Probationary Officers

Join SBIProbationary Officers

Annual recruitment exercise is conducted for the post of Probationary Officers for SBI and separately for Probationary Officers in Associate Banks of SBI. The advertisements are generally announced in the month of April & September respectively.

Eligibility criteria

All Indian Citizens are eligible to apply. Candidates selected are liable to be posted anywhere in India.

Essential academic qualifications (As on stipulated date given in the related advertisement)

Graduate degree in any discipline from a recognised University or any equivalent qualification recognised as such by the Central Government. Those who are in the Final year/Semester of their Graduation may also apply provisionally subject to the condition that, if called for interview, they will have to produce proof of having passed the graduation examination on or before eligibility date as given in related advertisement. Candidates having integrated dual degree (IDD) certificate should ensure that the date of passing the IDD is on or before eligibility date as given in related advertisement. The date of passing eligibility examination will be the date appearing on the mark sheet or provisional certificate issued by the University / Institute. In case the result of a particular examination is posted on the website of the University / Institute, a certificate issued by the appropriate authority of the University / Institute indicating the date on which the result was posted on the website will be taken as the date of passing.

Age limit (As on stipulated date given in the related advertisement)

Not below 21 years and not above 30 years as on eligibility date as given in related advertisement.The Relaxation of Upper age allowed for various categories are as under:

Sr.No. Category Age relaxation
1. Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe 5 Years
2. Other Backward Classes (Non-Creamy Layer) 3 Years
3. Persons With Disabilities (PWD) PWD (SC/ST)-15 yrs.
PWD (OBC) - 13 yrs.
PWD (Gen)- 10 yrs
4. Ex Servicemen, Commissioned officers including Emergency Commissioned Officers (ECOs)/Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs) who have rendered 5 years military service and have been released on completion of assignment (including those whose assignment is due to be completed within one year from the last date of receipt of application) otherwise than by way of dismissal or discharge on account of misconduct or inefficiency or physical disability attributable to military service or invalidment. 5 Years
5. Persons Ordinarily domiciled of the state of Jammu & Kashmir during the period 01.01.1980 to 31.12.1989 5 Years

NOTE: cumulative age relaxation will not be available either under the above items or in combination with any other items.

Number of chances

Category Number of Chances
General 4
General (PWD) 7
OBC 7
OBC(PWD) 7
SC/SC(PWD)/ ST/ ST (PWD) No Restriction

Candidates who have already appeared for the maximum number of chances permissible are not eligible to to apply. The number of chances will be counted from the examination held on 18.04.2010. Appearing in Preliminary Examination will not be counted as a chance

Reservation for SC/ST/OBC & PWD

Reservation for SC/ST/OBC

Quantum of reservation:There shall be a reservation of 15 per cent for the members of the Scheduled Castes, 7.5 per cent for the members of the Scheduled Tribes and 27 per cent for the members of the Other Backward Classes in the matter of appointment by direct recruitment to civil posts and civil services on all India basis by open competition.[36011/33/1981-Estt.(SCT) 5/10/1981]

The members of the Other Backward Classes who fall in creamy layer shall not get the benefit of reservation. Criterion for determining creamy layer status amongst Other Backward Classes is given in the O.M.No.36012/22/1993-Estt(SCT) dated 8/9/1993, No.36033/5/2004-Estt(SCT) dated 14/10/2004 and 36033/1/2013-Estt(Res) dated 27/5/2013

Reservation for persons with disability (PWD)

Quantum of reservation: Three percent of the vacancies SHALL BE RESERVED FOR Persons with Disabilities of which one percent each shall be reserved for persons suffering from (i) blindness or low vision, (ii) hearing impairment and (iii) locomotor disability of cerebral palsy in the post identified for each disability.

Vacancies are reserved for Disabled (Physically Challenged) Persons under Section 33 of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities, Protection of Rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995 (1 of 1996) as per government guidelines. Candidates with following disabilities are eligible to apply as per the definitions given in the above act: a) OrthopedicallyHandicapped,b) Visual Impaired,c) Hearing Impaired.

A person (OH/VI/HI) who suffer from not less than 40% of relevant disability and wants to avail the benefit of reservation will have to submit a Disability Certificate issued by Medical Board duly constituted by Central or State Government. The certificate should be dated on or before last date of registration of application.

