The SBI PO syllabus aligns closely with other major banking examinations. Candidates preparing for the SBI PO 2026 recruitment must thoroughly review the latest syllabus and exam pattern to master the test structure and optimize their study plan. The selection process is divided into Phase 1 (Prelims), Phase 2 (Mains), and Phase 3 (Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, and Interview).
The SBI PO 2026 Preliminary examination tests Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language. The Mains examination covers Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis and Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, and the English Language. A deep understanding of the SBI PO syllabus is essential to prioritize high-yield topics and streamline your preparation strategy.
SBI PO Syllabus 2026- Overview
The SBI PO recruitment process is conducted in three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. While the Prelims exam is strictly qualifying, marks secured in the Mains and the Interview rounds are crucial for the final merit-based selection.
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | SBI PO 2026 |
| Selection Process |
|
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| No. of Questions | Prelims- 100 Mains- 170 (MCQs) + 3 (descriptive) |
| Marks | Prelims- 100 Mains- 200 (MCQs) + 50 (descriptive) Interview- 50 |
| Negative Marking | ¼th mark |
| Sectional Cut Off | Prelims- No Mains- Yes |
| Prelims Subjects |
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| Mains Subjects |
|
SBI PO Prelims Syllabus 2026
The SBI PO Prelims exam features 100 objective-type questions (1 mark each) across Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, and the English Language. We have detailed the essential section-wise topics below.
Reasoning Ability
- Alphanumeric Series
- Directions
- Logical Reasoning
- Data Sufficiency
- Ranking & Order
- Alphabet Test
- Puzzle & Seating Arrangement
- Coded Inequalities
- Syllogism
- Blood Relations
- Coding-Decoding
- Input-Output
- Tabulation
Quantitative Aptitude Ability
- Simplification/ Approximation
- Quadratic Equation
- Profit & Loss
- Mixtures & Alligations
- Permutation, Combination & Probability
- Work & Time
- Sequence & Series
- Simple Interest & Compound Interest
- Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere
- Time & Distance
- Data Interpretation
- Ratio & Proportion
- Number Systems
- Percentage
English Language
- Reading Comprehension
- Fill in the blanks
- Cloze Test
- Para jumbles
- Vocabulary
- Puzzles & Sentence Rearrangement
- Paragraph Completion
- Multiple Meaning /Error Spotting
- Word Association
- Sentence Improvement
- Sentence Completion
- Tenses Rules
- Double Fillers
- Word Usage
- Inequalities
- Pair Formation
SBI PO Mains Syllabus 2026
The Mains Examination covers Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, English Language, Data Analysis & Interpretation, and General/Economy/Banking Awareness. Computer Aptitude is integrated into the Reasoning section for the Mains. Refer to our comprehensive guide below for a detailed subject-wise breakdown of the SBI PO 2026 Mains curriculum.
| Subjects | Topics |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation |
|
| Reasoning |
|
| Computer Aptitude |
|
| General /Economy/ Banking Awareness |
|
| English Language |
|
SBI PO Descriptive Test
The SBI PO Descriptive Test is an integral part of the Mains, consisting of two questions (Letter Writing & Essay) worth 50 marks, to be completed in 30 minutes. Candidates who successfully clear the first two phases proceed to the Interview process. The final merit list is determined by the combined performance in the Mains examination and the Interview phase.
| Topics | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Email Writing | 1 out of 2 | 15 | 30 minutes |
| Situation Analysis Writing | 1 out of 2 | 15 | |
| Report Writing/Precis Writing | 1 out of 2 | 20 | |
| Total | 3 | 50 |
SBI PO 2026 Exam Pattern
| SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2026 | |||
| Subjects | English Language | Quantitative Aptitude | Reasoning Ability |
| No. of Questions | 40 | 30 | 30 |
| Marks | 40 | 30 | 30 |
| Duration | 20 minutes | 20 minutes | 20 minutes |
Key Highlights for the Prelims Exam:
- Total Time- 60 minutes (1 hour)
- Negative Marking- ¼th
- Prelims have no sectional cut-off (only an overall cut-off)
- The number of questions in the Reasoning and QA sections has been revised from 35 to 30, and in English from 30 to 40.
What is the shortlisting criteria for the Mains exam?
To ensure a competitive selection, candidates up to 10 times the category-wise vacancy count are shortlisted for the SBI PO Mains (Phase 2) exam.
| SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern 2026 | |||||
| Subjects | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | Data Analysis & Interpretation | General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness | English Language | Descriptive Test |
| No. of Questions | 40 | 30 | 60 | 40 | 03 |
| Marks | 60 | 60 | 60 | 20 | 50 |
| Duration | 50 minutes | 45 minutes | 45 minutes | 40 minutes | 30 minutes |
Important Pointers:
- Total Time- 180 minutes (3 hours)
- Negative Marking- 0.25 marks (except description)
- Mains does have sectional cut-off marks along with overall cut-off marks
How many candidates qualify for the interview round?
Shortlisting for Phase 3 (the interview round) is limited to approximately 3 times the total category-wise vacancies.
SBI PO Phase 3 (Interview + Group Exercise)
SBI PO Phase 3 consists of three core components: a Psychometric Test, Group Exercise (20 marks), and a Personal Interview (30 marks).
| Activity | Marks | Details |
| Psychometric Test Online | No marks | Online 90 minutes, results shared with the interview panel only |
| Group Exercise | 20 Marks | tests communication, teamwork, and leadership |
| Personal Interview | 30 Marks | assesses banking knowledge, personality, and suitability |
1. Psychometric Test- This online assessment, introduced in 2022, takes roughly 90 minutes. While it carries no direct marks, the results may be reviewed by the interview panel to gauge a candidate's professional, practical, and emotional behavioral traits.
2. Group Exercise (GD)- Groups of 8–10 candidates participate in discussions on topics ranging from current affairs and social issues to banking developments. The panel scores candidates (out of 20) based on leadership, teamwork, logical reasoning, and communication clarity.
3. Personal Interview- The 30-mark interview is a panel-led discussion (15–20 minutes) conducted in English or Hindi. Expect questions regarding your educational background, career goals, banking awareness, current events, and ethical decision-making scenarios.
SBI PO Final Selection Criteria
The final merit list is determined by the aggregate scores from the Mains exam and the interview. The weightage breakdown is 75% for the Mains exam and 25% for the interview round.
- Mains Examination Score (Scaled to 75 marks)
- Interview Score (Scaled to 25 marks)
FAQs
The SBI PO Prelims includes three subjects: Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, and English Language. The Mains exam covers five subjects: Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, English Language, Data Interpretation & Analysis, and General/Economy/Banking Awareness.
Yes, there is a negative marking scheme for both the Prelims and Mains exams. Candidates face a penalty of 0.25 marks for every incorrect answer.
The Descriptive Test assesses your English Language skills through a 50-mark paper requiring you to write both a letter and an essay.
The Prelims paper consists of 100 questions, while the Mains exam features 170 objective questions alongside the 3 descriptive paper tasks.
While the Prelims exam does not have sectional cut-offs, the SBI PO Mains exam includes mandatory sectional cut-off marks for each subject.