SBI PO 2025: Notification, Exam Dates, Vacancies, Syllabus & Strategy
Every year, the State Bank of India (SBI) organizes the SBI PO Exam to recruit suitable candidates for Probationary Officer (PO) positions across its various branches. Regarded as one of the top jobs in banking, the SBI PO role remains a top aspiration for lakhs of candidates nationwide.
For this cycle, SBI announced 541 PO vacancies, drawing applications from approximately 6,57,850 aspirants. The official dates for the Psychometric Test, Group Exercises, and Interview were released on November 11, 2025.
SBI PO 2025 Notification
The State Bank of India (SBI) has issued the official SBI PO 2025 Notification, announcing 541 Probationary Officer (PO) vacancies across its branches nationwide. Released under Advertisement No. CRPD/PO/2025-26/04 on the SBI Careers website (www.sbi.co.in), it covers all essentials like eligibility criteria, the exam schedule, selection stages, and the final application deadline for SBI PO 2025. Selected candidates may be assigned to any location in India.
Notification: https://sbi.bank.in/documents/77530/52947104/1_Detailed_Adv.2025_23.06.2025.pdf/54ca0942-3de1-afc4-45e8-f679fc552e7b?t=1750741324277)
SBI PO 2025 – Exam Overview
The State Bank of India (SBI) is accepting online applications from graduates aged 21-30 years to fill 541 Probationary Officer (PO) positions. The recruitment follows a three-phase selection: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. Successful candidates will join on a starting pay scale of Rs. 48,480/-, with postings possible anywhere across India.
| Parameter | Details |
| Organization | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Posts | Probationary Officers (PO) |
| Advt. No. | CRPD/PO/2025-26/04 |
| Notification Date | 24 June 2025 |
| Vacancies | 541 (500 regular + 41 backlog) |
| Age Limit | 21-30 years (as on April 1, 2025) |
| Education | Graduation |
| Interview Schedule | Psychometric Test: November 19, 2025Group Exercise & Interview: November 24-30, 2025 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Salary | Rs. 80,000 – 82,000 per month |
| Selection Stages | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| Probation | 2 years |
| Posting Location | Anywhere in India |
| Official Website | www.sbi.co.in |
SBI PO 2025 Important Dates
The State Bank of India (SBI) has outlined the complete SBI PO 2025 exam schedule in the official notification. While some dates like Mains are now confirmed, candidates should monitor
www.sbi.co.in for any changes. Below is the updated calendar of major events:
| Activity | Dates |
| Prelims Admit Card Release | 25 July 2025 |
| Phase I: Prelims Exam | 4th & 5th August 2025 |
| Prelims Result | 1st September 2025 |
| Mains Admit Card Release | 4th September 2025 |
| Phase II: Mains Exam | 13th September 2025 (Morning Shift) |
| Mains Result | 6th November 2025 |
| Phase III Call Letter | October/November 2025 |
| Phase III: Psychometric Test | 19th November 2025 |
| Phase III: Group Exercise & Interview | 24th-30th November 2025 |
| Final Result | November/December 2025 |
| Pre-Exam Training (SC/ST/OBC/PwBD) | July/August 2025 |
| PET Call Letters | July/August 2025 |
SBI PO 2025 – Vacancy Details
SBI has declared 541 total Probationary Officer (PO) positions for 2025, comprising 500 regular openings and 41 backlog vacancies. These details appear in the official SBI PO Notification PDF.
| Vacancies | |||
| Category | Regular Vacancies | Backlog Vacancies | Total Vacancies |
| UR | 203 | – | 203 |
| SC | 75 | 5 | 80 |
| ST | 37 | 36 | 73 |
| OBC | 135 | – | 135 |
| EWS | 50 | – | 50 |
| Total | 500 | 41 | 541 |
SBI PO 2025 Application Process
Aspiring candidates needed to submit their SBI PO 2025 applications via the official portal before the deadline. Follow this streamlined process for successful registration:
| Step | Instructions |
| 1 | Go to www.sbi.co.in |
| 2 | Navigate to the “Careers” tab |
| 3 | Access sbi.co.in/web/careers page |
| 4 | Select “Current Openings” for active notifications |
| 5 | Locate “Probationary Officer Recruitment” and review the PDF |
| 6 | Click “Apply Online” to start |
| 7 | Enter personal, educational, and contact information |
| 8 | Upload scanned photo, signature, and required documents |
| 9 | Complete payment through net banking/credit/debit card |
| 10 | Finalize submission and save the confirmation copy |
SBI PO 2025 Application Fee Details
The category-wise payment details for SBI PO 2025 applications are outlined below. Fees paid are non-refundable and cannot be carried forward to other exams or reserved for future use.
| Category | Fee Amount |
| SC/ST/PwBD | Nil |
| General/OBC/EWS | Rs. 750/- (inclusive of intimation charges) |
Payments must be completed online via net banking, debit/credit cards, or other digital methods.
