SBI Clerk- Exam Pattern, Syllabus & Preparation
The gateway to a stable, well-paid clerical career at India's largest public-sector bank - with no interview.
SBI Clerk (officially Junior Associate, Customer Support & Sales) is SBI's recruitment exam for clerical cadre staff who handle customer service, cash, and front-office banking operations. It is among India's most popular banking exams, attracting several lakh applicants annually, and is valued for offering a secure government-bank job through a two-stage exam with no interview round. The 2025 cycle offered 6,589 posts including backlog vacancies.
6,589 (2025 cycle, incl. backlog)
Vacancies
State/circle-wise (single bank)
Recruitment Basis
2 (Prelims + Mains) + LPT; no interview
Exam Phases
₹46,000/month in-hand (basic ₹26,730)
Starting Salary
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Eligibility Criteria
Education
Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognised university (or equivalent). Final-year candidates may apply provisionally. Knowledge of the official/local language of the state applied for is required.
Age Limit
20–28 years as on the notification cut-off date. OBC: +3 years, SC/ST: +5 years, PwD: +10 to +15 years; ex-servicemen and widows/divorced women per government norms.
Nationality
Indian citizen (or a subject of Nepal/Bhutan, a Tibetan refugee who came to India before 1 Jan 1962, or a person of Indian origin from specified countries - with eligibility certificate where required).
Exam Pattern
SBI Clerk is conducted in two objective phases followed by a qualifying language test. Phase I (Preliminary) is a 100-question, 100-mark online screening test (qualifying only). Phase II (Mains) is a 190-question, 200-mark online objective test across 4 sections. There is NO interview. Candidates who did not study the local/official language in class 10 must also pass a qualifying Language Proficiency Test (LPT). Objective tests carry 0.25 negative marking per wrong answer; final merit is based on the Mains score.
Phase I - Preliminary Examination
Online CBT (Objective)60 min| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 |
Phase II - Main Examination
Online CBT (Objective)160 min| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| General English | 40 | 40 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 |
Language Proficiency Test (LPT)
Qualifying (only if local language not studied in class 10)0 min| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Local / Official Language Proficiency | 1 | 0 |
Key Topics & Syllabus
Quantitative Aptitude / Numerical Ability
- check_circleSimplification & Approximation
- check_circleNumber Series
- check_circleData Interpretation (tables, bar/line/pie)
- check_circlePercentages
- check_circleRatio & Proportion
- check_circleAverages
- check_circleProfit & Loss
- check_circleSimple & Compound Interest
- check_circleTime, Speed & Distance
- check_circleTime & Work
- check_circleMixtures & Alligations
- check_circlePartnership
- check_circlePermutation, Combination & Probability
- check_circleMensuration
- check_circleQuadratic Equations
- check_circleData Sufficiency
Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude
- check_circlePuzzles & Seating Arrangement
- check_circleSyllogism
- check_circleBlood Relations
- check_circleDirection & Distance
- check_circleCoding-Decoding
- check_circleInequalities
- check_circleOrder & Ranking
- check_circleAlphanumeric Series
- check_circleInput-Output
- check_circleData Sufficiency
- check_circleLogical Reasoning
- check_circleComputer fundamentals, MS Office, internet, shortcuts
English Language
- check_circleReading Comprehension
- check_circleCloze Test
- check_circlePara Jumbles
- check_circleError Spotting / Sentence Correction
- check_circleFill in the Blanks
- check_circleSentence Improvement
- check_circleVocabulary (synonyms/antonyms)
- check_circlePhrase Replacement
- check_circlePara Completion
- check_circleIdioms & Phrases
General / Financial Awareness
- check_circleCurrent Affairs (national & international, ~6 months)
- check_circleBanking & Financial Awareness
- check_circleRBI & its functions
- check_circleIndian financial system & institutions
- check_circleBanking terms & abbreviations
- check_circleGovernment & banking schemes
- check_circleBudget & economic survey highlights
- check_circleStatic GK
Career Roles & Salary
Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) / Clerk
₹46,000/month in-hand (basic ₹26,730)
Entry-level clerical role handling front-desk customer service, cash transactions, account opening, passbook/cheque processing, and cross-selling of banking products.
Senior Associate / Special Assistant
₹50,000 – ₹60,000/month (with increments)
Reached through seniority and internal promotion; handles more complex operations, single-window functions, and supervisory clerical duties.
Trainee Officer / Officer (JMGS-I)
₹65,000 – ₹80,000/month
Clerks can be promoted to the officer cadre via internal promotion exams (JAIIB/CAIIB aid faster growth), moving into the Assistant Manager/officer stream.
Middle & Senior Management (Scale-II and above)
₹1,00,000+/month
With continued performance, internal exams, and experience, a clerk-turned-officer can progress into managerial grades over a long banking career.
