SBI Junior Associate 2026: 1538 Vacancies SC/ST/OBC Special Recruitment Drive

State Bank of India has released a golden opportunity for job seekers with the SBI Junior Associate Recruitment 2026 under the Special Recruitment Drive for SC/ST/OBC Backlog Vacancies (Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16). This SBI Clerk Recruitment 2026 notification invites online applications for 1538 Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) posts across 21 States/UTs including Andhra Pradesh (88 vacancies) and Telangana (32 vacancies).
SBI Junior Associate 2026: Eligible graduate candidates aged between 20 to 28 years can apply online from 07.08.2026 to 27.08.2026 through the official SBI careers portal. This detailed guide covers SBI Junior Associate eligibility criteria, state-wise vacancy details, age limit, application fee, selection process, exam pattern, salary structure, and step-by-step application process for job seekers in Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and across India.

SBI Junior Associate 2026 Important Dates

Candidates interested in this SBI Clerk Backlog recruitment must keep track of the following important dates. Since this is a special drive purely for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies, the application window is comparatively short, so applicants are advised not to wait till the last date.

SBI Junior Associate 2026 Vacancy Details (State-wise)

A total of 1538 Junior Associate vacancies have been notified under this SC/ST/OBC backlog special recruitment drive, spread across 21 Circles covering various States and Union Territories of India. Candidates must apply for only one State/UT and must be proficient in the specified local language of that State. Below is the complete state-wise, category-wise vacancy breakup.

Andhra Pradesh & Telangana Vacancy Highlights

For candidates from Andhra Pradesh, 88 vacancies are available under the Amaravati Circle (all under ST category), requiring proficiency in Telugu or Urdu. For Telangana, 32 vacancies are available under the Hyderabad Circle (all under ST category), also requiring Telugu or Urdu proficiency. Local candidates from these two states have a strong opportunity to secure a government bank job through this backlog drive.

SBI Junior Associate Eligibility Criteria – Age Limit

As per the official notification, candidates must be not below 20 years and not above 28 years as on 01.04.2026, i.e., born between 02.04.1998 and 01.04.2006 (both dates inclusive). Age relaxation is applicable to reserved categories as per Government norms, detailed below.

Note: Cumulative age relaxation is not available by combining multiple categories.

SBI Junior Associate Eligibility – Educational Qualification

Candidates must possess a Graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized University, or an equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government, as on 31.12.2026. Those in their final year/semester of graduation can also apply provisionally, subject to producing proof of passing by 31.12.2026. Candidates with Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) must ensure the IDD passing date is on or before 31.12.2026. Matriculate Ex-servicemen with the Indian Army Special Certificate of Education (or equivalent) after 15 years of service are also eligible.

Local Language Proficiency Requirement

Applicants must be proficient in reading, writing, speaking and understanding the specified local language of the State/UT they are applying for. Candidates who have studied the specified language up to 10th or 12th standard are exempted from the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT); others must clear this test after provisional selection but before joining.

Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD)

The post is suitable for PwBD candidates under categories including Blind/Low Vision, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Locomotor Disabilities (One Arm, Both Arms, One Leg, Both Legs, Cerebral Palsy, Leprosy Cured, Dwarfism, Acid Attack Victims, Muscular Dystrophy), Autism Spectrum Disorder (Mild), Intellectual Disability, Specific Learning Disability, Mental Illness, and Multiple Disabilities. PwBD and Ex-servicemen/Disabled Ex-servicemen can apply under their respective parent categories (SC/ST/OBC), as there is no separate horizontal reservation in this drive.

SBI Junior Associate Application Fee 2026

Since this is a special drive exclusively for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies, the fee structure is minimal, and SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen candidates are completely exempted from payment.

Fee can be paid online through Debit Card, Credit Card, or Internet Banking. Fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances.

SBI Junior Associate Selection Process 2026

Selection to the post of Junior Associate will be made through a three-phase process: Preliminary Examination, Main Examination, and Local Language Proficiency Test (wherever applicable). Marks scored in Prelims are only for shortlisting purposes and are not added to the final merit list.

Phase-I: Preliminary Examination Pattern

Phase-II: Main Examination Pattern

Negative marking of 1/4th mark applies for each wrong answer in both Prelims and Mains. Trained Apprentices of SBI get 2.5% bonus marks (5 out of 200) in the Main Exam, subject to conditions.

Phase-III: Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT)

How to Apply for SBI Junior Associate 2026

Eligible candidates can apply online only through SBI’s official careers portal. No other mode of application will be accepted. Follow the steps below carefully.

