<h2>SBI PO 2026 Notification - Key Highlights</h2>
<p>State Bank of India has released the SBI PO 2026 notification (Advt No: CRPD/PO/2026-27/09) for <strong>1500 Probationary Officer vacancies</strong> - almost 3 times more than last year (541 vacancies in 2025). The last date to apply online is <strong>8 July 2026</strong>.</p>
<h2>Important Dates</h2>
<table>
<tr><th>Event</th><th>Date</th></tr>
<tr><td>Notification Released</td><td>18 June 2026</td></tr>
<tr><td>Application Start Date</td><td>18 June 2026</td></tr>
<tr><td>Last Date to Apply</td><td>8 July 2026</td></tr>
<tr><td>Prelims Exam</td><td>August 2026 (Tentative)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mains Exam</td><td>September 2026 (Tentative)</td></tr>
<tr><td>Psychometric Test/GE/Interview</td><td>October-November 2026</td></tr>
</table>
<h2>Vacancy Details (Category-wise)</h2>
<table>
<tr><th>Category</th><th>Vacancies</th></tr>
<tr><td>UR (General)</td><td>588</td></tr>
<tr><td>OBC</td><td>390</td></tr>
<tr><td>SC</td><td>234</td></tr>
<tr><td>ST</td><td>144</td></tr>
<tr><td>EWS</td><td>144</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Total</strong></td><td><strong>1500</strong> (1446 regular + 54 backlog)</td></tr>
</table>
<h2>Eligibility Criteria</h2>
<h3>Educational Qualification</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Graduation in any discipline</strong> from a recognized university</li>
<li>Final year students can apply provisionally (must submit degree proof on or before 30 September 2026)</li>
</ul>
<h3>Age Limit</h3>
<ul>
<li>Minimum age: <strong>21 years</strong></li>
<li>Maximum age: <strong>30 years</strong></li>
<li>Age relaxation as per government norms (OBC: 3 years, SC/ST: 5 years)</li>
</ul>
<h3>Number of Attempts</h3>
<ul>
<li>General/EWS: 6 attempts</li>
<li>OBC: 9 attempts</li>
<li>Appearing in Prelims is NOT counted as an attempt - only appearing in Mains counts</li>
</ul>
<h2>Selection Process</h2>
<p>SBI PO selection is done in 3 phases:</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Phase 1:</strong> Preliminary Exam (Online, 100 marks, 1 hour)</li>
<li><strong>Phase 2:</strong> Main Exam (Objective 200 marks + Descriptive 30 marks)</li>
<li><strong>Phase 3:</strong> Psychometric Test + Group Exercise + Interview</li>
</ul>
<p>Candidates must qualify each stage separately. The final merit list is prepared based on Mains + Interview performance.</p>
<h2>Prelims Exam Pattern</h2>
<table>
<tr><th>Section</th><th>Questions</th><th>Marks</th><th>Time</th></tr>
<tr><td>English Language</td><td>30</td><td>30</td><td>20 min</td></tr>
<tr><td>Quantitative Aptitude</td><td>35</td><td>35</td><td>20 min</td></tr>
<tr><td>Reasoning Ability</td><td>35</td><td>35</td><td>20 min</td></tr>
<tr><td><strong>Total</strong></td><td><strong>100</strong></td><td><strong>100</strong></td><td><strong>60 min</strong></td></tr>
</table>
<p><strong>Negative Marking:</strong> 1/4th mark deducted for every wrong answer.</p>
<h2>SBI PO Salary 2026</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Basic Pay:</strong> Rs 48,480 (starting)</li>
<li><strong>Gross Salary:</strong> Approximately Rs 80,000-82,000 per month</li>
<li><strong>Annual CTC:</strong> Rs 21.97 lakh (in metro cities) - revised upward this year</li>
<li>Additional benefits: leased housing, medical insurance, and travel allowances</li>
</ul>
<h2>Major Changes This Year</h2>
<ul>
<li>Vacancies increased from 541 to <strong>1500</strong> - 3x more opportunities</li>
<li>Annual CTC increased from Rs 20.43 lakh to <strong>Rs 21.97 lakh</strong></li>
<li>Descriptive paper now carries <strong>30 marks</strong> (earlier 50) - includes Email Writing, Situation Analysis, and Report/Precis Writing</li>
<li>Number of attempts increased by 2 for each category</li>
<li>Aadhaar verification made mandatory</li>
<li>New official website: sbi.bank.in</li>
</ul>
<h2>How to Apply</h2>
<ul>
<li>Visit the official website <strong>sbi.bank.in</strong> and go to the Careers section</li>
<li>Register with your email ID and mobile number</li>
<li>Fill the online application form and upload photograph, signature, and thumb impression</li>
<li>Pay the application fee online (General/OBC/EWS: Rs 750, SC/ST/PwBD: Nil)</li>
<li>Submit the form and save the confirmation page</li>
</ul>
<h2>Preparation Strategy</h2>
<p>With Prelims scheduled in August 2026, you have roughly one month to prepare. Daily mock test practice is the most important step because SBI PO has <strong>sectional timing</strong> - only 20 minutes per section. Practice topic-wise mock tests for Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning, and English for free on ExamWise.</p>
