The SBI PO syllabus 2026 has been officially outlined by the State Bank of India for the recruitment of Probationary Officers. The selection process is divided into three phases: Prelims, Mains, and Interview. A clear understanding of the SBI PO syllabus 2026 and exam pattern is essential for aspirants aiming to crack one of India’s most competitive banking exams. This article breaks down each phase with section-wise topics and preparation tips.
SBI PO Exam Pattern 2026
The SBI PO syllabus 2026 is framed across three stages—Preliminary, Mains, and Group Exercise & Interview. Each phase tests candidates on different skill sets.
Phase I – Preliminary Examination
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 mins |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 mins |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 mins |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 Hour |
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Objective type
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0.25 negative marking for each wrong answer
Phase II – Mains Examination
Objective Test
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 50 | 50 mins |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 50 | 45 mins |
| General Awareness (Economy/Banking) | 50 | 60 | 45 mins |
| English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 mins |
Descriptive Test
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English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) – 2 Questions – 50 Marks – 30 minutes
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Total Duration: 3 hours + 30 minutes
Phase III – Group Exercise and Interview
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Group Discussion: 20 Marks
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Interview: 30 Marks
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Total: 50 Marks
The final merit list is based on marks in Mains (Objective + Descriptive) and Interview round.
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Detailed SBI PO Syllabus 2026 – Section-wise Topics
The SBI PO syllabus 2026 covers a wide range of topics across quantitative, reasoning, general awareness, and English sections. Here’s the detailed breakdown:
English Language
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Reading Comprehension
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Cloze Test
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Para Jumbles
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Fill in the Blanks
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Error Spotting
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Vocabulary & Grammar
Quantitative Aptitude
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Number Series
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Simplification/Approximation
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Data Interpretation
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Profit & Loss
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Time & Work
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Speed, Time, Distance
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Mensuration
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Probability & Permutation
Reasoning Ability
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Seating Arrangement
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Puzzle
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Blood Relations
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Coding-Decoding
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Input-Output
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Syllogism
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Direction Sense
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Logical Reasoning
Computer Aptitude (Merged with Reasoning)
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Basics of Hardware and Software
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Networking
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Internet and Web Technologies
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Microsoft Office Tools
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Logic Gates
General/Economy/Banking Awareness
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Current Affairs (National & International)
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Static GK
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Banking Terminologies
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RBI Policies
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Budget & Economic Survey
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Financial Awareness
The SBI PO syllabus 2026 also includes a descriptive writing test in the Mains exam, which assesses your written communication skills in English.
Recommended Books for SBI PO 2026 Preparation (Available on Amazon)
Here are some trusted books that align with the SBI PO syllabus 2026:
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English Language
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Objective General English by S.P. Bakshi
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Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
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Quantitative Aptitude
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Quantitative Aptitude for Competitive Exams by R.S. Aggarwal
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Fast Track Objective Arithmetic by Rajesh Verma
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Reasoning Ability
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A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning by R.S. Aggarwal
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Analytical Reasoning by M.K. Pandey
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General Awareness
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Banking Awareness by Arihant Experts
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Lucent’s General Knowledge
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Descriptive Writing
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Descriptive English by S.P. Bakshi & Richa Sharma
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Practice papers for Essay & Letter Writing (Bank PO focused)
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These resources are ideal for covering the complete SBI PO syllabus 2026 and building conceptual clarity.
FAQs on SBI PO Syllabus 2026
Q1. Has there been any change in the SBI PO syllabus 2026?
No major changes have been announced; the syllabus remains consistent with previous years, focusing on aptitude, reasoning, English, and general awareness.
Q2. How important is the descriptive test in SBI PO Mains?
The descriptive paper carries 50 marks and plays a significant role in shortlisting candidates for the interview round.
Q3. Is computer aptitude a separate section?
No, computer aptitude is merged with reasoning in the Mains exam.
Q4. Which is the scoring section in SBI PO Prelims?
English and Reasoning are often scoring if practiced well, as they have a predictable pattern.
Q5. Is there sectional cutoff in SBI PO exam?
Yes, both sectional and overall cutoffs apply in Prelims and Mains.