What is SBI Clerk?
SBI Clerk, also known as Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales), is a clerical-level position in the State Bank of India (SBI), one of the largest public sector banks in India. The SBI Clerk exam is conducted annually by the State Bank of India to recruit candidates for clerical cadre positions across its branches throughout the country.
As an SBI Clerk, your responsibilities typically include tasks such as:
- Assisting customers with their banking transactions.
- Handling cash withdrawals and deposits.
- Providing information about various banking products and services.
- Processing account opening and closing procedures.
- Updating passbooks, issuing checkbooks, and other administrative duties.
The SBI Clerk recruitment process involves a preliminary examination, a main examination, and sometimes a language proficiency test, depending on the candidate’s proficiency in the local language of the state they are applying for.
SBI Clerk Eligibility Criteria
Age Limit: The age limit for SBI Clerk exam is generally between 20 to 28 years. However, relaxation in the upper age limit is provided for candidates belonging to certain categories:
- Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST): Up to 5 years relaxation
- Other Backward Classes (OBC): Up to 3 years of relaxation
- Persons with Disabilities (PwD): Up to 10 years of relaxation
- Ex-Servicemen/Disabled Ex-Servicemen: The actual period of service rendered in defense services + 3 years, subject to a maximum age of 50 years
- Persons domiciled in the state of Jammu & Kashmir during the period from January 1, 1980, to December 31, 1989: Up to 5 years of relaxation
- Widows, divorced women, and women legally separated from their husbands who have not remarried: Up to 7 years of relaxation
Educational Qualification: Candidates should have completed their graduation in any discipline from a recognized university or any equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government.
Age Relaxation: Age relaxation is applicable for candidates belonging to reserved categories as per government norms.
Language proficiency: Proficiency in the official language of the respective state or union territory is necessary. Candidates should be able to read, write, and speak the language.
SBI Clerk Exam Pattern
Prelims Exam Pattern
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
|
English Language |
30 |
30 |
20 Minutes |
|
Numerical Ability |
35 |
35 |
20 Minutes |
|
Reasoning Ability |
35 |
35 |
20 Minutes |
|
Total |
100 |
100 |
1 Hour |
The SBI Clerk Prelims Exam is conducted in online mode and consists of multiple-choice questions. There is negative marking for wrong answers, with a penalty of 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer.
Mains Exam Pattern
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
|
General/Financial Awareness |
50 |
50 |
35 Minutes |
|
General English |
40 |
40 |
35 Minutes |
|
Quantitative Aptitude |
50 |
50 |
45 Minutes |
|
Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude |
50 |
60 |
45 Minutes |
|
Total |
190 |
200 |
2 Hour 40 Minute |
The SBI Clerk Mains Exam is conducted in online mode and consists of both multiple-choice and descriptive questions. The descriptive test for 50 marks will be of 30 minutes duration and will be a Test of English Language (Letter Writing & Essay). There is negative marking for wrong answers, with a penalty of 0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect answer in the objective test.
SBI PO Syllabus for Prelims Exam:
| Sections | Syllabus |
|---|---|
|
English Language |
Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Error Spotting, Para jumbles, Fill in the blanks, Vocabulary, Grammar
Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para jumbles, Error Spotting, Sentence Correction, Vocabulary (Homonyms, Antonyms, Synonyms, Word Formation, Spelling), Idioms and Phrases, One-word Substitution |
|
Numerical Ability |
Simplification, Number Series, Data Interpretation, Quadratic Equation, Time and Work, Average, Percentage, Ratio and Proportion, Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Mensuration, Time, Speed and Distance |
|
Reasoning Ability |
Seating Arrangement, Puzzles, Inequality, Syllogism, Alphanumeric Series, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relation, Direction Sense, Order and Ranking, Distance and Direction, Verbal Reasoning |
SBI PO Syllabus for Mains Exam:
| Selections | Syllabus |
|---|---|
|
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude |
Banking and Financial Awareness, Static Awareness, Current Affairs, General Knowledge, Budget, Economic Survey, Important Days and Dates, Sports, Science and Technology, Books and Authors, Awards and Honours, National and International News, Countries and Capitals
|
|
General English |
Reading Comprehension, Grammar, Vocabulary, Verbal Ability, Synonyms, Antonyms, Idioms, Phrases, Sentence Correction, Para Jumbles, Fill in the blanks |
|
Quantitative Aptitude |
Data Interpretation, Simplification, Number Series, Quadratic Equation, Time and Work, Average, Percentage, Ratio and Proportion, Profit and Loss, Simple and Compound Interest, Mensuration, Permutation and Combination, Probability |
|
Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude |
Seating Arrangement, Puzzles, Inequality, Syllogism, Input-Output, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relation, Direction Sense, Order and Ranking, Distance and Direction, Verbal Reasoning, Computer Fundamentals, Internet, MS Office, Keyboard Shortcuts, Operating System, Computer Hardware and Software, Networking |
Selection Process
The selection process for SBI Clerk involves two stages – Prelims and Mains. Candidates need to qualify for the Prelims exam to be eligible to appear for the Mains exam. The final selection will be based on the candidate’s performance in the Mains exam, and no interview will be conducted for the selection.
Salary Structure of SBI Clerk
| Component | Amount (in Rs.) |
|---|---|
|
Basic Pay |
|
|
Dearness Allowance (DA) |
As per prevailing rates |
|
House Rent Allowance (HRA) |
Depends on the place of posting |
|
City Compensatory Allowance |
₹400/-, ₹300/-, or ₹0/- |
|
Special Allowance |
₹1,836.75/- per month (approx.) |
|
Other Allowances |
Varies |
|
Gross Salary |
Approx. ₹29,000 to ₹32,000/- per month (including allowances) |
Application Fees
The application fee for SBI Clerk exam is Rs. 750/- (Application Fee including intimation charges) for candidates belonging to the General, OBC, and EWS categories. Candidates belonging to the SC, ST, PWD, and XS categories are exempted from paying the application fee.
It is important to note that the application fee can only be paid through online mode using Debit card, Credit card, or Internet Banking. The fee once paid is non-refundable and non-transferable.
Exam Frequency:
The frequency of the SBI Clerk exam is determined by the State Bank of India (SBI) based on its hiring needs. The SBI conducts the Clerk exam as and when it has vacancies to fill. Typically, the SBI Clerk exam is conducted once a year or once in two years. However, the frequency may vary depending on the availability of vacancies and the recruitment policies of the bank. Candidates are advised to keep an eye on the SBI’s official website for updates regarding the exam schedule and other details.
Conducting Authority:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the selection process for the SBI Clerk Exam?
What is the eligibility criteria for the SBI Clerk Exam?
The candidate must be a graduate in any discipline from a recognized university or institute. The age of the candidate should be between 20 to 28 years.
What is the exam pattern for SBI PO exam?
The application fee for the general and OBC category is Rs. 750, while for the SC/ST/PWD/Ex-Servicemen category, it is Rs. 125.
What is the salary of an SBI Clerk?
The starting salary of an SBI Clerk is Rs. 29,000/- to Rs. 34,000/- (approx.) per month.
Is there any sectional cut-off in the SBI Clerk Exam?
Yes, there is a sectional cut-off for both Preliminary and Main Exams.
