State Bank of India Probationary Officer
SBI PO · 2026
The SBI PO Exam is one of India's most prestigious banking recruitment examinations conducted by the State Bank of India to recruit Probationary Officers. The exam offers excellent career growth, attractive salary, nationwide postings, leadership opportunities, and job security. Explore the latest SBI PO notification, eligibility, syllabus, exam pattern, previous year papers, admit card, answer key, results, cut-off marks, salary details, and preparation resources on GovtJobsNet.
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Official WebsiteSBI PO — All Updates
1 total postsEligibility Criteria
Age Limit
21
Min. Age
30
Max. Age
Qualifications Required
- Graduation
- Final Year Graduation (where applicable as per notification)
Exam Pattern
Mode
CBT (Computer-Based)
Questions
270
Total Marks
330
Duration
60 Minutes
Section-wise Breakdown
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary: English Language | 40 | — |
| Preliminary: Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | — |
| Preliminary: Reasoning Ability | — | 30 |
| Main: Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 |
| Main: Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 60 |
| Main: General Awareness / Economy / Banking Knowledge | 60 | 60 |
| Main: English Language | 40 | 20 |
| Main: Communication Skills (Descriptive) | 3 | 30 |
| Total | 270 | 330 |
Duration per Stage
Exam duration may change according to the official notification issued for each recruitment cycle.
Marking Scheme
Preliminary: 100 Marks Main Objective: 200 Marks Descriptive: 30 Marks Interview & Group Exercise: 50 Marks Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted for every incorrect objective answer.
Salary & Pay Scale
Pay Level
Junior Management Grade Scale-I (JMGS-I)
Basic Pay Range
₹48,480 – ₹85,918
In-Hand Salary
₹85,000–₹95,000 per month (Approx., depending on posting location)
Syllabus Overview
The SBI PO syllabus is divided into three phases. The Preliminary Examination includes English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. The Main Examination consists of Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General Awareness, Economy & Banking Knowledge, English Language, and a Descriptive Communication Skills test covering Email Writing, Situation Analysis, Report Writing, or Precis Writing. Candidates shortlisted in the Main Examination are called for the Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, and Personal Interview. Aspirants should regularly practise mock tests, previous year question papers, and current affairs to improve speed, accuracy, and overall performance.
Prepare for SBI PO
Key Subjects
Official Resources
SBI PO — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about eligibility, exam pattern, application, and results.
Frequently Asked Questions
SBI PO (State Bank of India Probationary Officer) is one of India's most prestigious banking recruitment examinations conducted to recruit Probationary Officers (POs) in the State Bank of India. Selected candidates join as officers in Junior Management Grade Scale-I (JMGS-I) and receive excellent salary, career growth, leadership opportunities, and nationwide postings. The SBI PO Exam consists of Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, and Personal Interview.
The State Bank of India (SBI) conducts the SBI PO Exam through its Central Recruitment & Promotion Department (CRPD). While the online application portal and examination process may be managed using IBPS technology, the recruitment, notification, selection process, and final appointments are conducted by SBI.
To be eligible for the SBI PO Exam, candidates must possess a Bachelor's Degree (Graduation) in any discipline from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government. Candidates appearing in the final year or final semester of graduation may also apply if they can produce proof of passing by the date specified in the official SBI PO notification.
The SBI PO age limit is generally 21 to 30 years. Age relaxation is available for reserved categories such as SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, and Ex-Servicemen according to Government of India rules. Candidates should always refer to the latest SBI PO Notification for the applicable age calculation date and category-wise relaxations.
The SBI PO selection process consists of three phases: Phase I: Preliminary Examination Phase II: Main Examination (Objective + Descriptive) Phase III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, and Personal Interview Candidates must qualify each stage separately. The final merit list is prepared based on marks obtained in the Main Examination and Phase III, while Preliminary Examination marks are used only for shortlisting.
Yes. The SBI PO Exam has negative marking in the objective tests. For every incorrect answer, one-fourth (0.25) of the marks assigned to that question is deducted. There is no penalty for unanswered questions. Candidates should attempt questions carefully to maximise their overall score.
The SBI PO salary is among the highest in the public sector banking industry. The starting basic pay is ₹48,480, along with Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), City Compensatory Allowance (CCA), medical benefits, pension benefits, leave fare concession, and other allowances. The overall annual Cost to Company (CTC) is significantly higher depending on the posting location and applicable benefits.
Yes. The SBI PO Recruitment is generally conducted every year based on the manpower requirements of the State Bank of India. However, the number of vacancies, eligibility criteria, exam schedule, and recruitment stages may vary from one recruitment cycle to another depending on the official notification.
Candidates can download SBI PO Previous Year Question Papers from the GovtJobsNet SBI PO Exam Hub. Solving previous year papers helps candidates understand the latest exam pattern, important topics, difficulty level, question trends, and expected cut-off marks. Regular practice also improves speed, accuracy, and time management for both the Preliminary and Main examinations.
To prepare effectively for the SBI PO Exam, candidates should first understand the latest syllabus and exam pattern, then create a structured study plan covering English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General Awareness, Banking Knowledge, and Descriptive Communication Skills. Regular mock tests, previous year question papers, current affairs preparation, and daily revision are essential for improving speed, accuracy, and overall performance in the SBI PO recruitment process.