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SBI PO Syllabus

Explore the official examination structure and syllabus scope for SBI Probationary Officer 2026. The subjects and examination details on this page are taken only from the official SBI Recruitment of Probationary Officers 2026 notification. The notification specifies the examination sections and their structure, but does not provide a chapter-wise topic list.

Preliminary Examination Syllabus

The Preliminary Examination is an objective test of 100 marks consisting of English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability. Each section has separate timing of 20 minutes.

English Language

40 Questions • 40 Marks • 20 Minutes • English

Quantitative Aptitude

30 Questions • 30 Marks • 20 Minutes

Reasoning Ability

30 Questions • 30 Marks • 20 Minutes

English Language — Preliminary

Official Syllabus Scope

English Language

The official SBI Probationary Officer 2026 notification specifies English Language as a Preliminary Examination test with 40 questions, 40 marks and 20 minutes. The notification does not provide a chapter-wise list of English topics. Therefore, no additional chapter names have been added here.

Quantitative Aptitude — Preliminary

Official Syllabus Scope

Quantitative Aptitude

The official SBI Probationary Officer 2026 notification specifies Quantitative Aptitude as a Preliminary Examination test with 30 questions, 30 marks and 20 minutes. The notification does not provide a chapter-wise list of Quantitative Aptitude topics. Therefore, no additional chapter names have been added here.

Reasoning Ability — Preliminary

Official Syllabus Scope

Reasoning Ability

The official SBI Probationary Officer 2026 notification specifies Reasoning Ability as a Preliminary Examination test with 30 questions, 30 marks and 20 minutes. The notification does not provide a chapter-wise list of Reasoning topics. Therefore, no additional chapter names have been added here.

Main Examination Syllabus

The Main Examination consists of four separately timed objective tests: Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General Awareness / Economy / Banking Knowledge, and English Language. A Descriptive Test on communication skills follows the Objective Test.

Reasoning & Computer Aptitude

40 Questions • 60 Marks • 50 Minutes

Data Analysis & Interpretation

30 Questions • 60 Marks • 45 Minutes

General Awareness / Economy / Banking Knowledge

60 Questions • 60 Marks • 45 Minutes

English Language

40 Questions • 20 Marks • 40 Minutes • English

Reasoning & Computer Aptitude — Main Examination

Official Syllabus Scope

Reasoning
Computer Aptitude

The official SBI Probationary Officer 2026 notification specifies Reasoning & Computer Aptitude as Test I of the Main Objective Examination with 40 questions, 60 marks and 50 minutes. The notification does not provide a further chapter-wise list of Reasoning or Computer Aptitude topics.

Data Analysis & Interpretation — Main Examination

Official Syllabus Scope

Data Analysis
Data Interpretation

The official SBI Probationary Officer 2026 notification specifies Data Analysis & Interpretation as Test II of the Main Objective Examination with 30 questions, 60 marks and 45 minutes. No further chapter-wise sub-topics are published in the notification.

General Awareness / Economy / Banking Knowledge — Main Examination

Official Syllabus Scope

General Awareness
Economy
Banking Knowledge

The official SBI Probationary Officer 2026 notification specifies General Awareness / Economy / Banking Knowledge as Test III of the Main Objective Examination with 60 questions, 60 marks and 45 minutes. The notification does not publish a chapter-wise list under this test. No outside topic list has been added.

English Language — Main Examination

Official Syllabus Scope

English Language

The official SBI Probationary Officer 2026 notification specifies English Language as Test IV of the Main Objective Examination with 40 questions, 20 marks and 40 minutes. The notification does not provide a chapter-wise list of English topics.

SBI PO Examination Pattern

The official SBI Probationary Officer 2026 notification provides the following examination structure for the Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and Phase-III selection process.

