age Limit, Work Experience, and Knowledge of the Local Language. A detailed explanation of these requirements is provided below.

Nationality

A candidate must be either -

1. A Citizen of India or

2. A subject of Nepal or

3. A subject of Bhutan or

4. A Tibetan Refugee who came over to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanently settling in India or

5. A person of Indian origin who has migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia, and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India, 

Provided that a candidate belonging to categories (2), (3), (4) & (5) above shall be a person in whose favor a certificate of eligibility has been issued by the Government of India.

Age Limit

Not below 21 years and Not above 30 years

Age Relaxation

State Bank of India provides relaxation in the upper age limit for candidates belonging to certain reserved categories, as detailed below. 

Essential Academic Qualifications: Graduation in any discipline from a recognised University or any equivalent qualification recognised as such by the Central Government
including Integrated Dual Degree (IDD). Candidates possessing qualifications such as Medical, Engineering, Chartered Accountant, Cost Accountant would also be eligible.

Note: The date of passing eligibility examination will be the date appearing on the mark sheet or provisional certificate issued by the University/ Institute. In case the result of a particular examination is posted on the website of the University/ Institute, a certificate issued by the appropriate authority of the University/ Institute indicating the date on which the result was posted on the website will be taken as the date of passing.

Experience (Post Essential Academic Qualification): Minimum 2 years’ experience (Post Essential Academic Qualification Experience) as an officer in any Scheduled Commercial Bank or any Regional Rural Bank as listed in Second Schedule of Reserve Bank of India.

Candidates shall have to submit job profile certified by their existing/ previous employer(s) with whom they are/were employed. In case their job profile does not match substantially or is different than the job profile of a Scale-I Generalist officer of State Bank of India then the application of such candidates will be summarily rejected at any stage of the recruitment process. Decision of the Bank in this regard would be final and binding on all candidates. No representation or correspondence will be entertained by the Bank in this regard.

Candidates having experience in Scheduled Commercial Banks other than Public Sector Banks / Regional Rural Banks shall be drawing minimum annual gross salary of Rs.9.50 lacs for each year and shall provide documentary evidence for their annual gross salary such as Form-16 / Annual Income Statement (AIS) / pay slips for last 24 months or certificate from employer.

Local Language

The candidates applying for vacancies of a particular Circle, should be proficient (reading, writing and understanding) in any one of the specified opted local language of that Circle (mentioned against each Circle). The test of knowledge of specified opted local language of the applied circle will be conducted as a part of selection process. It will be conducted for provisionally selected candidates (based on performance in online test, Screening and interview) before joining the Bank. Candidate who fails to qualify this test will not be offered appointment. Candidates who produce 10th or 12th standard mark sheet/ certificate evidencing having studied the specified opted local language of the applied circle as one of the subjects will not be required to undergo the language test.

Other: i. Candidates who have defaulted in repayment under any lending arrangement with Banks or NBFCs including credit card dues and have not regularised / repaid their outstanding thereunder till the date of issuance of letter of offer of appointment by the Bank, shall not be eligible for appointment to the post. However, candidates who have regularised / repaid such outstanding on or before the date of issuance of offer of appointment, but whose CIBIL status has not been updated till then, shall, on or before the date of joining, have to either get the CIBIL status updated or produce the NOCs from lender to the effect that there is no outstanding with respect to the accounts adversely reflected in the CIBIL, failing which the letter of offer shall be withdrawn / cancelled. Thus, the candidates with record of default in repayment of loans/ credit card dues and/ or against whose name adverse report of CIBIL or other external agencies are available are not eligible for appointment.

ii. Candidates against whom there is/ are adverse report regarding character & antecedents, moral turpitude are not eligible to apply for the post. 

IMPORTANT DATES

The State Bank of India (SBI) has officially announced the SBI Circle Based Officer (CBO) Exam Date 2026. The online examination is scheduled to be conducted on 14 March 2026 (Saturday) across various exam centres in India. The SBI CBO 2026 notification was released on 28 January 2026, and the online application process started from 29 January 2026. Initially, the last date to apply was 18 February 2026, which was later extended to 25 February 2026. Admit cards were released in March 2026 through the official SBI careers portal. The Results of this exam will be announced in May or June 2026, Tentatively.