  • Orthopedically Handicapped (OH):

    Only those OH candidates who have locomotor disability or cerebral palsy with locomotor impairment of minimum 40% and only those who fall in the following categories of the disabled are eligible to apply for the post

    OA - One arm affected (Right or Left);
    OL - One leg affected (Right or Left),
    OAL - One arm & One Leg affected;
    BL - Both legs affected but not arms,

  • Visually Impaired (VI):

    Blindness: Only those Visually Handicapped (VH) persons who suffer from any one of the following conditions are eligible to apply.

    • Total absence of sight.
    • Visual acuity not exceeding 6/60 or 20/200 (Snellen) in the better eye with correcting lenses.
    • Limitation of the field of vision subtending an angle of 20 degrees or worse.

    Low Vision: Candidates having low vision as defined in Chapter I, Para 2 (u) of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal opportunities, protections of rights and full participation) Act 1995.

  • Hearing Impaired:

    The deaf are those persons in whom the sense of hearing is non- functional for ordinary purposes of life i.e. total loss of hearing in both ears. They do not hear, understand sounds at all even with amplified speech. Hearing impairment means loss of sixty decibels or more in the better ear in the conversational range of frequencies

Use of scribe & Compensatory time

The facility of scribe would be allowed to a person who has disability of 40% or more if so desired by the person and is meant for only those persons with disability who have physical limitation to write including that of speed. In all such cases where a scribe is used, the following rules will apply:

  • Candidates eligible for and who wish to use the services of scribe in the examination should carefully indicate the same in the online application form.
  • Both the candidate as well as the scribe will have to give a suitable undertaking in the prescribed format with passport size photograph of the scribe at the time of online examination.
  • Such candidates who are eligible to use a scribe shall be eligible for compensatory time of 20 minutes for every hour of the examination whether availing the facility of scribe or not.
  • The candidate will have to arrange his/her own scribe at his/her own cost.

The scribe will be allowed to be used as per the guidelines issued vide Office Memorandum F.No.16-110/2003-DDIII dated February 26, 2013 of Government of India, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Disability Affairs, New Delhi and clarification issued by Government of India, Ministry of Financial, Deptt. of Financial Services vide letter No. F.No.3/2/2013-Welfare dated 26.04.2013

Pre-examination training for SC/ST & religious minority community candidates

Bank may arrange pre-examination training at certain centres for SC/ST/Religious Minority Community candidates in consonance with the guidelines issued by Government of India. Candidates belonging to the above categories who desire to avail themselves of such training at their own cost may indicate to that effect against relevant column while applying on-line.

Selection Procedure

The examination will be held in two phases preliminary and main. Candidates who will qualify in preliminary examination and shortlisted will have to appear for Main examination and shortlisted candidates in the main examination will subsequently be called for a Group Discussion & Interview.

Phase-I: Preliminary Examination

Preliminary Examination consisting of Objective Tests for 100 marks will be conducted online. This test would be of 1 hour duration consisting of 3 Sections as follows:

Sr.No. Name of test No. of Questions Marks Duration
1. English Language 30 30  
2. Quantitative Aptitude 35 35  
3. Reasoning Ability 35 35  
  Total 100 100 Composite Time of 1 hour

Candidates have to qualify in each of the three tests by securing passing marks to be decided by the Bank. Adequate number of candidates in each category as decided by the Bank (approximately 20 times the numbers of vacancies subject to availability) will be short listed for the Main Examination.

Phase - II: Main Examination

Main Examination will consist of Objective Tests for 200 marks and Descriptive Test for 50 marks. Both the Objective and Descriptive Tests will be online. Candidates will have to answer Descriptive test by typing on the computer. Immediately after completion of Objective Test, Descriptive Test will be administered.