Stage Test Questions Marks Time Medium
Preliminary English Language 40 40 20 Minutes English
Preliminary Quantitative Aptitude 30 30 20 Minutes As prescribed by SBI
Preliminary Reasoning Ability 30 30 20 Minutes As prescribed by SBI
Preliminary Total 100 100 60 Minutes
Main Objective Reasoning & Computer Aptitude 40 60 50 Minutes As prescribed by SBI
Main Objective Data Analysis & Interpretation 30 60 45 Minutes As prescribed by SBI
Main Objective General Awareness / Economy / Banking Knowledge 60 60 45 Minutes As prescribed by SBI
Main Objective English Language 40 20 40 Minutes English
Main Objective Total 170 200 3 Hours
Main Descriptive Communication Skills 3 Tasks 30 30 Minutes English
Main Grand Total 230 230 3 Hours 30 Minutes

Exam Pattern Highlights

Prelims — 100 Marks

English Language: 40 questions, Quantitative Aptitude: 30 questions and Reasoning Ability: 30 questions. Total 100 marks in 1 hour.

Mains Objective — 200 Marks

The Main Objective Examination contains 170 questions for 200 marks with four separately timed sections totaling 3 hours.

Descriptive — 30 Marks

The Descriptive Test is conducted immediately after the Objective Test and candidates type their answers on the computer.

Separate Timing

Each Objective Test in the Preliminary and Main Examination has separate timing.

Official Syllabus Scope — Important Note

Descriptive Test — Communication Skills

The Descriptive Test is conducted immediately after the Main Objective Test. Candidates have to type their Descriptive Test answers on the computer.

Emails

One question is to be attempted out of two options.

Situation Analysis

One question is to be attempted out of two options.

Report / Precis Writing

Either Report Writing or Precis Writing. One question is to be attempted out of two options.

Preliminary Examination — Official Conditions

Main Examination — Official Conditions

Negative Marking

Selection Process

The official notification describes the SBI PO recruitment through three phases: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Personal Interview.

Phase I — Preliminary

Candidates appear in the Online Preliminary Examination. Category-wise merit is prepared on the basis of aggregate Preliminary marks and approximately 10 times the vacancies are shortlisted for Main.

Phase II — Main

Shortlisted candidates appear for the Online Main Examination consisting of four objective tests followed immediately by the Descriptive Test.

Phase III — Psychometric

SBI conducts a Psychometric Test for personality profiling of candidates shortlisted for Phase III. Findings are placed before the Interview panel.

Group Exercise

Group Exercise carries a maximum of 20 marks. Minimum qualifying marks are decided by SBI.

Personal Interview

Personal Interview carries a maximum of 30 marks. Minimum qualifying marks are decided by SBI.

Final Merit

Phase-II and Phase-III marks are normalized to 100 for final merit. Preliminary marks are not added to the final merit list.

Final Selection — Important Points

Phase III — Marks Structure

The Phase III assessment consists of Psychometric Test, Group Exercise and Personal Interview. The notification specifies marks for Group Exercise and Interview.

Psychometric Test

The Bank conducts the Psychometric Test for personality profiling. All questions in the Psychometric Test are mandatory.

Group Exercise

Maximum Marks: 20. Minimum qualifying marks are as decided by the Bank.

Personal Interview

Maximum Marks: 30. Minimum qualifying marks are as decided by the Bank.

Phase III Total

Group Exercise + Interview = 50 marks.

Final Merit Normalization

The marks obtained in Phase-II and Phase-III are normalized to 100 marks for preparing the final merit list.

Component Maximum Marks Normalized Marks
Main Examination — Objective + Descriptive 230 75
Group Exercise + Interview 50 25
Total 280 100

Official Recruitment Schedule

Application & Basic Recruitment Details

Application Period

Online registration and payment of fees are scheduled from 18.06.2026 to 08.07.2026.

Total Vacancies

The notification announces 1,500 vacancies, comprising 1,446 regular vacancies and 54 backlog vacancies.

Qualification

Graduation in any discipline from a recognised University or equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.

Age Limit

21 to 30 years as on 01.04.2026, subject to applicable upper-age relaxation.

Eligibility — Official Conditions

Age Relaxation

OBC — Non-Creamy Layer

Upper-age relaxation: 3 years.

SC / ST

Upper-age relaxation: 5 years.

PwBD

PwBD (UR/EWS): 10 years; PwBD (OBC): 13 years; PwBD (SC/ST): 15 years.

