Mumbai: State Bank of India (SBI) has announced plans to recruit 1,500 Probationary Officers (POs) during 2026 to strengthen its workforce and support business expansion. The recruitment process is expected to be completed by December 2026.
According to the recruitment notification, the bank will fill 1,446 regular vacancies and 54 backlog vacancies through the nationwide selection process.
Application process and eligibility
Online applications and fee payment will remain open from June 18 to July 8, 2026.
Candidates applying for the posts must hold a graduate degree in any discipline from a recognised university. Applicants should also be at least 21 years old as of April 1, 2026, while the upper age limit will be as specified in the official notification, including applicable relaxations for reserved categories.
The bank is expected to release preliminary examination call letters during the second or third week of July 2026.
Selection process and important dates
The recruitment will be conducted in multiple stages.
The Phase I Preliminary Examination is scheduled to be held in August 2026, with results expected in August or September.
Candidates who qualify will appear for the Phase II Main Examination in September 2026.
The final stage of the recruitment process will include a psychometric test, group exercise and personal interview, which are likely to be conducted during October and November 2026.
SBI expects to announce the final results in November or December 2026, completing the recruitment cycle by the end of the year.
SBI continues large-scale hiring
According to SBI’s latest annual report, the bank recruited 4,640 officers, 19,340 associates and 1,653 contractual employees during the 2025–26 financial year.
The bank also recruited 67 sportspersons as part of its initiative to encourage sporting talent while building a disciplined and high-performing workforce.
The latest PO recruitment reflects SBI’s continued investment in expanding its human resources to support its growing banking operations across the country.
Low attrition rate highlights workforce stability
SBI reported that it continues to maintain one of the lowest employee attrition rates in the banking industry.
The annual attrition rate stood at 0.97 per cent during 2025–26, remaining below one per cent.
The bank said the low attrition reflects employee stability and long-term career opportunities within the organisation.
Focus on diversity and specialist recruitment
Women account for 28.54 per cent of SBI’s domestic workforce, according to the annual report.
They represent 24 per cent of managerial positions and 8.55 per cent of senior leadership roles within the organisation.
Apart from regular recruitment, SBI also hires professionals through lateral entry for specialised functions such as information technology, data analytics, risk management, treasury, legal, compliance and cybersecurity.
These specialists are appointed as Specialist Officers to meet the evolving needs of the banking sector.
Opportunity for banking aspirants
The recruitment drive offers one of the largest opportunities this year for graduates aspiring to build a career in the banking sector.
Probationary Officer positions at SBI are among the most sought-after public sector banking jobs because of their structured career progression, competitive salary and leadership opportunities.
Candidates are advised to complete their applications within the prescribed timeline and regularly check the official recruitment portal for updates regarding admit cards and examination schedules.
Conclusion
SBI’s decision to recruit 1,500 Probationary Officers reflects the bank’s continued focus on strengthening its workforce amid business expansion. With applications open until July 8, 2026, eligible graduates have an opportunity to compete for one of the country’s most prestigious banking roles through a multi-stage selection process.