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SBI PO vacancy 2026 is the single most-searched term in banking exam circles right now. State Bank of India has announced 1500 Probationary Officer vacancies under Advertisement No. CRPD/PO/2026-27/09, nearly tripling last year’s intake. If you’re prepping for SBI PO 2026, here’s the most complete, data-backed breakdown of vacancies, trends, and what this surge actually means for your selection chances.
SBI PO 2026 Previous Year Question Papers – Free PYQ PDFs
| Previous Question Papers | PDFs |
| SBI PO 2018 Preliminary Exam | |
| SBI PO Prelims Exam 2017 | |
| SBI PO 2015 Preliminary Exam | |
| SBI PO Preliminary Exam 2006 |
SBI PO Notification 2026 PDF
1: What does the acronym "ATM" stand for in banking?
Candidates are advised to download and read the SBI PO Notification 2026 PDF (Advertisement No. CRPD/PO/2026-27/09) before checking the vacancy details. The official notification contains the complete category-wise vacancy distribution, reservation policy, eligibility criteria, salary structure, selection process, and important dates.
Since SBI has announced 1,500 Probationary Officer vacancies, aspirants should carefully review the notification to understand the vacancy breakup and recruitment rules applicable to their category.
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Join Now!SBI PO 2026 Notification Details
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Exam Name | SBI PO Exam 2025-26 |
| Post | Probationary Officers (PO) |
| Vacancy | To be announced |
| Category | Bank Job |
| Job Location | All over India |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Age Limit | 21-30 Years |
| Selection Process | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| SBI PO Exam Date 2025 | To be announced |
| Medium of Exam | 13 languages |
| Number of Questions | Prelims: 100, Mains + Descriptive: 155 + 2 |
| Total Marks | Prelims: 100, Mains: 250 |
| Official Website | www.sbi.co.in |
SBI PO Vacancy 2026 — Check UR, OBC, SC, ST & EWS Seats
SBI PO 2026 announces 1,500 vacancies, up from 541 last year.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Vacancies | 1,500 |
| Regular Vacancies | 1,446 |
| Backlog Vacancies | 54 |
| Notification Date | 18 June 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 08 July 2026 |
| Previous Year (2025) Vacancies | 541 |
| Increase Over 2025 | +959 posts (177% jump) |
This is the biggest single-year vacancy jump SBI PO has seen in recent memory — and it’s already trending across every major banking exam forum and YouTube prep channel.
SBI PO Vacancy 2026 — Category-Wise Breakdown (Official)
SBI PO 2026 PwBD Vacancies
As always, these figures are provisional — SBI explicitly states vacancies “may vary depending on the Bank’s actual requirement.”
| Disability Category | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| Visually Impaired (VI) | 15 |
| Hearing Impaired (HI) | 16 |
| Locomotor Disability (LD) | 14 |
| d&e (ASD-Mild/Mental Illness/Multiple) | 16 |
SBI PO Vacancy Trend: 2025 vs 2026
The increase in vacancies is one of the biggest highlights of the SBI PO 2026 recruitment.
| Year | Vacancies |
|---|---|
| SBI PO 2025 | 541 |
| SBI PO 2026 | 1,500 |
The vacancy count has increased by nearly 177%, creating thousands of additional opportunities for graduates aspiring to join SBI.
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Join Now!SBI PO Vacancy Trend: Last 9 Years (2017–2026)
SBI PO vacancies have never followed a fixed pattern — unlike UPSC or SSC, they swing wildly year to year based on attrition, branch expansion, digital banking adoption, and internal manpower planning. 2024 and 2025 marked the lowest vacancy years in nearly a decade (600 and 541 respectively), largely attributed to automation and workforce optimization. 2026 reverses that trend dramatically.
| Year | Total Vacancies | YoY Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2,000 | — |
| 2021 | 2,056 | â–² Slight increase |
| 2022 | 1,673 | â–¼ Decline |
| 2023 | 2,000 | â–² Rebound |
| 2024 | 600 | ▼▼ Sharp drop |
| 2025 | 541 | â–¼ Lowest in 5 years |
| 2026 | 1,500 | ▲▲ 177% jump |
Why Did SBI PO Vacancies Triple in 2026?
A few likely factors aspirants are discussing across forums:
- Retirement-driven attrition — a wave of officer-level retirements freeing up posts
- Branch expansion & rural banking push — more feet on the ground needed
- Catch-up hiring — compensating for two consecutive low-vacancy years (2024, 2025)
- Backlog clearance — 54 backlog vacancies specifically targeting SC/ST candidates from previous cycles
 SBI PO 2026 – UR Category Has the Most Openings As Usual
Per standard reservation norms, the Unreserved (UR) category holds the highest share at 588 posts (39%), followed by OBC at 390 (26%). This pattern has remained fairly consistent across SBI PO cycles historically.
More vacancies generally mean:
- Lower effective cut-offs compared to a 500-vacancy year
- Higher shortlisting ratio for Mains (SBI shortlists ~10x vacancies per category for Mains, so more seats = more Mains calls)
- Better odds in Group Exercise & Interview, since ~3x vacancies are called for Phase III
That said, higher vacancies usually also attract a much larger applicant pool — so while your statistical odds improve, competition intensity doesn’t disappear. Smart, focused prep still separates selected candidates from the rest.
Eligibility Criteria for SBI PO Vacancy 2026: Age Limit, Qualification & Nationality Requirements
Before applying, candidates should ensure they satisfy all eligibility requirements:
- Educational Qualification: Bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university.
