SBI Clerk Selection Process 2025: Complete Exam Process for Prelims & Mains

Q: What is SBI Clerk selection process?

SBI Clerk selection process comprises prelims exam and Mains exam. The marks obtained in the prelims exam are not counted for the final merit list. It serves as the screening test for Mains exam. The prelims exam comprises three sections-English, Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude. The total marks allotted to the test are 100. The Mains exam comprises four sections-General/ Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude. The total marks allotted to the Mains exam are 200.

Q: What is SBI Clerk exam?

SBI Clerk exam is conducted by the State Bank of India every year to recruit eligible candidates for the post of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales). The selection process of SBI Clerk comprises prelims exam, Mains exam and language proficiency test. The final selection of candidates is done based on marks obtained in the Mains exam. Candidates need to qualify the language proficiency test. The prelims exam of SBI Clerk comprises three sections- English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. The total marks allotted to the test are 100. Candidates qualifying the prelims exam are called for the mains exam. The marks obtained in the prelims exam are not counted for final selection. The mains exam comprises English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. The mains exam is conducted for 200 marks. Candidates qualifying the mains exam are called for language proficiency test. This test is qualifying in nature. In language proficiency test, candidates are assessed based on their ability to speak, write and read the local language of the state from where they have submitted the application form.

Q: Is it mandatory to appear for Language Proficiency Test for SBI Clerk exam?

It is mandatory to appear for language proficiency test for SBI Clerk exam. It is a qualifying exam that assesses a candidate's ability to read, write and speak the official regional language.

Q: What is SBI Clerk negative marking?

There is a negative marking in the SBI Clerk exam. 1/4th mark assigned to a particular question is deducted as a penalty for wrong answers. For correct answers in the exam, candidates score one mark. The total marks of candidates are calculated based on the number of correct and incorrect answers. The corrected scores obtained by each candidate in different sessions of the exam are normalised using the equi-percentile method. Scores upto two decimal points are taken for the purpose of calculations. The marks of candidates are calculated as per marking scheme. Candidates should attempt maximum number of questions to secure the desired score in the exam.

Q: What is SBI Clerk in hand salary?

The starting basic pay of SBI Clerk is INR 26,730 (INR 24050 plus two advance increments). The pay scale is INR 24050-1340/3-28070-1650/3-33020-2000/4-41020-2340/7-57400-4400/1-61800-2680/1-64480. The total starting emoluments of a Clerical Cadre employee payable at Metro like Mumbai is around INR 46,000 per month inclusive of D.A., other allowances at the current rate and two additional increments for newly recruited graduate junior associates. Allowances may vary depending upon the place of posting. The in-hand salary of SBI Clerk includes the approximate amount a candidate gets after the deductions. The starting salary of SBI Clerk is approximately INR 46000 in a metro city like Mumbai.

Q: What is SBI Clerk salary?

SBI Clerk starting salary is INR 19,900 (INR 17,900 plus two advance increments). The newly revised payscale of SBI Clerk is INR 17900-1000/3-20900-1230/3-24590-1490/4-30550- 1730/7-42600-3270/1-45930-1990/1-47920. Candidates can calculate their salaries by adding basic salary, HRA, city compensation, provident fund and pension contributions. The basic pay is INR 17,900, however, with two advance increments, the starting basic salary is INR 19,900.

Q: What is the basic pay of SBI Clerk?

The basic salary of SBI Clerk is INR 17,900 with an increment of INR 1000. After three years, the basic SBI Clerk salary will be INR 20,900 with an annual increment of INR 1230. Again, after three years, candidates will get basic pay of INR 24,590 with an increment of INR 1490. The maximum basic salary will reach upto INR 47,920 after certain period.

Q: How can SBI Clerk get promoted to PO?