  • Objective Test: The objective test of 3 hours duration consist of 4 Sections for total 200 marks. The objective test will have separate timing for every section. The candidates are required to qualify in each of the Tests by securing passing marks, to be decided by the Bank.
    Test Name of the test No. of Qs Max. Marks Duration
    1. Reasoning & Computer Aptitude 45 60 60 minutes
    2. Data Analysis & Interpretation 35 60 45 minutes
    3. General Awareness about Economy/ Banking 40 40 35 minutes
    4. English Language 35 40 40 minutes
      Total 155 200 3 hours
  • Descriptive Test: The Descriptive Test of 30 minutes duration with 50 marks will be a Test of English Language (Letter Writing & Essay). The candidates are required to qualify in the Descriptive Test by securing passing marks, to be decided by the Bank.
    Descriptive Test paper of only those candidates will be evaluated who have scored qualifying marks in the Objective Tests and are placed adequately high as per total marks in objective test.
    Penalty for Wrong Answers (Applicable to both - Preliminary and Main examination) There will be penalty for wrong answers marked in the Objective Tests. For each question for which a wrong answer has been given by the candidate one fourth of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as penalty to arrive at corrected score. If a question is left blank, i.e. no answer is marked by the candidate, there will be no penalty for that question.

Phase - III: Group Discussion & Interview

The aggregate marks of candidates qualifying in both the Objective Tests and Descriptive Test will be arranged in descending order in each category. Adequate number of candidates in each category, as decided by the Bank will be called for Group Discussion and Interview. The qualifying marks in Group Discussion &Interview will be as decided by the Bank.

Sl. Name of the test Max. Marks
1. Group Discussion 20
2. Interview 30
  Total 50

Final Selection

The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination (Phase-I) will not be added for the selection and only the marks obtained in Main Examination (Phase-II), both in Objective Test and Descriptive Test, will be added to the marks obtained in GD & Interview (Phase-III) for preparation of the final merit list.

The candidates will have to qualify both in Phase-II and Phase-III separately. Marks secured by the candidates in the Written Test (out of 225 marks) are converted to out of 75 and marks secured in Group Discussion & Interview (out of 50 marks) are converted to out of 25. The final merit list is arrived at after aggregating converted marks of Written Test and Group Discussion &Interview out of 100 for each category. The selection will be made from the top merit ranked candidates in each category.

SL. Name of the test Maximum Marks Normalized to
1. Main Examination (Tier - II) 225 75
2. GD & Interview (Tier - III) 50 25
  Total 275 100

Emoluments (As on 31.03.2016):

Presently the starting basic pay is Rs.27,620/- (with 4 advance increments) in the scale of Rs. 23700-980/7-30560-1145/2-32850-1310/7-42020 applicable to Junior Management Grade Scale-I. The official will also be eligible for D.A, H.R.A/ Lease rental, C.C.A, Medical and other allowances & perquisites as per rules in force from time to time. The total compensation per annum would be a minimum of Rs. 7.55 lacs and maximum of Rs. 12.93 lacs depending on place of posting and other factors.

SBI plans to offer, subject to necessary approvals, a SMART Compensation package which would enable candidates a choice to monetize specific elements of the salary package.

Career Path

The Probationary Officers will be on probation of two years during which they will be given intensive training. Towards the end of their probation / training period, they will be subjected to a screening process. While those Officers who achieve the predetermined standards may be confirmed and given placement in the next higher grade i.e., Officer Middle Management Grade Scale-II, others who qualify in the test but fail to achieve the standards set for placement in Middle Management Grade Scale-II, will be confirmed as Officer Junior Management Grade Scale-I. The services of those Officers who fail to qualify in this process will be terminated. Bank provides immense opportunities for growth in the Bank including opportunities for postings abroad. The attractive promotion policy of the Bank provides an opportunity to the meritorious and exceptionally brilliant officers to reach the Top Management Grade in a reasonably quick time.

How to apply

Candidates will be required to register themselves online through Bank's website www.statebankofindia.com or www.sbi.co.in. After registration candidates are required to pay the requisite application fee through online mode by using debit card/ credit card/Internet Banking during specified dates given in respective advertisement.

Application fee and Intimation charge (Non Refundable)

SL. Category Total
1. SC/ST/PWD Rs.100/- (Intimation Charges only)
2. General, OBC Rs.600/- (App. Fee including intimation charges)

Fee/Intimation charges once paid will NOT be refunded on any account nor can it be held in reserve for any other examination or selection.

What is the educational/age Criteria for applying for selection process?

