State Bank of India (SBI) has released the official notification for Circle Based Officer (CBO) recruitment under Advertisement No. CRPD/CBO/2025-26/18. A total of 2273 vacancies are being filled — 2050 regular posts + 223 backlog posts — across various SBI circles in India. This recruitment is specially designed for experienced officers already working in Scheduled Commercial Banks or Regional Rural Banks who want to join SBI in a Scale-I role with faster career progression.
The online application window is open from 29 January 2026 to 18 February 2026 (up to 11:59 PM). The selection process consists of an online written examination (75% weightage), interview (25% weightage) and a qualifying local language proficiency test. There is no preliminary exam — only one main online test.
This is an excellent opportunity for banking professionals aged 21–30 years with at least two years of officer-level experience in a Scheduled Commercial Bank or RRB who also know the local language of the circle they are applying for.
Why SBI CBO Recruitment 2026 is a Strong Career Move
SBI Circle Based Officers are posted within one circle (state/region) and handle branch operations, customer service, credit appraisal, recovery, business development and supervision of clerical staff. Unlike Probationary Officers (PO), CBOs are recruited at a slightly higher entry point because of prior banking experience.
Key reasons candidates prefer SBI CBO over other bank jobs:
- Posting restricted to one circle → no all-India transfer risk
- Faster confirmation and promotion track compared to direct PO recruitment
- Starting basic pay ₹48,480 + advance increments for 2+ years experience
- Full SBI officer benefits — DA, HRA, medical, LTC, concessional loans, pension under NPS
- Job security of a public sector bank with strong brand value
- Work-life balance better than many private banks
- Opportunity to serve in your home state/region
This recruitment is ideal for officers already in banking who want to switch to SBI without losing seniority benefits.
Important Dates – SBI CBO Recruitment 2026
| Event | Date / Status |
|---|---|
| Official Notification Release | Late January 2026 |
| Online Application Start Date | 29 January 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 18 February 2026 (11:59 PM) |
| Last Date for Online Fee Payment | 18 February 2026 |
| Online Examination Date | March 2026 (tentative) |
| Admit Card Release | 10–15 days before exam |
| Result & Scorecard (Online Exam) | April 2026 (tentative) |
| Interview & Language Test | April–May 2026 (tentative) |
| Final Merit List & Appointment | June–August 2026 (tentative) |
Note: Dates are as per the official notification. Always check sbi.co.in/web/careers → Current Openings for any change or additional notices.
Application Fee – SBI CBO 2026
| Category | Application Fee (including GST) |
|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | ₹ 750 |
| SC / ST / PwBD | Nil (exempted) |
Payment is accepted only online through Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, IMPS or UPI. Fee is non-refundable.
Age Limit (as on 31 December 2025)
| Category | Minimum Age | Maximum Age |
|---|---|---|
| General / OBC / EWS | 21 years | 30 years |
| SC / ST | 21 years | 35 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 21 years | 33 years |
| PwBD | 21 years | 40 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | 21 years | Service rendered + 3 years |
Important:
- Age is calculated as on 31 December 2025
- Final cut-off date and exact relaxation rules are given in the official notification
- Maximum age for reserved categories is usually 30 + relaxation (check notification)
Educational Qualification & Experience
Post Name: Circle Based Officer (JMGS-I)
Minimum Qualification:
- Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university (no minimum percentage required)
Mandatory Experience:
- Minimum 2 years experience as an officer (Scale-I or equivalent) in a Scheduled Commercial Bank or Regional Rural Bank
- Experience must be as on 31 December 2025
- Job profile should match that of a Scale-I Generalist Officer at SBI (branch operations, credit, customer service, etc.)
Local Language Proficiency:
- Must know the local language of the circle applied for (reading, writing & speaking)
- Proof required at the time of interview (10th/12th marksheet showing language studied or certificate)
Vacancy Details – 2273 Posts (Circle-wise Break-up)
Total vacancies: 2273 (2050 regular + 223 backlog)
Here is the circle-wise vacancy distribution:
| Circle Name | Local Language(s) | Regular Posts | Backlog Posts | Total Posts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amaravati | Telugu / Urdu | 97 | 1 | 98 |
| Bengaluru | Kannada | 200 | 11 | 211 |
| Bhopal | Hindi | 97 | 17 | 114 |
| Bhubaneswar | Odia | 80 | 1 | 81 |
| Chandigarh | Urdu / Hindi / Punjabi | 103 | 4 | 107 |
| Chennai | Tamil | 165 | 37 | 202 |
| Gandhinagar | Gujarati | 194 | 42 | 236 |
| Guwahati | Assamese / Bengali / Bodo / Manipuri / Garo / Khasi / Mizo / Kokborok (English also accepted) | 68 | 11 | 79 |
| Hyderabad | Telugu / Urdu | 80 | – | 80 |
| Jaipur | Hindi | 103 | 1 | 104 |
| Kolkata | Bengali / Nepali / Hindi | 200 | 31 | 231 |
| Lucknow | Hindi / Urdu | 200 | 20 | 220 |
| Maharashtra | Marathi | 194 | 10 | 204 |
| Mumbai Metro | Marathi / Konkani | 143 | 2 | 145 |
| New Delhi | Hindi | 76 | – | 76 |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Malayalam | 50 | 29 | 79 |
| Total | – | 2050 | 223 | 2273 |
Note: Final category-wise break-up (UR, SC, ST, OBC, EWS, PwBD, Ex-Servicemen) is given in the official notification PDF.