EXAM ANALYSIS

The upcoming SBI Circle Based Officer (CBO) 2026 examination can be better understood by analyzing the most recent recruitment cycle conducted in 2025. The previous exam provides useful insights into the exam pattern, difficulty level, expected cut-offs, and preparation strategy for 2026.

The last SBI Circle Based Officer online examination was conducted on 20 July 2025 (Sunday) for Circle Based Officer recruitment.

Last Conducted Exam Details (2025 Cycle)

Exam Date: 20 July 2025 (Sunday)

Post: Circle Based Officer (CBO)

Mode of Exam: Online Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Exam Level: National level

Shift Details: The examination was conducted across various centres in India. Candidates received their exact reporting time and shift details through the admit card. SBI generally conducts the exam in scheduled slots depending on candidate volume and centre allocation.

Exam Pattern (Based on 2025 Exam)

The SBI CBO examination followed an online pattern consisting of Objective Test + Descriptive Test.

Objective Test

English Language – 30 Questions – 30 Marks – 30 Minutes

Banking Knowledge – 40 Questions – 40 Marks – 40 Minutes

General Awareness / Economy – 30 Questions – 30 Marks – 30 Minutes

Computer Aptitude – 20 Questions – 20 Marks – 20 Minutes

Total: 120 Questions – 120 Marks – 2 Hours

Descriptive Test

Letter Writing – 1 Question – 25 Marks

Essay Writing – 1 Question – 25 Marks

Total: 2 Questions – 50 Marks – 30 Minutes

Negative Marking: No negative marking in objective examination.

Overall Difficulty Level (2025 Exam)

Based on candidate feedback and exam reviews, the overall paper was considered Moderate. Most candidates found the Banking and General Awareness sections comparatively more important, while English remained manageable.

Section-wise Analysis

1. English Language

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Reading comprehension and grammar-based questions dominated.

Sentence rearrangement and fillers were asked.

Vocabulary remained moderate.

Good Attempts: 23–27

Important Topics:

Reading Comprehension

Error Detection

Sentence Rearrangement

Double Fillers

Word Rearrangement

Review: Candidates with strong grammar basics found this section comfortable and scoring.

2. Banking Knowledge

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

This section carried the highest weightage and proved crucial.

Questions covered banking regulations, products, and financial concepts.

Good Attempts: 28–34

Important Topics:

Banking Terms

RBI Policies

Priority Sector Lending

Digital Banking

KYC / AML

Banking Acts and Financial Awareness

Review: Candidates with prior banking experience found this section relatively easier.

3. General Awareness / Economy

Difficulty: Moderate

Current affairs and economy-related questions dominated.

Banking current affairs proved important.

Good Attempts: 20–25

Important Topics:

Current Affairs

Economy

Government Schemes

RBI Updates

Financial News

Awards and International Events

Review: This section was moderately difficult and became a deciding factor for many candidates.

4. Computer Aptitude

Difficulty: Moderate

Basic computer knowledge and practical usage questions were asked.

Good Attempts: 14–18

Important Topics:

Computer Fundamentals

Internet & Networking

MS Office

Cyber Security

Operating Systems

Basic Applications

Review: Candidates considered this section manageable but slightly more technical than expected.

5. Descriptive Test

Difficulty: Moderate

The descriptive section included one letter and one essay.

Topics were generally related to banking, economy, digital banking, financial awareness, or social issues.

Good Performance Strategy:

Clear structure

Formal language

Logical presentation

Word limit discipline

Review: Candidates with regular writing practice performed comfortably.

Overall Good Attempts (2025)

A safe overall attempt range was generally considered:

Good Attempts: 85–100+ questions (with strong accuracy)

Since there was no negative marking, candidates attempted comparatively higher numbers of questions.

Expected Cut-Off Trend

SBI releases cut-offs depending on circle-wise vacancies and candidate performance.

Recent trends suggest:

General Category: Approximately 80–95+

OBC: Slightly lower than General

SC/ST: Moderate relaxation depending on circle and vacancies

Cut-offs depend mainly on:

Number of vacancies

Number of applicants

Circle-wise competition

Difficulty level

Candidate performance

Key Insights & Expectations for SBI CBO 2026

Based on the 2025 pattern, the 2026 exam is expected to maintain a similar structure.

