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Aptitude360

Next: Held on on 1 Aug 2026

Conducted by State Bank of India

Online (CBT)

SBI PO 2026 preparation guide

Everything you need to crack SBI PO

Exam pattern, eligibility, previous year papers, mock tests and topic-wise practice, all on this page. Pick a test, start it here, and get your score with solutions.

Take a Free Mock TestDownload Syllabus (opens in a new tab)SBI PO registration closedLast date was 8 Jul 2026
Free PYQs & mock testsInstant score & solutionsPractice mode open without sign-up

What is the SBI PO exam

State Bank of India conducts the SBI PO exam every year to recruit Probationary Officers (PO) for its branches across India.

The SBI PO selection process consists of three stages:

  • Prelims
  • Mains
  • Interview / Group Exercise

For the SBI PO 2025 exam, around 6.5 lakh candidates applied for just 540 vacancies. Less than 1% of candidates made it to the final merit list, making SBI PO one of the toughest competitive exams in India. If you aspire to crack the SBI PO 2026 exam, you must have a thorough understanding of the SBI PO syllabus and exam pattern. Solving previous year papers and taking regular mock tests are equally important for improving your chances of selection. Aptitude360 and its experienced teachers can help you prepare effectively for SBI PO 2026.


SBI PO 2026 Exam Summary


OrganizationState Bank of India (SBI)
Post NameProbationary Officer (PO)
Online RegistrationAlready Started (Form Open Till 8th July)
Exam ModeOnline
Recruitment ProcessPrelims – Mains – Interview & Group Exercise
Educational QualificationGraduate
Age Limit21 years to 30 years
Salary80,000+ (approx. in-hand)
Official websitesbi.bank.in

Banking & Insurance exams by date

SBI PO beside the other Banking & Insurance exams, latest first, with where registration stands for each.

  1. SBI PO 2026This exam

    State Bank of India

    Exam date: 1 Aug – 1 Sept 2026

    Held
  2. IBPS PO 2026

    The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection

    Exam date: 1 Aug – 1 Sept 2026

    Held
  3. IBPS Clerk Exam 2026

    Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)

    Exam date: Exam date not announced

    Registration closed on 21 Aug 2026

No dates announced yet: SBI Clerk Exam 2026

All Banking & Insurance exams →

Exam pattern & marking scheme

SBI PO 2026 Exam Pattern


The SBI PO exam is conducted in three stages—Prelims, Mains, and Interview. You must qualify each stage to make it to the final list of selected candidates.


SBI PO 2026 Prelims Exam Pattern


The SBI PO Prelims 2026 exam pattern and key details are as follows:


Section No. of Questions Marks Time Duration
English Language 40 40 20 minutes
Quantitative Aptitude 30 30 20 minutes
Reasoning Ability 30 30 20 minutes
Total 100 100 60 minutes

All questions are objective type (MCQs), with four options for each question. Each section has a fixed time limit. For every correct answer, 1 mark is awarded, while 0.25 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer as negative marking. No marks are deducted for unattempted questions.


SBI PO 2026 Mains Exam Pattern


The SBI PO Mains exam consists of two parts—Objective and Descriptive. You must qualify in both to be considered for the final SBI PO 2026 merit list.


Part A: SBI PO 2026 Mains Objective Test (200 Marks | 3 Hours)


The SBI PO Mains 2026 Objective Test (Part A) exam pattern and key details are as follows:


Section No. of Questions Marks Time Duration

Reasoning &

Computer Aptitude

40 60 50 minutes
Data Analysis & Interpretation 30 60 45 minutes

General  Economy &

Banking Awareness

60 60 45 minutes
English Language 40 20 40 minutes
Total 170 200 180 minutes


Like SBI PO Prelims 2026, all the questions in SBI PO 2026 Mains are objective type (MCQs), with four options for each question. Each section has a fixed time limit. For every correct answer, 1 mark is awarded, while 0.25 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer as negative marking. No marks are deducted for un-attempted questions.


Part B: SBI PO 2026 Mains Descriptive Test (30 Marks | 30 Minutes)


The SBI PO Mains Descriptive Test (Part B) is conducted immediately after Part A. You will be required to type your answers on a computer, so having basic computer proficiency is essential.


Topics No. of Questions Marks Duration
Email Writing 1 out of 2 options 10 30 minutes
Letter Writing / Precis / Report 1 out of 2 options 10

Situation Analysis 

1 out of 2 options

10
Total 3 questions 30

Eligibility criteria

If you are applying for SBI PO 2026, then you must be one of the following


  • An Indian citizen
  • A subject of Nepal or Bhutan
  • A Person of Indian Origin (PIO) with an eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India

SBI PO 2026 Age Limit (Expected)


You must be between 21 and 30 years of age as on 1st April 2026 (tentative), subject to confirmation in the official notification.

In addition to the prescribed age limit, category-wise age relaxation is applicable as per Government of India rules. Refer to the table below for complete details

CategoryAge Relaxation
SC / ST5 years
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)
3 years

Persons with Benchmark Disabilities10 years
Ex-Servicemen / ECOs / SSCOs5 years
Persons affected by 1984 riots
5 years


SBI PO 2026 Eucational Qualification


You must hold a graduation degree (BA, BCOM, BSC, BBA, BCA, BTech, MBBS etc) in any discipline from a university recognized by the government of India. 