SBI PO 2025 – Eligibility Criteria
Candidates applying for the 541 Probationary Officer vacancies in the State Bank of India must meet specific eligibility conditions for successful online registration. Key criteria, including educational qualifications, age limits, and other requirements, are detailed below.
Age Limit (as of 01/04/2024)
Applicants must be between 21 and 30 years as on April 1, 2025 (born not earlier than April 2, 1995, and not later than April 1, 2004, both dates inclusive).
Age Relaxation
| Category | Relaxation (Years) |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 |
| SC/ST | 5 |
| PwBD (UR/EWS) | 10 |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 |
| Ex-Servicemen | 5 |
Educational Qualification (as of 30/09/2025)
Applicants must hold a graduation degree in any stream from a recognized university or possess an equivalent qualification approved by the Central Government. Final-year/semester students can apply provisionally, provided they submit proof of degree completion if shortlisted for an interview.
Candidates with Integrated Dual Degree (IDD) certification should verify their passing date matches the notification requirements. Chartered Accountants are also eligible to apply.
SBI PO 2025 Recruitment Overview
Qualified candidates must complete online registration for the multi-stage recruitment:
- Phase I (Prelims),
- Phase II (Mains), and
- Phase III (Psychometric Test, Group Exercises & Interview).
Only those clearing prelims qualify for mains, and mains qualifiers advance to Phase III. The bank may verify documents at any point, including during exams, interviews, medicals, or joining.
SBI PO 2025 Exam Pattern
SBI PO recruitment features a three-phase selection comprising online written exams followed by interviews. Here’s the detailed breakdown:
Phase-I: SBI PO Preliminary Exam
Candidates face a 1-hour online objective test carrying 100 marks total. A penalty of ¼ mark applies for every wrong answer. The exam includes three sections with no sectional cut-offs—overall performance across all sections determines advancement to Mains.
SBI PO Prelims Pattern:
| S.No. | Test Name (Objective) | Questions | Marks | Time Allotted |
| 1 | English Language | 40 | 40 | 20 Minutes |
| 2 | Numerical Ability | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| 3 | Reasoning Ability | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 Hour |
Phase-II: SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern (Objective Test)
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 50 minutes |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | 60 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| English Language | 40 | 20 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 170 | 200 | 3 hours |
2. Descriptive Test
| Test Description | Marks | Duration |
| Email, Report, or SA/Precis Writing | 50 | 30 minutes |
Important: Both the objective and descriptive sections carry sectional cut-offs.
Phase-III: Group Exercises & Interview
| Component | Maximum Marks |
| Psychometric Test | Qualifying Only |
| Group Exercises | 20 Marks |
| Personal Interview | 30 Marks |
| Total | 50 Marks |
Final Merit Calculation: 75% weightage (normalized) from Mains + 25% weightage from Phase-III, scaled to 100 marks.
SBI PO Category-Wise Attempt Limits
Candidates should note key selection guidelines. SBI implements biometric verification (thumb impression capture) across stages to maintain exam integrity. Discrepancies or tampering during this process may result in immediate disqualification and legal action.
Key Rule: Prelims appearance doesn’t count toward attempt limits—Mains participation does.
| Category | Maximum Attempts |
| General/EWS | 4 |
| General/EWS (PwD) | 7 |
| OBC/OBC (PwD) | 7 |
| SC/SC (PwD)/ST/ST (PwD) | Unlimited |
Appearing in prelims does not count as an attempt—Mains appearance does.
