SBI Clerk State-wise Vacancy 2026, For Which State you Should Apply?

The State Bank of India released the SBI Clerk (Junior Associate) Recruitment 2026 notification for 7680 regular vacancies, and it’s one of the biggest clerical-cadre drives in recent years. But before you rush to fill the form, there’s one decision that matters more than almost anything else in your prep: which State/UT do you apply from?

SBI Clerk vacancies are filled against State/UT circles and depend on staffing needs in each circle, not an equal distribution across states. You can apply for only one State or Union Territory (UT), the merit list is prepared separately for each state, and you’ll need to clear a local-language test for wherever you choose.

SBI Clerk State-wise Vacancy 2026

Before you choose the state, have a look at which state has released how many vacancies for SBI Clerk 2026. Maharashtra has the highest number of vacancies at 1,718, followed by Tamil Nadu with 1,410 and Odisha with 1,100 vacancies, while Karnataka is another major vacancy state with 760 regular posts.

States With Zero Vacancies in 2026

Not every state has openings this cycle. No vacancies have been announced for Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand, Kerala, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Chandigarh, Delhi (NCT), Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry under this recruitment cycle. If you’re from one of these, you’ll need to apply from a different state — as long as you can meet its local-language requirement.

Factors to be Considered to Select State

The more vacancies there are, the bigger the opportunity, but don’t choose based on the number of vacancies alone. Also consider the following factors before selecting a state:

• Local Language: The local language requirement is one of the most important factors in SBI Clerk recruitment. Candidates cannot simply select a state because it has a high number of vacancies.
• Competition: A state with more vacancies may attract more applicants.
• Vacancies by Category: Don’t just check the total vacancies; check the number of vacancies for your category.
• Past Cutoff Trends: Review the past SBI Clerk prelims and mains cutoffs where reliable data is available.
• Comfort with state: As SBI Clerk recruitment is state/UT-based, candidates should be comfortable with the prospect of working in the chosen state.

For Which State Should You Apply for SBI Clerk 2026?

Choosing the right state depends on the candidate’s category, local language, competition, and willingness to work in that state.

1. Maharashtra

Maharashtra has the largest number of regular vacancies among states at 1,718. Given the large number of vacancies, Maharashtra is a state to consider for candidates who are comfortable with Marathi and eligible for its vacancies, as it offers a significant opportunity. But a high vacancy count could also draw a large pool of applicants.

2. Tamil Nadu

Another good option is Tamil Nadu with 1410 regular vacancies. Eligible candidates who are good at Tamil can apply here. The state has one of the largest pools of vacancies in the 2026 recruitment.

3. Odisha

Odisha has 1,100 regular vacancies, including 440 general, 242 ST, 176 SC, 132 OBC and 110 EWS vacancies. If they know Odia and are comfortable with applying for Orissa, then they should consider this state, especially after checking the vacancies available for their category.

4. Karnataka

Karnataka offers 760 regular vacancies. Candidates who are comfortable with Kannada can consider Karnataka one of the major states for vacancies. The state has 305 General, 205 OBC, 121 SC, 76 EWS, and 53 ST vacancies.

5. Gujarat

Gujarat has 330 regular vacancies, including 136 General, 89 OBC, 49 ST, 33 EWS, and 23 SC vacancies. Candidates who know Gujarati and prefer Gujarat can consider this option.