Likely expectations:

Pattern likely unchanged (Objective + Descriptive)

No negative marking likely to continue<

EXAM ANALYSIS

The upcoming SBI Circle Based Officer (CBO) 2026 examination can be better understood by analyzing the most recent recruitment cycle conducted in 2025. The previous exam provides useful insights into the exam pattern, difficulty level, expected cut-offs, and preparation strategy for 2026.

The last SBI Circle Based Officer online examination was conducted on 20 July 2025 (Sunday) for Circle Based Officer recruitment.

Last Conducted Exam Details (2025 Cycle)

Exam Date: 20 July 2025 (Sunday)

Post: Circle Based Officer (CBO)

Mode of Exam: Online Computer-Based Test (CBT)

Exam Level: National level

Shift Details: The examination was conducted across various centres in India. Candidates received their exact reporting time and shift details through the admit card. SBI generally conducts the exam in scheduled slots depending on candidate volume and centre allocation.

Exam Pattern (Based on 2025 Exam)

The SBI CBO examination followed an online pattern consisting of Objective Test + Descriptive Test.

Objective Test

English Language – 30 Questions – 30 Marks – 30 Minutes

Banking Knowledge – 40 Questions – 40 Marks – 40 Minutes

General Awareness / Economy – 30 Questions – 30 Marks – 30 Minutes

Computer Aptitude – 20 Questions – 20 Marks – 20 Minutes

Total: 120 Questions – 120 Marks – 2 Hours

Descriptive Test

Letter Writing – 1 Question – 25 Marks

Essay Writing – 1 Question – 25 Marks

Total: 2 Questions – 50 Marks – 30 Minutes

Negative Marking: No negative marking in objective examination.

Overall Difficulty Level (2025 Exam)

Based on candidate feedback and exam reviews, the overall paper was considered Moderate. Most candidates found the Banking and General Awareness sections comparatively more important, while English remained manageable.

Section-wise Analysis

1. English Language

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Reading comprehension and grammar-based questions dominated.

Sentence rearrangement and fillers were asked.

Vocabulary remained moderate.

Good Attempts: 23–27

Important Topics:

Reading Comprehension

Error Detection

Sentence Rearrangement

Double Fillers

Word Rearrangement

Review: Candidates with strong grammar basics found this section comfortable and scoring.

2. Banking Knowledge

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

This section carried the highest weightage and proved crucial.

Questions covered banking regulations, products, and financial concepts.

Good Attempts: 28–34

Important Topics:

Banking Terms

RBI Policies

Priority Sector Lending

Digital Banking

KYC / AML

Banking Acts and Financial Awareness

Review: Candidates with prior banking experience found this section relatively easier.

3. General Awareness / Economy

Difficulty: Moderate

Current affairs and economy-related questions dominated.

Banking current affairs proved important.

Good Attempts: 20–25

Important Topics:

Current Affairs

Economy

Government Schemes

RBI Updates

Financial News

Awards and International Events

Review: This section was moderately difficult and became a deciding factor for many candidates.

4. Computer Aptitude

Difficulty: Moderate

Basic computer knowledge and practical usage questions were asked.

Good Attempts: 14–18

Important Topics:

Computer Fundamentals

Internet & Networking

MS Office

Cyber Security

Operating Systems

Basic Applications

Review: Candidates considered this section manageable but slightly more technical than expected.

5. Descriptive Test

Difficulty: Moderate

The descriptive section included one letter and one essay.

Topics were generally related to banking, economy, digital banking, financial awareness, or social issues.

Good Performance Strategy:

Clear structure

Formal language

Logical presentation

Word limit discipline

Review: Candidates with regular writing practice performed comfortably.

Overall Good Attempts (2025)

A safe overall attempt range was generally considered:

Good Attempts: 85–100+ questions (with strong accuracy)

Since there was no negative marking, candidates attempted comparatively higher numbers of questions.

Expected Cut-Off Trend

SBI releases cut-offs depending on circle-wise vacancies and candidate performance.

Recent trends suggest:

General Category: Approximately 80–95+

OBC: Slightly lower than General

SC/ST: Moderate relaxation depending on circle and vacancies

Cut-offs depend mainly on:

Number of vacancies

Number of applicants

Circle-wise competition

Difficulty level

Candidate performance

Key Insights & Expectations for SBI CBO 2026

Based on the 2025 pattern, the 2026 exam is expected to maintain a similar structure.

