SBI Recruitment 2027: 12,000 Hires and 250 New Branches Explained

State Bank of India (SBI) plans to hire about 11,000–12,000 people and open up to 250 new branches in FY27, according to Chairman C S Setty. The hiring covers both clerical and officer cadres, including SBI PO, Circle Based Officers and specialist roles. Here is a clear breakdown of the vacancies, eligibility, selection process, salary and how to apply.

SBI Recruitment 2027: Key Highlights

What Is SBI’s Mega Recruitment and Expansion Plan?

State Bank of India, India’s largest lender, announced in September 2026 that it will expand both its workforce and its branch network this financial year. Setty said the final hiring number could change depending on retirements and the bank’s emerging requirements.

He also said SBI still has “white space” in new residential colonies and commercially active districts. New branches are meant to fill those gaps, and each one needs staff. For job seekers, the plan means a steady stream of notifications through the year.

How Many Vacancies Is SBI Hiring for in FY27?

SBI expects roughly 11,000–12,000 appointments across clerical and officer cadres. That is lower than last year. In FY26 the bank hired 25,633 people:

Setty said last year was unusually large because SBI took on 1,500 specialist IT officers, and that it does not need such a large IT intake this year.

You may also see older headlines about 16,000 or 18,000 hires. Those came from 2025 statements about earlier plans. For this year, the 11,000–12,000 figure is the latest.

Which SBI Posts Are Open in 2026?

SBI also recruited AI specialists in senior roles, with applications open from 19 October to 9 November 2026. That window has closed.

How Many New Branches Will SBI Open, and Where?

SBI plans up to 250 new branches in FY27. It already runs a network of over 22,500 branches, backed by tens of thousands of ATMs and business correspondents.

The expansion targets:

• Semi-urban and rural areas
• Emerging residential clusters
• Commercially active districts where SBI’s presence is thin

More branches mean more local hiring, especially for Circle Based Officers and clerical staff who must know the local language.

Who Is Eligible for SBI Recruitment 2026?

Eligibility depends on the post:

• PO: a graduation degree in any stream, with age relaxations for reserved categories and PwBD candidates
• Circle Based Officer: graduation, usually with prior banking experience and proficiency in the local language of the circle
• Specialist Officers: relevant degrees or work experience, such as B.Tech in Computer Science for IT and AI roles

Age limits, experience requirements and exact qualifications are set in each notification. Always confirm them in the official advertisement before applying.

What Is the SBI Selection Process?

SBI PO Selection Process

SBI PO selection has three stages:

1. Prelims: an online objective test of 100 marks in 60 minutes, with no sectional cutoff.
2. Mains: an objective test of 200 marks plus a descriptive test of 30 marks, with sectional cutoffs.
3. Phase III: a psychometric test, group exercise and interview.

Selection Process for Other Posts

• Circle Based Officers and Clerks: exam-based, usually with a local language test.
• Specialist Cadre Officers: shortlisting followed by an interview, with no written exam for the notified posts.

What Does an SBI Job Pay?

The SBI PO pay scale starts at ₹48,480 and goes up to ₹85,920. The approximate CTC at a Mumbai posting is about ₹21.97 lakh a year, according to the notification coverage. Actual take-home varies by city and allowances. Specialist contractual posts can pay much more.

How to Apply for SBI Jobs: Step by Step

1. Go to the Careers section of sbi.co.in.
2. Open the current recruitment notification for your post.
3. Register with your email and mobile number.
4. Fill in your details and upload your photo, signature and documents.
5. Pay the application fee, if applicable, and submit.
6. Download and save the confirmation page.

What Does This Mean for Bank Job Aspirants?

• Competition stays high for PO and Clerk, so start preparing before the notification drops.
• Branch growth favours local candidates, so Circle-based and clerical roles are worth tracking.
• Fewer IT hires this year means more openings in regular banking cadres than in tech roles.
• Keep a checklist: documents ready, a mock test routine, and weekly checks of the SBI Careers page.

Conclusion

SBI’s FY27 plan combines about 12,000 hires with up to 250 new branches, which is good news for banking aspirants even though it is smaller than last year’s intake. Track official notifications on sbi.co.in, confirm eligibility early and start a structured preparation plan now.