1. Visit the official SBI careers page: https://sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings
2. Click on “Special Recruitment Drive for Junior Associates 2026” link, or apply directly via: https://ibpsreg.ibps.in/sbijasrdjl26/
3. Register with basic details to generate provisional Registration Number and Password.
4. Fill the online application form carefully with personal, educational, and category details.
5. Upload scanned Photograph (20-50 kb), Signature (10-20 kb), Left Thumb Impression, and Hand-written Declaration as per specifications.
6. Pay the applicable application fee online (OBC candidates only) via Debit Card/Credit Card/Internet Banking.
7. Submit the form and take a printout of the system-generated application for future reference.

Documents Required for SBI Junior Associate Application

• Recent passport-size colour photograph (4.5cm x 3.5cm, light background)
• Signature on white paper with black ink
• Left hand thumb impression
• Hand-written declaration as per prescribed format
• Valid photo ID proof (Aadhaar/PAN/Passport/Voter ID/Driving License)
• Graduation Degree/Provisional Certificate & Mark sheets
• Caste Certificate (SC/ST) or OBC Non-Creamy Layer Certificate, as applicable
• PwBD Certificate/Ex-Servicemen Proforma, wherever applicable

SBI Junior Associate Salary & Pay Scale 2026

Selected candidates will be placed in the Clerical Cadre with an attractive pay structure and allowances as per Bank’s Service Regulations.

Probation Period & Job Nature

Selected Junior Associates will be on probation for a minimum of 6 months, extendable if performance does not meet Bank expectations. Candidates must complete prescribed e-lessons during probation. The role requires flair for marketing, customer calls, cross-selling of banking products, and extensive outdoor travel with flexible working hours and shift-based duty.

SBI Junior Associate Exam Centres

The Preliminary and Main Examination will be conducted at various centres across India. For Andhra Pradesh, exam centres include Anantapur, Guntur/Vijayawada, Kadapa, Kakinada, Kurnool, Nellore, Rajahmundry, Tirupati, Visakhapatnam, and Vizianagaram. For Telangana, centres include Hyderabad, Karimnagar, Khammam, and Warangal. The complete list of centres is available in Annexure-I of the official notification.

SBI Junior Associate 2026 – FAQ

Q1. What is the total number of vacancies in SBI Junior Associate Backlog Recruitment 2026?
A total of 1538 vacancies have been notified (SC-207, ST-1219, OBC-112) across 21 States/UTs.

Q2. What is the last date to apply for SBI Junior Associate 2026?
The last date to apply online and pay the fee is 27.08.2026.

Q3. Who can apply for this special recruitment drive?
This drive is exclusively for SC/ST/OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) candidates to fill backlog vacancies; general category candidates are not eligible.

Q4. What is the age limit for SBI Junior Associate 2026?
Candidates must be between 20 to 28 years as on 01.04.2026, with age relaxation applicable as per category.

Q5. What is the educational qualification required?
Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university is required, to be completed by 31.12.2026.

Q6. What is the application fee for SBI Junior Associate 2026?
SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen candidates pay no fee; OBC candidates must pay Rs. 750/-.

Q7. How many vacancies are there for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana?
Andhra Pradesh has 88 vacancies (Amaravati Circle) and Telangana has 32 vacancies (Hyderabad Circle), both under the ST category.

Q8. What is the selection process for this recruitment?
Selection involves Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Local Language Proficiency Test (where applicable).

Q9. When will the SBI Junior Associate Prelims exam be conducted?
The Preliminary Exam is tentatively scheduled for September 2026, and Main Exam for October/November 2026.

Q10. What is the starting salary of SBI Junior Associate?
The starting basic pay is Rs. 26,730/- with total gross emoluments of around Rs. 46,000/- per month in metro postings.

Q11. Can a candidate apply for more than one State/UT?
No, candidates can apply for vacancies of only one State/UT under this recruitment drive.

Q12. Is there any provision for inter-state transfer for selected Junior Associates?
No, except limited intra-state transfer between Delhi & Lucknow Circles in UP, and Mumbai Metro & Maharashtra Circles in Maharashtra.

Important Links

The SBI Junior Associate Special Recruitment Drive 2026 is a golden opportunity for SC/ST/OBC candidates aspiring for a stable government banking career. With 1538 vacancies across 21 States/UTs, attractive pay scale, and job security, eligible graduate candidates should apply online before 27.08.2026 without delay. Candidates from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana with Telugu/Urdu language proficiency are strongly encouraged to check their eligibility and apply for the respective circle vacancies.