
To become a Probationary Officer at the State Bank of India, you'll need to take a competitive exam. The exam is divided into two phases: preliminary and main exams.
The preliminary exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions, each carrying one mark. You'll have to complete the exam in 60 minutes. The exam is designed to test your knowledge in areas such as reasoning, data analysis, and general knowledge.
The main exam, on the other hand, is a descriptive exam that tests your skills in areas like reasoning, data analysis, and communication. You'll have to complete the exam in 60 minutes. The exam is designed to assess your ability to think critically and communicate effectively.
The selection process also involves a group discussion and an interview round.
Eligibility and Requirements
To be eligible for the State Bank of India Probationary Officer position, you must have a bachelor's degree in any stream from a recognised university.
You should not be older than 30 years as of the eligibility date, unless you belong to a category that gets age relaxation.
The maximum number of attempts permitted varies depending on your category: General/EWS candidates have 4 attempts, while SC/ST candidates have no limit.
Here's a breakdown of the age relaxation for different categories:
Essential Academic Qualifications
To be eligible for many exams, you'll need to meet the essential academic qualifications. You'll typically need a graduate degree in any discipline from a recognised University or any equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.
The degree should be completed on or before the eligibility date as given in the related advertisement. This means you'll need to check the advertisement for the specific date.
You can apply provisionally if you're in the Final year/Semester of your Graduation, but you'll need to produce proof of having passed the graduation examination if called for an interview.
The date of passing the eligibility examination will be the date appearing on the mark sheet or provisional certificate issued by the University / Institute.
In case the result of a particular examination is posted on the website of the University / Institute, a certificate issued by the appropriate authority of the University / Institute indicating the date on which the result was posted on the website will be taken as the date of passing.
Here's a summary of the essential academic qualifications:
Age Limit (As of Stipulated Date)
To be eligible for the SBI PO exam, you must be an Indian citizen and meet the age criteria. The minimum age limit is 21 years, and the maximum age limit is 30 years as of the stipulated date given in the related advertisement.
If you're an OBC candidate, you get a relaxation of 3 years on the upper age limit. SC/ST/ExS/J&K migrants get a relaxation of 5 years. This means that if you're an SC/ST candidate, you can be up to 35 years old.

The age relaxation is not cumulative, so you can't add the relaxation for multiple categories. For example, if you're an OBC candidate from Jammu & Kashmir, you'll get a relaxation of 8 years, but that's still not cumulative with the relaxation for being an OBC candidate.
Here's a breakdown of the age relaxation for different categories:
Remember, these are the eligibility criteria, and you must meet them to apply for the SBI PO exam.
Pre-Examination Training
Pre-Examination Training is an initiative by the State Bank of India to support candidates from underrepresented communities. This training is available for SC/ST and religious minority community candidates.
The training is arranged by the Bank at certain centres, following guidelines from the Government of India. Candidates from these communities can opt for this training while applying online, indicating their interest in the relevant column.
This training is provided at the candidate's own cost, so it's essential to plan accordingly.
Readers also liked: Crypto Currencies in India
Selection Process
The selection process for SBI PO is a multi-step process that requires candidates to perform well in each stage to move forward.
First, you need to clear the preliminary exam by scoring the qualifying marks. This will allow you to appear in the SBI PO Main exam.
In the main examination, you need to get qualifying marks in each section as well as get a good overall score to be shortlisted for group discussion and interview.
The main examination consists of Objective Tests for 200 marks and Descriptive Test for 50 marks. Both the Objective and Descriptive Tests will be online. Candidates will have to answer Descriptive test by typing on the computer.
Here's a breakdown of the Objective Test:
The aggregate marks of candidates qualifying in both the Objective Tests and Descriptive Test will be arranged in descending order in each category. Adequate number of candidates in each category, as decided by the Bank will be called for Group Discussion and Interview.
The qualifying marks in Group Discussion & Interview will be as decided by the Bank.
The total marks for Group Discussion & Interview is 50, with Group Discussion being 20 marks and Interview being 30 marks.
Exam Details
The SBI PO exam is divided into three stages: Preliminary Exam, Mains Exam, and Interview. The Preliminary Exam is an online test with 100 marks, consisting of three sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability.
The Mains Exam is also an online test, but with 200 marks for objective-type questions and 50 marks for a descriptive test. The descriptive test is conducted immediately after the objective test and covers subjects like Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness, and English Language.
The SBI PO Mains Exam has a total of 5 sections, with objective and descriptive questions. The exam duration is 3 hours for the objective test and 30 minutes for the descriptive test.
Related reading: Sbi Bank Probationary Officer Salary
Phase I: Preliminary Exam
The Phase I: Preliminary Exam is the first stage of the SBI PO exam, and it's a crucial one. The exam is conducted online and consists of three sections: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability.
