The State Bank of India (SBI) has officially released the Preliminary Examination Admit Card and Call Letter for the recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) 2026. Registered candidates appearing for the nationwide computer-based preliminary test can now download their hall tickets from the official SBI careers portal at sbi.bank.in/web/careers by logging in with their registration credentials.
SBI Clerk Prelims 2026 Examination Highlights & Schedule
Candidates can review the key dates and parameters of the recruitment examination below:
- Conducting Organization: State Bank of India (SBI)
- Official Recruitment Portal: sbi.bank.in/web/careers
- Post Name: Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales)
- Total Vacancies: 9,766 Regular Posts + 1,538 Backlog Vacancies
- Admit Card Release Date: September 9, 2026
- Preliminary Examination Dates: September 16, 2026 (Backlog drive), followed by September 26 & 27, 2026 (Regular drive)
- Examination Mode: Online Computer-Based Test (Objective Type)
- Login Credentials: Registration Number / Roll Number and Password / Date of Birth
Comprehensive Prelims Exam Pattern & Sectional Timings
The Phase 1 preliminary examination consists of 100 objective questions carrying a total of 100 marks over a duration of 1 hour (60 minutes):
- English Language: 30 Questions (30 Marks). Strict 20-minute sectional timing. Evaluates reading comprehension, cloze test, error detection, sentence improvement, and para jumbles.
- Numerical Ability: 35 Questions (35 Marks). Strict 20-minute sectional timing. Tests simplification/approximation, data interpretation, number series, quadratic equations, and arithmetic word problems.
- Reasoning Ability: 35 Questions (35 Marks). Strict 20-minute sectional timing. Focuses on seating arrangements, puzzles, syllogisms, blood relations, direction sense, and inequalities.
- Negative Marking: 0.25 (1/4th) marks will be deducted for each incorrect answer. Unattempted questions carry zero penalty.
- No Sectional Cut-Off: Unlike IBPS examinations, SBI does not apply minimum qualifying sectional cut-offs in the preliminary round. Candidates are shortlisted for Phase 2 (Mains) based solely on their overall aggregate score.
Selection Process: Phase 1 to Final Appointment
The recruitment of Junior Associates in SBI is structured across three phases:
- Phase 1 (Preliminary Examination): Objective test used strictly for screening candidates. Approximately 10 times the number of vacancies in each category are shortlisted for the Main examination.
- Phase 2 (Main Examination): 200-mark comprehensive online examination covering General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude. Final merit lists are prepared based solely on Main examination scores.
- Phase 3 (Local Language Proficiency Test – LPT): Candidates qualifying the Main examination who did not study the opted local language in 10th or 12th standard must qualify the state-specific language proficiency test before final joining.
Step-by-Step Guide to Download SBI Clerk Call Letter
Follow these instructions to download and print your hall ticket from the official portal:
- Visit the official State Bank of India careers portal at sbi.bank.in/web/careers.
- Navigate to the 'Current Openings' section and locate 'Recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales)'.
- Click on the link titled 'Download Preliminary Examination Call Letter'.
- Choose your preferred language (English or Hindi) on the login interface.
- Enter your Registration Number and Password or Date of Birth (DD-MM-YY format).
- Enter the captcha code and click 'Login'.
- Your admit card displaying exam date, shift timing, reporting time, roll number, and exam centre address will be displayed.
- Download the PDF and print at least two colour copies for the examination day.
Mandatory Exam-Day Instructions & Document Checklist
Candidates must strictly adhere to the following reporting protocols at their assigned test centre:
- Printed clear copy of the SBI Clerk Prelims Admit Card with a recent passport-size colour photograph firmly affixed in the designated space.
- Two (2) additional identical passport-size colour photographs to be submitted at the examination venue.
- Original valid Government Photo ID Proof (Aadhaar Card with photo, PAN Card, Passport, Permanent Driving License, or Voter ID).
- Self-attested photocopy of the valid Government Photo ID proof (must be stapled with the admit card and submitted to the invigilator).
- Strict Prohibitions: Mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth devices, earphones, calculators, bags, and metallic ornaments are strictly barred inside the examination premises.