The SBI Clerk syllabus covers Reasoning Ability, Numerical Ability, and English Language in both the prelims & mains exams. The General Awareness and Computer Aptitude are additionally added to the mains exam. If you are planning to appear for the upcoming SBI Clerk 2026 exam, you should be aware of the detailed syllabus, topics, pattern & marking scheme. 

SBI Clerk Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026

In this article, we have discussed the SBI Clerk Syllabus for both Prelims and Mains exams, along with the latest exam pattern, topic-wise weightage, subject-wise preparation strategy, and syllabus PDF. It is recommended that candidates have a look at the SBI Clerk syllabus and exam structure.

SBI Clerk Syllabus and Exam Pattern 2026- Overview
Mode of ExamOnline
No. of QuestionsPrelims- 100
Mains- 190
Exam DurationPrelims- 1 hour 
Mains- 2 hours 40 minutes
Negative Marking¼th mark (0.25 marks)
Selection ProcessPrelims > Mains > Local Language Proficiency Test

SBI Clerk Selection Process 2026

The State Bank of India conducts a two-stage selection process for SBI Clerk recruitment. To get selected for the SBI Clerk (Junior Associate) post, the candidates need to qualify in both the online test of the recruitment process i.e. Prelims and Mains, followed by LLPT. Local language will be conducted, which is qualifying in nature. The marks scored in the mains exam will be counted for the final selection process. 

  1. Stage 1- Preliminary Examination: 100 Questions of 100 Marks to be solved in 60 minutes
  2. Stage 2- Mains Examination: 190 Questions of 200 marks to be solved in 2 hours 40 minutes
  3. Stage 3- Local Language Proficiency Test: Candidates who have not studied (in class 10th or 12th) any of the specified local language of the State applied for, will have to appear in the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT).

Are marks scored in LLPT counted in final merit list?
Ans- No, the marks are not counted in final selection, as this is a qualifying test only. 

SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2026

Candidates have to check the exam pattern before going through the detailed syllabus. The SBI Clerk Exam Pattern 2026 for both prelims and mains rounds has been discussed below. 

SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026

The prelims exam consists of 3 sections of 100 questions (English- 30, Numerical Ability- 35, and Reasoning- 35). Each correct question gives 1 mark and each incorrect answer deducts 0.25 marks. 

SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
SNo.SectionNo. of QuestionsTotal MarksDuration
1English Language303020 minutes
2Numerical Ability353520 minutes
3Reasoning353520 minutes
Total10010060 minutes

SBI Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2026

For the mains exam, there will be 190 questions from 4 sections and the total marks will be 200. The duration of the exam will be 2 hours and 40 minutes. There is a negative marking of ¼th mark in the SBI Clerk Mains Exam. 

SBI Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2026
S No.SectionNo. of QuestionTotal MarksDuration
1.General English404035 minutes
2.Quantitative Aptitude505045 minutes
3.Reasoning Ability and Computer Aptitude506045 minutes
4.General/Financial Awareness505035 minutes
Total1902002 hours 40 minutes

Note: The negative marking for each incorrect answer is ¼th mark (0.25 mark) for both prelims and mains. 

SBI Clerk Prelims Syllabus 2026

The preliminary examination syllabus of the SBI Clerk exam will comprise questions from Reasoning Ability, Numerical Ability and English Language. Candidates must focus on each subject to score good marks in the prelims exam and increase their chances of qualification for the mains exam. Check the detailed subject-wise syllabus below:

SBI Clerk Numerical Ability Syllabus

  1. Data Interpretation (Bar, Line, Pie, Tabular)
  2. Data Sufficiency
  3. Quadratic Equation
  4. Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere
  5. Approximation
  6. Missing Number Series
  7. Simplification
  8. Time & Work, Pipes & Cisterns
  9. Problems on Ages
  10. Average, Ratio, Percentage, Profit & Loss
  11. Simple Interest & Compound Interest
  12. Speed, Distance & Time
  13. Permutation & Combination
  14. Boat & Stream
  15. Probability
  16. Partnership
  17. Mixture & Allegation

SBI Clerk Reasoning Syllabus

  1. Blood Relations
  2. Input Output
  3. Data Sufficiency
  4. Coded Inequalities
  5. Seating Arrangement (Circular/Triangular/Square/Rectangular)
  6. Logical Reasoning
  7. Alphanumeric Series
  8. Ranking/Direction/Alphabet Test
  9. Puzzle
  10. Tabulation
  11. Syllogism
  12. Meaningful Word
  13. Odd One Out
  14. Coding Decoding
  15. Direction & Distance
  16. Letter/Digit/Mix Series
  17. Pair Formation
  18. Inequality
  19. Order & Ranking

SBI Clerk English Language Syllabus

  1. Reading Comprehension
  2. Cloze Test
  3. Para jumbles
  4. Miscellaneous
  5. Fill in the blanks/Fillers
  6. Multiple Meaning
  7. Paragraph Completion
  8. Error Detection
  9. Misspelt
  10. Word/Sentence Rearrangement
  11. Single Fillers
  12. Match the Column
  13. Para Jumble
  14. Word Usage
  15. Word Swap
  16. Column-Based Sentence
  17. Phrase Repacements

SBI Clerk Prelims High Scoring Topics

Based on analysis of previous years' papers, here are the top priority topics candidates must focus on during their preparation. 