Ex-Servicemen / Eligible Officers

Upper-age relaxation: 5 years, subject to the conditions specified in the notification.

Number of Chances

Category Maximum Permissible Chances
UR / EWS 6
UR (PwBD) / EWS (PwBD) / OBC / OBC (PwBD) 9
SC / SC (PwBD) / ST / ST (PwBD) No Restriction

Application Fee

Category Application Fee / Intimation Charge
Unreserved / EWS / OBC ₹750
SC / ST / PwBD Nil
Refund Non-Refundable

The application fee once paid will not be refunded on any account and cannot be held in reserve for another examination or selection.

Pre-Examination Training

SBI will arrange Pre-Examination Training in online mode for eligible SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates in accordance with Government of India guidelines.

Eligible Candidates

SC / ST / OBC / PwBD candidates who are eligible and wish to avail PET may opt for it in the online application.

Online Mode

Pre-Examination Training is conducted in online mode.

Schedule Intimation

Training schedule information is shared through registered email and SMS. No hard copy is sent.

Upload Requirements

The notification requires candidates to scan and upload their photograph, signature, left-hand thumb impression and hand-written declaration, and also capture a live photograph during registration.

Photograph

Recent passport-style colour photograph. Preferred dimensions 200 × 230 pixels; file size 20–50 KB.

Signature

Black ink on white paper. Preferred dimensions 140 × 60 pixels; file size 10–20 KB. CAPITAL LETTER signature is not accepted.

Left-Hand Thumb Impression

JPG/JPEG; preferred 240 × 240 pixels at 200 DPI; file size 20–50 KB. Right thumb may be used if the candidate does not have a left-hand thumb.

Hand-Written Declaration

English, clearly written with black ink. JPG/JPEG; preferred 800 × 400 pixels at 200 DPI; file size 50–100 KB. CAPITAL LETTERS are not accepted.

Live Photograph

A live photograph must also be captured and uploaded through a webcam or mobile phone during registration.

Hand-Written Declaration

The declaration specified in the notification is:

“I________(Name of the candidate), _______(Date of Birth) hereby declare that all the information submitted by me in the application form is correct, true and valid. I will present the supporting documents as and when required. The signature, photograph and left-hand thumb impression is of mine”.

Identity & Examination Security

Photo Identity Proof

Candidates must bring an original photo identity proof and a self-attested photocopy as prescribed in the notification.

Biometric Verification

SBI may capture photograph, thumb impression and/or IRIS Scan at various stages for biometric verification.

Electronic Devices

Mobile phones, pagers, smart watches, cameras, Bluetooth devices, storage media and related electronic devices are not allowed inside the examination, interview or group exercise premises.

Misconduct

Unfair means, impersonation, misbehaviour or other improper means may result in disqualification, debarment and other action.

Joining, Training & Career Path

Important service-related provisions stated in the official notification.

Basic Banking Course

Selected candidates are provided basic banking knowledge through an online course which they must complete before joining.

Service Bond

At joining, selected candidates execute a bond of ₹2.00 lakh to serve the Bank for a minimum period of three years.

Probation

Selected candidates are designated as Probationary Officers and may remain on probation for two years, subject to continuous assessment.

Career Growth

Candidates qualifying the prescribed assessment standards may be confirmed in Junior Management Grade Scale-I. SBI provides opportunities for career growth, including overseas postings.

Salary & Pay Scale

Post Scale of Pay Starting Basic Pay
Probationary Officer ₹48,480-₹85,920 ₹48,480 + 4 Advance Increments

The starting basic pay is ₹48,480 plus four advance increments. The officer is eligible for DA, HRA, CCA, PF, Contributory Pension Fund under NPS, LFC, Medical Facility, Lease Rental Facility and other allowances and perquisites as per rules. The approximate CTC at the initial scale of pay at Mumbai Centre is ₹21.97 Lacs.

CIBIL Requirement

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official SBI PO Preliminary syllabus?

The official notification specifies three Preliminary tests: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability. It does not provide a chapter-wise topic list for these tests.

