The moment every banking aspirant has been waiting for is here! The State Bank of India (SBI) has officially released its massive notification for 5,180 Junior Associate (Clerk) posts. This is a golden opportunity for any graduate to launch their career with India's largest and most prestigious public sector bank.
The online application window is from August 6 to August 26, 2025. The best part? There is no interview for the final selection! With a starting salary of around ₹46,000 per month in a metro city, this is an opportunity you simply cannot afford to miss. This is your ultimate guide to the role, the exam strategy, and how to apply successfully.
SBI Clerk Recruitment 2025: At a Glance
| Bank | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post Name | Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) |
| Total Vacancies | 5,180 |
| Selection Process | Prelims, Mains & Language Test (NO INTERVIEW!) |
| Starting Salary (in a Metro) | Approx. ₹46,000/- per month |
| Application Window | August 6 to August 26, 2025 |
| Prelims Exam (Tentative) | September 2025 |
| Mains Exam (Tentative) | November 2025 |
What Does an SBI Junior Associate Actually Do?
💡 You Are the Face of the Bank: It's More Than Just a Clerk's Job
An SBI Junior Associate is the first person most customers meet when they walk into a branch. It's a dynamic, customer-focused role where your main responsibilities will be:
- Customer Interaction: Handling customer questions, opening new accounts, and explaining various banking products and services.
- Cash & Operations: Managing cash transactions at the counter, clearing cheques, and handling other important back-end operations.
- Sales Support: Helping to promote and sell financial products like insurance, mutual funds, and credit cards.
This job provides a stable career and a clear path for growth. You can become a Probationary Officer (PO) much faster through internal exams.
State-wise Vacancies & Who Can Apply
Vacancy Breakdown
You can apply for a job in only one State/UT. There are 5,180 vacancies in total, with major openings in states like Uttar Pradesh (514), Maharashtra (476), and Tamil Nadu (380). For the complete category-wise list, please check the official notification.
Eligibility Criteria (as of April 1, 2025)
- Education: You just need a Graduate Degree in any subject. Final year students can also apply provisionally.
- Age Limit: You must be between 20 and 28 years old (with standard relaxations for reserved categories).
- The Most Important Rule: You must be fluent in the specified local language of the state you are applying for. They will test this before you join.
Your Strategic Guide to Cracking the SBI Clerk Exam
The selection is a three-phase process, and each phase is designed to test a different skill.
Phase 1: The Preliminary Exam (A Test of Speed and Accuracy)
This is a 60-minute screening test with separate timings for each section. Your marks here won't be counted in the final merit list, but you have to clear the cut-off. The only way to win here is by solving the maximum number of questions with high accuracy in the limited time.
Phase 2: The Main Exam (A Test of Knowledge and Endurance)
This is the most important stage. Your final job offer will depend entirely on the marks you score here. It's a long exam (2 hours and 40 minutes) that tests your deep knowledge, especially in the General/Financial Awareness section, which can be a real game-changer for your rank.
Phase 3: The Test of Local Language (The Final Check)
💡 Don't Take the Language Test Lightly!
This is a pass/fail test, but it is absolutely mandatory. If you fail this test, you will be disqualified, even if you topped the Main exam. You will be tested on your ability to read, write, and speak the local language of the state you applied from.
The Exemption Rule: You don't have to take this test if you can show your 10th or 12th standard marksheet/certificate as proof that you have already studied the specified local language as a subject.
Heads Up: There is a 1/4th negative marking in both the Prelims and Mains exams, so be careful with your guesses.