Each section has a specific number of questions and marks, with a total of 100 marks for the entire exam. The duration of the exam is 1 hour, and the questions are objective in nature.
Here's a breakdown of the sections:
To qualify for the next stage, candidates need to secure passing marks in each of the three tests. The bank will decide the passing marks, but it's approximately 20 times the number of vacancies subject to availability.
Exam Highlights:
The SBI PO exam is an annual national-level exam conducted by the State Bank of India. It's a great opportunity for those interested in a career in banking.
The exam is held annually, which means you have a clear timeline to prepare for it. The exam level is national, so it's open to candidates from all over the country.
Here are the key details about the SBI PO exam:
The exam is conducted online, which is convenient for most candidates. The selection process involves three stages: Prelims, Main Exam, and Group Discussion/ Interview.
Career and Miscellaneous
The Career and Miscellaneous section of the State Bank of India's Probationary Officer (PO) role is a crucial aspect to consider.
The selection process for PO involves a written examination, followed by a group discussion and interview.
As a probationary officer, you can expect a starting salary of around Rs. 23,700 per month, plus a DA (Dearness Allowance) of 35.75%.
You'll also receive a chance to work in a variety of roles and locations across the country, with opportunities for career growth and advancement.
Pre-Examination Training for SC/ST & Minority Candidates
If you're from the SC/ST or religious minority community, you're eligible for pre-examination training, which can be a great way to boost your confidence and skills before taking the exam.
The training is arranged by the bank in certain centres, following guidelines from the Government of India.
You can opt for this training at your own cost by indicating it while applying online.
Job Profile
To understand the job profile of an SBI PO, it's essential to know what duties are involved in the role. Familiarity with the job profile will help you determine if your skills and knowledge align with the job requirements.
As an SBI PO, you'll perform clerical tasks, open bank accounts, process bank loans, and handle other related activities. You'll also be responsible for addressing customer complaints and issues.
One of the key responsibilities of an SBI PO is to participate in account preparation, draft accounts, check clearance, and bring new business to the bank. This involves a range of tasks that require strong organizational and communication skills.
Here are some of the key duties involved in the SBI PO job profile:
- To perform clerical tasks, open bank accounts, process bank loans, and other related activities.
- To address the complaints and issues of the customers.
- To participate in the account preparation, draft accounts, check clearance and bring new business to the bank.
- To perform all the other tasks given by the senior officials from time to time.
Career Path
As you start your career as a Probationary Officer, you'll be on a two-year probation period where you'll receive intensive training to help you grow in your role.
The training is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed, and towards the end of your probation period, you'll be subjected to a screening process.
Those who achieve the predetermined standards will be confirmed and given placement in the Officer Middle Management Grade Scale-II, a significant step up in your career.
Others who qualify in the test but fail to meet the standards may be confirmed as Officer Junior Management Grade Scale-I, still a respectable position with plenty of opportunities for growth.
The services of those who fail to qualify will be terminated, so it's essential to focus on meeting the required standards.
Bank provides immense opportunities for growth, including postings abroad, which can be a fantastic experience for those who are adventurous and willing to take on new challenges.
The attractive promotion policy of the Bank allows meritorious and exceptionally brilliant officers to reach the Top Management Grade in a reasonably quick time, making it a great place to work if you're ambitious and driven.
What Is the Full Form of?
The SBI PO full form is State Bank of India Probationary Officer. It's a recruitment process held every year to hire thousands of probationary officers.
The SBI PO recruitment process is conducted annually to fill a large number of vacancies. This is a highly competitive process, with lakhs of candidates applying every year.
The SBI PO full form in Hindi is भारतीय स्टेट बैंक परिवीक्षाधीन अधिकारी।
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a probationary officer in SBI?
A Probationary Officer (PO) in SBI is a direct recruit officer position in the bank's officer cadre. It's a key entry point for candidates to become officers in State Bank of India.
What is the highest salary of SBI probationary officer?
The highest salary of an SBI PO is approximately ₹13.08 lakhs per year. This includes additional perks and allowances beyond the basic pay.
Is a SBI PO interview tough?
The SBI PO interview is considered one of the most challenging in the banking sector, requiring a strong understanding of banking knowledge as well as personal and economic background. Prepare for a rigorous assessment that goes beyond just banking expertise.
Sources
- https://sbi.co.in/web/careers/probationary-officers
- https://www.jagranjosh.com/articles/sbi-po-full-form-1730806245-1
- https://www.coursejoiner.com/govt-jobs/state-bank-of-india/
- https://psuwatch.com/governmentjobs/sbi-announces-2000-vacancies-for-probationary-officers-click-to-know
- https://www.bankbazaar.com/banking-sector/sbi-po.html
Featured Images: pexels.com