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    SBI PO Selection Procedure 2026 - Check Complete SBI PO Recruitment Process

    SBI PO Selection Procedure 2026 - Check Complete SBI PO Recruitment Process

    Sravani MadhikuntaUpdated on 10 Apr 2026, 11:09 AM IST

    SBI prescribes the details about the SBI PO 2026 selection procedure in the official notification. There are three stages in the SBI PO selection procedure 2026: prelims, mains, and Psychometric tests (Group Exercise & Interview). The SBI PO exam prelims and main stages will be conducted in online mode, whereas the Psychometric Test (Group Exercise & Interview) will be conducted in offline mode.

    This Story also Contains

    1. SBI PO 2026: Overview
    2. SBI PO Selection procedure 2026 - Stages
    3. Best books for SBI PO 2026
    SBI PO Selection Procedure 2026 -  Check Complete SBI PO Recruitment Process
    SBI PO selection procedure

    Candidates need to clear the SBI PO cut off 2026 marks of all the stages of the selection procedure to get placed as a Probationary Officer in the State Bank of India across the country. On clearing the prelims exam of the selection procedure of SBI PO 2026, aspirants will be eligible to appear for the mains exam. Candidates look for questions on how to apply for the exam; the best answer is mentioned in the SBI PO application form 2026. To know more about the SBI PO selection procedure 2026, read the full article.

    SBI PO 2026: Overview

    Exam name

    SBI PO examination

    Exam Conducting Authority

    State Bank of India

    Exam Level

    National

    Educational Qualification

    Graduation

    Age limit

    20 to 30 years

    Stages of Exam

    Prelims

    Mains

    Interview

    Exam Mode

    Online

    SBI PO Selection procedure 2026 - Stages

    SBI PO selection procedure is a three-stage procedure. Check the table below to know the stages of the SBI PO selection procedure.

    SBI PO selection procedure stages

    Stages

    Exam stages and mode of exam

    1

    Prelims (online)

    2

    Mains (online)

    3

    Psychometric Test (Offline Group Exercise & Interview)

    SBI PO 2026 selection procedure - Prelims

    The SBI PO selection procedure has one paper, which is conducted in online mode. SBI PO prelims exam has three sections - English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. SBI PO 2026 prelims exam is of 100 marks with 100 questions. There is a negative marking for incorrect responses. Candidates must clear the prelims cut off to move to the next stage of the SBI PO selection procedure 2026. Check the table below for the prelims SBI PO 2026 exam pattern.

    SBI PO prelims exam pattern

    Sections

    Number of Questions

    Maximum Marks

    Duration

    English Language

    40

    30

    20 minutes

    Quantitative aptitude

    30

    35

    20 minutes

    Reasoning Ability

    30

    35

    20 minutes

    Total1001001 hour

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    Selection procedure of SBI PO 2026 - Mains

    The main SBI PO selection procedure 2026 is objective as well as descriptive in nature. Candidates qualifying the SBI PO preliminary exam will be eligible to appear for the main exam. SBI PO mains exam has five sections. The duration of the SBI PO mains exam is 3 hours and 30 minutes. Check the table below for the SBI PO exam pattern.

    SBI PO mains exam pattern 2026

    Paper type

    Sections

    Number of Questions

    Maximum Marks

    Duration

    Objective

    English Language

    40

    20

    40 minutes

    Data analysis & interpretation

    30

    60

    45 minutes

    General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness

    60

    60

    45 minutes

    Reasoning & Computer Aptitude

    40

    60

    50 minutes

    Total1702003 hours
    Descriptive English Language (Letter Writing & Essay)25030 minutes
    Grand Total250

    Check Here the List of Other Government Exams

    SBI PO Selection Procedure 2026 - SBI PO Psychometric Test

    The final stage of the SBI PO selection procedure is the Psychometric Test. Candidates clearing the SBI PO cut off of the mains exam are eligible to appear for the interview and group discussion rounds. In the interview stage of the SBI PO 2026 selection procedure, candidates need to appear in person along with relevant documents.

    SBI PO interview exam pattern 2026

    Events

    Marks

    Group exercise

    20

    Interview

    30

    Other Important Links:

    SBI PO Selection procedure 2026 - Final SBI PO merit list

    The final selection of candidates in the SBI PO 2026 examination is done on the basis of their performance in the mains exam and interview. Candidates clearing the cut off of the SBI PO prelims exam, mains exam, and interview stage will make it to the final merit list.

