| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|
| Part A: Objective Test (3 hours) |
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 50 min |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 60 | 45 min |
| General Awareness (Banking/Economy) | 50 | 60 | 45 min |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 min |
| Part B: Descriptive Test (30 minutes) |
| Letter Writing, Essay, Precis | 2 | 30 | 30 min |
| Total | 157 | 250 | 3.5 hours |
The objective test has sectional cut-offs, unlike Prelims. The descriptive test is conducted separately and tests your written English and banking knowledge. Both parts are required to qualify for Phase-III.
SBI PO Phase-III — Psychometric Test + Interview
Candidates who qualify Mains proceed to Phase-III, which has three components:
- Psychometric Test: A non-qualifying assessment of personality traits, decision-making, and behavioral tendencies. Doesn't have a cut-off but is used in tie-breaking.
- Interview (30 marks): A panel interview testing banking awareness, current affairs, communication skills, and personality. Minimum qualifying marks are typically 40% for General and 35% for reserved.
- Group Exercises: Activities like group discussions, role plays, and case studies that test teamwork and leadership.
The final merit is calculated as: Mains normalized score (75%) + Interview (25%). The Psychometric test and Group Exercises are used for tie-breaking only.
SBI PO Salary 2026 — What You'll Earn
SBI PO is one of the highest-paying bank PO roles in India. Here's the salary breakdown:
| Component | Amount | Notes |
|---|
| Basic Pay | ₹41,960/month | Starting basic in Junior Management Grade Scale-I |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | ~₹18,000/month | Revised quarterly based on inflation |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | ₹7,000-13,000/month | Based on city tier (metro vs non-metro) |
| Special Allowance | ₹6,500/month | Fixed allowance |
| Gross Monthly Salary | ₹65,000-70,000 | In metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi |
| In-Hand Salary | ₹52,000-58,000 | After PF, NPS, income tax deductions |
| Annual CTC | ₹10-12 LPA | Including perks and allowances |
| Other Perks | Quarter, medical, LFC | Leasing facility, medical reimbursement, quarters (in some locations) |
SBI PO salary increases significantly with promotions. After 4 years as Probationary Officer, you get promoted to Officer Grade II, then Grade III, and eventually to Assistant General Manager roles with CTC reaching ₹20-25 LPA.
SBI PO Career Growth Path
The career progression for SBI POs is well-defined:
- Year 1: Probationary Officer (Training at SBI Staff College)
- Year 2-3: Officer Grade II (Branch Manager or specialized roles)
- Year 4-7: Officer Grade III (Senior Branch Manager)
- Year 8-12: Assistant General Manager (Regional/Zonal roles)
- Year 12+: Deputy General Manager → General Manager → Chief General Manager
Promotion is based on performance ratings, qualifying internal exams (CAIIB), and seniority. Most POs reach Officer Grade III within 5-7 years and AGM within 10-12 years.
Tips for SBI PO Mains 2026 Preparation
If you've cleared Prelims, here's how to prepare for Mains:
- Data Analysis & Interpretation: Practice 30+ sets of Data Interpretation (tables, charts, caselets) and advanced Quant topics like probability, permutations, and time-distance work.
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude: Practice puzzles (floor-based, scheduling, box-based), seating arrangements, and computer fundamentals.
- General Awareness: Read daily banking news from sources like RBI Bulletin, Economic Times banking section, and Banking Awareness books. Focus on monetary policy, repo rates, and recent banking schemes.
- English: Practice reading comprehension, vocabulary, and grammar. Read The Hindu or Indian Express daily for 30 minutes.
- Descriptive Test: Practice writing essays, letters, and précis on banking topics. Focus on structure, grammar, and clarity.
- Mock Tests: Take at least 15-20 full-length Mains mocks under timed conditions.
- Time Management: Mains has sectional time limits — practice allocating time efficiently across sections.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the SBI PO Prelims Result 2026 declared?
The SBI PO Prelims Result 2026 was declared on August 28, 2026. The exam was held on August 1-2, 2026. Of the lakhs of candidates who appeared, 15,802 have been shortlisted for the Mains exam (10x the 1,500 vacancies).
How many candidates were shortlisted for SBI PO Mains 2026?
A total of 15,802 candidates were shortlisted for the SBI PO Mains 2026 exam. This is 10 times the number of vacancies (1,500). The shortlisting was done category-wise based on Prelims performance.
When is the SBI PO Mains 2026 exam?
The SBI PO Mains 2026 exam is scheduled for September 12, 2026. The exam is conducted online and has two parts: an objective test (200 marks, 3 hours) and a descriptive test (30 marks, 30 minutes).
What is the expected SBI PO Prelims cut-off 2026?
The expected SBI PO Prelims cut-off 2026 for General category is 58-65 out of 100. Category-wise expected cut-offs: EWS 56-63, OBC 55-62, SC 50-57, ST 45-52. The actual 2025 cut-off for General was 66.75.
Do SBI PO Prelims marks count in final selection?
No. SBI PO Prelims marks do NOT count in the final selection. Only Mains marks (normalized to 100) and Phase-III (Psychometric Test + Interview + Group Exercises) marks are used for final merit. Prelims is purely a qualifying stage.
What is the SBI PO salary in 2026?
The starting SBI PO basic pay is ₹41,960 per month. With DA, HRA, and other allowances, the gross monthly salary is ₹65,000-70,000 in metro cities. The in-hand salary is approximately ₹52,000-58,000 per month. Annual CTC including perks is around ₹10-12 lakh.
Fazlur Rahman