State Bank of India are basically divided into Clerical cadre and Officer cadre. Candidates are directly recruited as Clerks and Officers through SBI Clerk and SBI PO exams. However, after working for a certain period of time, clerk can shift to Officer cadre. A Clerk can be promoted to the Officer cadre as TOs (Trainee Officers) to JMGS-1 (Junior Management Grade Officer Scale -1). Candidates can make PO in SBI in the following ways: Internal Exam: Public Sector Banks (PSBs) conduct an internal exam every two years for employees who want to shift to officer cadre. A clerk becomes eligible for an internal exam after three years of service, along with completion of the CAIIB (Certified Association of the Indian Institute of Bankers) exam, or four years of service, along with completion of the JAIIB (Junior Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers) exam, or minimum six years of service. The perks and salary received by a Trainee Officer are equivalent to that of a PO. Once the clerk is promoted he's put under probation for two years. After the probation period, the TO is either promoted to MMGS-II or back to Clerical cadre based on his/her performance. OJM Internal Exam: To appear for this internal exam, candidates should complete six years of service as Clerk under the fast track promotion or 12 years of service under normal promotion channel. The perks are equivalent to that of a PO but the salary is relatively lesser. Direct Recruitment as PO: If candidates want to become a PO, they can appear in the SBI PO exam conducted by the State Bank of India and get directly recruited as a Probationary Officer through the regular selection process.

Q: Can SBI Clerk become SBI PO?

SBI Clerk get opportunities to become a Probationary Officer compared to other banks. Candidates who are selected for the Clerk position in SBI will be on probation for at least six months.

Q: Is SBI Clerk a permanent job?

While applying for the SBI Clerk exam, students ask a question 'Is the SBI Clerk job permanent or not? ' SBI Clerk is a permanent job. Candidates selected through SBI Clerk exam enjoys job security as well as a good salary. To get appointed in the SBI, candidates need to qualify the examination- prelims, mains, and language proficiency tests. Since SBI is a Public Sector Undertaking and a government bank, there is job security for the employees. SBI Clerk salary is decent for an entry-level government job. Employee can get a promotion by giving the JAIIB and CAIIB examinations.

338 Students Q&A

Exam On - 15 Nov '25 - 16 Nov '25

Updated on Sep 14, 2025 18:33 IST

By Anangsha Patra, Deputy Manager – Editorial

SBI Clerk selection process prelims exam and mains exams followed by Test of specified opted local language. The prelims and mains exams are conducted online. The prelims exam of SBI Clerk carries a total of 100 marks. The mains exam carries 200 marks. Candidates qualifying the prelims exam of SBI Clerk 2025 are called for the mains exam. However, the marks obtained in the prelims exam are not counted for the final merit list.

Final selection of candidates is done based on the mains exam only. To qualify the exam, candidates are also required to secure the desired SBI Clerk cut off. There are no sectional cut off marks in the exam. Scroll down to read more details on SBI Clerk selection process.

Q: What is SBI Clerk selection process?

Q: What is SBI Clerk exam?

Q: Is it mandatory to appear for Language Proficiency Test for SBI Clerk exam?

Table of content

SBI Clerk Selection Process: Detailed Overview
SBI Clerk Salary
SBI Clerk Selection Process FAQs

SBI Clerk Selection Process: Detailed Overview

The complete selection process of SBI Clerk is explained below.

Filling the SBI Clerk Application Form

SBI Clerk application form is released online. SBI Clerk application form fee is INR 750 for General and OBC categories. However, SC/ ST/ PWD/ XS candidates are exempted from paying the application fees. Candidates can edit the details in the SBI Clerk application form within the application deadline.

Issue of SBI Clerk Admit Card

SBI Clerk admit card is released online separately for the preliminary and mains exams. Candidates can access the admit card from the official website. To download SBI Clerk admit card, candidates need to enter their registration number or roll number and date of birth, or password. Candidates can download the admit card till the day of the exam. SBI Clerk admit card contains details such as date, time and details of the exam centre. The hard copy of the admit card is not sent to candidates by post.

Appearing in SBI Clerk Prelims

The preliminary exam is the first stage of the selection process. SBI Clerk prelims exam is an objective type comprising three sections, English language, Numerical Ability and Reasoning Ability. According to SBI Clerk exam pattern, the exam paper carries a total of 100 questions. The total duration of the test is 1 hour. Each test will have separate timings. The maximum marks of the test is 100. 1/4th of mark assigned for the question will be deducted for each wrong answer. There are no minimum qualifying marks for any section. Approximately 10 times the number of vacancies will be selected for the mains exam.

Appearing in the SBI Clerk Mains

The main exam is the most important stage of the selection process. The marks obtained in the mains exam will be considered for final selection. The mains exam comprises four sections: General/ Financial Awareness, General English, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude. There will be a total of 190 questions. The questions in objective tests, except for the test of General English will be bilingual i.e. English and Hindi. There will be negative marks for wrong answers in the objective tests. 1/4th of the marks will be deducted for wrong answers.

