SBI PO Prelims and Mains Syllabus 2026 along with Topic Wise Weightage
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- SBI PO syllabus
The latest SBI PO syllabus has been released by the State Bank of India with the notification for 1,500 Probationary Officer vacancies. The SBI PO exam is conducted in three phases — Prelims, Mains, and Phase 3 (Psychometric Test + Group Exercise + Interview). A thorough understanding of the syllabus, exam pattern, marking scheme, and section-wise weightage is the first step to building an effective preparation strategy.
SBI PO Syllabus 2026- Overview
The SBI PO syllabus is divided across three phases. Prelims are qualifying marks that are not counted in the final merit list. Mains marks (75%) and Phase 3 (25%) together determine the final rank.
| Particulars | Details |
| Exam Name | SBI PO 2026 |
| Selection Process |
|
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| No. of Questions | Prelims- 100 Mains- 170 (MCQs) + 3 (descriptive) |
| Marks | Prelims- 100 Mains- 200 (MCQs) + 30 (descriptive) Interview- 50 |
| Negative Marking | ¼th mark |
| Sectional Cut Off | Prelims- No Mains- Yes |
| Prelims Subjects |
|
| Mains Subjects |
|
SBI PO Prelims Syllabus 2026
The prelims exam of SBI PO consists of 100 questions, each for 1 mark, from quantitative aptitude, reasoning ability, and the English language. The section-wise topics you need to prepare are discussed below.
Reasoning Ability Syllabus
- Alphanumeric Series
- Directions
- Logical Reasoning
- Data Sufficiency
- Ranking & Order
- Alphabet Test
- Puzzle & Seating Arrangement
- Inequality
- Coded Inequalities
- Syllogism
- Blood Relations
- Coding-Decoding
- Input-Output
- Tabulation
Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus
- Simplification/Approximation
- Quadratic Equation
- Profit & Loss
- Mixtures & Alligations
- Permutation, Combination & Probability
- Work & Time
- Sequence & Series
- Simple Interest & Compound Interest
- Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere
- Time & Distance
- Data Interpretation (Pie/Bar/Caselet/Table)
- Ratio & Proportion
- Number Systems
- Percentage
English Language Syllabus
- Reading Comprehension
- Fill in the blanks
- Cloze Test
- Para jumbles
- Vocabulary
- Sentence Rearrangement
- Paragraph Completion
- Multiple Meaning /Error Spotting
- Word Association/Arrangement
- Sentence Improvement
- Sentence Completion
- Tenses Rules
- Double Fillers
- Word Usage
- Inequalities
- Pair Formation
- Match the Column
- Error Detection
SBI PO Prelims Topic-Wise Weightage
| Subjects | Topics & No. of Questions |
| English Language | Reading Comprehension: 7 – 10 Error Detection: 4 – 5 Para Jumbles: 6 Fillers: 6 Cloze Test: 5 – 6 Word Swap / Spelling Error: 5 – 6 Phrase Replacement: 3 – 4 |
| Reasoning Ability | Arrangement & Pattern: 1 – 2 Syllogism: 2 – 3 Inequality: 2 – 3 Order & Ranking: 2 – 3 Blood Relation: 3 Coding-Decoding: 3 Direction & Distance: 3 Puzzle & Seating Arrangement: 15-20 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Speed Math: 3 – 4 Number Series: 4 – 5 Quadratic Equation: 3 – 4 Arithmetic Problems: 7 – 8 Data Sufficiency: 2 – 3 Data Interpretation: 10 – 15 |
SBI PO Mains Syllabus 2026
The Mains Examination covers various topics from reasoning and computer aptitude, English language, Data Analysis & Interpretation, and general/economy/banking awareness. Computer Aptitude is a part of the reasoning section in the mains exam. The subject-wise topics that need to be covered for preparing for the SBI PO 2026 Mains Exam have been listed below.
| Subjects | Topics |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation |
|
| Reasoning |
|
| Computer Aptitude |
|
| General /Economy/ Banking Awareness |
|
| English Language |
|
SBI PO Mains Topic-wise Weightage
| Topics | Weightage |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation |
|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude |
|
| General / Economy / Banking Awareness |
|
SBI PO Descriptive Test
- The descriptive test is now 30 Marks (reduced from 50)
- Duration: 30 minutes (unchanged)
- Conducted online, immediately after the Objective Test
- Candidates must type answers on the computer
- Sectional cut-off applies — must score minimum qualifying marks
| Topics | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Email Writing | 1 out of 2 options | 15 | 30 minutes |
| Letter Writing / Precis / Report | 1 out of 2 options | 15 | |
| Total | 2 questions | 30 |
Tips for Descriptive Test
Practice writing 250–300-word essays on banking themes (digital banking, financial inclusion, and CBDC), social issues, and the economy. For letters, practice formal banking-context letters — complaints to the bank manager, letters to the RBI, etc. Read The Hindu editorials daily to improve both vocabulary and essay structure.
How many candidates will be shortlisted for the interview round?
Candidates numbering up to 3 times of the category wise vacancies will be shortlisted for the Phase 3 (interview round).
SBI PO Phase 3 (Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview)
SBI PO Phase 3 comprises three components: psychometric test, group exercise (20 marks), and interview (30 marks).
| Activity | Marks | Duration | Details |
| Psychometric Test Online | No marks | 90 minutes | Online assessment of personality traits, professional behaviour, and emotional responses. Results shared with the interview panel — not scored but influences interviewers. |
| Group Exercise | 20 Marks | 20-25 minutes | Group of 8–10 candidates discuss a current affairs / social / banking topic. Evaluated on communication, teamwork, leadership, logical argumentation, active listening, and confidence. |
| Personal Interview | 30 Marks | 15-20 minutes | Panel interview in Hindi or English. Covers personal background, banking awareness, current events, ethical dilemmas, and career motivation. Candidates must score minimum qualifying marks. |
Key Changes in SBI PO 2026 exam
- Descriptive Test marks reduced from 50 → 30 (duration stays 30 minutes)
- Total Mains marks reduced from 250 → 230 (Objective 200 + Descriptive 30)
- No sectional cut-off in Prelims — only an overall cut-off applies
SBI PO 2026 Notification Out for 1500 Vacancies - Click to Check
SBI PO Final Selection Criteria
The final merit list is prepared based on the marks scored in the mains exam and interview. The Mains exam carries 75% weightage in the final selection, while Interview round carries 25% weightage.
| Stage | Raw Marks | Normalised Weightage |
| Mains Examination (Objective + Descriptive) | 230 marks | 75 marks |
| Group Exercise + Interview | 50 marks | 25 marks |
| Final Merit Total | 100 Marks |
SBI PO Prelims vs Mains – Key Differences
| PARAMETERS | PRELIMS | MAINS |
| Purpose | Screening / Qualifying | Merit determination |
| Marks Counted in Merit | No | Yes (75% weightage) |
| Total Marks | 100 | 230 (200 Objective + 30 Desc.) |
| Sections | 3 (English, QA, Reasoning) | 4 + 1 Descriptive |
| Sectional Cut Off | No (overall cut-off only) | Yes (each section) |
| Reasoning Level | Basic to Moderate Puzzles | Advanced Puzzles, Caselets, Scheduling |
| DI Level | Basic tables and graphs | Complex Caselets, Missing DI, Radar Charts |