SBI CBO Syllabus 2026, Exam Pattern (Objective + Descriptive), Interview Details

The State Bank of India conducts the Circle-Based Officer examination to select candidates with prior banking experience. Having a clear understanding of the syllabus and exam pattern is important for effective preparation. Candidates preparing for the upcoming notification should go through this article for a detailed breakdown of the SBI CBO Syllabus 2026.

This article provides a detailed overview of the latest SBI CBO Syllabus and Exam Pattern, covering the marking scheme, key subject-wise topics, Language Proficiency Test (LPT), and interview process to support candidates in their exam preparation.

SBI CBO Syllabus 2026

The SBI CBO 2026 selection process consists of three stages: an Online Examination, a Language Proficiency Test (LPT), and an Interview. The SBI CBO Syllabus 2026 covers English Language, Banking Knowledge, General Awareness/Economy, and Computer Aptitude. Candidates preparing for the State Bank of India Circle Based Officer (CBO) examination should understand the subject-wise syllabus, objective and descriptive exam pattern, and interview process to prepare effectively.

SBI CBO Exam Syllabus: Key Details

Before we dive into the detailed SBI CBO Syllabus and exam pattern, candidates can check the highlights for the SBI CBO 2026:

SBI CBO Selection Process 2026

The selection process includes the following stages:

1. Online Examination: Candidates appear for the objective test and descriptive test.
2. Screening: SBI examines the applications, eligibility details, and work experience of candidates who qualify in the online examination.
3. Interview: Candidates meeting the screening requirements are shortlisted for the interview.
4. Final Selection: The bank prepares the merit list for selected candidates.

SBI CBO Exam Pattern 2026

Aspirants preparing for the SBI CBO examination should familiarise themselves with the test format and allotted time. The objective and descriptive sections of the online examination have a combined duration of 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes).

SBI CBO Descriptive Test

No Penalty for Wrong Answers

The SBI CBO Objective Test has no negative marking. Candidates will not lose marks for incorrect answers or for leaving questions unanswered.

SBI CBO Syllabus 2026 Subject-wise

Candidates must obtain the required marks in the SBI CBO Online Written Examination to qualify for the interview stage. The revised exam pattern comprises two parts: an Objective Test and a Descriptive Test. The Objective Test assesses candidates across the following subjects:

1. English Language
2. General Awareness/Economy
3. Banking Knowledge
4. Computer Aptitude

The SBI CBO Descriptive Test will include one letter-writing and one essay-writing question, with both based on banking-related topics. Candidates should prepare accordingly to meet the requirements of the revised exam pattern for Circle-Based Officer recruitment.

Check the topic-wise Syllabus for the SBI Circle-Based Officer Exam 2026:

English Language Syllabus for SBI CBO

The English Language test is to assess the knowledge of the candidates in basic English and Grammar. The topics to be covered are:

• Cloze Test
• Reading Comprehension
• Spotting Errors
• Sentence Improvement
• Sentence Correction
• Para Jumbles
• Fill in the Blanks
• Para/Sentence Completion

Banking Awareness Syllabus for SBI CBO

Candidates applying for the CBO post must know about the Banking and Finance sector. It is important to have this knowledge because you will be working at the largest bank in India.

• Banking Terminologies Knowledge
• Financial Awareness
• Financial Markets
• Monetary Policy
• Payment Banks
• Reserve Bank of India
• Banking Sector of India
• Acquisitions and Mergers
• New Policies in news
• Knowledge of financial institutions of importance
• Principles of Insurance
• Money and Banking

General Awareness Syllabus for SBI CBO

The General Awareness section includes current affairs of National and International importance.

• Current Affairs
• GK Updates
• Currencies
• Important Places
• Books and Authors
• Awards
• Headquarters
• Prime Minister Schemes
• Important Days

Computer Knowledge Syllabus For SBI CBO

• Puzzle (Seating Arrangement, Floor-Based, Box-Based, Year-Based, etc.)
• Syllogism
• Input-Output
• Coding-Decoding
• Blood Relations
• Direction Sense
• Inequality
• Data Sufficiency
• Statement & Assumption
• Statement & Conclusion
• Order and Ranking
• Logical Reasoning (Cause & Effect, Course of Action, etc.)

Best Books for SBI CBO Preparation 2026

SBI CBO Interview 2026

The SBI CBO Interview is the final stage of the Circle-Based Officer selection process and plays a crucial role in determining a candidate’s selection. It carries 50 marks, and candidates must score the minimum qualifying marks set by the bank to be considered for the final merit list. Only those who clear both the online written test and the interview separately will be eligible for selection.

SBI CBO Selection Process and Final Merit List

Check: How to Become a SBI CBO Officer

Local Language Proficiency Test

The SBI CBO Local Language Test is designed to assess a candidate’s proficiency in the local language of the region they have applied for. It evaluates their reading, writing, and comprehension skills in that language and serves as an essential component of the selection process.

Candidates who are provisionally shortlisted after the online test, screening, and interview must appear for the Local Language Test. However, those who have studied the relevant local language as a subject in their 10th or 12th grade and can provide a valid mark sheet or certificate as evidence are exempt from this requirement.

Candidates failing to qualify the local language test will not be offered an appointment, even if they have cleared the other stages of the selection process. The list of local languages is given below.