Declaration of SBI Clerk Result

The result is announced online separately for prelims and mains exams. Candidates can access the SBI Clerk result by logging in with their registration number or roll number, and date of birth.

Also Read: SBI Clerk Cut off

Test of Specified Local Language

Candidates qualifying the mains exam and have studied the specified opted local language in Class 10th and 12th are not subject to the local language
In case of other candidates who have qualified the mains exam, they need to appear for the local language test
The test is conducted before joining
Candidates need to be proficient in the specified local language or else they will be disqualified

Commonly asked questions

Q: How can SBI Clerk get promoted to PO?

Q: Can SBI Clerk become SBI PO?

Q: Is SBI Clerk a permanent job?

SBI Clerk Salary

SBI Clerk salary is decided as per the 7th Pay Commission. The initial SBI Clerk salary is INR 19,900 (INR 17,900 plus two advance increments admissible to graduates). The pay scale of SBI Clerk is INR 17900-1000/3-20900-1230/3-24590-1490/4-30550-1730/7-42600-3270/1-45930-1990/1-47920. Besides, candidates are also entitled to various perks and benefits. The salary structure is given below.

Particular	Pay
SBI Clerk Salary India Basic Pay	INR 17,900 (Basic Pay) Salary after 1st increment INR 20,900 Salary after 2nd increment INR 24,590 Salary after 3rd increment INR 30,560 Salary after 4th increment INR 42,600 Salary after 5th increment INR 45,930 Salary after 6th increment INR 47,920
Dearness Allowances	INR. 6,234
House Accommodation	INR 2,091
Transport Allowance	INR 600
Special Allowance	INR 3,263
Gross with HRA	INR 32,088

Commonly asked questions

Q: What is SBI Clerk in hand salary?

Q: What is SBI Clerk salary?

Q: What is the basic pay of SBI Clerk?

View salary details

SBI Clerk Selection Process FAQs

Candidates can check below SBI Clerk selection process 2025 FAQs.

Commonly asked questions

Q: What is SBI Clerk negative marking?

SBI Clerk Exam

Student Forum

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When SBI Clerk 2025 exam will be conducted?

Answered a month ago

The prelims exam was conducted on September 20, 21, 27, 2025. The Mains exam will be conducted on November 15 and 16, 2025.

Anangsha Patra

Contributor-Level 10

What are the important points related to SBI Clerk exam centre?

Answered a month ago

Few important points related to SBI Clerk exam centres are given below:

Candidates are required to choose the name of the SBI Clerk exam centre where they want to appear in the exam
SBI reserves the right to cancel any of the exam centres or add some other centres at its discretion, depending upon th

Anangsha Patra

Contributor-Level 10

Can Final Year Students apply for SBI Clerk?

Answered 2 months ago

Candidates who are in their final year/semester of graduation can apply provisionally as per SBI Clerk qualification. They need to produce proof of having passed the examination on or before the joining date.

Jasleen Harsha

Contributor-Level 7

Is there any percentage criteria for SBI Clerk?

Answered 2 months ago

There are no definite percentage criteria defined by SBI to apply for SBI Clerk. Candidates within the prescribed SBI Clerk age limit can apply for the exam. Candidates must be well-versed in official and local languages.

Raushan Pradhan

Contributor-Level 7

Can a final year degree candidate apply for SBI Clerk exam?

Answered 2 months ago

Yes, final year degree candidates can apply for SBI Clerk provisionally as per SBI Clerk qualification. Such candidates should note that if selected for the exam, they should provide proof of having passed the Graduation.

Sumridhi Singh

Contributor-Level 7

What is the relaxation in the upper SBI Clerk age limit provided to SC/ST candidates?

Answered 2 months ago

The relaxation in the upper SBI Clerk age limit provided to SC/ST candidates is five years. This means candidates belonging to this category can apply for the exam till the age of 33 years.

Indrani Thakur

Contributor-Level 7

What is the relaxation in the upper SBI Clerk age limit provided to OBC candidates?

Answered 2 months ago

The relaxation in the upper SBI Clerk age limit 2024 provided to the OBC candidates is three years. Candidates belonging to reserved categories are given relaxation in the upper age limit as per government rule.

Bhumika Arora

Contributor-Level 7

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