SBI Clerk Eligibility 2026 is one of the most important aspects candidates must carefully check before applying for the Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) post. State Bank of India has set specific eligibility conditions in terms of age, educational qualification, language proficiency, and background requirements. Whether you're a graduate, a final-year student, an ex-serviceman, or someone from a reserved category, it's essential to understand if you're eligible before filling out the application form. Only those who meet all the criteria should apply for SBI Clerk 2026.
Table of Contents
To apply for SBI Clerk 2026 exam, candidates must meet the prescribed age criteria as on 1 April 2026. The minimum age limit is 20 years, and the maximum age limit is 28 years. This means candidates must have been born not earlier than 2 April 1997 and not later than 1 April 2005 (both dates inclusive). Any candidate falling outside this age bracket is not eligible to apply unless they fall under a reserved category that allows age relaxation.
Candidates belonging to certain reserved categories are eligible for relaxation in the upper age limit as per government guidelines. Here is the category-wise age relaxation:
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| OBC (Other Backward Classes – Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| SC/ST (Scheduled Castes / Scheduled Tribes) | 5 years |
| PwBD – General / EWS | 10 years |
| PwBD – OBC | 13 years |
| PwBD – SC/ST | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen (including Disabled Ex-Servicemen) | Actual service rendered + 3 years (max 50 years) |
| Widows, Divorced Women, and Judicially Separated Women (Unmarried) | Up to 7 years (max age: 35 for Gen/EWS, 38 for OBC, 40 for SC/ST) |
| Trained Apprentices of SBI (joined on/after 01.01.2022) | GEN/EWS – 1 year |
| OBC | 4 years |
| SC/ST | 6 years |
| PwBD GEN/EWS | 11 years |
| PwBD OBC | 14 years |
| PwBD SC/ST | 16 years |
Important Notes:
To be eligible for the SBI Clerk 2026 exam, candidates must meet the minimum educational qualification set by the State Bank of India.
SBI Clerk 2026 provides special eligibility provisions for Ex-Servicemen, including disabled Ex-Servicemen and those with equivalent qualifications from the armed forces. These candidates can apply under the Ex-Servicemen (ExSM) category, subject to certain rules.
The State Bank of India reserves a portion of clerical vacancies for candidates falling under the Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD) category. To apply under the PwBD category for SBI Clerk 2026, a candidate must:
PwBD candidates may belong to one or more of the following disability types:
One of the key eligibility conditions for the SBI Clerk 2026 recruitment is proficiency in the local language of the State or Union Territory the candidate is applying for. This ensures that selected candidates are able to communicate effectively with local customers and perform region-specific clerical tasks.
Candidates can meet this requirement in two ways:
Notes:
Ques: Can a diploma holder apply for SBI Clerk 2026 exam?
Ans: No, candidates must have a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university. A diploma alone does not meet the educational eligibility criteria for SBI Clerk 2026 exam.
Ques: Is there any minimum percentage required in graduation for SBI Clerk 2026 exam?
Ans: No, SBI has not set any minimum percentage in graduation. Candidates only need to pass their degree course before 31 December 2026 to be eligible for SBI Clerk 2026 exam.
Ques: Can a candidate apply for SBI Clerk 2026 exam from a different state than their residence?
Ans: Yes, you can apply for SBI Clerk 2026 exam from any state or UT, but you must be proficient in that region’s local language and fulfill all other eligibility conditions.
Ques: Are candidates awaiting final semester results eligible for SBI Clerk 2026 exam?
Ans: Yes, such candidates can apply provisionally, but they must pass and submit their final graduation proof on or before December 31, 2026.
Ques: Is there a limit on how many times one can appear for SBI Clerk 2026 exam?
Ans: SBI does not mention a fixed number of attempts, but candidates must meet age criteria and other eligibility rules for each application.
Download the PREPP App and attempt FREE SBI Clerk Mock Tests and get complete study material!
Comments