Selection Process – SBI CBO 2026
The selection is done in four stages:
- Online Written Examination (170 marks – 75% weightage)
- Interview (50 marks – 25% weightage)
- Local Language Proficiency Test (qualifying only)
- Document Verification & Medical Examination
Online Exam Pattern
A. Objective Test (120 marks)
- Duration: 2 hours (sectional timing)
- No negative marking
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 30 min |
| Banking Knowledge | 40 | 40 | 40 min |
| General Awareness / Economy | 30 | 30 | 30 min |
| Computer Aptitude | 20 | 20 | 20 min |
| Total | 120 | 120 | 120 min |
B. Descriptive Test (50 marks)
- Duration: 30 minutes (immediately after objective test)
- Tasks: Letter Writing (25 marks) + Essay Writing (25 marks)
- Typing on computer
Final Merit Online Exam (converted to 75 marks) + Interview (25 marks) = Total 100 marks
Salary & Pay Scale After Selection
Grade: Junior Management Grade Scale-I (JMGS-I)
Pay Scale: ₹48,480 – 2000(7) – 62,480 – 2340(2) – 67,160 – 2680(7) – 85,920
Starting Basic Pay: ₹48,480 Advance Increments: 2 advance increments for 2+ years prior officer experience → effective starting basic ~₹52,480
Approximate In-hand Salary: ₹60,000 – ₹75,000 per month (depending on posting city) Annual CTC: ₹10–12 lakh in starting years
Other Allowances & Benefits
- Dearness Allowance (DA) revised every 6 months
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) based on posting city
- Special & Learning Allowance
- Petrol Allowance
- Medical facility for self & family
- Leave Travel Concession (LTC)
- Provident Fund & NPS
- Concessional loans for housing, vehicle, personal
- Performance-linked incentives
After probation (6 months), confirmation as permanent officer with full SBI benefits.
How to Apply Online – Step-by-Step Guide
- Visit official website: sbi.co.in → Careers → Current Openings
- Click on “Recruitment of Circle Based Officers (Advt. No. CRPD/CBO/2025-26/18)”
- Click “Apply Online”
- Register with mobile number and email ID
- Verify OTP
- Fill personal details, education, experience, circle preference
- Upload scanned photo & signature
- Pay fee online (if applicable)
- Preview the application carefully
- Submit and take printout of confirmation page
Note: Keep Aadhaar number, experience certificates, mobile and email active. Fill name, father name, DOB exactly as per graduation marksheet.
Documents Required During Verification & Interview
- Online application printout
- Graduation degree & marksheets
- Experience certificates (2+ years as officer in Scheduled Commercial Bank / RRB)
- Caste / category certificate (SC/ST/OBC/EWS – if applicable)
- PwBD certificate (if applicable)
- Ex-serviceman discharge certificate (if applicable)
- Aadhaar card / any government photo ID
- Local language proficiency proof (10th/12th marksheet showing language studied or certificate)
Keep originals and self-attested photocopies ready.
Preparation Tips for SBI CBO Online Exam 2026
Objective Test (120 marks)
- English Language: Reading comprehension, cloze test, error spotting, fill in blanks
- Banking Knowledge: Banking terms, RBI policies, financial awareness, current banking news
- General Awareness / Economy: Last 6 months current affairs, economy, banking, government schemes
- Computer Aptitude: Basics of MS Office, internet, networking, computer abbreviations
Descriptive Test (50 marks)
- Letter Writing: Formal / informal letters, complaint letters
- Essay Writing: Banking, economy, current issues, social topics
Best books
- Arihant SBI CBO Guide
- Banking Awareness by Arihant
- Lucent General Knowledge + Manorama Yearbook
- R.S. Aggarwal Reasoning & Quantitative Aptitude (for practice)
- Previous year SBI CBO / PO papers & mock tests
Practice – Solve 2–3 mock tests every week. Aim for 90–100 marks in objective + good descriptive score.
| Some Useful Important Links | |||
| Apply Online | Click Here | ||
| Download Notification | Click Here | ||
| Official Website | Click Here | ||
Final Advice for Candidates
SBI Circle Based Officer recruitment 2026 with 2273 vacancies is one of the best lateral entry opportunities for experienced banking professionals who want to switch to SBI. The posting is restricted to one circle, salary is attractive with advance increments, and career growth is strong.
Start preparing now — revise banking awareness, current affairs, descriptive writing and keep experience certificates ready. Apply early (from 29 January 2026) to avoid last-minute rush. Fill the form carefully because correction window is limited.
