SBI PO Syllabus 2026

The SBI PO Syllabus 2026 is one of the most searched and important topics for every banking aspirant who dreams of becoming a Probationary Officer (PO) in the State Bank of India, the country’s largest public sector bank. The State Bank of India released the official SBI PO Recruitment 2026 Notification (Advertisement No. CRPD/PO/2026-27/09) on 18th June 2026 for a total of 1500 Probationary Officer vacancies. Understanding the complete SBI PO Syllabus 2026 for Prelims, Mains, Group Exercise and Interview is the very first and most crucial step towards a systematic and successful preparation strategy.

In this comprehensive guide, we bring you the detailed, section-wise SBI PO Syllabus 2026 along with the complete exam pattern for all three phases of selection. The SBI PO selection process consists of Phase-I (Preliminary Examination), Phase-II (Main Examination comprising an Objective Test and a Descriptive Test), and Phase-III (Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Personal Interview). While the Prelims is only qualifying in nature, the marks scored in the Mains and Phase-III are normalised and added together to prepare the final merit list. Read the complete article below to master every topic of the SBI PO Syllabus 2026 and plan your preparation accordingly.

SBI PO Syllabus 2026 – Highlights & Overview

Before we dive deep into the detailed section-wise syllabus, let us first understand the key facts and overview of the SBI PO 2026 Exam. The table below summarises all the important details related to the exam that every candidate must know before beginning their preparation.

Important Dates for SBI PO 2026

Keeping track of the important dates is essential so that no aspirant misses any stage of the recruitment process. Based on the official notification, here are the tentative dates for the SBI PO 2026 recruitment.

Note: These dates are tentative and may undergo changes. Candidates should regularly check the official SBI careers page at https://www.sbi.co.in/web/careers for the latest updates.

SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026 – Highlights

The SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026 has been designed by the State Bank of India to test a candidate’s analytical ability, numerical aptitude, reasoning power, English language proficiency, banking knowledge and communication skills. The exam is conducted in three distinct phases, and a candidate must clear each phase to progress to the next one. Let us understand the key highlights of the exam pattern first.

• The Preliminary Examination (Phase-I) is an online objective test of 100 marks that is simply qualifying in nature. The marks scored in Prelims are not added to the final merit list.
• There is no sectional cut-off in the Preliminary Examination, but there is an overall category-wise cut-off. Approximately 10 times the number of vacancies in each category are shortlisted for the Mains Examination.
• The Main Examination (Phase-II) consists of an Objective Test of 200 marks and a Descriptive Test of 30 marks, conducted online on the same day.
• The Mains Objective Test has sectional cut-offs and each section has a separate sectional timing that cannot be exceeded.
• The Descriptive Test is administered immediately after the conclusion of the Objective Test, and candidates must type their answers on the computer.
• Phase-III (Psychometric Test, Group Exercise & Interview) carries a total of 50 marks – Group Exercise for 20 marks and Personal Interview for 30 marks.
• For the final selection, the marks of Mains (Objective + Descriptive) and Phase-III are normalised to 100 marks, out of which Mains carries 75 marks and Group Exercise & Interview carry 25 marks.

SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2026

The SBI PO Preliminary Examination consists of three sections – English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability – with a total of 100 objective-type questions carrying 100 marks. The total duration of the exam is 60 minutes, with a strict sectional time limit of 20 minutes for each section. The complete SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern is given in the table below.

Important Points about SBI PO Prelims:

• All questions are objective (Multiple Choice Questions) and the paper is conducted in online mode.
• Negative marking of 0.25 marks is applicable for every wrong answer.
• No marks are deducted for questions left unattempted.
• As per the revised pattern of 2025-26, the English Language section has been increased to 40 questions, while Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability have 30 questions each.
• Candidates are required to clear the Prelims by scoring above the overall category-wise cut-off to be shortlisted for the Mains exam.

