SBI Clerk Backlog 2026 Online Form (1538 Posts)

Last Updated: 10 August 2026

State Bank of India has opened applications for 1,538 Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) posts under a Special Recruitment Drive for backlog vacancies — Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16. This drive is reserved specifically for SC, ST, and OBC (non-creamy layer) candidates; General and EWS category applicants are not eligible for these particular posts, though a separate regular SBI Clerk notification covering all categories is expected soon. Applications are open from 7 August to 27 August 2026, and candidates must be between 20 and 28 years old as on 1 April 2026. The prelims exam is tentatively set for September, with mains likely in October or November. Full eligibility, category-wise vacancy numbers, salary structure, exam pattern, and answers to common questions are covered in detail below.

SBI Clerk Backlog Recruitment 2026 – Overview Table

A quick note before you go further: this notification looks similar to the regular SBI Clerk recruitment that gets announced every year, but it isn't the same one. Mixing the two up is the most common mistake candidates make with this particular drive — the section below clears that up first.

Important Note: Who Can Apply (and Who Cannot)

Because this is a category-restricted backlog drive, eligibility here works differently from a standard SBI Clerk notification. Check this table before reading further — no point studying eligibility details for a post you can't apply to.

If you fall under General or EWS, hold off — SBI is expected to release a separate regular Junior Associate notification, likely with 6,000+ vacancies open to all categories, sometime later this year.

SBI Clerk Backlog Vacancy Details 2026

Category-Wise Vacancy Breakdown

Out of the 1,538 total backlog posts, the split across reserved categories is as follows:

The heavy concentration in the ST category is unusual compared to most backlog drives, so ST candidates in particular should treat this as a strong opportunity year.

State/Circle-Wise Vacancy

SBI has indicated that state-wise and circle-wise vacancy distribution will be published along with — or shortly after — the detailed notification PDF. Candidates can apply for only one State or Union Territory under this drive, so it's worth waiting for this breakdown before finalising your circle choice. This page will be updated with the state-wise table as soon as SBI releases it.

SBI Clerk Backlog vs Regular Recruitment 2026 – Key Difference

A lot of confusion around this notification comes from candidates assuming it's the same as SBI's usual annual Clerk recruitment. It isn't. Here's the distinction, laid out plainly:

If you don't fit the backlog's category criteria, bookmark this page anyway — once the regular notification drops, the process (fee, exam pattern, and most eligibility rules) will look very similar.

SBI Clerk Eligibility Criteria 2026

Educational Qualification

A graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university is required. There's no specified minimum percentage mentioned in the notification, which is worth noting since several other bank exams do enforce one.

Age Limit

Candidates must be not younger than 20 years and not older than 28 years as on 1 April 2026. In practical terms, that means your date of birth needs to fall between 2 April 1998 and 1 April 2006 (both dates inclusive). This exact window matters more than the "20–28" shorthand — a candidate born a day outside either end gets rejected regardless of how they interpret the age range.

Category Eligibility

Only SC, ST, and OBC (non-creamy layer) candidates are eligible for this specific drive. OBC candidates will need a valid non-creamy layer certificate issued within the prescribed validity period — an expired certificate is a common reason applications get rejected at the verification stage.

SBI Clerk Application Fee 2026

Since this drive is restricted to SC, ST, and OBC candidates only, most applicants under SC and ST fall into the fee-exempt category — only OBC candidates are likely to pay a nominal processing fee.

SBI Clerk Salary & Pay Scale 2026

The pay scale string above looks intimidating at first glance, but it's simply showing how the basic pay increases with each increment cycle over the course of a career — not a one-time jump. DA, HRA, and other allowances are added on top of the basic pay shown here, which is what brings the in-hand figure closer to ₹46,000 at the entry level.

SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026

Selection happens across three distinct stages, and clearing each one is mandatory to move to the next.

Preliminary Examination

An objective-type screening test covering English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. This stage is qualifying in nature — your prelims score itself doesn't count toward the final merit list, but you do need to clear the individual sectional and overall cut-offs to advance.

Main Examination

A more detailed objective test covering General/Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude. Unlike prelims, the mains score directly determines your position on the merit list.

Language Proficiency Test (LPT)

Candidates who clear the mains are required to demonstrate proficiency — reading, writing, speaking, and understanding — in the official local language of the state or UT they've applied for. This isn't a scored test in the traditional sense; it's largely a qualifying requirement, but failing to demonstrate adequate proficiency can still cost you the post even after clearing mains. If you already have a local language qualification from your 10th or 12th board, keep that document ready — it can exempt you from the test in most circles.

How to Apply for SBI Clerk Backlog Online Form 2026

1. Visit the official SBI website — sbi.co.in — and navigate to the Careers section.
2. Locate the link for "Recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) – Backlog Vacancies 2026-27."
3. Register using a valid email ID and mobile number to generate your login credentials.
4. Log in and fill out the application form — personal details, educational qualification, category, and preferred State/UT.
5. Upload scanned copies of your photograph, signature, and any category/disability certificates as applicable.
6. Pay the application fee online, if applicable to your category (OBC candidates only, in most cases).
7. Review the entire form carefully before final submission — your State/UT choice cannot be changed later.
8. Submit the application and save or print the confirmation page for your records.

No hard copy submission is required for this online recruitment process — keep the digital confirmation and payment receipt safe instead.

SBI Clerk Backlog 2026 Important Dates

Final Word

SBI Clerk Backlog Recruitment 2026 is a focused, category-specific opportunity — 1,538 Junior Associate posts reserved exclusively for SC, ST, and OBC candidates aged 20 to 28. Applications are open from 7 to 27 August 2026, with Prelims expected in September and Mains in October or November. If you fall outside this drive's category criteria, a separate regular recruitment covering all categories is expected soon — worth watching for if you don't qualify here. Selection runs through Prelims, Mains, and a local Language Proficiency Test, so preparation should start well before the application window closes rather than after. Read the official notification carefully before submitting your form, and check back here for exam date and admit card updates as they're announced.

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