Full mock tests for SBI Clerk
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How to Prepare
Check eligibility & the notification
Confirm you hold a bachelor's degree in any stream, are 20–28 years old (with relaxations), and know the local language of the state/circle you apply for. Read the official notice on sbi.co.in / bank.sbi.
Register & apply online (state-wise)
Register on the SBI portal, choose the state/circle, upload photo, signature, thumb impression and declaration, and pay the fee (₹750 for General/OBC/EWS; nil for SC/ST/PwD/ex-servicemen - verify in the current notification).
Phase I - Preliminary Exam
Take the 1-hour online objective prelims (100 marks) with 20-minute sectional timing. It is a qualifying screening; clear the cut-off to be shortlisted (roughly 10× state vacancies) for Mains.
Phase II - Mains Exam
Appear for the 200-mark, 2 hr 40 min objective Mains (4 sections). Final merit and selection are based on Mains marks only - there is no interview.
Language Proficiency Test (if applicable)
Candidates who did not study the specified local/official language in class 10 must pass a qualifying LPT. It is pass/fail and does not add to merit.
Mock-test your way to the cut-off
Speed and accuracy decide SBI Clerk. Attempt free SBI Clerk mock tests and sectional practice sets on PrepClever, review every error, and track your scores against previous-year cut-offs.
Important Dates (Tentative)
| Event | Expected Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release | Varies by cycle (2025 cycle: notified December 2024) |
| Application Window | Typically 3–4 weeks after notification |
| Prelims Exam | Varies (2025 cycle: February–March 2025) |
| Mains Exam | Typically 4–6 weeks after Prelims |
| Language Proficiency Test | After Mains result (as applicable) |
| Final Result & Joining | State-wise, announced on sbi.co.in |
* Dates are indicative based on historical patterns. Check the official website for confirmed dates.
Prepare for SBI Clerk the smarter way
Free mock tests, chapter-wise practice questions and a personalized study plan, built around the latest SBI Clerk pattern.
SBI Clerk FAQ
What is the in-hand salary of an SBI Clerk?
Approximately ₹46,000 per month, with a starting basic pay of ₹26,730 (which includes advance increments granted to graduates), plus DA, HRA and other allowances. Salary varies slightly by posting city.
Is there an interview in SBI Clerk?
No. Selection is based only on the Prelims (qualifying) and Mains objective exams. There is no interview - only a qualifying Language Proficiency Test for candidates who did not study the local language in class 10.
What is the age limit for SBI Clerk?
20 to 28 years as on the cut-off date. OBC get +3 years, SC/ST +5 years, and PwD up to +15 years, with other category relaxations per government norms. There is no cap on the number of attempts within the age limit.
Is SBI Clerk tougher than SBI PO?
SBI Clerk is generally considered easier than SBI PO - only two objective phases, no descriptive test and no interview - though high competition keeps cut-offs demanding. The Prelims syllabus is nearly identical, so many aspirants prepare for both.
SBI Clerk vs IBPS Clerk - which should I pick?
SBI Clerk pays more (₹46,000 in-hand vs roughly ₹29,000–35,000) and carries SBI's brand, but IBPS Clerk offers far more vacancies across 11 banks. The syllabus overlaps almost completely - most candidates simply attempt both exams.
Is there negative marking in SBI Clerk?
Yes. 0.25 marks are deducted for every wrong answer in both the Prelims and Mains objective tests. There is no penalty for unattempted questions.
Does the Prelims score count toward final selection?
No. The Preliminary exam is only a qualifying stage. Final merit is prepared state-wise using the Mains examination marks only.
How many vacancies does SBI Clerk usually have?
SBI Clerk is a high-vacancy exam - the 2025 cycle offered 6,589 posts including backlog vacancies, distributed state-wise. Counts change every cycle, so check the latest notification for your state's numbers.
Can I apply for SBI Clerk from any state?
You apply for one state/circle and must know its official local language (reading/writing/speaking), verified via the LPT if you didn't study it in class 10. Choose your home state or a state whose language you genuinely know.
How long does it take to prepare for SBI Clerk?
Around 3–4 months of focused study is typically enough: build concepts, then daily sectional practice, then full mocks in the last month. Practice free SBI Clerk mock tests and topic-wise questions on PrepClever to sharpen speed and accuracy.
Can an SBI Clerk become an officer?
Yes. Through internal promotion exams (helped by JAIIB/CAIIB certifications), clerks move to Trainee Officer / JMGS-I officer roles, and can climb into middle and senior management over a career.
Is the SBI Clerk job transferable?
Postings are within the state/circle you applied for, and transfers generally happen within that circle. This makes SBI Clerk attractive for candidates who want to stay close to home.
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