The State Bank of India (SBI) has opened the online application process for 9,766 Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) posts under its clerical cadre. The recruitment notification was released on August 11, 2026, and eligible candidates can submit their applications through the SBI careers portal until August 31, 2026. 

The recruitment drive offers a major opportunity for candidates seeking employment in the banking sector. SBI has advised applicants to carefully check the eligibility requirements and other conditions before submitting their forms.

9,766 Junior Associate vacancies

The latest recruitment includes 7,680 regular vacancies, while the remaining positions are backlog vacancies covered under the recruitment exercise. SBI has also issued a separate Special Recruitment Drive for 1,538 backlog vacanciesmeant for eligible SC, ST and OBC candidates. 

Candidates applying under the regular recruitment can apply for vacancies in only one State or Union Territory. Applicants should therefore select their preferred location carefully while completing the application form.

SBI Clerk 2026 application dates

The online registration process began on August 11, 2026, and the last date to submit the application is August 31, 2026. Candidates are advised not to wait until the final day, particularly because document uploads and fee payment are also part of the online process. 

The preliminary examination is expected to be conducted in September 2026, while the Main examination is tentatively scheduled for November 2026. SBI is expected to provide detailed examination schedules through its official recruitment portal.

Who can apply for SBI Clerk?

Candidates interested in the Junior Associate posts must satisfy the educational, age and other eligibility requirements mentioned in the recruitment notification.

Applicants should also meet the local language requirement applicable to the State or Union Territory selected by them. The recruitment process includes a language assessment for candidates who do not meet the prescribed conditions through their educational qualifications. 

Candidates should read the official notification carefully before applying because eligibility conditions, document requirements and other recruitment rules can vary according to the post and category.

Application fee and exemptions

According to the recruitment details, candidates belonging to the General, OBC and EWS categories are required to pay an application fee of ₹750.

Candidates belonging to SC, ST, PwBD and eligible Ex-Servicemen categories are exempt from the application fee. Applicants should ensure that they meet the applicable category requirements before claiming an exemption. 

How to apply online

Eligible candidates can apply online by visiting the SBI careers website and opening the Current Openings section. Applicants should select the recruitment notification for Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) and proceed to the online application.

Candidates will need to complete their personal and educational details, upload the required photograph, signature and other documents, select an examination centre and pay the applicable fee before submitting the form.

After successful submission, candidates should download or save a copy of the completed application for future reference.

Selection process and exam preparation

The SBI Clerk recruitment process involves multiple stages, including the Preliminary Examination and Main Examination, followed by the applicable language assessment requirements.

With thousands of candidates expected to apply, aspirants are likely to face strong competition. Candidates should therefore begin preparation for the preliminary examination while keeping track of updates related to the exam date, admit card and subsequent stages.

The SBI Clerk recruitment remains one of the major banking-sector opportunities for graduates seeking a clerical position in a public-sector bank. With 9,766 regular vacancies announced for 2026, candidates who meet the eligibility criteria have until August 31 to complete their applications.