SBI PO Prelims Syllabus 2026 (Section-Wise)

The SBI PO Prelims Syllabus 2026 is designed to test the basic aptitude and speed of the candidates. The three sections – English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability – cover a wide range of topics. Note that SBI does not publish an exhaustive item-wise official topic list; the topics listed below are the ones most frequently asked in recent years based on previous-year papers and exam trends.

1. English Language Syllabus (Prelims)

The English Language section in Prelims carries 40 questions for 40 marks and is meant to test the reading comprehension and grammar skills of the candidates. The important topics are as follows:

• Reading Comprehension
• Cloze Test
• Para Jumbles / Sentence Rearrangement
• Fill in the Blanks
• Error Spotting / Sentence Correction
• Multiple Meaning / Word Usage
• Vocabulary Based Questions
• Paragraph Completion
• Phrase Replacement
• Sentence Improvement

2. Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus (Prelims)

The Quantitative Aptitude section carries 30 questions for 30 marks and primarily focuses on basic arithmetic, data interpretation and numerical ability. The important topics are as follows:

• Number Systems
• Simplification & Approximation
• Percentage
• Ratio & Proportion
• Profit & Loss and Discount
• Simple Interest & Compound Interest
• Time, Speed & Distance
• Time & Work
• Mensuration (Cylinder, Cone, Sphere)
• Mixtures & Allegations
• Sequence & Series (Number Series)
• Permutation, Combination & Probability
• Data Interpretation (Table, Bar, Line, Pie Chart, Caselet)
• Average, Ages & Partnership

3. Reasoning Ability Syllabus (Prelims)

The Reasoning Ability section carries 30 questions for 30 marks and tests the logical and analytical reasoning skills of the candidates. The important topics are as follows:

• Seating Arrangement (Linear & Circular)
• Puzzles (Floor, Box, Scheduling, etc.)
• Coded Inequalities
• Syllogism
• Blood Relations
• Direction & Distance / Ranking
• Alphanumeric Series
• Analogy & Classification
• Order & Ranking
• Data Sufficiency
• Input-Output
• Coding-Decoding
• Logical Reasoning / Verbal Reasoning
• Statement & Assumption / Conclusion

SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern 2026

The SBI PO Mains Examination 2026 is the most important and scoring stage of the entire selection process. It is conducted online and consists of two parts – an Objective Test of 200 marks and a Descriptive Test of 30 marks. Candidates must qualify in both, the objective and the descriptive paper separately, to be shortlisted for Phase-III. Let us understand the complete pattern below.

A. SBI PO Mains Objective Test Pattern & Sectional Syllabus

The Mains Objective Test comprises four sections – Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness and English Language – for a total of 200 marks. There is a separate sectional timing for every section, and the total duration of the objective test is 3 hours.

B. SBI PO Mains Descriptive Test Pattern

The Descriptive Test of the SBI PO Mains is a Test of English Language (Communication Skills) conducted for 30 marks and 30 minutes. It is held immediately after the Objective Test, and candidates have to type their answers on the computer. The descriptive paper tests the writing and communication skills of the candidate and consists of the following components:

Important Points about SBI PO Mains:

• Negative marking of 0.25 marks is applicable for every wrong answer in the Objective Test only. No marks are deducted for unattempted questions.
• There is a separate sectional cut-off in the Main Examination, and each candidate must score the minimum qualifying marks in each test/section individually.
• Candidates who qualify the objective test will have their Descriptive Test evaluated.
• The marks obtained in Mains (Objective + Descriptive) are added to the marks of Phase-III for preparing the final merit list.

SBI PO Mains Syllabus 2026 (Section-Wise)

The SBI PO Mains Syllabus 2026 is more advanced and comprehensive than the Prelims syllabus. It evaluates the analytical thinking, data interpretation ability, banking awareness and written communication skills of the candidates. Below we have provided the important topics for each Mains section. As with Prelims, SBI does not release a fully item-wise official list, so the topics given here are the most frequently repeated ones based on previous-year papers and exam trends. Candidates should use them as a focused preparation checklist rather than a frame from the official advertisement.

