SBI PO Syllabus 2026, Revised Exam Pattern for Prelims & Mains, Download PDF

SBI PO is one of the most sought-after bank exams in India, attracting lakhs of candidates each year. This year, the Bank has announced 1500 vacancies for Probationary Officer and selection is to be done based on performance in Prelims, Mains, and Interview.

To prepare effectively for this exam, candidates should have a clear understanding the latest SBI PO Syllabus 2026. This year, SBI has made some changes in the Descriptive Paper of the Mains exam by changing the total marks from 50 to 30. However, other details of the pattern remain the same. As usual, Prelims has no sectional timing, while Mains exam sections are timed separately.

SBI PO Syllabus 2026

The SBI PO 2026 syllabus covers English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. In the Mains exam, candidates are tested on Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, and English Language, along with essay and letter writing. The syllabus is designed to assess candidates' speed, accuracy, analytical skills, and overall knowledge.

It doesn't matter if you cover the entire syllabus or not, but how you pick the topics is essential. Therefore, use the 80/20 method to crack the exam by going through the important topics and their weightage in the exam.

SBI PO Syllabus and Exam Pattern- Highlights

SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026

SBI has made a few updates to the marking scheme and the use of sectional cut-offs in both the Prelims and Mains exams. All the changes are explained in detail below.

SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2026

The following points are the highlights of the Prelims Exam Pattern:

1. There will be no sectional cut-off. However, there will be an overall cut-off.
2. There will be a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer
3. Total Duration: 60 minutes, Section-wise Duration: 20 minutes
4. A Category-wise merit list will be drawn based on the aggregate marks scored in the Preliminary Exam.

SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern 2026

This main paper will have four sections for a total of 200 marks, and the duration of the Mains Exam will be 3 hours. The Descriptive Test has a duration of 30 minutes with a score of 30 marks. There will be a sectional cut-off. Candidates will get a penalty of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer. This test is conducted to test the writing skills of candidates via Letter Writing and essay Writing.

Note: The descriptive paper of a candidate will be checked only if they qualify in the Objective test as per the qualifying marks decided by the Bank.Join SBI PO Online Coaching Classes​​​

SBI PO Prelims Syllabus 2026

The Prelims Syllabus is not very vast, and candidates can cover it easily within a month or two with proper preparation and practice. The subjects included are Reasoning, English, and Quantitative Aptitude. The chapter-wise syllabus for each section has been mentioned below.

SBI PO Mains Syllabus 2026

The Mains Syllabus comprises four sections:

1. Data Analysis & Interpretation
2. Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
3. General/Economy/Banking Awareness
4. English Language

Data Interpretation and Analysis Syllabus

The following topics are covered under the Data Analysis section:

1. Tabular Graph,
2. Line Graph,
3. Pie Chart,
4. Bar Graph,
5. Radar Graph Case-let,
6. Missing Case DI,
7. Let it Case DI,
8. Data Sufficiency,
9. Probability,
10. Permutation and Combination

Reasoning Syllabus

The following topics are covered under the Reasoning section:

1. Verbal Reasoning,
2. Syllogism,
3. Circular Seating Arrangement,
4. Linear Seating Arrangement,
5. Double Lineup,
6. Scheduling,
7. Input-Output,
8. Blood Relations,
9. Directions and Distances,
10. Ordering and Ranking,
11. Data Sufficiency,
12. Coding and Decoding,
13. Coded Inequalities,
14. The course of Action,
15. Critical Reasoning,
16. Analytical and Decision Making

English Syllabus 

The following topics are covered under the English Language section:

1. Reading Comprehension,
2. Grammar,
3. Vocabulary,
4. Verbal Ability,
5. Word Association,
6. Sentence Improvement,
7. Para Jumbles,
8. Cloze Test,
9. Error Spotting,
10. Fill in the blanks

General Awareness/ Economy/ Banking Awareness Syllabus

The following topics are covered under the Economy section:

1. Financial Awareness
2. Current Affairs
3. General Knowledge
4. Static Awareness
5. Banking and Financial Awareness

Computer Aptitude Syllabus

The following topics are covered under the Computer Aptitude section:

1. Internet,
2. Memory,
3. Keyboard Shortcuts,
4. Computer Abbreviation,
5. Microsoft Office,
6. Computer Hardware,
7. Computer Software,
8. Operating System,
9. Networking,
10. Computer Fundamentals/ Terminologies

SBI PO Marking Scheme 2026

The details of the SBI PO Marking Scheme 2026 have been mentioned in the table given below for the candidates.

​SBI PO Apply Online 2026 - Click to Check

SBI PO Syllabus 2026 PDF Download

Candidates appearing in the examination must download the SBI PO Syllabus PDF to understand the complete structure of the examination and the subject-wise topics they need to prepare. The direct link to download the syllabus PDF is provided below for the convenience of candidates.

​SBI PO Syllabus 2026 PDF-Click to Download​

SBI PO Syllabus - Subject-wise Weightage (Prelims)

The topic-wise weighatge of all 3 subjects of Prelims is mentioned below:

​SBI PO Interview 2026

The bank will conduct a psychometric assessment to evaluate the personality traits of candidates shortlisted for the Interview. The results of this test will be shared with the interview panel to provide deeper insights into each candidate's personality. This is the final stage and the Group Discussion carries 20 marks, and the Interview carries 30 marks.

SBI PO 2026 Final Selection Process

The final selection for SBI PO 2026 is based on candidates' performance in Phase-II (Mains Examination) and Phase-III (Group Exercise & Interview). Candidates must qualify separately in both stages to be considered for final appointment. The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination (Phase-I) are only qualifying in nature and are not included in the final merit list. For preparing the final merit list, the marks secured in the Mains Examination (Objective + Descriptive Tests) and Group Exercise & Interview are normalized to 100 marks.

Out of these, the Mains Examination carries a weightage of 75 marks, while the Group Exercise & Interview carry 25 marks. The final merit list is prepared by aggregating these normalized scores, and candidates are selected based on their rank in the combined score.

​SBI PO 80/20 Rule: How to Qualify for the Exam?

For SBI PO aspirants, the 80/20 principle means focusing on the most frequently asked and highest-scoring topics:

• Spend 70% of study time on high-weightage topics.
  
• Spend 20% of the time solving sectional and full-length mocks.
  
• Spend 10% of the time revising formulas, vocabulary, and current affairs notes.
  
• Complete at least one mock test every week initially and increase frequency as you get closer to the exam.
  
• Analyse mistakes rather than simply attempting more questions. Candidates on banking exam forums consistently recommend starting mocks once the syllabus is covered.