Likely expectations:

Pattern likely unchanged (Objective + Descriptive)

No negative marking likely to continue

Banking Knowledge expected to remain the highest-weightage section

General Awareness and Banking Current Affairs may remain highly important

Descriptive writing expected to continue

Preparation should prioritize:

Banking Awareness + Current Affairs

Descriptive writing practice

Computer and Banking fundamentals

Mock tests for sectional timing and speed

The 2025 paper was generally viewed as a moderate-level banking officer exam focused strongly on banking domain awareness and professional suitability, so candidates preparing for SBI CBO 2026 should focus equally on knowledge, writing ability, and time management.

STUDY TIPS

Every year, thousands of candidates compete for the limited vacancies in SBI CBO Recruitment 2026. A well-structured preparation strategy is crucial to enhancing a candidate’s chances of selection. Using the right books and study materials, along with following effective preparation tips, plays a vital role in success. Here are some general tips to help candidates crack the SBI CBO Exam.

Understand the Exam Pattern – Familiarize yourself with the sections, marking scheme, and time allocation for the written exam to plan your preparation effectively.

Create a Daily Study Schedule – Allocate dedicated time for each section: Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and General Awareness. Consistency is key.

Focus on Basics First – Strengthen your fundamental concepts in Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning before attempting advanced problems.

Practice Previous Year Papers – Solve past SBI CBO question papers and mock tests to understand the type of questions and improve speed and accuracy.

Time Management – During preparation and practice tests, work on solving questions within the stipulated time to build exam temperament.

Current Affairs & Banking Awareness – Regularly read newspapers, banking magazines, and reliable online sources to stay updated on relevant current affairs.

Short Notes & Revision – Maintain short notes for formulas, shortcuts, and important facts for quick revision before the exam.

Mock Tests & Self-Assessment – Take regular mock tests to evaluate your preparation, identify weak areas, and work on them.

Stay Healthy & Positive – Proper sleep, a balanced diet, and a positive mindset are essential for effective preparation and concentration.

Avoid Last-Minute Cramming – Focus on revision and strategy rather than learning new topics in the final days before the exam.

Study Plan

6 - Month Study Plan

Months 1-2: Focus on building strong basics in Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and English grammar. Cover simple topics and make short notes.

Months 2-3: Start practicing moderate-level questions and daily current affairs for General Awareness. Solve topic-wise questions.

Months 3-4: Attempt previous year papers and sectional mock tests. Identify weak areas and revise formulas, shortcuts, and concepts.

Months 4-5: Increase speed with full-length mock tests. Focus on time management and accuracy. Continue revising current affairs.

Month 6: Concentrate on revision of all sections, practice important questions, and take at least 5–6 full-length tests.

Maintain consistency, avoid skipping topics, and keep notes handy for last-minute revision.

3 - Month Study Plan

Month 1: Build strong basics in Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and English grammar. Focus on simple and frequently asked topics. Start reading daily current affairs and banking awareness. Make short notes for quick revision.

Month 2: Practice moderate to advanced-level questions in all sections. Solve topic-wise exercises and quizzes. Attempt previous year papers to understand exam pattern and question types. Identify weak areas. Take sectional mock tests to improve speed, accuracy, and time management.

Month 3: Focus on full-length mock tests under exam conditions. Analyze mistakes and revise weak topics. Revise important formulas, shortcuts, and current affairs notes regularly. Stay consistent, maintain a positive mindset, and avoid last-minute cramming.

1 - Month Study Plan

Week 1: Revise all basic concepts in Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and English. Focus on frequently asked topics. Start daily current affairs and banking awareness preparation; make short notes for quick revision.

Week 2: Practice moderate to advanced-level questions in all sections and solve topic-wise exercises. Attempt previous year papers to understand exam pattern and question types.

Week 3: Take full-length mock tests to improve speed, accuracy, and time management. Analyze mistakes carefully and revise weak topics thoroughly.

Week 4: Focus on rapid revision of formulas, shortcuts, and current affairs notes. Avoid learning new topics; concentrate on practice, revision, and maintaining exam readiness.