Final-Year Students:


If you are in final year / semester of your graduation, you are eligible to apply provisionally. However, you must produce proof of passing the graduation examination on or before the date specified in the official SBI PO notification.

Computer Proficiency:


SBI PO 2026 exam is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) conducted in online mode. Hence, you must have basic computer proficiency. 

Selection process

How candidates are shortlisted and admitted after the SBI PO results.


The SBI PO exam consists of three stages, and you must qualify all three stages to become a Probationary Officer (PO). However, only Mains and Interview marks are counted for final selection.

StageExam  Role in Selection  Weightage in Final Merit
Stage 1 SBI PO 2026 PrelimsQualifying only 0%
Stage 2SBI PO 2026 MainsMain merit-deciding stage75%
Stage 3SBI PO Interview / Group ExerciseFinal assessment stage25%
   
Stage 1 and Stage 2 of the SBI PO exam have already been explained in the exam pattern section. SBI PO 2026 stage 3 consists of a Psychometric Test and Personal Interview.

SBI PO previous year questions

Slot-wise SBI PO PYQs in quiz format. Attempt them like the real exam, with instant scoring and detailed solutions.

View all 4 SBI PO PYQs →

SBI PO mock tests

Full-length and sectional mocks that simulate the real SBI PO interface and timing.

View all 3 SBI PO mock tests →

Assessments

Take a short benchmark test to see where you stand, then move on to topic-wise practice.

Free SBI PO video lessons

Watch them here. No sign-up needed.

  • “If You Can Solve These, You’ll Crack SBI & IBPS PO Easily 💪”

  • 1 Percent | Learn from Basics | MUST for SSC & BANK PO | The most important shortcuts You must know

  • Time & Work || A,B and C start the work but one of them leaving in between - SOLVE IN 30 Sec !!

  • Time, Speed & Distance || Learn the basics of AVERAGE SPEED and never get confused again

  • Mixture and Alligation 👉 How ALLIGATION method can simplify TOUGH Profit & Loss problems

  • “If You Can Solve These, You’ll Crack SBI & IBPS PO Easily 💪”

  • 1 Percent | Learn from Basics | MUST for SSC & BANK PO | The most important shortcuts You must know

  • Time & Work || A,B and C start the work but one of them leaving in between - SOLVE IN 30 Sec !!

  • Time, Speed & Distance || Learn the basics of AVERAGE SPEED and never get confused again

  • Mixture and Alligation 👉 How ALLIGATION method can simplify TOUGH Profit & Loss problems

Courses for SBI PO

Structured preparation with live classes, recorded lessons and tests.

Online

Percentage for CAT & Other Management Entrance Exams

Learning Percentage will not only help you solve percentage problems but will also help you understand Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Time & Work, Time–Speed–Distance, and Data Interpretation (DI), making it essential for scoring high in the Quant section.

Englishintermediate
Online

Remainder Theorem Course

Master the concepts of the Remainder Theorem and learn smart techniques to solve polynomial questions with confidence.

English, Hindibeginner
View all 6 SBI PO courses →

SBI PO prep, explained

Strategy, syllabus breakdowns and exam comparisons from the Aptitude360 blog.

Frequently asked questions

What students most often ask us about SBI PO.

What is the SBI PO exam?
The SBI PO exam is a national-level recruitment exam conducted annually by the State Bank of India to select candidates for the post of Probationary Officer (PO).
Is SBI PO Prelims exam qualifying in nature?
Yes, SBI PO Prelims exam is qualifying only. Its marks are not included in the final merit list but you must clear it to appear for SBI PO Mains Exam.
How many questions are asked in the SBI PO Prelims exam?
The SBI PO Prelims exam consists of 100 objective-type questions that you must attempt within 60 minutes.
How many questions are asked in the SBI PO Mains exam?
The SBI PO Mains exam has 170 objective questions and 2 descriptive questions (Essay and Letter/Email).
Is there negative marking in the SBI PO exam?
Yes, there is negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer in both Prelims and Mains objective tests.
What is the application fee for the SBI PO exam?
The application fee for SBI PO Exam is ₹750 for General, OBC, and EWS candidates, while SC, ST, and PwBD candidates are exempted from paying any fee.
What is the salary of an SBI PO in 2026?
In 2026, the gross monthly salary of an SBI PO is around ₹93,000–₹95,000, with an in-hand salary of approximately ₹80,000–₹85,000, depending on posting location.
What is the selection process of the SBI PO exam?
The SBI PO selection process consists of three stages: Preliminary Exam, Main Exam (Objective + Descriptive), and Interview. You must clear all stages to get selected.
What is the age limit for SBI PO 2026?
For SBI PO 2026, you must be between 21 and 30 years of age. You may get age relaxation—5 years for SC/ST, 3 years for OBC (NCL), and up to 15 years for PwBD candidates—as per rules.

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