    The marks obtained by the candidates in Phase II (Main Examination, both Objective & Descriptive Tests) and Phase-III (Group Exercise & Interview) will be normalized to 100 marks as detailed below.

    TestMain exam
    Group discussion & Interview
    Total
    Maximum marks25050300
    Minimum marks7525100

    Best books for SBI PO 2026

    Candidates preparing for the SBI PO 2026 exam must refer to the best preparation books for all the subjects asked in the exam. Applicants must avoid referring to too many books, as it might create confusion in their minds. Check the table below for the best SBI PO preparation books 2026.

    Other Banking-related exams

    Best books for SBI PO

    Books

    Author/ Publication

    Quantum CAT

    Sarvesh Verma

    English Language

    Wren & Martin

    Verbal- Nonverbal Reasoning

    R.S. Aggrawal

    Manohar Pandey Book

    Arihant Publications

    Computer Awareness

    Arihant Publisher

    How to prepare for SBI PO 2026?

    Here are a few tips on how to prepare for the SBI PO 2026 exam.

    • Prepare a study schedule for each subject of the SBI PO exam.

    • Make short notes as they are easy to revise.

    • Pay more attention to topics with higher weightage.

    • Refer to the best SBI PO preparation books.

    • Solve previous year's SBI PO question papers, sample papers, and more.

    SBI PO Selection Procedure 2026 - Resolution of Ties

    In case of a tie in the final SBI PO result 2026 between candidates, it is resolved on the basis of the criteria set by the State Bank of India.

    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

    Q: Is there negative marking in the SBI PO examination?
    A:

    Yes, there is negative marking of 0.25 marks in the SBI PO prelims and mains exam.

    Q: When is the SBI PO 2026 prelims exam scheduled to be conducted?
    A:

    SBI PO prelims exam will be scheduled soon on the official website

    Q: How many stages are there in the SBI PO selection procedure 2026?
    A:

    SBI PO 2026 selection procedure has three stages.

    • Prelims

    • Mains

    • Interview

    Q: Does SBI release the SBI PO cut off?
    A:

    Yes, the SBI releases the SBI PO cut off for all the stages of the exam.

    Q: What is the minimum age to apply for the SBI PO examination?
    A:

    The minimum age to apply for the SBI PO exam is 21 years.

    Q: When is the best SBI PO book for the general awareness part?
    A:

    Manohar Pandey book is good for SBI PO general awareness section.

    Q: Is the SBI PO prelims marks considered in preparation of the final merit list?
    A:

    No, prelims marks are not considered for preparing the final SBI PO merit list.

    Q: What posts is the SBI PO exam held for?
    A:

    The SBI PO exam is held to recruit Probationary Officer post in State Bank of India.

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    Questions related to SBI PO

    On Question asked by student community

    Have a question related to SBI PO ?

    Hello Aspirant,

    Generally, having vitiligo does not prevent you from working in a bank like SBI as a PO or Clerk, or in other banks.

    Bank eligibility primarily focuses on:

    • Educational qualification

    • Age limit

    • Nationality

    • General good health

    Vitiligo is a skin condition that affects pigmentation and is not typically

    If your parents’ income exceeds the OBC NCL limit this year, you should apply under the General category for IBPS PO and SBI PO recruitment. Previous years' applications under OBC NCL do not affect the current year's eligibility if income criteria change.

    Hello aspirant ,

    I hope you are doing well. As per your mentioned query , practising previous year question papers helps you to find the difficulty level of an exam . You also get to know about the exam pattern , important topics as well. It will boost your preparation.

    Hi Akarsh,

    The eligibility for the SBI PO exam is based on specific age criteria mentioned in the official notification.

    SBI PO Age Criteria :

    • Minimum Age : 21 years.
    • Maximum Age : 30 years.
    • Age relaxation is provided for reserved categories as per government norms.

    If you're being declared

    Hello Saurav,

    It is unlikely to create a problem during the document verification (DV) process, as long as the university name on your certificates matches the details provided in your application form. However, since your college (ABC) is affiliated with XYZ University, it's important that the certificates or documents you