1. Reasoning & Computer Aptitude Syllabus (Mains)

This section carries 40 questions for 60 marks and is the highest scoring yet the most challenging section of the Mains exam. The questions are more complex than Prelims and require multi-step logical deduction. The topics are as follows:

• Puzzles (Complex, High-Level)
• Seating Arrangement (Circular, Linear, Parallel, Uncertain)
• Logical Reasoning & Analytical Reasoning
• Coding-Decoding
• Inequalities
• Syllogism (Advanced)
• Blood Relations
• Direction & Distance
• Data Sufficiency
• Input-Output
• Order & Ranking
• Course of Action / Critical Reasoning
• Statement & Assumption/Conclusion/Argument
• Cause & Effect
• Decision Making
• Venn Diagram
• Computer Aptitude: Computer Fundamentals, Hardware & Software, Operating System, Microsoft Office, Internet, Keyboard Shortcuts, Computer Abbreviations, Networking Basics

2. Data Analysis & Interpretation Syllabus (Mains)

This section carries 30 questions for 60 marks and is meant to test the numerical and analytical interpretation skills of the candidates. The questions are based on advanced-level data interpretation and arithmetic. The topics are as follows:

• Data Interpretation – Table DI, Bar Graph (Simple & Composite), Line Graph, Pie Chart, Caselet DI, Mixed Graph DI, Missing Data DI, Radar/Spider Graph, Probability-based DI
• Data Sufficiency
• Probability
• Permutation & Combination
• Quadratic Equations
• Number Series (Advanced)
• Quantity Comparison
• Arithmetic Word Problems (Profit & Loss, Percentage, Ratio, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Boats & Streams, Averages, Ages, Mixture & Alligation, Partnership, Simple & Compound Interest, Mensuration)

3. General Awareness / Economy / Banking Awareness Syllabus (Mains)

This section carries 60 questions for 60 marks and is the highest number of questions in the Mains paper. This section was increased from 50 to 60 questions in the latest pattern, making current affairs and banking knowledge extremely crucial. The topics are as follows:

• Banking Awareness
• Financial Awareness
• Current Affairs (Last 6-8 Months)
• Economy & Economic Survey
• RBI & Monetary Policy
• Budget & Fiscal Policies
• Government Schemes
• Static General Awareness
• Banking Terminologies & Financial Institutions
• National & International Organisations
• Reports, Indices & Indexes
• Insurance Awareness
• Important Days & Themes
• Awards & Honours
• Books & Authors
• Sports

4. English Language Syllabus (Mains)

The English Language section in the Mains exam carries 40 questions for 20 marks and is considered comparatively easier, making it a scoring area. However, the difficulty level is higher than Prelims and focuses on comprehension, grammar and vocabulary. The topics are as follows:

• Reading Comprehension (Advanced)
• Cloze Test
• Para Jumbles & Sentence Rearrangement
• Error Spotting / Sentence Correction
• Fill in the Blanks (Fillers)
• Word Usage / Word Swap
• Match the Column
• Phrase Replacement
• Sentence Improvement
• Vocabulary & Synonyms/Antonyms

5. Descriptive Test Syllabus (Mains)

The Descriptive Test is a test of English writing skills conducted for 30 marks and 30 minutes. Candidates should prepare the following writing tasks thoroughly:

• Email Writing – Format and professional tone
• Situation Analysis – Analysing a given situation and proposing a solution
• Report Writing – Formal report on a given event/topic
• Precis Writing – Summarising a passage within the given word limit

Phase-III: SBI PO Group Exercise & Interview Syllabus 2026

Once a candidate clears the Mains Examination (Phase-II), he/she is shortlisted for Phase-III which comprises the Psychometric Test, Group Exercise and Personal Interview. There is no defined syllabus for Phase-III as per the official notification, but the assessment is based on personality, communication and banking knowledge. Let us understand each component below.