How many questions are in SBI PO Prelims?

The Preliminary Examination has 100 questions for 100 marks: 40 English Language, 30 Quantitative Aptitude and 30 Reasoning Ability questions.

What is the official SBI PO Main syllabus?

The Main Objective Examination consists of Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General Awareness / Economy / Banking Knowledge and English Language. A 30-mark Descriptive Test follows the Objective Test.

How many questions are in SBI PO Mains?

The Main Objective Examination contains 170 questions for 200 marks and lasts three hours. The Descriptive Test carries 30 marks and lasts 30 minutes.

Does the official SBI PO notification provide a chapter-wise syllabus?

No chapter-wise detailed list is provided in the notification. The notification specifies the names of the examination tests and their structure, so no outside chapter list has been added to this page.

What is the SBI PO Preliminary exam pattern?

English Language has 40 questions for 40 marks and 20 minutes. Quantitative Aptitude has 30 questions for 30 marks and 20 minutes. Reasoning Ability has 30 questions for 30 marks and 20 minutes.

What is the SBI PO Main exam pattern?

Reasoning & Computer Aptitude: 40 questions, 60 marks, 50 minutes; Data Analysis & Interpretation: 30 questions, 60 marks, 45 minutes; General Awareness / Economy / Banking Knowledge: 60 questions, 60 marks, 45 minutes; English Language: 40 questions, 20 marks, 40 minutes.

What is the SBI PO Descriptive Test?

It is a 30-mark, 30-minute Communication Skills test conducted immediately after the Main Objective Test. It includes Emails, Situation Analysis and either Report Writing or Precis Writing.

Is there negative marking in SBI PO?

Yes. One-fourth of the marks assigned to the question is deducted for each wrong answer in the Objective Tests. There is no penalty when a question is left blank.

Are SBI PO Prelims marks counted in final selection?

No. Preliminary Examination marks are not added to the final merit list. Phase-II and Phase-III marks are used for final merit.

What is Phase III of SBI PO?

Phase III comprises Psychometric Test, Group Exercise and Personal Interview.

How are SBI PO final marks calculated?

Phase-II Main Examination marks and Phase-III marks are normalized to 100 marks. Main Examination contributes 75 normalized marks and Group Exercise & Interview contribute 25 normalized marks.

What is the SBI PO starting basic pay?

The starting basic pay is ₹48,480 plus four advance increments. The approximate CTC at the initial scale of pay at Mumbai Centre is ₹21.97 Lacs.

Is there a bond in SBI PO?

Yes. Selected candidates execute a bond of ₹2.00 lakh to serve the Bank for a minimum period of three years.

What is the SBI PO probation period?

Selected candidates may be on probation for two years and are subjected to continuous assessment during the probation period.

How many attempts are allowed for SBI PO?

UR/EWS candidates have 6 chances; UR(PwBD)/EWS(PwBD)/OBC/OBC(PwBD) have 9 chances; SC/SC(PwBD)/ST/ST(PwBD) have no restriction. Appearing in Mains counts as a chance, while appearing in Prelims does not.

What is the SBI PO application fee?

The application fee is ₹750 for Unreserved/EWS/OBC candidates and Nil for SC/ST/PwBD candidates. The fee is non-refundable.

When is SBI PO 2026 Preliminary Examination?

The tentative schedule in the notification states August 2026 for Phase-I Online Preliminary Examination.

When is SBI PO 2026 Main Examination?

The tentative schedule states September 2026 for Phase-II Online Main Examination.

When is SBI PO Phase III?

The tentative schedule places the Psychometric Test, Interview and Group Exercises in October / November 2026.

Disclaimer

The information provided on this page has been prepared for educational purposes based only on the official SBI Recruitment of Probationary Officers 2026 Notification (Advertisement No. CRPD/PO/2026-27/09). The examination structure, selection process, eligibility, schedule, salary and other details follow the uploaded SBI notification. The notification does not provide a chapter-wise detailed syllabus for the objective subjects; therefore, no outside chapter list has been added. Candidates should verify subsequent updates, changes and corrigenda through the latest official SBI career portal.