SBI Clerk Admit Card 2026: Download Preliminary Exam Call Letter
The State Bank of India (SBI) has officially released the Admit Cards for the Preliminary Examination of the SBI Clerk Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) recruitment on 21 September 2026. This recruitment drive aims to fill a substantial number of vacancies, with a total of 9,124 posts available across various SBI branches nationwide. Candidates who successfully applied for the Junior Associate positions can now download their Preliminary Exam call letters from the official SBI career portal or through the direct link provided. The Preliminary Examination is scheduled to be conducted on 26 and 27 September 2026.
Notification Background and Overview
The State Bank of India, a leading public sector bank in India, regularly announces recruitment notifications to strengthen its workforce. The SBI Clerk Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) position is a highly sought-after role, attracting a large number of aspirants each year. The notification for the current recruitment cycle (Advertisement No.: CRPD/CR/2026-27/17) was released earlier, inviting applications from eligible candidates. The application process commenced on 11 August 2026 and concluded on 31 August 2026. The Preliminary Examination serves as the initial screening stage, followed by the Main Examination for candidates who qualify. The admit card is a crucial document that grants candidates entry to the examination hall.
Vacancies Breakdown and Educational Eligibility Criteria
The SBI Clerk recruitment drive for Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) offers a total of 9,124 vacancies. These vacancies are distributed across various categories and regions. The educational qualification required for this post is a degree in any discipline from a recognized University or its equivalent. Candidates must possess the specified educational qualification on or before the last date of application, i.e., 31 August 2026. Additionally, candidates should have passed their 10th standard or equivalent examination and have a specified passing marks in qualifying exam. Specific details regarding the distribution of vacancies by state and category are available in the official notification.
Age Limit, Age Relaxation Rules, and Reservation Policy
The age limit for candidates applying for the SBI Clerk Junior Associate position is generally between 20 to 28 years as of the cut-off date specified in the notification (usually the last date of application). However, the provided information does not explicitly state the age limit for this specific admit card release, and candidates are advised to refer to the official notification for precise details. SBI adheres to the government's reservation policy, providing age relaxation to candidates belonging to reserved categories such as Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD), Ex-Servicemen, etc. The extent of age relaxation is as per the rules and regulations laid down by the Government of India.
Pay Scale, Salary Structure, Allowances, and Perks
The SBI Clerk Junior Associate position comes with an attractive salary package. While the exact starting basic pay is not detailed in the admit card information, it is generally in line with the 11th bipartite settlement. The starting basic pay is typically around ₹19,900/- per month (i.e., ₹17,900/- plus two advance increments of ₹1,000/-), with the pay scale being ₹17900-1000/9-26900-1230/3-30590-1550/2-33690-1750/3-38940. In addition to the basic pay, Clerks are also entitled to various allowances such as Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Transport Allowance (TA), and other perquisites as per the bank's policies. The total emoluments at the time of joining would be approximately ₹37,000/- per month, depending on the place of posting.
Selection Process
The selection process for SBI Clerk Junior Associate recruitment comprises two phases:
- Preliminary Examination: This is an objective-type test designed to screen candidates. Marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are used for shortlisting candidates for the Main Examination.
- Main Examination: Candidates shortlisted from the Preliminary Examination will be eligible to appear for the Main Examination. This exam is more comprehensive and covers a wider range of subjects. The marks obtained in the Main Examination are considered for the final selection.
Apart from the written examinations, candidates may also be subject to a Language Proficiency Test (LPT) if required, to assess their knowledge of the local language of the state for which they have applied.
Detailed Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme (Preliminary Examination)
The SBI Clerk Preliminary Examination consists of three sections, each with a sectional time limit. The total duration of the exam is 1 hour.
| Test | Number of Questions | Maximum 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 |
Marking Scheme: Each correct answer carries 1 mark. There is a penalty for incorrect answers, with a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong attempt. Marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are not added to the final merit list; they are only used for shortlisting candidates for the Main Examination.
How to Download the SBI Clerk Admit Card 2026
Candidates can download their SBI Clerk Preliminary Examination admit card by following these steps:
- Visit the official SBI website or use the direct download link provided below.
- Navigate to the 'Careers' section and find the link for 'SBI Clerk Recruitment'.
- Click on the link that says 'Download Preliminary Exam Call Letter' or similar. Ensure the link corresponds to the regular recruitment advertisement (CRPD/CR/2026-27/17).
- Enter your Registration Number and Password (or Date of Birth) as mentioned in your application form.
- Enter the Captcha code if displayed.
- Click on the 'Login' or 'Submit' button.
- Your SBI Clerk Admit Card 2026 will be displayed on the screen.
- Download the admit card and take a printout for future reference. It is also advisable to download the 'Acquaint Yourself' booklet, which contains important instructions.
Important Note: SBI will not send admit cards by post. Candidates must download their call letters online.
Documents Required for Examination
Candidates must carry the following documents to the examination center without fail:
- Printed Call Letter: A clear printout of the SBI Clerk Admit Card 2026 with a recent passport-sized photograph pasted on it.
- Original Photo ID Proof: A valid original photo identification document such as Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Driving Licence, Voter ID Card, etc.
- Photocopy of ID Proof: A self-attested photocopy of the original photo ID proof.
- Additional Photographs: Two or three additional passport-sized photographs, matching the one pasted on the admit card.
- Other Documents: Any other documents or certificates as specified in the admit card or the 'Acquaint Yourself' booklet.
Candidates are advised to retain the authenticated Preliminary Examination call letter and a photocopy of their ID proof for the Main Examination, as it may be required.
Exam Centres in Assam
For candidates applying from Assam, the tentative examination centers for the Preliminary Examination include Dibrugarh, Guwahati, Jorhat, Silchar, and Tezpur. The exact venue and date of the examination will be clearly mentioned on the individual admit cards.
Special Backlog Drive
It is important to note that SBI has also released a Preliminary Examination call letter for a special backlog drive under Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16. Candidates who applied specifically for this backlog recruitment should ensure they are downloading the correct admit card.
Main Examination Details
Candidates who successfully clear the Preliminary Examination will be eligible to appear for the Main Examination. The Main Examination for the regular recruitment is tentatively scheduled for November 2026. Details regarding the admit card and exam pattern for the Main Examination will be released separately by SBI.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: When will the SBI Clerk Preliminary Exam be conducted?
A1: The SBI Clerk Preliminary Examination is scheduled to be held on 26 and 27 September 2026.
Q2: What are the minimum educational qualifications required for SBI Clerk?
A2: Candidates must hold a degree in any discipline from a recognized University or its equivalent. They must also have passed their 10th standard or equivalent examination.
Q3: Is there negative marking in the SBI Clerk Preliminary Exam?
A3: Yes, there is negative marking in the SBI Clerk Preliminary Exam. 0.25 marks are deducted for each incorrect answer.
Q4: Can I download the admit card after the exam date?
A4: No, the admit card is usually available for download only up to the date of the examination. It is advisable to download it as soon as it is released.
Q5: What documents should I carry to the SBI Clerk exam center?
A5: You must carry your printed admit card with a photograph, an original photo ID proof with a photocopy, and additional passport-sized photographs.