OVERVIEW

The SBI Circle Based Officers (CBO) recruitment drive is a highly specialized regular-basis campaign designed to induct a total of 2,273 generalist officers (2,050 regular and 223 backlog vacancies) directly into Junior Management Grade Scale I (JMGS-I) across specific bank circles. Open for online registration from January 29, 2026, to February 18, 2026, with an application fee of Rs. 750 for General/EWS/OBC candidates (exempted for SC/ST/PwBD), this drive bypasses traditional entry-level probationary officer structures by exclusively targeting experienced banking professionals. Eligible candidates must be between 21 and 30 years of age as of December 31, 2025, hold a graduation degree in any discipline, and possess at least 2 years of mandatory, full-time experience as an officer in a Scheduled Commercial Bank or Regional Rural Bank (with commercial/private bank employees requiring a verified gross annual salary of at least Rs. 9.50 Lakhs).

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process for SBI Circle-Based Officer (CBO) will include an Online Computer-Based Test, Screening, Interview, and Local Language Proficiency Test. However, the Bank reserves the right to conduct a written examination if deemed necessary. Shortlisting of candidates will be determined by a committee constituted by the Bank, which will decide the parameters for selection. Based on these criteria, a sufficient number of candidates, as decided by the Bank, will be shortlisted and called for the interview. The Bank’s decision regarding the candidates to be called for the interview will be final, and no correspondence in this regard will be entertained.

The process emphasizes experience verification, performance in tests, and suitability for a Scale-I officer role. Here's a clear breakdown:

1. Online Examination (Main Qualifying Stage)

Format: Computer-based test with two parts administered consecutively.

Objective Test (120 marks, 2 hours, 120 questions, no negative marking, no sectional cutoffs — only aggregate qualifying marks decided by SBI):

English Language: 30 Qs / 30 marks / 30 min

Banking Knowledge: 40 Qs / 40 marks / 40 min

General Awareness / Economy: 30 Qs / 30 marks / 30 min

Computer Aptitude: 20 Qs / 20 marks / 20 min

Descriptive Test (50 marks, 30 minutes, immediately after objective):

Test of English Language: 2 questions (Letter Writing + Essay), typed on computer.

Topics often relate to banking, economy, customer service, or current issues.

Total: 170 marks (120 objective + 50 descriptive).

Purpose: Shortlist candidates for further stages based on aggregate performance.

Centers: Across India (no change requests entertained).

2. Screening

Online application and submitted documents of candidates who qualify in the online exam are reviewed by a Screening Committee constituted by SBI.

Focus: Verification of eligibility, especially post-qualification experience (minimum 2 years as officer in Scheduled Commercial Bank/RRB) and job profile match.

Candidates must submit certified job profile from employer(s).

If the profile does not substantially match SBI Scale-I Generalist Officer role, application is rejected (Bank's decision final, no appeals).

Merit list prepared circle-wise and category-wise based on online test aggregate marks (for those clearing screening).

Up to - 3 times the vacancies (circle/category-wise) are shortlisted for interview (subject to qualified candidates available).

Mere qualifying online exam does not guarantee interview call.

3. Interview

Marks: 50

Conducted for shortlisted candidates.

Minimum qualifying marks decided by SBI (must qualify separately from online test).

Focus: Assess personality, communication, banking knowledge, experience relevance, and suitability for CBO role.

Document Verification: OBC (Non-Creamy Layer certificate), EWS (Income & Asset Certificate for relevant FY), PwBD certificates, experience proofs, etc., required at this stage (or before).

Candidates under reserved categories must submit valid certificates; otherwise, considered under General (if applicable).

4. Local Language Proficiency Test (Qualifying)

For provisionally selected candidates (after online test + screening + interview).

Test of proficiency (reading, writing, understanding) in the opted local language of the applied Circle.

Conducted before joining.

Exemption: If 10th/12th marksheet/certificate shows the language as a subject.

Failure to qualify ? No appointment offered (even if otherwise selected).

5. Final Selection & Merit List

Candidates must qualify separately in:

Online Test (aggregate).

Interview.

Final merit: Normalized online test marks (converted to out of 75) + Interview marks (out of 25) = out of 100.

Prepared circle-wise and category-wise.

Selection from top ranks in the merit list.

Subject to clearing local language test.

Results (interview calls, final list) published on SBI website.

Posting: Only in the applied Circle (no inter-Circle transfer for up to 12 years or promotion to SMGS-IV, whichever later).

Probation: 6 months on joining, with continuous assessment for confirmation in JMGS-I.