SBI Recruitment 2025: State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest public sector bank, has announced its biggest recruitment drive for the financial year 2025-26, in which a total of 18,000 vacancies will be filled across various positions. This announcement was made by SBI Chairman CS Setty on 3 May 2025 during the announcement of the fourth quarter results of the financial year 2024-25. This recruitment drive is the biggest in the last decade and is a golden opportunity for those who want to make a career in the banking sector. In this article, we will know about this recruitment drive in detail, including vacancy details, eligibility criteria, application process, selection process and the wider impact of this initiative.
SBI Recruitment 2025 – Overview
SBI’s 2025-26 recruitment plan aims to strengthen traditional banking services and increase investments in the tech sector. According to Chairman CS Setty, these 18,000 vacancies include 13,500 to 14,000 clerical staff (junior associates), 3,000 probationary officers (POs) and local banking officers (LBOs), and 1,600 system officers who will enhance the bank’s capabilities in the digital and fintech space. This recruitment drive will not only meet SBI’s staffing needs but also support its branch expansion and digital transformation plans across the country.
Currently, SBI has over 22,000 branches and over 2.3 lakh employees. This recruitment drive will help expand the bank’s reach in rural and semi-urban areas and fill vacancies due to retirements. Also, given the growing demand for digital banking, special focus is being laid on recruiting technical experts.
Vacancy Details
The 18,000 vacancies are divided into the following categories:
- Clerical Staff (Junior Associates): 13,500–14,000 positions. These positions are related to customer support and sales, involving functions such as customer interaction, cash transactions, and record-keeping.
- Probationary Officers (POs) and Local Banking Officers (LBOs): 3,000 positions. POs are entry-level managerial positions, while LBOs focus on region-specific banking functions, requiring local language proficiency.
- System Officers: 1,600 positions. These technical positions are meant to strengthen cybersecurity, IT systems, and fintech innovations.
This distribution reflects SBI’s dual strategy—retaining traditional banking services and prioritizing digital transformation. The recruitment of System Officers is the largest technical recruitment in the last decade, reflecting SBI’s commitment to compete with private banks and fintech startups in digital banking.
Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility for SBI Recruitment 2025-26 will vary depending on the different posts. Below are the general eligibility criteria:
Junior Associates (Clerical Staff):
Educational Qualification: Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university. Final year students can apply conditionally, provided they produce proof of graduation if selected.
Age Limit: 20 to 28 years as on 1 April 2025 (born between 2 April 1997 and 1 April 2005).
Language Proficiency: Must have the ability to read, write and speak in the official language of the State/UT for which applying.
Probationary Officers (POs):
Educational Qualification: Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university. Candidates having professional qualifications like CA, MBA can also apply.
Age Limit: 21 to 30 years as on April 1, 2025 (must be born between April 2, 1995 and April 1, 2004).
Additional Requirements: Candidates must be prepared for a tough selection process including psychometric tests and group discussions.
Systems Officers:
Educational Qualification: B.E./B.Tech in Computer Science, IT, or related fields, or MCA/M.Tech. Relevant certifications in Cyber Security or IT Systems may be preferred.
Age Limit: Typically 21 to 35 years, though this may vary depending on the specific position and experience level.
Experience: Prior experience in IT, FinTech, or related fields may be required for senior positions.
Candidates from reserved categories (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD) will get age relaxation and other benefits as per government rules. The detailed eligibility criteria will be specified in the official notification, which is expected to be released in mid-May 2025.
Application Process
Although the official notification for 18,000 vacancies is yet to be released, the application process for SBI recruitment usually follows a standard online process. Based on previous recruitment campaigns, such as SBI Clerk 2025 (14,191 vacancies) and SBI PO 2025 (600 vacancies), candidates can apply in the following manner:
- Visit the official website: Visit sbi.co.in and go to the “Careers” section.
- Register online: Click on the relevant recruitment link (such as “SBI Clerk Recruitment 2025-26” or “SBI PO Recruitment 2025-26”) and register using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill the application form: Enter personal details, educational qualifications, work experience (if applicable) and other required information.
- Upload documents: Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and other specified documents (such as handwritten declaration, left thumb impression for clerical posts).
- Pay application fee: The fee is usually Rs 750 for General/OBC/EWS candidates, while SC/ST/PwD candidates are exempted. Payment can be made online via debit/credit card, net banking, or UPI.
- Submit and print: Review the application, submit it, and take a printout for future reference.
Notifications for these posts are expected to be released in phases from May 2025, with the application deadline being 2-3 weeks for each post. Candidates should regularly check updates on the SBI Careers page and be wary of fake websites or communications, as SBI only publishes official information on its website.
Selection Process
The selection process for SBI Recruitment 2025-26 will vary depending on the post, but will usually consist of several stages:
Junior Associates (Clerical Staff):
- Preliminary Exam: An online objective test consisting of English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. This exam will be qualifying in nature with no sectional cut-offs.
- Main Exam: A comprehensive online exam consisting of sections on General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning & Computer Aptitude.
- Local Language Test: Candidates will have to demonstrate proficiency in the official language of the state. Those who have studied the language in class 10 or 12 are exempted from this test.
Probationary Officers (POs):
- Preliminary Exam: An online exam consisting of sections on English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability.
- Main exam: Both objective and descriptive tests, which will include Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, and English language.
- Group Exercises and Interview: It will include Psychometric Test, Group Discussion, and Personal Interview. Final selection will be based on the scores of the main exam and interview.
System Officers:
- Shortlisting: Candidates will be shortlisted based on qualification and experience.
- Interview: A panel will assess technical expertise, problem solving skills, and suitability for the post. There may also be a written technical test for some posts.
SBI does not prescribe minimum qualifying marks for individual subjects in most exams, but candidates will have to meet the overall cut-off, which may vary depending on the category and state. Negative marking (0.25 marks will be deducted for each wrong answer) will be applicable in online exams.
Salary and Benefits
SBI offers competitive salary and benefits, which makes it one of the most preferred employers in the banking sector:
- Junior Associates: The starting basic salary is around Rs 26,730 per month, with a gross salary of around Rs 46,000 including DA and other benefits. The pay scale ranges from Rs 24,050 to Rs 64,480, with increments from time to time.
- Probationary Officers: The starting gross salary is around Rs 48,480 per month, with a pay scale of 36,000-1490/7-46430-1740/2-49910-1990/7-63840.
- System Officers: The salary varies depending on the grade, but at the starting level it usually ranges from Rs 36,000 to Rs 63,840, including additional allowances for technical expertise.
Employees also get benefits such as medical insurance, provident fund, pension, and leave travel concession. SBI’s employee-centric policies also include career development programs, ensuring growth opportunities for all employees.
Conclusion
The 18,000 vacancies for SBI Recruitment 2025-26 is a landmark initiative that underlines the bank’s commitment to growth, modernization, and nation-building. By meeting staffing needs across clerical, officer, and technical positions, SBI is establishing itself as a leader in India’s banking sector, while offering candidates an opportunity to build a rewarding career. Candidates should prepare diligently, stay updated through the official SBI website, and approach the process with a clear understanding of the requirements and challenges. As SBI evolves, this recruitment drive could prove to be a turning point not just for the bank but for the broader banking industry of India. Best of luck to all applicants!
