SBI Junior Associate (CSS) Recruitment 2026 Backlog Vacancies
Complete Guide to 1,538 Backlog Vacancies
The State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest public sector bank, has officially released the SBI Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) Recruitment 2026 Notification under a Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies. This recruitment drive offers a golden opportunity for graduates aspiring to build a stable and prestigious career in the banking sector. SBI has announced a total of 1,538 vacancies across various states and union territories of India. The online application process started on 07 August 2026 and will continue until 27 August 2026. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can apply online through the official SBI Careers portal.
SBI Junior Associate, popularly known as SBI Clerk, is one of the most sought-after banking jobs in India due to its attractive salary package, job security, career growth opportunities, and nationwide recognition. Through this special recruitment drive, SBI aims to fill backlog vacancies reserved for SC, ST, and OBC categories. Candidates selected through this recruitment process will be appointed as Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) in the clerical cadre of the bank.
SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026: Overview
The recruitment notification has been issued by the Central Recruitment & Promotion Department, Corporate Centre, Mumbai, State Bank of India. The online registration and fee payment process is active from 07 August 2026 to 27 August 2026. SBI has clearly stated that candidates can apply for only one State or Union Territory and can appear for the examination only once under this recruitment project.
Key Highlights
- Organization: State Bank of India (SBI)
- Post Name: Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales)
- Recruitment Type: Special Recruitment Drive for Backlog Vacancies
- Advertisement Number: CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16
- Total Vacancies: 1,538
- Application Mode: Online
- Registration Dates: 07 August 2026 to 27 August 2026
- Preliminary Examination: September 2026 (Tentative)
- Main Examination: October/November 2026 (Tentative)
- Job Location: Across India
- Official Website: SBI Careers Portal
Total Vacancies
SBI has announced 1,538 backlog vacancies under this recruitment drive. The category-wise vacancy distribution is as follows:
- SC: 207 Posts
- ST: 1,219 Posts
- OBC: 112 Posts
- Total: 1,538 Posts
Among the states, Gujarat has the highest number of vacancies with 289 posts, followed by Maharashtra with 165 posts and Jharkhand with 133 posts. Bihar has 12 vacancies while several other states have also received a significant number of positions.
Jharkhand Vacancy Details
Candidates from Jharkhand should pay special attention to this recruitment because the state has a large number of vacancies.
- State: Jharkhand
- Local Language: Hindi / Santhali
- SC Vacancies: 14
- ST Vacancies: 119
- Total Vacancies: 133
Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, candidates must carefully review the eligibility conditions prescribed by SBI.
Age Limit
As on 01 April 2026, candidates must:
- Minimum Age: 20 Years
- Maximum Age: 28 Years
Candidates should have been born between 02 April 1998 and 01 April 2006 (both dates inclusive).
Age Relaxation
SBI provides upper age relaxation for reserved categories:
- OBC: 3 Years
- SC/ST: 5 Years
- PwBD (OBC): 13 Years
- PwBD (SC/ST): 15 Years
- Ex-Servicemen: As per government rules
- Widows/Divorced Women: Up to prescribed limits
- Trained Apprentices of SBI: Additional relaxation as specified by SBI
Educational Qualification
Candidates must possess a Graduation Degree in any discipline from a recognized university or any equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government. Candidates appearing in the final year or final semester of graduation may also apply provisionally, provided they can produce proof of graduation on or before 31 December 2026.
Important Educational Points
- Graduation in any stream is eligible.
- Final-year students can apply.
- Integrated Dual Degree holders are eligible.
- Ex-servicemen with specified educational qualifications are also eligible.
Local Language Requirement
One of the most important requirements of SBI Clerk recruitment is proficiency in the local language of the state applied for. Candidates must be able to read, write, speak, and understand the specified local language. Those who have studied the local language in Class 10 or Class 12 will generally be exempted from the Local Language Proficiency Test.
Candidates failing the local language test will not be appointed.
Selection Process
The SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026 selection process consists of three stages:
Phase-I: Preliminary Examination
The Preliminary Examination will be conducted online and will carry 100 marks. The duration of the examination will be 1 hour.
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 Hour |
There will be negative marking. One-fourth of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every wrong answer.
