SBI PO Exam 2026 Notification : Expected Release Date, Vacancies, Eligibility

The State Bank of India is expected to release the SBI PO Exam 2026 notification in mid-2026 for the recruitment of Probationary Officers across branches nationwide. Every year, this exam attracts lakhs of aspirants looking to start a career in India’s largest public sector bank. The Probationary Officer post offers an attractive salary, growth opportunities, and job stability, making it one of the most sought-after banking jobs in the country.

SBI PO 2026 Exam

​The SBI PO 2026 Exam is a national-level recruitment test conducted by the State Bank of India to select eligible candidates for the post of Probationary Officer (PO) in various branches across the country. The selection process includes Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Interview rounds. Candidates must hold a graduation degree from a recognized university to apply. The exam tests a candidate’s aptitude, reasoning, English language, and general awareness skills. Selected candidates undergo a two-year probation period before being appointed as permanent officers in the bank.

SBI PO Notification 2026

​The SBI PO Notification 2026 will be released by the State Bank of India on its official website, sbi.co.in, to announce vacancies for the post of Probationary Officer (PO). The notification will include complete details such as eligibility criteria, important dates, application process, exam pattern, and selection stages. The notification is expected to be released in mid 2026, and the selection process aims to recruit dynamic graduates for managerial roles in the banking sector.

SBI PO 2026 Expected Vacancy

Although the official number of vacancies will be announced with the detailed notification, it is anticipated that around 2,000 to 2,500 posts will be available. Candidates must hold a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Those in their final year of graduation may also apply, provided they produce proof of completion at the time of interview. The age limit is expected to be between 21 and 30 years, with relaxation for reserved categories as per government norms.

SBI PO 2026 Eligibility

Any candidate applying for the SBI PO exam must fulfil the SBI PO Eligibility Criteria set by the State Bank of India, which includes specific age limits and educational qualifications. Here we have mentioned the details of the eligibility criteria for the reference of the candidates before applying for the Probationary Officer post.

SBI PO Age Limit

To apply for the SBI PO exam, candidates must be between 21 and 30 years old. This means they should have been born between April 2, 1995, and April 1, 2004. Candidates from reserved categories can get age relaxation as per government rules.

SBI PO Nationality

1. The candidates must hold Indian Citizenship
2. A Subject of Nepal or Bhutan
3. A Tibetan Refugee who came to India before 1st January 1962 with the intention of permanent settlement
4. A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) who has migrated from Burma, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, or East African countries of Zaire, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Ethiopia, or Malawi, with the intention of permanent settlement in India

Note: Candidates belonging to categories 2, 3, and 4 must have a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India in their favour if willing to apply for SBI PO 2026.

SBI PO Qualification

1. A candidate must be a graduate in any discipline from a recognised University or any equivalent qualification recognised as such by the Central Government.
2. Final Year/Semester candidates can also apply only if they produce proof of their graduation on the date of the interview.

Number of Attempts in SBI PO Exam

• UR / EWS: 4 chances/attempts
• UR (PwBD)/EWS (PwBD)/OBC/OBC (PwBD): 7 chances/attempts
• SC/ST (including PwBD): No limit

Note: 

• Appearing only in the Preliminary Exam will not be counted as an attempt.
• Appearing in the Main Exam will be considered an attempt.
• If only one written exam (no prelims) was held in a particular year, then appearing in that exam counts as one attempt.

SBI PO 2026 Selection Process

The SBI PO Selection Process 2026 involves three phases, which the candidates need to qualify for the final recruitment. The Prelims and Mains exams are both online exams that are conducted to assess the knowledge of the candidates.

SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern

The prelims exam pattern consists of 100 questions, and each question carries 1 mark. The total duration is 1 hour, and there is a negative marking of 1/4th mark for each wrong answer marked by the candidate.

SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern

The Mains stage comprises both objective and descriptive tests, with a total of 170 questions carrying 250 marks. The total duration of the exam is 3 hours and 3 minutes.

SBI PO Syllabus 2025- Click to Check

Negative Marking SBI PO Prelims and Mains Exam

In both the SBI PO Prelims and Mains exams, negative marking is applicable for wrong answers in the objective tests. For every incorrect answer, 0.25 marks (¼th of the marks assigned to the question) are deducted. However, there is no penalty for unanswered questions.

SBI PO 2026 Application Process and Fees

The application process will be conducted entirely online through the official SBI website. Candidates must complete registration, pay the required application fee, and upload documents in the prescribed format. The expected application fee will be around Rs. 750 for general and OBC categories, while candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwD categories are likely to be exempted from the fee.

SBI PO 2026 Form Fees

Fee/Intimation charges once paid will NOT be refunded on any account, nor can they be held in reserve for any other examination or selection. The category-wise application fee for SBI PO is discussed below in the table.

SBI PO Pre-Exam Training Centres

SBI PO Previous Year Question Paper

Practising the SBI PO Previous Year Question Paper is highly beneficial for candidates, as it provides insight into the format and nature of the SBI SO exam. Revising and assessing your preparation through these past question papers is an effective method to improve both speed and accuracy.

SBI PO 2026 Mock Test

Taking SBI PO Mock Tests is essential for effective preparation. These mock tests simulate the actual exam environment, helping candidates familiarise themselves with the test format and question types. Regular practice with mock tests enhances time management skills, improves accuracy, and boosts confidence.

SBI PO 2026 Online Coaching

SBI PO Online Coaching offers a convenient and flexible way to prepare for the exam. With interactive lessons, expert guidance, and practice tests, candidates can efficiently cover the syllabus and enhance their skills.

Online coaching by Adda247 provides personalised study plans, real-time doubt resolution, and access to a wealth of resources, allowing candidates to study at their own pace and improve their chances of success in the SBI PO exam.

Exam Preparation

Aspiring candidates should begin their preparation well in advance. Focus on strengthening quantitative aptitude, logical reasoning, and English proficiency while staying updated with current affairs, especially banking and financial news. Regular mock tests and time management practice are essential to succeed in this highly competitive exam.

SBI PO 2026 Exam Centre

1. The candidates will have to select the SBI PO Exam centre of their choice.
2.  The committee asks the candidate to select the centre for both the preliminary as well as for the main exam.
3. The applicants belonging to the SC/ST/Religious Minority Community are called for free pre-exam training.
4. The pre-exam training is conducted five days before the exam.

SBI PO 2026 Salary Structure

SBI PO is a highly rewarding role in public sector banking, offering an impressive salary package and job profile. The initial in-hand SBI PO Salary ranges between Rs. 80,000 and Rs. 82,000 per month. The estimated Cost to the Company (CTC) for a Probationary Officer posted in Mumbai is around Rs. 20.43 lakhs per year.

In addition to the basic salary, employees are entitled to multiple benefits such as Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance (HRA), City Compensatory Allowance (CCA), medical perks, and various other facilities. Refer to the table below for a detailed salary breakdown.

Strategy To Target SBI PO 2026 Exam

Aspirants preparing for the SBI PO Exam usually belong to one of two groups—freshers or those with previous exam experience. As you gear up for the SBI PO 2026, your primary focus should be on the Prelims exam while keeping up with current affairs. Stay committed to your preparation, and aim to give your best. Below are some important preparation tips to help you stay on track.