This is the golden opportunity for all the aspirants who are looking to be part of The State Bank of India which is a leading Public Sector Bank. In this post, detailed information regarding The State Bank of India Probationary Officers, application process, important dates, selection procedure, detailed syllabus, exam pattern and FAQs have been provided. So, here we present a complete guide to help the aspiring candidates to get a job in this prestigious recruitment drive. An extensive summary for the SBI PO is provided below:
Get the latest SBI PO updates: notification, syllabus, vacancies, and exam preparation tips
SBI PO Exam Key Highlights
The State Bank of India (SBI) conducts its PO Exam Annually. It is an all India recruitment with an enticing salary of approx ₹89,000/month. The selection process consists of three parts — the Phase I (Preliminary-Objective Test), the Phase II (Main- Objective Test), and Phase III (Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, and Interview). Official Website: https://www.onlinesbi.sbi/
Overview for the SBI PO Exam:
| Exam Details | Information |
| Exam Name | SBI PO Exam |
| Post | Probationary Officers (PO) |
| Conducting Body | State Bank of India |
| Job Location | All India |
| Application Fee | ₹750- UR/EWS/OBC Nil- for all other candidates |
| Selection Process | Phase I : Preliminary Examination (Online Objective Test) Phase II : Main Examination (Online Objective Test) Phase III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, and Interview |
| Salary | Approximately ₹89,000 per month |
| Official Website | https://www.onlinesbi.sbi/ |
SBI PO 2024-25 Notification
The SBI PO Exam important dates for the year 2024-25 have been released. Candidates can register and pay the application fee online on the official website between December 27, 2024 to January 16, 2025 for the same. According to the notice, the Phase I Preliminary Examination will be held on March 8, 2025 and March 15,2025, while the Phase II Main Examination will be held on April/May, 2025 and Phase III will be held in May/June 2025. The candidate can download the call letter 7 days before every examination. You must keep a tab on these dates and be prepared to stay one step ahead!
| Events | Expected Dates |
| Online Registration & payment of Application Fees | 27/12/2024 to 16/01/2025 (Both dates inclusive) |
| Phase I (Preliminary) Online Examination | 08/03/2025 and 15/03/2025 |
| Phase II (Main) Online Examination | April/May 2025 |
| Phase III (Group Exercise and Interview) | May/June 2025 |
| Download of Call Letters | 7 days prior to the date of each examination |
SBI PO Salary and Benefits 2025
Pay Scale
₹48,480 – ₹2,000/7 – ₹62,480 – ₹2,340/2 – ₹67,160 – ₹2,680/7 – ₹85,920
This salary structure will increase in three stages from ₹48,480. The increase rate is as follows: in the first stage, ₹2,000 every year for 7 years up to ₹62,480. In the second stage, ₹2,340 every year for 2 years up to ₹67,160. In the final stage, ₹2,680 every year for 7 years and finally up to ₹85,920. This increases over 16 years with each stage having planned increment.
Perks and Benefits:
- Medical Facility
- Leave Fare Concession (LFC)
- Contributory Pension Fund (NPS)
- Provident Fund (PF)
- Furniture Allowance
- Briefcase Allowance
SBI PO Category wise Vacancies
In this year notification published by SBI India, there is a total vacancies mentioned is 600 (SC: 87, ST: 57, OBC: 158, EWS: 58, UR: 240)
Here is the detailed list of category-wise vacancies for the SBI PO recruitment:
| Category | Regular Vacancies | Backlog Vacancies | Total Vacancies |
| Scheduled Caste (SC) | 87 | 0 | 87 |
| Scheduled Tribe (ST) | 43 | 14 | 57 |
| Other Backward Classes (OBC) | 158 | 0 | 158 |
| Economically Weaker Section (EWS) | 58 | 0 | 58 |
| Unreserved (UR) | 240 | 0 | 240 |
| Total | 586 | 14 | 600 |
SBI PO Eligibility Criteria
Candidates aspiring to appear for the SBI PO exam must meet the following criteria:
1. Nationality:
Candidates must be:
- A citizen of India, or
- A subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or
- A Tibetan refugee (migrated before January 1, 1962), or
- A person of Indian origin who has migrated from specified countries (e.g., Pakistan, Sri Lanka) and holds eligibility certificates issued by the Government of India.
2. Age Limit (as on April 1, 2025):
- Minimum Age: 21 years. Maximum Age: 30 years.
- Candidates must have been born between April 2, 1994 and April 1, 2003 (both days inclusive)
Relaxation in the upper age limit is applicable for certain categories:
| Category | Relaxation |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| PwBD (UR/EWS) | 10 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| PwBD (ST/SC) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 years |
3. Educational Qualifications (as on April 30, 2025):
- Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government.
- Final-year/semester students may also apply provisionally, provided they can submit proof of passing the graduation exam on or before April 30, 2025.
- Candidates with professional qualifications like Chartered Accountant (CA), Cost Accountant, Medical, Engineering, etc., are also eligible.
