SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2026 – Prelims & Mains

Becoming a Junior Associate at the State Bank of India (SBI) is one of the most sought-after goals for banking aspirants in India. As we look toward the SBI Clerk 2026 recruitment cycle, understanding the examination structure is the first step towards success. Based on the latest official standards, the selection process remains a comprehensive three-stage journey designed to test speed, accuracy, and linguistic proficiency. Here is a detailed breakdown of the SBI Clerk 2026 exam pattern. 

SBI Clerk 2026 Exam Pattern

The recruitment for Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) is conducted in three distinct phases:

1. Phase I: Preliminary Examination (Online Objective Test)
2. Phase II: Main Examination (Online Objective Test)
3. Phase III: Local Language Proficiency Test (LPT)

Stage 1: Preliminary Examination 

The prelims act as a gateway to the mains. It is a 60-minute online test consisting of 100 questions. It is important to note that prelims marks are qualifying only and are not added to the final merit list.

Key Highlights:

• Sectional Timing: You have exactly 20 minutes for each section. Once the time is up, you cannot return to that section.
• No Sectional Cut-off: SBI does not mandate a minimum score for individual subjects; selection for the Mains is based on your aggregate score.

Stage 2: Main Examination 

Candidates who clear the Prelims (roughly 10 times the number of vacancies) appear for the Mains. This stage is the ultimate deciding factor for your selection.

Key Highlights:

• Weightage: Note that in the Reasoning section, 50 questions carry 60 marks, making it a high-stakes area.
• Bilingual Format: All sections except General English are available in both English and Hindi (and specific regional languages depending on the state).

Stage 3: Language Proficiency Test (LPT)

After clearing the Mains, candidates must prove they can read, write, and speak the local language of the state they applied for.

• Exemption: If you have studied the local language in Class 10 or 12 (as evidenced by your mark sheet), you are exempted from this test.
• Nature: This test is qualifying. Failure to pass the LPT will lead to disqualification, regardless of your Mains score.

Important Rules to Remember

1. Negative Marking: For every incorrect answer in both Prelims and Mains, 0.25 (1/4th) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted.
2. No Interview: Unlike officer-scale exams, there is no interview round for the SBI Clerk position.
3. Final Merit: The final list is prepared based strictly on the marks obtained in the Mains Examination, subject to qualifying for the LPT and document verification.
4. Waitlist: SBI maintains a waitlist (state-wise and category-wise) for up to one year to fill vacancies arising from non-joining or resignations.

Conclusion

With no sectional cut-offs, the SBI Clerk exam rewards those who can maximize their total score. Focus on high-speed calculation for Prelims and deep financial awareness for the Mains. Since the pattern involves negative marking, accuracy is just as vital as speed.