SBI CBO 2026 Notification, Exam Date & Online Form
If you’re a graduate with a couple of years of banking experience under your belt, this recruitment cycle is worth watching closely. The State Bank of India releases its Circle-Based Officer (CBO) recruitment every year, and the SBI CBO 2026 Notification is expected to be out soon on the official website. Unlike many other bank exams, this one specifically targets candidates who already have officer-level experience in a Scheduled Commercial Bank or Regional Rural Bank — so if that’s you, here’s everything you need to track.
SBI CBO 2026 Notification — What We Know So Far
The official SBI CBO Notification 2026 PDF, along with the detailed vacancy breakdown, will be released on the SBI careers page. Once it’s out, candidates will be able to apply only through the official online portal — SBI does not accept applications through any offline mode for this post. Before you fill anything out, it’s worth reading the full notification carefully since eligibility and local language requirements vary by circle.
SBI CBO Recruitment 2026 — Quick Overview
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Conducting Body | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post Name | Circle-Based Officer (CBO) |
| Advertisement No. | CRPD/CBO/2025-26/18 |
| Exam Level | National |
| Vacancies | To be notified |
| Mode of Application | Online |
| Experience Required | 2 years |
| Selection Rounds | Online Test → Interview |
| Basic Pay | Rs. 48,480 |
| Official Website | sbi.bank.in |
Important Dates
The full calendar for this cycle — registration start, fee payment window, and correction dates — hasn’t been announced yet. As soon as SBI releases the notification, this section will be updated with exact dates. For now, here’s what the timeline structure typically looks like based on past cycles:
| Activity | Date |
|---|---|
| SBI CBO Notification 2026 PDF | To be announced |
| Apply Online Starts | To be announced |
| Online Registration Ends | To be announced |
| Online Fee Payment | To be announced |
| Last Date for Editing Application | To be announced |
SBI CBO Vacancy 2026 — What to Expect
While this year’s official vacancy figures are awaited, looking at last year’s numbers gives a fair sense of scale. The previous cycle had 2,273 vacancies in total (2,050 regular + 223 backlog) spread across 16 circles covering nearly every state and union territory.
Last Year’s Regular Vacancy Distribution
| Circle | State/UT | Language | Total | GEN | SC | ST | OBC | EWS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amaravati | Andhra Pradesh | Telugu/Urdu | 97 | 41 | 14 | 7 | 26 | 9 |
| Bengaluru | Karnataka | Kannada | 200 | 81 | 30 | 15 | 54 | 20 |
| Bhopal | MP/Chhattisgarh | Hindi | 97 | 41 | 14 | 7 | 26 | 9 |
| Bhubaneswar | Odisha | Odia | 80 | 33 | 12 | 6 | 21 | 8 |
| Chandigarh | J&K, Ladakh, HP, Haryana, Punjab | Urdu/Hindi/Punjabi | 103 | 44 | 15 | 7 | 27 | 10 |
| Chennai | Tamil Nadu, Puducherry | Tamil | 165 | 69 | 24 | 12 | 44 | 16 |
| Gandhinagar | Gujarat & UTs | Gujarati | 194 | 80 | 29 | 14 | 52 | 19 |
| Guwahati | Northeast states | Regional languages | 68 | 29 | 10 | 5 | 18 | 6 |
| Hyderabad | Telangana | Telugu | 68 | 33 | 12 | 6 | 21 | 8 |
| Jaipur | Rajasthan | Hindi | 103 | 44 | 15 | 7 | 27 | 10 |
| Kolkata | West Bengal, A&N, Sikkim | Bengali/Nepali/Hindi | 200 | 81 | 30 | 15 | 54 | 20 |
| Lucknow | Uttar Pradesh | Hindi/Urdu | 200 | 81 | 30 | 15 | 54 | 20 |
| Maharashtra | Maharashtra | Marathi | 194 | 80 | 29 | 14 | 52 | 19 |
| Mumbai Metro | Maharashtra, Goa | Marathi/Konkani | 143 | 60 | 21 | 10 | 38 | 14 |
| New Delhi | Delhi, UK, Haryana, UP | Hindi | 76 | 33 | 11 | 5 | 20 | 7 |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala, Lakshadweep | Malayalam | 50 | 22 | 7 | 3 | 13 | 5 |
| Total | 2050 | 852 | 303 | 148 | 547 | 200 |
There were also 223 backlog vacancies last year, with Gandhinagar (42), Chennai (37), and Kolkata (31) carrying the largest share, mostly concentrated in the OBC and ST categories.
Takeaway for aspirants: Bengaluru, Kolkata, and Lucknow circles have historically had the highest vacancy counts (200 each), so if you’re flexible about location, these circles statistically offer more seats.
Eligibility Criteria
Educational Qualification
You need a graduation degree from a university recognised by the Central Government. No specific stream is mandated.
Experience — The Real Differentiator
This is what sets CBO apart from a regular PO exam: you need a minimum of 2 years’ experience as an officer in a Scheduled Commercial Bank or Regional Rural Bank, with the cut-off date fixed at 31st December 2025. So if you’re a fresh graduate without banking experience, this particular post isn’t for you — but SBI PO or Clerk cycles would be worth looking at instead.
Age Limit
| Criteria | Age |
|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 21 years |
| Maximum Age | 30 years |
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| General (PWD) | 10 years |
| OBC/OBC (PWD) | 13 years |
| SC/SC(PWD)/ST/ST(PWD) | 15 years |
| Ex-Servicemen/ECOs/SSCOs (5 yrs military service) | 5 years |
Local Language Requirement
One thing many candidates overlook — you must prove proficiency in the local language of the state you’re applying to, typically through your 10th or 12th mark sheet showing that language as a subject. So if you studied in a different state or medium, double-check this before choosing your circle.