SBI PO Exam Pattern 2025
The recruitment process consists of three stages: Phase I i.e. Preliminary Examination which will an objective exam. Phase II i.e. Mains Examination which will be an objective as well as descriptive Exam. Phase III i.e. Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, and Interview.
Phase I: Preliminary Examination
This objective-type test carries 100 marks and has a duration of one hour. It includes the following sections:
| Section | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| English Language | 40 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 hour |
☑️ There is no sectional cut-off.
☑️ There is a penalty for wrong answers (0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect response).
Phase II: Main Examination
This objective-type test carries 250 (200+50) marks and has a duration of 3 hours 30 minutes. The sections include:
| Section | Number of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| English Language | 40 | 20 | 40 minutes |
| Reasoning and Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 50 minutes |
| Data Analysis and Interpretation | 30 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| General Awareness/ Economy/ Banking Knowledge | 60 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| Total | 170 | 200 | 3 hours |
| Descriptive Paper | |||
| Communication Skills: Email, Reports, Situation Analysis and Precis Writing | — | 50 | 30 minutes |
| Grand Total | 250 | 3 hours 30 minutes | |
There is a penalty for wrong answers (0.25 marks deducted for each incorrect response).
Phase III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, and Interview
| Psychometric Test | Personality profiling; results may be shared with the interview panel. |
| Group Exercise | 20 marks |
| Personal Interview | 30 marks |
The final merit list is prepared by normalizing marks of:
- Main Examination (Objective + Descriptive) (75% weightage)
- Phase-III (Group Exercise + Interview) (25% weightage)
Total normalized marks: 100
SBI PO Exam Application Fee
- UR/EWS/OBC: ₹750/-
- Other candidates: Nil.
Fees can be paid online via net banking, UPI, or debit/credit cards.
How to apply for SBI PO Exam
The candidates who are interested must submit the applications online by visiting the official website of SBI (https://bank.sbi/web/careers/current-openings). The steps are:
- Registration:
- Go to the website in the official site and in the recruitment section click “Apply Online”.
- Submit the following information: name, contact information, email ID to generate a provisional registration number and password.
- Filling the Application Form:
- Fill your educational and personal details.
- According to the specifications, upload a scanned copy of the photograph, signature, left thumb impression and the handwritten declaration.
- Fee Payment:
- Fill up the Application Fee Online.
- Final Submission:
- Check everything and send the application form.
- Keep a copy of it, for reference.
SBI PO Exam Syllabus 2025
| English Language | Cloze Test Sentence Correction Para Jumbles Fill in the Blanks Reading Comprehension Spotting Errors Sentence Improvement Para/Sentence Completion Sentence Rearrangement Column-Based questions Spelling Errors Word Swap Word Rearrangement Sentence-Based Errors. |
| Reasoning Ability | Puzzles Seating Arrangement: Circular/Direction-based/MISC Number Series Coding-Decoding Blood Relation Analogy Syllogism Alphabet Test Ranking and Time Causes and Effects Figure Series Word Formation Statement and Assumption Direction Sense Assertion and Reason Statement and Conclusion Statement and Arguments Statements and Action Courses. |
| Numerical Ability | Number System Data Interpretation – Bar Graph, Line Graph & Pie Chart HCF & LCM Profit & Loss Time & Work Time & Distance Decimal & Fraction Averages Mensuration Simplification Partnership Simple Interest & Compound Interest Percentages Ratio & Proportion Case Studies Charts and Graphs Permutation & Combination Probability. |
| General Awareness | Current events in Financial World Monetary Policy Budget Economic Survey Banking Banking Reforms in India Bank Accounts of Special Individuals Loans Asset Reconstruction Companies Non-Performing Assets Restructuring of Loans Bad Loans Risk Management BASEL I, BASEL II, BASEL III Organizations – RBI, SEBI, IMF, World Bank & Others Current Affairs National International Current Affairs Sports Abbreviations Currencies & Capitals General Science Government Schemes & Policies Banking Awareness Awards and Honors RBI Books and Authors National Parks & Sanctuaries. |
SBI PO Preparation- Books and Resources
Worried about how to prepare for the SBI PO Exam?
Your one-stop solution for everything you need! Go and subscribe to the Nishant eAcademy Youtube Channel. And make sure to visit our website to check targeted courses at Nishant eAcademy.
In case you want to prepare by yourself, here’s a list of recommended books for preparing for the SBI PO exam:
- General English: ‘High School English Grammar’ by Wren & Martin and ‘Objective General English’ by S.P. Bakshi
- Reasoning Ability: RS Aggarwal for Reasoning Ability
- Numerical Ability: R.S. Aggarwal for Quantitative Aptitude
- Computer Knowledge: ‘Objective Computer Awareness’ by R. Pillai
- General Awareness: The Hindu/ The Indian Express and ‘Banking Awareness’ by Arihant Publications
Kick start your practice journey via our Test Series. Explore preparation resources for detailed guidance.
