State Bank of India Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) Recruitment 2026

Overview

The State Bank of India (SBI), through its Central Recruitment & Promotion Department, has announced a special recruitment drive for the post of Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) within the clerical cadre. This significant opportunity, advertised under reference number CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16, is exclusively for candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC) categories to fill backlog vacancies. A total of 1538 positions are available across 21 States/Union Territories. Prospective candidates, who are graduates aged between 20 and 28 years (as of April 1, 2026) and meet the specified category criteria, are invited to apply online. The selection process for this prestigious role includes an online Preliminary Examination, a Main Examination, and a Local Language Proficiency Test where applicable.

Important Dates

Vacancy Details

SBI has released 1538 backlog vacancies for Junior Associates, strictly reserved for SC, ST, and OBC candidates across 21 States and Union Territories. Candidates must select only one State/UT for their application, and merit lists will be compiled state-wise and category-wise. Proficiency in the specified local language of the chosen State/UT is mandatory. Detailed category-wise distribution is as follows: SC: 207 vacancies, ST: 1219 vacancies, OBC: 112 vacancies. It is crucial for candidates applying to Maharashtra (Maharashtra Circle/Mumbai Metro Circle) or Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow Circle) to verify the operational areas via SBI's official branch locator. Please note that vacancies are provisional and may be subject to change based on the Bank's requirements. Inter-Circle or Inter-State transfers for Junior Associates are not typically permitted, with minor Intra-State exceptions. Candidates with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) and Ex-servicemen/Disabled ex-servicemen should apply under their respective parent categories (SC/ST/OBC), as separate horizontal reservations for PwBD are not provided in this specific drive.

Eligibility Criteria

Who Can Apply

This special recruitment initiative is open exclusively to candidates from the SC, ST, and OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) categories against existing backlog vacancies. Candidates belonging to the General/Unreserved (UR) and Economically Weaker Section (EWS) categories are not eligible to apply under this particular advertisement.

Educational Qualification (as on 31.12.2026)

• Applicants must hold a Graduation degree in any discipline from a university recognized by the Central Government, or possess an equivalent qualification.
• Candidates with an Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) must ensure their passing date is on or before December 31, 2026.
• Those in their final year/semester of graduation are eligible to apply provisionally, provided they submit proof of passing by December 31, 2026, if provisionally selected.
• Matriculate Ex-servicemen who have completed a minimum of 15 years of service and obtained the Indian Army Special Certificate of Education (or equivalent Navy/Air Force certificate) are also eligible.

Age Limit (as on 01.04.2026)

Candidates must be between 20 and 28 years of age. This means applicants must have been born not earlier than 02.04.1998 and not later than 01.04.2006 (both dates inclusive). Age relaxations for SC/ST/OBC categories will be applicable as per Government of India guidelines, consistent with the nature of this special drive for backlog vacancies.

Who Is Not Eligible

• Candidates currently employed in SBI's Clerical cadre.
• Individuals who were previously employed in SBI and resigned from the clerical cadre.
• Candidates with adverse reports concerning character, antecedents, or moral turpitude.
• OBC candidates falling under the 'Creamy Layer'.

PwBD Suitability

The Junior Associate position is identified as suitable for candidates with various benchmark disabilities, including Blindness/Low Vision, Deafness/Hard of Hearing, specific Locomotor Disabilities (such as One/Both Arms or Legs, Cerebral Palsy, Leprosy Cured, Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victims, Muscular Dystrophy, Spinal Deformity/Injury without associated neurological dysfunction), Autism Spectrum Disorder (Mild), Intellectual Disability, Specific Learning Disability, Mental Illness, and Multiple Disabilities involving the aforementioned categories.

Selection Process

The recruitment for SBI Junior Associate (Clerical Cadre) involves a multi-stage selection process:

• **Preliminary Examination:** An online test tentatively scheduled for September 2026.
• **Main Examination:** An online test tentatively scheduled for October/November 2026.
• **Local Language Proficiency Test:** Candidates provisionally selected after the Main Examination will undergo a test of their proficiency in the local language of the State/UT for which they applied.

How to Apply

Eligible candidates must apply online through the official career portal of State Bank of India. Applicants are advised to carefully read the detailed advertisement available on the website before submitting their application to ensure they meet all eligibility criteria and understand the application procedure and required documents. Candidates are encouraged to apply well in advance of the closing date to avoid last-minute technical issues.