Phase-II: Main Examination
Candidates qualifying the preliminary examination will appear in the Main Examination.
| Subject | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 Minutes |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 Minutes |
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 Minutes |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 2 Hours 40 Minutes |
Negative marking of one-fourth marks will also apply in the Main Examination.
Phase-III: Local Language Proficiency Test
Candidates provisionally selected after the Main Examination may be required to appear for a Local Language Proficiency Test if they have not studied the concerned language in Class 10 or Class 12. Failure in this test will result in disqualification from appointment.
Merit List and Final Selection
The final merit list will be prepared solely on the basis of marks obtained in the Main Examination. Marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination will not be counted for final selection. Merit lists will be prepared state-wise and category-wise.
Salary and Benefits
SBI offers one of the best salary packages among public sector banking clerical positions.
Pay Scale
₹24,050 – ₹64,480 with periodic increments.
Starting Basic Pay
The starting basic pay is ₹26,730 for graduate candidates due to the benefit of additional increments.
Monthly Salary
The approximate starting monthly emoluments in metro cities such as Mumbai are around ₹46,000, including DA and other allowances.
Additional Benefits
Selected candidates will be entitled to:
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- Provident Fund
- Pension under NPS
- Medical Benefits
- Leave Fare Concession
- Other SBI employee benefits and allowances
Probation Period
Selected candidates will be placed on probation for a minimum period of six months. During this period, employees must complete the e-learning modules prescribed by SBI. Failure to do so may result in an extension of the probation period.
Application Fee
The application fee structure is:
- SC/ST/PwBD/XS/DXS: Nil
- OBC: ₹750/-
The fee once paid will not be refunded under any circumstances.
IMPORTANT LINKS: SBI Junior Associate (CSS) Recruitment 2026 Backlog Vacancies
Apply Online Link |
Click Here |
Check Official Notification |
Click Here |
Naukri Alarm |
Click Here |
SBI Official Website |
Click Here |
How to Apply Online
Candidates can submit their applications only through online mode. No offline application will be accepted. The application process includes:
- Visit the SBI Careers website.
- Open the Junior Associate Recruitment 2026 application link.
- Complete registration.
- Upload photograph, signature, thumb impression, and handwritten declaration.
- Fill personal and educational details.
- Pay the application fee.
- Submit the application.
- Download and print the application form for future reference.
Required Documents
Candidates should keep the following documents ready:
- Passport-size Photograph
- Signature
- Left Thumb Impression
- Handwritten Declaration
- Graduation Documents
- Category Certificate (if applicable)
- Identity Proof
- Mobile Number and Email ID
Examination Centres
Candidates from Jharkhand can choose among the following examination centres:
- Bokaro Steel City
- Dhanbad
- Hazaribagh
- Jamshedpur
- Ranchi
Important Instructions
Candidates should note the following:
- Only one application is allowed.
- Category changes after submission are not permitted.
- Mobile phones, smart watches, and calculators are prohibited in the examination hall.
- Biometric verification may be conducted during recruitment.
- False information may lead to cancellation of candidature.
Why SBI Clerk is a Great Career Option
Working as an SBI Junior Associate offers tremendous career growth opportunities. Employees gain exposure to banking operations, customer relationship management, digital banking services, and financial products. Internal promotion opportunities allow employees to rise to officer-level positions through departmental examinations and career advancement programs.
Apart from financial stability, SBI employees enjoy social recognition, work-life balance, pension benefits, healthcare facilities, and access to numerous welfare schemes. These factors make SBI Clerk one of the most preferred government-sector jobs in India.
Conclusion
The SBI Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) Recruitment 2026 is a significant opportunity for candidates belonging to SC, ST, and OBC categories. With 1,538 backlog vacancies across India, attractive salary packages, career growth prospects, and the prestige of working with India’s largest bank, this recruitment drive is expected to witness massive participation. Interested candidates should carefully read the notification, verify their eligibility, and submit their applications before 27 August 2026. Early preparation for the Preliminary and Main examinations will significantly improve the chances of success. Candidates are advised to keep visiting the SBI Careers portal regularly for updates regarding admit cards, examination schedules, and result announcements.
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