Overview of SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026
The State Bank of India conducts selections to fill extensive positions nationwide. For the current recruitment cycle, SBI is recruiting candidates for 9,766 Clerk (Junior Associate) posts through a regular drive, alongside 1,538 candidates through a special recruitment drive. Aspiring candidates can review comprehensive details, preparation strategies, and updates directly via SBI Clerk.
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Schedule & Shift Timings
The SBI Clerk 2026 prelims exam for the special recruitment drive is scheduled for September 16, 2026. Meanwhile, the exam for regular vacancies is scheduled for September 27 and October 3, 2026. On each examination day, tests are administered across four distinct shifts. Below is the detailed timetable outlining the exam schedule.
| Dates | Shift 1 | Shift 2 | Shift 3 | Shift 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 16, 2026 | To be updated | To be updated | To be updated | To be updated |
| September 27, 2026 | To be updated | To be updated | To be updated | To be updated |
| October 3, 2026 | To be updated | To be updated | To be updated | To be updated |
Candidates must adhere strictly to the reporting times assigned for their respective shifts. The detailed breakdown of reporting and exam durations is outlined below:
| Shifts | Reporting Time | Exam Starts | Exam Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shift- 1 | 08:00 am | 09:00 am | 10:00 am |
| Shift- 2 | 10:30 am | 11:30 am | 12:30 pm |
| Shift- 3 | 01:00 pm | 02:00 pm | 03:00 pm |
| Shift- 4 | 03:30 pm | 04:30 pm | 05:30 pm |
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Structure and Sections
The SBI Clerk Prelims Exam consists of 3 sections with a total of 100 MCQs. The total exam duration is 60 minutes (1 hour) with strict sectional timing of 20 minutes allocated to each section.
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Sections
- Reasoning Ability (35 questions)
- Quantitative Aptitude (35 questions)
- English Language (30 questions)
Previous Year Data & Exam Analysis
Reviewing past trends helps candidates gauge difficulty levels and master topics. Below are previous analyses from recent cycles.
SBI Clerk 2025 Prelims Exam Difficulty Level (20 September)
| Sections | Shift 1 | Shift 2 | Shift 3 | Shift 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate |
| Reasoning Ability | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate |
| Overall | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate | Easy to Moderate |
SBI Clerk 2025 Prelims Exam Difficulty Level (21 September)
| Sections | Shift 1 | Shift 2 | Shift 3 | Shift 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | Easy to Moderate | To be updated | To be updated | To be updated |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Easy to Moderate | To be updated | To be updated | To be updated |
| Reasoning Ability | Easy to Moderate | To be updated | To be updated | To be updated |
| Overall | Easy to Moderate | To be updated | To be updated | To be updated |
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Analysis 2024 [English Language]
| Topics | Shift 1 | Shift 2 | Shift 3 | Shift 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading Comprehension | 07 | 08 | 07-08 | 8 |
| Error Detection | 05 | 05 | 05 | 5 |
| Misspelt | 04 | โ | 04-05 | |
| Word Usage | 03 | โ | โ | 2 |
| Word | โ | โ | โ | 5 |
| Sentence Rearrangement | 05 | 03 | 02 | |
| Cloze Test | 06 | 05 | 06 | 6 |
| Phrase Replacement | โ | 04 | 05 | 4 |
| Fillers | โ | 03 | โ | |
| Word Rearrangement | โ | 02 | โ |
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Analysis 2024 [Quantitative Aptitude]
| Topics | Shift 1 | Shift 2 | Shift 3 | Shift 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simplification | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Missing Number Series | 4 | โ | โ | โ |
| Arithmetic | 11 | 14 | 10 | 15 |
| Data Interpretation | 10 | 11 | 15 | 10 |
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Analysis 2024 [Reasoning Ability]
| Topics | Shift 1 | Shift 2 | Shift 3 | Shift 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puzzle | 08 | 12 | 05 | 10 |
| Seating Arrangement | 10 | 05 | 10 | 9 |
| Direction | โ | 03 | 03 | โ |
| Chinese Coding-Decoding | โ | 04 | 05 | |
| Syllogism | 04 | 04 | 04 | 3 |
| Number Based | โ | โ | 01 | โ |
| Series | 05 | 05 | 05 | 05 |
| Meaningful Word | 01 | 01 | 01 | โ |
| Pair Formation | 01 | 01 | 01 | |
| Inequality | 03 | โ | โ | 4 |
| Blood Relation | 03 | โ | โ | 3 |
| Odd One Out | โ | โ | โ | 1 |
Essential Resources and Next Steps
To successfully prepare and clear the upcoming exam, candidates should utilize official resources and reference materials. Review the following links to access important preparation portals and updates:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Recommended Reads
- SBI Clerk 2026 Preparation Guide: Exam Pattern, Study Plan & Strategy
- SBI Clerk Exam Centre List 2026: State-Wise Prelims & Mains Centers
- SBI Clerk 2026 Examination Structure: Prelims, Mains & Marking Schemes
- SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026: Exam Pattern, Important Dates, and Vacancy Details
- SBI Recruitment 2026-27: Upcoming Hiring Plans and Branch Expansion Details
- SBI PO Prelims Cut-Off 2026: Official Results, Category-Wise Marks, and Selection Trends
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