English Language
TopicsNo. of Questions
Reading Comprehension7 to 10 questions
Cloze Test5 to 6 questions
Error Detection4 to 5 questions
Para Jumbles4 to 5 questions
Numerical Ability
TopicsNo. of Questions
Data Interpretation5 to 10 questions
Number Series5 questions
Simplification10 to 15 questions
Arithemetic10 to 15 questions
Reasoning Ability
TopicsNo. of Questions
Puzzle & Seating Arrangements12-16 questions
Syllogism3 to 5 questions
Coding-Decoding4 to 5 questions
Direction & Distance3 to 5 questions

SBI Clerk Mains Syllabus 2026

The Mains Examination of the SBI Clerk Exam 2026 will consist of 4 sections: Reasoning and Computer Awareness, General English, General/Financial Awareness, and Quantitative Aptitude. The complete syllabus is discussed below:

Quantitative Aptitude SyllabusGeneral English Syllabus
  1. Simplification
  2. Number Series
  3. Data Sufficiency
  4. Data Interpretation
  5. Quadratic Equation
  6. Time & Distance, Work
  7. Partnership
  8. Profit & Loss
  9. Simple and Compound Interest
  10. Mixture and Allegations
  11. Ratio & Proportion, Averages, Percentages
  1. Reading comprehension including Synonyms and Antonyms
  2. Sentence rearrangement
  3. Para jumbles
  4. Sentence Correction
  5. Error Finding
  6. Spell Checks
  7. Fillers
  8. Cloze Test
General/Financial Awareness SyllabusReasoning Ability SyllabusComputer Aptitude Syllabus
  1. Current Affairs
  2. News on the banking industry
  3. Awards and honours
  4. Books and authors
  5. Latest appointments
  6. Obituaries
  7. New schemes of central and state governments
  8. Sports, etc.
  9. Banking/Financial terms
  10. Static Awareness
  11. Banking and Financial Awareness
  1. Internet
  2. Machine Input/Output
  3. Syllogism
  4. Blood Relation
  5. Direction Sense
  6. Inequalities
  7. Puzzles
  8. Coding-Decoding
  9. Ranking
  10. Statement and Assumptions

 

  1. Basics of Computer: Hardware, Software, Generation of Computers
  2. DBMS
  3. Networking
  4. Internet
  5. MS Office
  6. Input-Output Devices
  7. Important Abbreviations

Static GK

  1. Country-capital
  2. Country-currency
  3. Headquarters of financial organizations (of insurance companies)
  4. Constituencies of ministers
  5. Dance forms
  6. Nuclear and thermal power stations, etc.

What topics are most important for SBI Clerk 2026 Mains?
Ans- For Mains, the most important topics are: Data Interpretation and Quadratic Equations (Quant), Advanced Puzzles (Reasoning), Reading Comprehension and Cloze Test (English), Banking Awareness and Current Affairs (General Awareness), and MS Office and Networking (Computer Aptitude).

SBI Clerk Syllabus PDF Download

Download the complete SBI Clerk Prelims & Mains Syllabus PDF from the link below and print it out for your offline study preparation for the exam. The syllabus pdf includes all the topics for each subject. 

SBI Clerk Syllabus PDF Download link

SBI Clerk Local Language Proficiency Test

Candidates who qualify the SBI Clerk prelims and mains exam and have not studied (in class 10th or 12th) any of the specified local language of the State applied to, will have to appear in the Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT). The Local Language Proficiency Test is a qualifying test in nature, and the exam pattern for LPT is as follows:

Test PatternSection No. of PassagesNo. of QuestionsTotal Marks
Non- Verbal
Test 
Objective31515
31515
 Verbal TestSubjective----20

SBI Clerk 2026 Exam Preparation

Besides knowing the detailed SBI Clerk Syllabus, the candidates must also be aware of the type of questions asked in previous SBI Clerk Exams. To help the candidates, our faculty has prepared the SBI Clerk Mock Test 2026 and the candidates must practice it before going to the exam. 

Attempt SBI Clerk Mock Test 2026

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FAQs

SBI Clerk Syllabus covers English Language, Numerical Ability & Reasoning for Prelims Exam and Quantitative Aptitude, General English, General/Financial Awareness, Reasoning Ability & Computer Awareness for Main Exam.

No, The selection of SBI Clerk Post on the basis of marks scored in Mains Examination as there is no further interview round.

Not Easy, it depends on the preparation of a candidate. Last Year, the overall difficulty level of the SBI Clerk prelims exam was easy to moderate and the mains exam was moderate in terms of difficulty level.

LLPT stands for Local Language Proficiency Test. It is a qualifying test for candidates who have not studied the local language of the state they have applied for in class 10 or 12.

The SBI Clerk Mains exam has 190 questions for 200 marks to be attempted in 2 hours and 40 minutes across 4 sections.

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