The State Bank of India (SBI) has announced the recruitment of 541 Probationary Officer (PO) vacancies for 2025, offering a prestigious opportunity for graduates to join India’s leading public-sector bank. The official notification, released on June 24, 2025, outlines the application process, eligibility, and exam schedule. Below are the detailed job specifications, including the last date to apply and the application link.
Job Details
- Position: Probationary Officer (PO)
- Number of Vacancies: 541 (500 regular, 41 backlog)
- Location: Candidates may be posted anywhere in India.
- Job Type: Permanent, with a 2-year probation period involving intensive training and continuous assessment.
- Salary: Starting basic pay of ₹48,480 in the scale of ₹36,000-1490/7-46,430-1740/2-49,910-1990/7-63,840 (Junior Management Grade Scale-I). Includes allowances (Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, medical benefits) with total annual compensation ranging from ₹8.2–13.5 lakh, depending on posting location.
- Selection Process:
- Preliminary Examination: Online, 100 marks, 1 hour, covering English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. No sectional cut-off; negative marking (0.25 marks per wrong answer).
- Main Examination: Online, 250 marks (200 objective + 50 descriptive), 3.5 hours, covering Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, and English Language (Descriptive Test: Letter/Essay Writing).
- Phase III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercises (20 marks), and Interview (30 marks). Final merit list based on Mains and Phase III scores, normalized to 100.
- Posting: Selected candidates join as Probationary Officers in Junior Management Grade Scale-I, with potential for promotion to senior roles, including Chairperson.
Eligibility Criteria
- Educational Qualification:
- Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university or equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government.
- Final-year students may apply provisionally but must provide proof of graduation by September 30, 2025, if called for interview.
- Age Limit:
- 21–30 years as of April 1, 2025 (born between April 2, 1995, and April 1, 2004, inclusive).
- Age Relaxation:
- Nationality: Indian citizens, or specific categories (e.g., Tibetan refugees settled in India before January 1, 1962, or Persons of Indian Origin from designated countries with intent to settle permanently).
- Other Requirements: No pending disputes related to loans/credit cards, adverse character reports, or prior SBI employment.
Important Dates
- Application Start Date: June 24, 2025
- Last Date to Apply: July 14, 2025
- Application Fee Payment Deadline: July 14, 2025
- Preliminary Exam: July/August 2025 (tentative)
- Main Exam: September 2025 (tentative)
- Phase III (Psychometric Test/Group Exercises/Interview): October/November 2025
- Call Letter Download for Prelims: Expected third/fourth week of July 2025
Application Process
- Visit the official SBI website: https://sbi.co.in.
- Navigate to “Careers” > “Current Openings” > “Recruitment of Probationary Officers.”
- Click “Apply Online” and register using a valid email ID and mobile number.
- Fill in personal, educational, and category details (e.g., SC/ST/OBC/General).
- Upload a passport-size photograph (white background), signature, and handwritten declaration in the specified format.
- Pay the application fee online:
- Submit the form and save/print the confirmation for reference.
- No changes are permitted post-submission; verify details before finalizing.
Application Link
- Official Website: https://sbi.co.in/web/careers
- Direct Apply Link: Available on the SBI Careers page from June 24 to July 14, 2025.
Additional Notes
- Exam Pattern: The Preliminary Exam is qualifying, with no sectional cut-off. The Main Exam includes a descriptive test requiring typed responses. Approximately 10 times the vacancies are shortlisted for Mains, and 3 times for Phase III.
- Handwritten Declaration: Candidates must submit a handwritten declaration: “I, [Name], hereby declare that all the information submitted by me in the application form is correct, true, and valid. I will present the supporting documents as and when required.”
- Document Requirements: At the interview, candidates must provide graduation certificates, ID proof, category certificates (if applicable), and other documents as specified in the call letter.
- Preparation Tips: Study the syllabus (available in the notification), practice past papers, and stay updated on banking/economic awareness. Online coaching or mock tests can enhance preparation.
- Career Benefits: SBI POs enjoy a prestigious role, competitive salary, job security, and growth opportunities, with the potential to rise to senior positions.
Clarification on Vacancy Numbers
Some sources, including a Times of India article and other websites, reported 600 vacancies for SBI PO 2025, with application dates from December 27, 2025, to January 16, 2025. However, the official SBI notification and multiple reliable sources confirm 541 vacancies with applications open from June 24 to July 14, 2025. The 600-vacancy figure appears to reference an earlier or separate recruitment cycle (possibly 2024–25) and should be disregarded for the current 2025 notification. Always verify details on the official SBI website to avoid confusion.
Why Apply?
The SBI PO role is highly coveted due to its brand value, lucrative pay scale (highest among PSU banks), job security, and career progression. With 541 vacancies, this recruitment is a significant opportunity, though the exam is competitive. Candidates are urged to apply early to avoid technical glitches and prepare rigorously for the selection process.
Visit https://sbi.co.in for the official notification and apply before July 14, 2025.