The advertisement clearly mentions the eligibility criteria in detail.
Please refer to the relevant clause mentioned in the advertisement, which can be accessed by visiting "Current Openings" page in Join SBI. All the other openings along with the link to the advertisement will be available at the page.

What are the dates of registration/payment of fees for online application form?

The advertisement /notification mentions in detail the schedule of registration /payment of fees. The candidate should refer to the relevant clause mentioned in the advertisement, which can be accessed by visiting "Current Openings" page in Join SBI. All the other openings along with the link to the advertisement will be available at the page.
Regularly visit the official SBI website www.sbi.co.in/careers or www.statebankofindia.com/careers for latest updates.

I am unable to find the link to apply for the new openings. Can you please help?

Please visit "Current Openings" page in Join SBI. The list of all the openings along with the link to apply will be available during the schedule as stipulated in the respective advertisements. Candidates are advised to register much before the last date to avoid last minute problems.

I am unable to upload photo and signature.

The advertisement as well as the relevant registration page prescribes detailed guidelines for uploading the photo and signature. The preferred photo dimensions are 200 x 230 pixels and the file size should be between 20kb-50kb. The signature image should be of 140 x 60 pixels (preferred) and the size between 10kb - 20kb. Other details will be available in the advertisement which can be accessed by visiting "Current Openings" page in Join SBI.

I have not received confirmation mail for registration and password.

Email/SMS is triggered and the same is sent to the candidates on the email ID and Mobile number registered by them while applying for the post. Kindly check the same.

Payment has been debited from the account but I have not received registration confirmation.

Candidates are required to take a printout of the e-receipt and online application form. Please note that if the e-receipt is not generated, online transaction may not have been successful. Then candidates are advised to login again with their registration number and password and pay the Application Fees/ Intimation Charges online.
If candidate's account is debited and the said transaction is also showing as failed, the amount debited is expected to be credited to the respective account in the due course as per failed transaction rules of the Banks.

What is the status of my Registration?

a) If the candidate's registration is successful he/she has to take printout of the application form with the help of registration no. and password.
b) If candidate's registration/ payment is not successful; Payment gateway is expected to refund the amount in due course, if any.

By mistake I have submitted incorrect information (Date of Birth, Category, Name, Gender, Percentage of marks, address, mobile number etc.) Please make these changes at your end (after final submit)

No change in the data already registered by the candidate in the online application form is possible as per the terms and conditions of the advertisement /notification. There is save and edit option available through which changes can be made in the online application PRIOR TO SUBMISSION before the last date for registration. The candidates are advised to check all the entries made by them and only then SUBMIT the application.

I forgot my Registration Password/ Registration number

Registration Password/Registration Number are sent to the mobile number and email id mentioned in the online application form. Candidates are advised to check and preserve the same for registration number and password. Registration No. is also printed on the application form printed after successful registration, of which a candidate is required to keep a printout. We do not provide registration number password repeatedly.

I have not received E-mail/SMS for call letter.

Email/SMS is triggered and the same is sent to the candidates on the email ID and Mobile no. registered by them in the application form.

I am not able to download the Pre-Exam training call letter.

Pre exam training call letter is only for SC/ST/Minority candidates for Officers Cadre and SC/ST/Minority /EXS/PWD candidates for Clerical Cadre. It will not be available if the Pre-Exam training option is NOT REGISTERED for at the time of online registration.

I cannot download the Exam call letter.

This may be due to unsuccessful registration/incorrect login credential/s.

I want to change my Centre/Venue / Date /Time.

The allotted Date, Time and Venue for the exam cannot be changed as per the terms and conditions mentioned in the advertisement

My allotted Exam center not as per selected exam center.

Candidates who opt for a particular centre of exam might not be accommodated therein for reason beyond the control of SBI. Such candidates will be allotted other centres and they are required to appear for the examination at the allotted Centre only.

I am unable to find exact location of exam centre.

The candidates are advised well in advance about the venue of the online examination. There is sufficient time available for the candidate to visit or confirm the exact location of the examination venue.

I am not allowed to appear for exam (Late entry, ID proof, Name mismatch).

The advertisement /notification /call letter mentions in detail about the procedures/conditions to be followed for online examination .The candidates are expected to follow these guidelines to avoid these problems.