- Age Limit: Candidates must be 21 to 30 years old as per the date specified in the notification.
- Age Relaxation: Available for SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, and other eligible categories as per government rules.
- Nationality: Must be an Indian citizen or meet the nationality conditions prescribed by SBI.
- Final-Year Students: Candidates in their final year/semester may apply provisionally, provided they can produce proof of graduation when required.
- Document Verification: All eligibility claims will be verified during the selection process. Failure to produce valid documents may lead to cancellation of candidature.
Failure to meet eligibility criteria can lead to cancellation of candidature during document verification.
SBI PO Vacancy 2026: Increased Attempt Limits Offer More Opportunities for Aspirants
Along with the vacancy increase, SBI has revised the maximum permissible attempts:
| Category | Attempts |
|---|---|
| UR/EWS | 6 |
| OBC/PwBD | 9 |
| SC/ST | No Restriction |
Importantly, only appearances in the Main Examination are counted as attempts, while appearing in the Preliminary Examination does not count as an attempt.
How to Apply for SBI PO Vacancy 2026?
Candidates can apply for SBI PO Vacancy 2026 only through the online mode. The application process began on 18 June 2026 and will remain open until 08 July 2026. Aspirants should keep their photograph, signature, thumb impression, handwritten declaration, and required documents ready before starting the registration process.
SBI PO 2026 Application Process
Follow these steps to complete the SBI PO online application:
- Visit the SBI Careers Portal.
- Click on the SBI PO Recruitment 2026 notification link.
- Complete the registration process using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in personal, educational, and communication details.
- Upload the required documents in the prescribed format.
- Preview the application form and verify all details.
- Pay the application fee through online payment modes.
- Submit the application and download the confirmation page for future reference.
SBI PO Application Fee 2026
The application fee once paid is non-refundable and cannot be adjusted against any future recruitment process.
| Category | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| General / EWS / OBC | ₹750 |
| SC / ST / PwBD | Nil |
Documents Required for SBI PO 2026 Application
Candidates should keep the following documents ready:
- Recent passport-size photograph
- Signature
- Left-hand thumb impression
- Handwritten declaration
- Graduation certificates/marksheets
- Category certificate (if applicable)
- PwBD certificate (if applicable)
- Valid photo ID proof
SBI 2026 Important Points Before Applying
- Submit only one application; multiple applications may lead to cancellation of candidature.
- Ensure all details entered in the application form are correct, as incorrect information can result in disqualification.
- Complete the registration and fee payment before 08 July 2026.
- Keep a copy of the submitted application form and fee receipt for future reference.
- Candidates should verify their eligibility criteria before applying to avoid rejection during document verification.
Selection Process for SBI PO 2026
Candidates will be selected through a three-phase recruitment process:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Personal Interview
The final merit list is prepared using marks obtained in the Main Examination and Phase III assessment. Preliminary marks are not considered for final selection.
SBI PO 2026 Salary Makes These Vacancies Even More Attractive
Apart from the large number of vacancies, SBI PO continues to offer one of the best salary packages among banking jobs.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Starting Basic Pay | ₹48,480 |
| Grade | JMGS-I |
| Approximate CTC (Mumbai) | ₹21.97 Lakh |
The package includes DA, HRA, CCA, NPS benefits, medical facilities, leave fare concession, and other allowances.
SBI PO 2026 Service Bond Requirement
Candidates selected as SBI PO must execute a ₹2 lakh service bond and serve the bank for a minimum of three years from the date of joining. If an officer resigns before completing the bond period, SBI can invoke the bond conditions.
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Join Now!Frequently Asked Questions
Are SBI PO vacancies released every year?
Yes, SBI conducts PO recruitment annually, though the number of posts fluctuates based on internal requirements.
How many vacancies are available in SBI PO 2026?
The SBI PO Vacancy 2026 notification has announced 1,500 Probationary Officer posts across India. This is a significant increase compared to the previous recruitment cycle, providing more opportunities for banking aspirants.
Is 1500 the final number for SBI PO 2026?
The figure is official as per the notification dated 18 June 2026, but SBI reserves the right to revise vacancies — so always cross-check the final list before Mains.
How do vacancies affect SBI PO 2026 cut-off?
Generally, an inverse relationship — more vacancies tend to lower cut-offs, though applicant volume and paper difficulty also heavily influence the final cut-off.
Which category gets the most SBI PO vacancies?
General/UR typically receives the highest allocation, followed by OBC, with SC, ST, and EWS receiving their respective reserved shares.
Is SBI PO Vacancy 2026 higher than last year?
Yes. The SBI PO Vacancy 2026 count has increased to 1,500 posts, compared to 541 vacancies in 2025. The nearly threefold increase is expected to improve selection opportunities for candidates.
What is the last date to apply for SBI PO Vacancy 2026?
Candidates can apply online for SBI PO Vacancy 2026 until 08 July 2026. It is advisable to complete the application process well before the deadline to avoid technical issues.
Can final-year students apply for SBI PO Vacancy 2026?
Yes. Final-year or final-semester students can apply provisionally, provided they produce proof of graduation on or before the date specified by SBI.
What are the chances of selection in SBI PO Vacancy 2026?
With 1,500 vacancies, increased attempt limits, and a higher intake compared to previous years, SBI PO Vacancy 2026 offers better selection prospects for well-prepared candidates.
Where can I check the category-wise SBI PO Vacancy 2026 details?
Candidates can find the complete category-wise SBI PO Vacancy 2026 distribution, reservation details, eligibility criteria, and recruitment rules in the official SBI PO notification PDF released by SBI.





