SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2026
SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2026 (Prelims & Mains): Questions, Marks, Time, Negative Marking
Check SBI Clerk exam pattern 2026 for Prelims and Mains with section-wise questions, marks, duration, negative marking, local language test and FAQs.
SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2026 (Prelims & Mains)
The SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2026 is the first thing every serious aspirant must understand before starting preparation. The State Bank of India conducts the Junior Associate exam in two written stages — Prelims and Mains — followed by a Local Language Proficiency Test for applicable candidates. There is no interview for SBI Clerk.
What is the SBI Clerk exam pattern 2026?
The SBI Clerk selection process has:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Local Language Proficiency Test for candidates who do not have valid proof of studying the opted local language in Class 10 or 12. There is no interview.
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Prelims Key Points
- Each section has a separate time limit.
- One-fourth of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for every wrong answer.
- No minimum qualifying marks are prescribed for an individual section.
- No minimum aggregate qualifying marks are prescribed at the preliminary stage.
- Approximately ten times the number of vacancies may be shortlisted for the Main Examination, subject to availability.
- Preliminary marks will not be added to the final merit score.
SBI Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2026
Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 minutes |
General English | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 minutes |
Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
Total | 190 | 200 | 2 hours 40 minutes |
Mains Key Points
- Each section has a separate time limit.
- One-fourth negative marking applies to wrong answers.
- There is no individual sectional qualifying mark.
- Candidates must secure SBI’s prescribed minimum aggregate marks.
- SC, ST, OBC, PwBD, XS and DXS candidates receive a 5% relaxation in the prescribed aggregate qualifying marks.
- Only Main Examination marks will be considered for the final merit list.
Eligible trained SBI apprentices may receive five bonus marks in the Main Examination, subject to fulfilment of all conditions specified in the notification.
Local Language Proficiency Test Pattern
Test | Section | Passages | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Non-verbal | Objective | 3 | 15 | 15 |
Non-verbal | Subjective | 3 | 15 | 15 |
Verbal | Verbal assessment | — | — | 20 |
Total | — | — | — | 50 |
This test is qualifying in nature and is conducted only for candidates who cannot produce acceptable proof of having studied the selected language in Class 10 or Class 12.
SBI Clerk 2026 Selection Process
The official recruitment structure for Junior Associates consists of:
Stage 1 – Preliminary Exam
This is the screening stage. Candidates who qualify prelims are shortlisted for mains. Prelims marks are not added to the final merit list.
Stage 2 – Main Exam
This is the decisive written stage for final selection. Final merit is prepared using mains marks only, subject to qualifying the local language requirement where applicable.
Stage 3 – Local Language Proficiency Test
Candidates who cannot produce evidence of having studied the opted local language in Class 10 or 12 must appear in this test. Those who fail it are not appointed.
Is there interview in SBI Clerk?
No. SBI Clerk does not have an interview stage.