Application Form 2026 — Key Points to Remember
- You can apply for a vacancy in only one state.
- The merit list is prepared state-wise and category-wise.
- Selected candidates are posted in the circle of the state they applied for.
- There’s no inner-circle transfer allowed until promotion to SMGS-IV grade or completion of 12 years of service — whichever comes later.
Basically, once you pick a state, you’re committing to it for a long stretch of your career, so choose wisely based on your language comfort and long-term plans.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| SC/ST/PWBD | No Fee |
| All Other Categories | Rs. 750 |
Unlike some exams, there’s no partial refund structure here for CBO — plan your fee payment accordingly within the deadline once dates are announced.
Selection Process
SBI CBO selection involves multiple layers, and here’s where it differs meaningfully from typical bank PO exams:
- Online Test — objective and descriptive sections
- Screening — based on eligibility and document checks
- Interview — this carries real weight in the final outcome
- Local Language Proficiency Test — to confirm you can function in the applied state’s language
Interestingly, the final merit list is prepared purely on interview scores, not a combination of test and interview marks — so the online test largely works as a screening/shortlisting tool rather than a scoring component for the final list. If two candidates tie at the cut-off, the older candidate gets preference in ranking.
Exam Pattern 2026
The online test is 2 hours 30 minutes long in total, split into two parts.
Test A: Objective Test (2 hours)
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 30 mins |
| Banking Knowledge | 40 | 40 | 40 mins |
| General Awareness/Economy | 30 | 30 | 30 mins |
| Computer Aptitude | 20 | 20 | 20 mins |
| Total | 120 | 120 | 2 hours |
Test B: Descriptive Test (30 minutes)
| Section | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Letter Writing | 1 | 25 |
| Essay (250 words, banking-related) | 1 | 25 |
| Total | 2 | 50 |
Good news: there’s no negative marking in the objective test — wrong answers and unattempted questions both carry zero penalty. That said, don’t take this as licence to guess randomly; the Banking Knowledge section especially rewards genuine preparation over guesswork.
Syllabus Breakdown
| Reasoning Ability | English Language | Quantitative Aptitude | General Awareness & Computer Knowledge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seating Arrangement, Puzzles | Cloze Test, RC | Number Series, DI | Current Affairs, Banking Awareness |
| Inequalities, Syllogism | Spotting Errors | Simplification/Approximation | GK Updates, Currencies |
| Input-Output | Sentence Improvement | Quadratic Equations | Books & Authors, Awards |
| Blood Relations, Ranking | Para Jumbles | Mensuration, Average | Headquarters, PM Schemes |
| Alphanumeric Series | Fill in the Blanks | Profit & Loss, Ratio | Important Days |
| Distance & Direction | Para/Sentence Completion | Time, Work & Distance | Basic Computer Knowledge |
| Verbal Reasoning | Simple/Compound Interest, P&C |
Given that Banking Knowledge carries the single highest weightage (40 marks) in the objective test, that’s the section worth prioritising early in your preparation — especially topics like monetary policy, banking regulations, and recent RBI updates.
Salary Structure 2026
CBOs start in the JMGS-I scale (Rs. 48480-2000/7-62480-2340/2-67160-2680/7-85920). However, here’s an important nuance: your actual starting basic pay depends on your prior officer-cadre experience — you begin at Rs. 36,000 plus one increment for every completed year of service in your previous bank. So candidates with more prior experience effectively start higher up the scale.
On top of basic pay, you’re entitled to DA, HRA/lease rental, CCA, medical benefits, and other allowances as per SBI’s standard officer perks.
Career Path After Selection
Once selected, you’ll serve a 6-month probation period as a Circle-Based Officer, during which your performance is continuously assessed. Confirmation in JMGS-I depends on meeting the Bank’s standards during this period — falling short can lead to termination as per policy. Post-confirmation, you’ll be governed by SBI’s general cadre promotion policy, with the same inner-circle transfer restriction (12 years or SMGS-IV promotion, whichever is later) applying throughout.
SBI CBO Cut Off — Previous Trends
The last available cut-off (2022 cycle, combined online + descriptive test, out of 170) gives a useful benchmark:
| Circle | General | OBC | EWS | SC | ST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bhopal | 67 | 66 | 60 | 51 | 52 |
| Hyderabad | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 |
| Jaipur | 68 | 65 | 60 | 55.5 | 58 |
| Mumbai | 60 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 53.5 |
| Kolkata | 60 | 51 | 60 | 60 | 53.5 |
Jaipur circle recorded the highest General category cut-off at 68, while several circles saw a flat 60 across multiple categories — a pattern worth noting if you’re deciding between circles with similar vacancy counts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When will the SBI CBO 2026 Notification be released? The official notification is expected soon; the exact date will be updated here as soon as SBI announces it.
Q2. What is the full form of SBI CBO? SBI CBO stands for State Bank of India Circle-Based Officer.
Q3. What is the eligibility criteria for SBI CBO 2026? Candidates need a graduation degree along with a minimum of 2 years’ experience as an officer in a Scheduled Commercial Bank or Regional Rural Bank, and must fall within the 21–30 age bracket (with relaxations applicable).
Q4. Is work experience mandatory for SBI CBO? Yes, a minimum of 2 years of officer-level banking experience is compulsory — this is not an entry-level post for freshers.
Q5. What is the selection process for SBI CBO 2026? The process includes an Online Test, Screening, Interview, and a Local Language Proficiency Test. The final merit list is based solely on interview scores.