SBI PO Requirements & Prerequisites
Everything you need to know before registering for the SBI PO, eligibility, cost, format, and what to expect on exam day.
Cost
~$10 (INR 750)
Provider
State Bank of India
Validity
Annual exam
Available
India
Education
Check official exam requirements
Experience
1-3 years of hands-on experience recommended
Specific Requirements
- Indian citizenship, in line with the nationality conditions set out in the advertisement.
- Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government, with the qualifying date specified in the notification. Final year and final semester students may apply provisionally and must produce proof of passing by the date SBI sets.
- Age between 21 and 30 years as on the cut-off date in the advertisement. The 2026-27 cycle used 1 April 2026, requiring birth between 2 April 1996 and 1 April 2005 inclusive.
- Upper age relaxation of 3 years for OBC non-creamy layer, 5 years for SC and ST, 5 years for eligible ex-servicemen, 10 years for PwBD in the Unreserved and EWS categories, 13 years for PwBD OBC and 15 years for PwBD SC and ST. Relaxations are not cumulative.
- Candidates holding Medical, Engineering, Chartered Accountancy or Cost Accountancy qualifications are eligible, as are holders of an Integrated Dual Degree passed by the notified date.
- Chances remaining within the permitted limit: 6 for Unreserved and EWS, 9 for OBC and PwBD categories, unrestricted for SC and ST. Appearing in the Main Examination counts as a chance; appearing in the Preliminary Examination does not.
- A valid Aadhaar card, an active email address and an active mobile number that stay live until results are declared.
- No adverse credit history left unresolved at joining. Defaults recorded at CIBIL or another credit information agency must be regularised or covered by a lender NOC on or before the joining date.
Number of Questions
Preliminary Examination: 100 questions for 100 marks. Main Examination: 170 objective questions for 200 marks, plus 3 descriptive tasks for 30 marks, giving a grand total of 230 marks.
Duration
Preliminary Examination: 1 hour, made up of three separately timed 20 minute sections. Main Examination: 3 hours 30 minutes, being 3 hours of objective tests across four separately timed sections plus a 30 minute Descriptive Paper.
Question Format
Five-option multiple choice objective questions, Data interpretation sets built on tables, caselets and graphs, Reading comprehension passages, Grammar error spotting, synonyms, antonyms and sentence completion, Computer aptitude questions inside the Reasoning and Computer Aptitude test, Descriptive email writing, one of two options, Descriptive situation analysis, one of two options, Descriptive report writing or precis writing, one of two options, Psychometric test items in Phase III, all mandatory, Group Exercise and Personal Interview in Phase III
Passing Requirement
State Bank of India does not publish fixed cut-off marks in advance. The Preliminary Examination has no sectional cut-off, and roughly ten times the category-wise vacancies are shortlisted on aggregate. The Main Examination carries a sectional minimum qualifying score in each of Test I, Test II, Test III, Test IV and the Descriptive Paper, fixed by the Bank each cycle. A quarter of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for every wrong objective answer.
How It Is Delivered
Online computer-based test at SBI-designated centres across India, with descriptive answers typed on the same computer immediately after the objective part. The Psychometric Test may be run in proctored mode or at identified examination centres, as the Bank decides. Group Exercise and Interview are conducted in person.
Languages Offered
English, Hindi, All objective questions except those in the English Language test are bilingual, and a candidate switches language using the view-in drop-down inside the test interface
Visit the official State Bank of India certification page
Create an account and select your exam
Choose a test center or online proctoring option
Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
- Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo)
- Appointment confirmation email
- For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet
What are the prerequisites for the SBI PO?
Indian citizenship, in line with the nationality conditions set out in the advertisement.. Graduation in any discipline from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government, with the qualifying date specified in the notification. Final year and final semester students may apply provisionally and must produce proof of passing by the date SBI sets.. Age between 21 and 30 years as on the cut-off date in the advertisement. The 2026-27 cycle used 1 April 2026, requiring birth between 2 April 1996 and 1 April 2005 inclusive.. Upper age relaxation of 3 years for OBC non-creamy layer, 5 years for SC and ST, 5 years for eligible ex-servicemen, 10 years for PwBD in the Unreserved and EWS categories, 13 years for PwBD OBC and 15 years for PwBD SC and ST. Relaxations are not cumulative.. Candidates holding Medical, Engineering, Chartered Accountancy or Cost Accountancy qualifications are eligible, as are holders of an Integrated Dual Degree passed by the notified date.. Chances remaining within the permitted limit: 6 for Unreserved and EWS, 9 for OBC and PwBD categories, unrestricted for SC and ST. Appearing in the Main Examination counts as a chance; appearing in the Preliminary Examination does not.. A valid Aadhaar card, an active email address and an active mobile number that stay live until results are declared.. No adverse credit history left unresolved at joining. Defaults recorded at CIBIL or another credit information agency must be regularised or covered by a lender NOC on or before the joining date..
How much does the SBI PO cost?
The SBI PO exam costs ~$10 (INR 750). This includes the exam fee only, study materials are additional.
How do I register for the SBI PO?
Visit the official State Bank of India certification page → Create an account and select your exam → Choose a test center or online proctoring option → Pay the exam fee and schedule your date
What should I bring to the SBI PO?
Two forms of valid ID (one government-issued with photo). Appointment confirmation email. For online proctoring: webcam, microphone, clean desk, stable internet.
Ready to prepare for SBI PO?
Get the complete exam guide with study plan, tips, and practice questions.
View SBI PO Guide