I forgot my password.

The password is shared on the mobile number and email id registered in the online application form.

My login is showing Invalid.

This indicates the details provided are not correct as per registered application. The candidates may check the result status/ scores using their correct login credentials.

What are the cut off marks?

These are the marks secured by last candidate who is called for that particular activity i.e. Main exam, Interview etc.

I am not satisfied with the score mentioned in the score card. Can you recheck exam score?

There is no provision of rechecking of answers/exam score.

What is the reason for cancellation of candidature.

Please refer section "ACTION AGAINST CANDIDATES FOUND GUILTY OF MISCONDUCT" in the advertisement

Provide answer sheet copy/ Question paper /Right Answer key (model Answer key).

As per SBI Policy we do not provide answer sheet / question paper/ Right Answer key.

I am not able to download my Interview call letter.

Visit official SBI recruitment website. Candidate can download call letter with the help of Registration number and Password during the stipulated period.

How do I reprint my application form

Reprint Link is available on official SBI recruitment website during the stipulated period mentioned in the advertisement.

I want to request for a change in category (OBC, SC, ST, EX-SERVICEMEN)

No change in the data already registered by the candidate in the online application form is possible, which is also mentioned in the advertisement. Before SUBMITTING the online application form, edit option may be exercised carefully.

What are the interview document related information.

The advertisement /notification /call letter elaborately indicates the list of documents to be submitted at the time of interview.

Is it compulsory to provide Category/disability certificate as per format prescribed by Government / Bank?

Candidates are required to submit documents as per SBI format as mentioned in the advertisement /Interview call letter.

Panel members have not allowed me for the Interview because of not having carried Original Certificates.

The list of documents to be submitted at the time of interview has been displayed well in advance in the advertisement/notification. Hence the candidates, who fail to adhere to the terms & conditions of the advertisement/interview call letter, will not be allowed to appear for the interview.

I have not received any communication from your end hence I could not attend interview. Please arrange interview for me.

All the candidates who have been provisionally shortlisted for interview have been intimated through email/SMS on the mobile number registered for in the online application form. Furthermore, Career with us link on website of SBI is to be visited from time to time.

I want a review of my Interview marks as I am not satisfied with the marks obtained.

There is no provision for review of interview marks. Awarding of marks in interview depends upon the performance of the candidate.

I have not received any email regarding Bank appointment.

The offer of appointment is done by the bank to which (in case of Associate Banks of SBI) the candidate has been provisionally allotted.

I want to change my Bank Preference.

CIRCLE/BANK preference once submitted, cannot be changed .The decision of SBI in allotment of CIRCLE/BANK shall be final and binding upon the selected candidates.

When will my results / marks be declared?

Marks are made available online after declaration of final result. Kindly keep checking official SBI career site.

I got bank allotment but bank has not contacted me yet.

The candidates may contact the allotted Bank (in case of Associate Banks of SBI) for appointment. SBI has no role to play in the same.

When is the next examination?

All openings are declared on the official website of SBI in Careers link, leading newspapers of India and Employment news. Candidate shouls regularly check the official SBI career website alongwith other avenues as mentioned above.

What is the qualification criteria for Probationary Officer, Clerk, Specialist officer?

The candidates are requested to refer to the relevant clause of the advertisement available on official SBI career website for the same.

Ambiguity with release date for Ex-Servicemen.

Candidates are requested to follow the terms and conditions mentioned in the advertisement for the relevant post.

Why is PET not given to General candidate?

PET is provided as per the Govt. guidelines in this regard.

How to enroll with SBI?

There is no general enrollment system in SBI. Candidates can only apply to posts in Participating Organizations in response to posts advertised for, on the official SBI career website.

What are the common issues faced by the candidates at the time of examination?

(i) Non-collection of call letters, signature missing in the attendance sheet:
The candidates will be allowed to enter the lab on Submission / Authentication of
a. Call letter
b. ID proof bearing exactly the same name
c. Photo ID and other identity related credentials
(ii) Signatures of all the candidates present in the lab are to be obtained on the attendance list. If the candidates forget or do not sign the attendance sheet, their presence will not be considered only on the basis of online exam responses.