Build a career as a SBI Clerk
The gateway to a stable, well-paid clerical career at India's largest public-sector bank - with no interview.
Know the SBI Clerk before you start
6,589 (2025; incl. 1,409 backlog)
Vacancies / Year
SBI (single bank; state-wise vacancies)
Participating Banks
2 (Prelims + Mains) + LPT; no interview
Exam Phases
₹46,000/month in-hand (basic ₹26,730)
Starting Salary
Roles & salary as you grow
The SBI Clerk opens an entry role that promotes upward — here's the ladder and what each rung pays.
Stage 1
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.
Stage 2
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.
Stage 3
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.
Stage 4
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.
*Indicative ranges from public data; actual pay varies by employer, city and cycle.
Are you eligible?
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
20–28 years (as on 01.04.2025). 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).
How the SBI Clerk is structured
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
Phase II - Main Examination
Language Proficiency Test (LPT)
What you'll study
menu_bookQuantitative Aptitude / Numerical Ability
menu_bookReasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude
menu_bookEnglish Language
menu_bookGeneral / Financial Awareness
How to crack the SBI Clerk
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).
Phase I - Preliminary Exam
Take the 1-hour online objective prelims (100 marks). This is a qualifying screening; clear the cut-off to be shortlisted (~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 Language Proficiency Test. It is pass/fail and does not add to merit.
Final merit list & joining
A state-wise merit list is prepared from Mains scores. Selected candidates complete document verification and medical formalities and join as Junior Associates.
The SBI Clerk cycle
December 2024 (2025 cycle)
December 2024 – January 2025
22, 27, 28 February & 1 March 2025
March 2025
March–April 2025
After Mains result (as applicable)
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See the full SBI Clerk guide arrow_forwardSBI Clerk — common questions
Is there an interview in SBI Clerk?
No. SBI Clerk 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 (PwD+SC/ST), with other category relaxations per government norms.
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 two advance increments granted to graduates), plus DA, HRA and other allowances.
Is there negative marking?
Yes. 0.25 marks (one-fourth) are deducted for every wrong answer in both the Prelims and Mains objective tests. There is no penalty for un-attempted questions.
Is the SBI Clerk exam tough compared to SBI PO?
SBI Clerk is generally considered easier than SBI PO. It has only two objective phases (no descriptive test, no interview) and a slightly lower difficulty level, though high competition means the cut-offs are still demanding.
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.
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