SBI PO 2025 Syllabus
Checking the latest SBI PO 2025 syllabus is very important for all candidates. This helps you:
- Know exactly which subjects and topics are covered in the exam
- Find any new changes so you don’t miss important topics
- Make sure your study books and materials match the current syllabus
SBI PO Prelims Syllabus
The table below covers the syllabus for the three sections, along with their importance level
| Reasoning | Quantitative Aptitude | English |
| Alphabetical, Alphanumeric Series (Medium) | Simplification/Approximation (High) | Reading Comprehension (High) |
| Coding & Decoding (High) | Number Series (High) | Cloze Test (Medium) |
| Syllogism (High) | Data Interpretation (High) | Error Detection (High) |
| Direction Sense (Medium) | Quadratic Equation (Medium) | Para Jumbles/Rearrangement (High) |
| Logical Reasoning (Medium) | Percentage (High) | Match the Column (Low) |
| Data Sufficiency (Medium) | Ratio & Proportion (High) | Paragraph-Based Questions (Medium) |
| Ranking & Order (Medium) | Profit & Loss, Discount (High) | Synonyms (Medium) |
| Alphabet Test (Low) | Simple & Compound Interest (Medium) | Antonyms (Medium) |
| Seating Arrangement (High) | Time & Work (Medium) | Phrasal Verbs (Low) |
| Coded Inequalities (Medium) | Pipes & Cistern (Low) | Idioms & Phrases (Medium) |
| Puzzles (High) | Time, Speed, & Distance (Medium) | One Word Substitution (Low) |
| Blood Relation (Medium) | Trains & Boats (Low) | Active Passive Voice (Low) |
| Machine Input Output (Medium) | Mixture (Medium) | Narration (Low) |
| Tabulation (Medium) | Average (Medium) | |
| Inequalities (Medium) | Ages (Low) | |
| Partnership (Low) | ||
| Area & Volume (Low) | ||
| Probability (Low) |
SBI PO Mains Syllabus
The table below covers the section-wise syllabus for the following sections, along with their importance level:
- Data Analysis & Interpretation
- Reasoning
- English
- General, Economy, and Banking Awareness
- Computer Aptitude
- Descriptive English
| Section-Wise Syllabus | ||
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | Reasoning | English Language |
| Tabular Graph (High) | Verbal Reasoning (Medium) | Reading Comprehension (High) |
| Line Graph (High) | Syllogism (High) | Grammar (High) |
| Bar Graph (High) | Circular Seating Arrangement (High) | Verbal Ability (Medium) |
| Charts & Tables (High) | Linear Seating Arrangement (High) | Vocabulary (High) |
| Missing Case DI (High) | Double Lineup (Medium) | Sentence Improvement (Medium) |
| Radar Graph Caselet (Medium) | Scheduling (Medium) | Word Association (Medium) |
| Probability (Medium) | Input/Output (High) | Para Jumbles (High) |
| Data Sufficiency (Medium) | Blood Relations (Medium) | Error Spotting (High) |
| Let it Case DI (Medium) | Directions and Distances (Medium) | Networking (Medium) |
| Permutation and Combination (Low) | Ordering and Ranking (Medium) | Number System (Medium) |
| Pie Charts (High) | Data Sufficiency (Medium) | Operating System (Medium) |
| Code Inequalities (Medium) | Coding and Decoding (High) | |
| Course of Action (Low) | ||
| Critical Reasoning (Medium) | ||
| Analytical and Decision Making (High) | ||
| Section-Wise Syllabus | ||
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | Computer Aptitude | Descriptive English |
| Current Affairs (High) | Internet (Medium) | Email Writing (High) |
| Financial Awareness (High) | Memory (Medium) | Report Writing (High) |
| General Knowledge (Medium) | Keyboard Shortcuts (Low) | Situation Analysis (High) |
| Static Awareness (Medium) | Computer Abbreviation (Medium) | Precis Writing (High) |
| Banking Terminologies Knowledge (High) | Microsoft Office (High) | |
| Banking Awareness (High) | Computer Hardware (Medium) | |
| Principles of Insurance (Medium) | Computer Software (Medium) | |
| Computer Fundamentals/Terminologies (High) | ||
SBI PO 2025 Admit Card & Call Letter
- Download of Call Letters: Candidates must download their call letters for Pre-exam Training, Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, Psychometric Test, Group Exercises & Interview, along with the “acquaint yourself booklet.” Access these by entering the registration number and password/date of birth on the SBI website. No physical copies will be mailed.
- Exam Day Requirements: Preliminary Exam call letters won’t be collected at the venue but will be verified, authenticated, and stamped by exam staff. Candidates should safely keep their call letter with the stamped ID proof copy. Main Exam qualifiers must carry the original, authenticated Preliminary call letter (with ID proof), Main Exam call letter, and all required documents mentioned in the booklet and call letters.