SBI PO Previous Year Papers
It is always useful to refer to previous years’ question papers. Referring to previous year papers can give you an idea of the exam’s structure and level of difficulty. This will not only enhance your confidence but also will act as a mirror for your practice and preparation standards.
Go through the SBI PO PYQs on our website https://nishanteacademy.com.
SBI PO Preparation Tips
Preparation is the first step of success. If you really want to clear the SBI PO exam in your first attempt, then you should follow some sure success steps of toppers. Below, we have provided some toppers’ hidden secrets to get success:
- Understand the Exam Pattern: Make sure to break down the syllabus and allocate your time accordingly with respect to your strengths.
- Practice Mock Tests: Practice through online mock tests to develop speed and accuracy.
- Revise Regularly: Go through all important topics, particularly in numerical ability and general awareness or your weak areas.
- Interview Preparation: Prepare a crisp and sharp intro and cover all the questions which you feel might arise from your introduction. Practice good body posture and mannerism to be presentable.
- Practice Previous Year Papers: Practice previous year papers regularly under timed conditions to simulate the actual exam and identify weak areas for improvement.
- Join Specialized Courses: Enroll in courses tailored to the syllabus to gain a deeper understanding of complex subjects and structured guidance.
SBI PO Cut-Off 2023-24
SBI PO Prelims Cut Off 2023
| Category | Cut-Off Marks |
| GEN | 59.25 |
| SC | 53 |
| ST | 47.50 |
| OBC | 59.25 |
| EWS | 59.25 |
SBI PO Mains Cut Off 2023
| Category | SBI PO Cut-Off Marks (Out of 250) |
| GEN | 70 |
| SC | 57.50 |
| ST | 57.50 |
| OBC | 62.25 |
| EWS | 70 |
| LD | 57.50 |
| VI | 57.50 |
| HI | 58 |
| D & E | 58.25 |
SBI PO Mains Final Cut Off 2023
| Category | Cut-Off Marks (Out of 100) |
| GEN | 44.60 |
| SC | 37.15 |
| ST | 36.45 |
| OBC | 39.73 |
| EWS | 36.03 |
| LD | 33.68 |
| VI | 29.20 |
| HI | 32.25 |
| D & E | 32.98 |
SBI PO Interview Qualifying Marks Cut Off 2023
| Category | Cut-Off Marks (Out of 50) |
| GEN | 20 |
| SC | 17.50 |
| ST | 17.50 |
| OBC | 17.50 |
| EWS | 20 |
| LD | 17.50 |
| VI | 17.50 |
| HI | 17.50 |
| D & E | 17.50 |
SBI PO Admit Card 2025
The SBI PO Admit Card will be released 7 days prior to the examination for both Prelims and Mains. The SBI PO Admit Card is an essential document provided to candidates meeting the eligibility criteria. It serves as an entry pass for all stages of the examination. To appear for the SBI PO exam, candidates must carry a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid government-issued photo identification. If the photograph on the admit card is unclear, additional passport-sized photos may also be required.
SBI PO Result 2025
The results for SBI PO Prelims Stage will be released 7-10 days prior to the Mains Examination.
The final results for the SBI PO exam will be announced on the official website, https://www.onlinesbi.sbi/, after completing all stages of the selection process. Candidates who secure a spot on the merit list will be assigned positions based on their rank. Upon selection, they will undergo a mandatory probationary training period.
Conclusion
The SBI PO exam is an excellent opportunity for graduates looking to work in the government sector, specifically within The State Bank of India.
Keep track of the official notifications from the SBI, stay updated on the syllabus and exam pattern, and use the recommended books and resources to guide your preparation. Remember, a clear understanding of the exam’s structure and consistent effort can help you succeed.
Good luck with your SBI PO exam preparation!
Access our specialized courses and test series for rock solid preparation on our website https://nishanteacademy.com.
SBI PO Recruitment FAQs
What is the total number of vacancies?
There are a total of 600 vacancies for the PO post in SBI in 2025, across different categories.
What is the basic pay scale for the SBI PO 2025 post?
The pay band ranges from ₹48,480/- with four time-bound increments.
What is the upper age to apply for SBI PO 2025?
Candidates should not be less than 21 years and not more than 30 years of age on the 1st of April 2025, there is age relaxation for reserved categories.
Does the SBI PO 2025 exam have any negative marking?
Yes, there is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each wrong answer in Tier I and Tier II examinations.
When will the Preliminary examination of SBI PO 2025 be held?
The prelims examination is expected to be held on 8th March and 15th March 2025.
Do selected candidates have to undergo a probation period?
Yes, the selected candidates of SBI PO 2025 will undergo a probation period of 6 months, which may be extended based on performance.
Where can I get updates regarding the SBI PO 2025 Notification?
You can visit the official website for SBI (https://www.onlinesbi.sbi/) for regular updates.