Psychometric Test

The State Bank of India conducts a Psychometric Test for personality profiling of the shortlisted candidates. The findings of this test are placed before the Interview Panel to provide a thorough perspective on the candidate’s personality traits. All questions in the Psychometric Test are mandatory and must be answered. This test is generally qualifying in nature and does not count towards the merit marks.

Group Exercise & Personal Interview

The Group Exercise and Personal Interview together carry a total of 50 marks. The complete allocation is given below.

Important Topics for SBI PO Interview Preparation

To crack the SBI PO Personal Interview, candidates should focus on the following areas:

• Banking & Financial Awareness – RBI functions, Banking System, Monetary Policy, Recent Banking Reforms
• Economy – Budget, Inflation, GDP, Economic Survey
• Current Affairs – Last 6-8 months, especially banking and economy-related news
• SBI-Specific Knowledge – History, Mission, Vision, Products & Services, Recent Initiatives, Digital Banking
• Personal Background – Education, Family, Why do you want to join banking
• Work Experience – If applicable, details of your previous role
• Situational & Ethical Questions – Leadership, Decision Making, Integrity, Problem Solving

For the Group Exercise, candidates are assessed on their teamwork, communication, leadership qualities, clarity of thought and confidence while discussing a current-affairs or banking-related topic in a group.

Final Selection Process & Normalisation of Marks

The final selection of a candidate for the SBI PO post is based on his/her performance in Phase-II (Mains) and Phase-III (Group Exercise & Interview). The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are not counted in the final merit list. For preparing the final merit list, the marks secured in the Mains (Objective + Descriptive) and the Group Exercise & Interview are normalised to 100 marks, of which Mains carries a weightage of 75 marks and Phase-III carries 25 marks.

Negative Marking in SBI PO Exam 2026

Understanding the negative marking scheme is crucial for scoring well in the SBI PO Exam 2026, as it directly affects your final score and rank. The following points explain the negative marking policy of the exam:

• Negative Marking: For every wrong answer, 0.25 marks (1/4th of the marks) are deducted in both the Preliminary and Main (Objective) Examinations.
• No Deduction for Unattempted: No marks are deducted for questions that are left unattempted or blank.
• Objective Test Only: Negative marking is applicable only in the Objective Test. There is no negative marking in the Descriptive Test, Group Exercise or Interview.
• Strategy: Since wrong answers attract a penalty, candidates should avoid blind guessing and only attempt questions in which they are reasonably confident.

SBI PO Syllabus 2026 – Preparation Tips

Preparing for the SBI PO exam requires a well-planned strategy, consistent practice and proper time management. Based on the complete SBI PO Syllabus 2026, here are some effective preparation tips that will help you crack the exam with a good rank:

• Understand the Syllabus Completely: Before starting your preparation, go through the entire SBI PO Syllabus 2026 for Prelims and Mains. Make a checklist of all the topics and tick them off as you complete each one.
• Create a Study Plan: Allocate dedicated time slots for each section based on your strengths and weaknesses. Give extra time to the sections where you are weak.
• Focus on High-Weightage Topics: In Prelims, focus on Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Data Interpretation and Arithmetic. In Mains, master complex puzzles, high-level DI and Banking Awareness.
• Practice Previous Year Papers: Solve the previous year’s SBI PO question papers and take regular mock tests to understand the difficulty level and improve your speed and accuracy.
• Improve Speed & Accuracy: Since each section of the Prelims has a fixed 20-minute time limit, practice sectional mock tests to improve your speed. Aim for accuracy to avoid negative marking.
• Read Daily for English & Current Affairs: Read newspapers and editorials daily to improve your Reading Comprehension, vocabulary and grammar. Keep yourself updated on current affairs, especially banking and economy news, for the General Awareness section.
• Master the Descriptive Test: Practice email writing, letter writing, report writing, precis writing and situation analysis regularly to score well in the descriptive paper.
• Revise Regularly: Keep revising the formulas, shortcuts and important concepts regularly to retain them until the exam.
• Mock Tests & Analysis: Take full-length mock tests and analyse your performance section-wise. Identify your weak areas and work on improving them.
• Prepare for Interview: Once you clear the Mains, start preparing for the group exercise and personal interview. Practice speaking on current affairs and banking topics and be thorough with your own bio-data and SBI-related knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on SBI PO Syllabus 2026