- Eligibility Verification Process: Applicants must confirm they meet all Probationary Officer eligibility criteria as of the specified date. Participation in any recruitment stage remains provisional until final verification. Receiving call letters or e-Admit Cards doesn’t guarantee acceptance—SBI verifies original documents only after shortlisting for interviews or subsequent stages.
SBI PO Pre-Examination Training 2025
Pre-Examination Training Arrangement:
The State Bank of India will organize online Pre-Examination Training (PET) specifically for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD category candidates, following the Government of India’s prescribed guidelines. Eligible candidates interested in availing this training must indicate their preference by selecting the appropriate option during the online application process.
Training Access and Notification:
Candidates who choose to participate in the Pre-Examination Training should access the sessions through the bank’s official website using their registration number and date of birth. The bank will communicate the complete training schedule directly to participants via their registered email address and SMS notifications. No printed materials or hard copies will be dispatched through postal services.
SBI PO Typical Preparation Duration
Most aspirants need 3-6 months of dedicated preparation for SBI PO 2025, depending on their starting level—beginners require 5-6 months to build foundations, while experienced candidates can target 2-4 months of focused practice.
Preparation Roadmap by Experience Level
Beginners (No Prior Banking Prep: 5-6 Months)
Start with basics in Quant, Reasoning, and English while covering Mains topics like Data Analysis and Banking Awareness from Day 1. Dedicate Months 1-2 to concept building (2-3 hours daily per core subject), Months 3-4 to topic-wise practice and mocks, and the final weeks to full revisions.
Sample Daily Schedule (Days 1-30):
- Quant/Reasoning: 2 hours each (focus: Simplification, Puzzles, Grammar)
- English + Descriptive: 1-1.5 hours (newspapers, vocab)
- Current Affairs: 30-45 mins
Intermediate (1-2 Prior Attempts: 4 Months)
Strengthen weak areas with integrated Prelims-Mains practice. Months 1-2: Advanced concepts + sectional mocks (4 hours daily). Months 3-4: Full mocks, error analysis, and high-weightage topics like DI and seating arrangements.
Advanced (Multiple Attempts: 2-3 Months)
Prioritize mocks (alternate days), current affairs revision, and descriptive writing. Focus 60% of the time on practice and 40% on analysis to boost accuracy above 85%.
Universal 60-Day Core Strategy
Follow this adaptable plan from the provided timetable, scaling by your level:
| Phase | Duration | Daily Hours | Key Focus |
| Foundation | Days 1-30 | 6-8 | Quant/Reasoning concepts, English grammar, Daily CA + Newspaper for Descriptive |
| Practice | Days 31-60 | 4-6 | Mock tests + Revision (QRE), Mains-level DI/Puzzles |
| Prelims Peak | Till Phase 1 | 4 | High-level Prelims mocks + Weak area drills |
| Mains Bridge | Phase 1 to 2 | 4-6 | Descriptive practice, GA/Banking revision, Full Mains mocks |
Pro Tips for Success:
- Practice 1-2 mocks daily with time-bound simulation; analyze errors in a dedicated notebook.
- English and banking awareness scores are the easiest—aim for 80%+ accuracy.
- Balance weak/strong subjects; stay healthy with breaks.
- Customize based on mocks: If scoring 60+ in prelims mocks early, accelerate to Mains.
SBI PO Mock Tests and Online Tests
Mock tests and online practice exams form the backbone of effective SBI PO preparation, simulating real exam conditions to build speed, accuracy, and exam temperament. They help identify weak areas across Quant, Reasoning, English, and Mains-specific sections like Data Interpretation and Banking Awareness, allowing targeted improvement before actual exams.
Key Benefits:
- Master 20-min sectional timing
- Analytics show accuracy trends
- Reduce exam day anxiety
- Targeted weak area improvement
Strategy: Beginners: 1 mock/week → Daily mocks (final month). Repeaters: 60% analysis time.
Platforms like LearnTheta provide AI analytics and descriptive feedback for Mains writing practice.
Pro Tip: Analyze > Practice > Revise cycle = 15-20 mark jump in 30 days.
SBI PO 2025 Result
State Bank of India publishes results for every selection stage—Prelims, Mains, and Interview—exclusively through its online portal. Candidates clearing the Preliminary examination advance to the Mains round, while those qualifying Mains proceed to Group Exercises and Personal Interview.
