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SBI PO Exam 2025

Exam Overview

SBI PO stands for State Bank of India Probationary Officer. This exam is organized by the State Bank of India to select officers for its branches all over the country. It is one of the most popular government job exams in India. Students who want to work in the banking sector as officers apply for this exam. After passing all the stages, candidates are trained and then posted as Probationary Officers in SBI branches.

Category of Exam

Government Job Recruitment – Banking Sector
It is a national-level competitive exam.

Related Fields of Work

  • Banking and Finance

  • Customer Service

  • Account Management

  • Loan and Credit Operations

  • Branch Management

Exam Frequency

Once a year

Eligibility

  • Candidates must be graduates in any stream from a recognized university.

  • Final year students can also apply, but they must show proof of graduation at the time of joining.

  • Age limit is usually between 21 to 30 years.

  • Relaxation in age is given to reserved category candidates as per rules.

Application Process

Mode: Online only

  • Visit the official SBI recruitment page.

  • Fill in personal, educational, and contact details.

  • Upload scanned documents like photo and signature.

  • Pay the application fee online using a card or net banking.

Mode of Exam

Computer-Based Test (CBT)
Conducted in different cities across India

Exam Pattern

The SBI PO selection process has three stages:

  1. Preliminary Exam

    • 100 questions (English, Reasoning, and Quantitative Aptitude)

    • Time: 1 hour total

    • Qualifying in nature

  2. Main Exam

    • Objective questions + Descriptive writing (Essay and Letter)

    • Subjects include General Awareness, English, Data Interpretation, and Reasoning

    • Time: 3 hours + 30 minutes for descriptive

  3. Group Exercise and Interview

    • Candidates who pass the main exam are called for this final round.

Syllabus Overview

The syllabus includes topics from:

  • English Language (Grammar, Reading, Vocabulary)

  • Quantitative Aptitude (Maths from Class 10 level)

  • Reasoning (Puzzles, Coding-Decoding, Series)

  • General Awareness (Banking News, Economy, Current Affairs)

  • Computer Knowledge (Basics)

Important Dates (example timeline)

  • Application Start: September

  • Prelims Exam: November

  • Mains Exam: December

  • Interview: January–February

  • Final Result: March

Result and Cutoff Info

  • Results for each stage are declared online.

  • Cutoffs vary each year based on difficulty and number of candidates.

  • Only those who score above the cutoff can move to the next stage.

Admit Card Release Info

  • Admit cards are released separately for Prelims, Mains, and Interview.

  • Candidates must download and print them before the exam date.

  • It includes exam center, date, and timing.

Preparation Tips

  • Make a proper study timetable for all subjects.

  • Practice previous year papers and mock tests.

  • Read newspapers daily for current affairs.

  • Focus on speed and accuracy during practice.

  • Improve English writing skills for the descriptive section.

FAQs

Q1. Can final-year students apply for SBI PO?
A: Yes, but they must show proof of graduation before joining.

Q2. Is there any negative marking?
A: Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in Prelims and Mains.

Q3. Is coaching necessary to crack SBI PO?
A: No, self-study with the right books and mock tests is enough for many students.

Q4. Is SBI PO a permanent government job?
A: Yes, after clearing all stages and training, it becomes a permanent officer post.

Q5. Can arts or commerce students apply?
A: Yes, any graduate from any stream can apply.

Top Roles After Selection

  • Probationary Officer (PO)

  • Assistant Manager

  • Branch Manager (after promotion)

  • Department Head (in future promotions)

Counseling & Admission Process

There is no counseling process like college exams.
After final selection, candidates receive joining letters from SBI.
They are trained and posted at SBI branches based on bank requirements.

Latest Updates

  • SBI is using more digital tools for exams and interviews.

  • The selection process is becoming more transparent and fast.

  • Candidates are advised to follow updates carefully and stay prepared with current affairs.

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