The SBI PO 2026 examination framework has been updated by the State Bank of India to streamline the selection process for aspiring banking professionals. Aimed at filling 1,500 Probationary Officer vacancies, this prestigious recruitment drive evaluates candidates through a rigorous three-tier evaluation system. Understanding the structure, revised sections, and evaluation criteria is essential for anyone aiming to crack the SBI PO Admit Card 2026 Out- Click to Download tracking and preparation timeline.
Overview of SBI PO Selection Process 2026
The State Bank of India conducts the SBI PO Exam in three phases: Online Prelims Exam, Mains Exam, and Interview Process. Additionally, maximum attempt limits have been adjusted to provide fair opportunities, allowing up to 6 attempts for UR/EWS candidates and 8 attempts for OBC candidates.
SBI PO Prelims Exam Structure
The preliminary examination serves as the first filtering stage. It is strictly qualifying in nature and does not feature sectional cut-offs. Approximately 10 times the number of total vacancies per category are shortlisted from the Prelims merit list for the Main Examination.
Prelims Checklist & Breakdown
- English Language: 40 questions, 40 marks, 20 minutes
- Quantitative Aptitude: 30 questions, 30 marks, 20 minutes
- Reasoning Ability: 30 questions, 30 marks, 20 minutes
- Total: 100 questions, 100 marks, 1 hour
| S.No. | Name of Tests (Objective) | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English Language | 40 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| 2 | Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| 3 | Reasoning Ability | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 hour |
SBI PO Mains Exam Structure & Revised Sections
Significant updates have been introduced for the Mains examination. Most notably, the descriptive exam weightage has been revised from 50 marks to 30 marks starting in 2026, bringing the total Mains marks down from 250 to 230.
Mains Checklists
Objective Exam Structure
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude: 40 questions, 60 marks, 50 minutes
- Data Analysis & Interpretation: 30 questions, 60 marks, 45 minutes
- General/Economy/Banking Awareness: 60 questions, 60 marks, 45 minutes
- English Language: 40 questions, 20 marks, 40 minutes
- Total Objective: 170 questions, 200 marks, 3 hours
Descriptive Test Structure
- Emails (1 out of 2 options)
- Situation Analysis (1 out of 2 options)
- Either Report Writing or Precis Writing (1 out of 2 options)
- Total Descriptive: 3 items, 30 marks, 30 minutes
| S.No. | Name of Tests(Objective) | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 50 minutes |
| 2 | Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| 3 | General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness | 60 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| 4 | English Language | 40 | 20 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 170 | 200 | 3 hours | |
| Descriptive Test (Communication Skills): Emails, Situation Analysis, Report Writing or Precis Writing | 03 | 30 | 30 minutes | |
| Grand Total | 230 | 3 Hours 30 Minutes | ||
Marking Scheme and Negative Marking
A negative marking of 0.25 marks applies to every incorrect answer in both Prelims and Mains exams. Conversely, no marks are deducted for unattempted or blank questions, allowing candidates to strategically manage their attempts.
Selection Criteria & Final Merit Calculation
Candidates who qualify the main exam participate in a psychometric test, group exercise (carrying 20 marks), and personal interview (carrying 30 marks). The breakdown for group exercises and interviews is structured as follows:
| Test Structure | Group Exercise | Interview | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Marks | 20 | 30 | 50 |
The final selection merit list incorporates scores from the Main Exam (normalized to 75 out of 230) and the Group Exercise & Interview (normalized to 25 out of 50), yielding a total normalized score out of 100.
| Test | Main Exam | Group Exercise & Interview | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum Marks | 230 | 50 | 300 |
| Normalization Marks | 75 | 25 | 100 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Negative Marking & Net Score Calculator
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