All SBI PO 2025 outcomes appear on the official www.sbi.co.in website managed by the exam conducting authority. Results release sequentially after each phase completion, with Prelims scores determining Mains eligibility. The final merit list combines normalized Mains marks and Interview performance, ranked in descending order of total scores. Selected candidates receive appointment letters from their preferred SBI branches.
SBI PO 2025 Salary
Probationary Officers at State Bank of India begin with a basic pay of ₹48,480, which includes four advance increments within the Junior Management Grade Scale-I (JMGS-I) scale: ₹48,480-2000/7-62,480-2340/2-67,190-2680/7-85,920.
In addition to the base salary, POs receive comprehensive allowances, including Dearness Allowance (DA) to offset inflation, House Rent Allowance (HRA) or lease rental support, City Compensatory Allowance (CCA) based on posting location, medical insurance coverage, and various other benefits like pension contributions and travel perks.
The approximate Cost to Company (CTC) for recruits posted at Mumbai starts around ₹18.67 lakhs annually, positioning SBI PO compensation above most other public sector banks and driving intense competition for these prestigious positions.
SBI PO 2025 Cut-Off
As India’s premier banking institution, State Bank of India maintains intense competition for its Probationary Officer positions. Analyzing previous years’ cut-off marks helps candidates gauge exam difficulty and set realistic score targets.
Official SBI PO Cut-Offs (General Category)
| Stage | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 |
| Prelims | 61.75 | 59.25 | 59.50 | 63.00 | 58.50 | 71.00 |
| Mains | 87.50 | 70.00 | 88.93 | 94.85 | 88.93 | 104.42 |
| Interview | 20.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 | 20.00 |
| Final | 46.24 | 44.60 | 48.12 | 53.40 | 51.23 | 54.11 |
Key Insights:
- Prelims trend: Declining cut-offs (71 → 58.5) indicate rising competition
- Mains volatility: Wide fluctuations (70-104) due to paper difficulty
- Final merit: Consistent 45-55 range for General category selection
SBI PO 2024 Category-Wise Cut-Off Analysis
State Bank of India releases category-specific cut-offs after each selection stage to ensure fair competition across diverse applicant groups.
| Stage | Max Marks | General/UR | OBC | EWS | SC | ST | PwBD (LD) | PwBD (VI) | PwBD (HI) | PwBD (D&E) |
| Prelims | 100 | 61.75 | 60.50 | 60.25 | 55 | 49 | 49.75 | 47.50 | 19.75 | 9.50 |
| Mains | 250 | 87.50 | 75.00 | 87.50 | 75 | 75 | 75.00 | 75.00 | – | – |
| Interview | 50 | 20.00 | 17.50 | 20.00 | 17.50 | 17.50 | 17.50 | 17.50 | 17.50 | 17.50 |
| Final* | 100 | 46.24 | 40.96 | 36.85 | 32.50 | 33.36 | 42.05 | 33.63 | – | – |
Final Merit Normalization Formula
SBI scales final scores to 100 marks:
- Mains (250 marks) → Normalized to 75 marks
- GD + Interview (50 marks) → Normalized to 25 marks
Note: This normalization applies universally across all SBI PO final merit calculations, ensuring equitable comparison across exam years and difficulties.
SBI PO FAQs
Q1: What is the process to apply for SBI PO recruitment?
Candidates need to complete the online application exclusively via the official State Bank of India website during the active registration window.
Q2: What salary package does SBI PO offer?
New SBI PO recruits start with a basic pay of ₹48,400 (including 4 advance increments) under Junior Management Grade Scale-I (JMGS-I), along with Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other perks. Additional benefits cover medical facilities, pension schemes, and strong job security. The approximate Cost to Company (CTC) at entry level in Mumbai stands at ₹20.43 lakhs annually.
Q3: Does SBI PO provide permanent government employment with promotion opportunities?
Yes, SBI PO is a confirmed permanent position within the government-backed State Bank of India. Post-probation, officers can progress through ranks like Assistant General Manager (AGM), Deputy General Manager (DGM), and General Manager (GM) based on merit and internal performance evaluations.
Q4: Is the SBI PO exam conducted in multiple languages?
All exam sections except the Descriptive English Test are available bilingually in English and Hindi.
Q5: How do I submit my SBI PO application?
Applications must be filed online only through the SBI official portal when the recruitment link is active.