Q1. What is the SBI PO Syllabus for the Prelims exam?

The SBI PO Prelims syllabus covers three sections – English Language (40 questions, 40 marks), Quantitative Aptitude (30 questions, 30 marks) and Reasoning Ability (30 questions, 30 marks). The total exam is of 100 questions carrying 100 marks, to be attempted in 60 minutes.

Q2. What subjects are included in the SBI PO Mains syllabus?

The SBI PO Mains syllabus comprises four objective sections – Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness and English Language – followed by a Descriptive Test (Email Writing, Situation Analysis and Report/Precis Writing). The objective test is for 200 marks and the descriptive test is for 30 marks.

Q3. Is there any separate syllabus for the SBI PO interview?

No, the SBI does not provide any separate official syllabus for the SBI PO interview. However, the interview panel evaluates candidates on banking awareness, current affairs, economy, SBI-specific knowledge, personal background and situational/ethical questions.

Q4. Is the SBI PO syllabus the same for Prelims and Mains?

No. The SBI PO Mains syllabus is more advanced and comprehensive than the Prelims. The Mains includes additional sections such as Banking/General Awareness, Data Analysis & Interpretation, Computer Aptitude and a Descriptive Test, which are not part of the Prelims.

Q5. Is there negative marking in the SBI PO exam?

Yes, there is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for every wrong answer in the Objective Test of both Prelims and Mains. However, no marks are deducted for unattempted questions, and there is no negative marking in the Descriptive Test, Group Exercise or Interview.

Q6. How many vacancies are announced for SBI PO 2026?

A total of 1500 Probationary Officer posts have been announced for SBI PO 2026, which includes 1,446 regular vacancies and 54 backlog vacancies. These vacancies are provisional and may change as per the bank’s requirement.

Q7. When is the SBI PO 2026 exam scheduled?

As per the official notification, the SBI PO 2026 Prelims is tentatively scheduled for August 2026, the Mains for September 2026, and the Psychometric Test, Group Exercise and Interview for October/November 2026.

Q8. Are the marks of the SBI PO Prelims counted in the final selection?

No. The SBI PO Preliminary Examination is qualifying in nature, and its marks are not added to the final merit list. Only the marks of the Mains (Objective + Descriptive) and Phase-III (Group Exercise & Interview) are normalised and used for the final selection.

Conclusion

We hope this comprehensive guide on the SBI PO Syllabus 2026 has given you a clear understanding of all the sections, topics and exam patterns for the Prelims, Mains, Group Exercise and Interview. The SBI PO is one of the most prestigious and sought-after banking exams in India, and candidates should prepare each section according to the latest exam pattern and regularly practise mock tests and previous-year papers. Remember to stay updated with current affairs, revise consistently, and keep a record of the official notification. For more details on important dates, admit card and other updates, keep visiting our website regularly. If you are also preparing for other bank exams, do not forget to check our detailed IBPS RRB PO Syllabus 2026 article as well.

For the latest SBI PO Admit Card 2026 updates and other examination-related information, stay tuned to JobSAlertsIndia.com. Also, do not forget to regularly check the official SBI website at https://www.sbi.co.in/web/careers and https://www.sbi.co.in for any official announcements regarding the SBI PO 2026 recruitment.