12,14,076 Candidates Submitted Applications for SBI PO Exam 2026, Double of Last Year

The SBI PO 2026 online application window closed on 8th July 2026, and this year the number of applications received is double the number of applications recorded last year. For SBI PO Recruitment 2026, approximately 12,14,076 candidates submitted their applications, which was just 6 lakh last year. With the Preliminary Exam expected in August 2026, competition for the 1,500 vacancies is set to be one of the toughest in recent SBI PO history.

1214076 Candidates Submitted Applications for SBI PO Exam 2026

If you applied for SBI PO this year, you’re one of over 12 lakh banking aspirants chasing 1,500 Probationary Officer vacancies. This 12-lakh+ number of applications has caught the attention of banking aspirants across the country. This year, the number of applications jumped twice because of the double vacancies released. For SBI PO Exam 2026, 809 candidates will compete for 1 vacancy.

Why Did Applications Nearly Double This Year?

It’s rare to see applicant numbers jump this sharply in a single recruitment cycle, so it’s worth understanding what changed between 2025 and 2026:

• Vacancies nearly tripled: SBI announced 1,500 posts this year compared to just 541 in 2025- which means, more open seats mean more aspirants feel it’s worth trying.
• Salary hike: The annual CTC was revised upward from Rs. 20.43 lakh to Rs. 21.97 lakh, making the role even more attractive against other banking and government jobs.
• More attempts allowed: General/EWS candidates now get 6 attempts instead of 4, and OBC candidates get 9 instead of 7 — this alone brought back many candidates who had exhausted their earlier chances.
• Brand pull of SBI: As India’s largest public sector bank with over 23,000 branches, SBI PO remains a dream post for commerce and general graduates alike, and word of the vacancy jump spread fast across coaching circles and social media.

SBI PO Application Trend: 2026 vs Previous Years