SBI PO Syllabus
SBI PO Syllabus 2026: The State Bank of India (SBI) Probationary Officer (PO) exam is one of the most prestigious banking recruitment exams in India. For 2026, SBI has announced around 1500 vacancies. The selection process consists of three main stages: Preliminary Examination (qualifying in nature), Main Examination (objective + descriptive), and Group Exercise & Interview. Final merit is based on Mains and Interview scores.
Understanding the detailed SBI PO Syllabus 2026 and revised exam pattern is crucial for targeted preparation. Recent changes include a reduction in the Descriptive Test marks from 50 to 30 and overall Mains marks to 230. There is negative marking of 0.25 for wrong answers in objective tests.
The process filters candidates through progressive difficulty levels. Prelims screens basic aptitude, Mains tests advanced knowledge and awareness, and the final stage evaluates personality and communication. Candidates must qualify each stage to advance. Preparation should start with Prelims topics while building depth for Mains simultaneously.
The selection process of SBI PO (Probationary Officer) consists of 3 stages:
Prelims marks are not counted in final merit, only used for shortlisting.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 40 | 40 | 20 min |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
| Reasoning Ability | 30 | 30 | 20 min |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 min |
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 50 min |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 60 | 45 min |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | 60 | 60 | 45 min |
| English Language | 40 | 20 | 40 min |
| Total | 170 | 200 | 3 Hours |
| Paper Type | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Letter Writing + Essay | 30 | 30 min |
Total Mains = 230 Marks (Objective + Descriptive)
| Stage | Marks |
|---|---|
| Mains | 230 |
| Interview/GD | 50 |
| Final Total | 280 |
This section tests reading skills, grammar, and vocabulary. Key topics include Reading Comprehension (7-10 questions expected), Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Error Spotting, Fill in the Blanks, Sentence Rearrangement, Vocabulary, and Paragraph Completion. Practice diverse passages on banking, economy, and social issues to improve speed and inference skills. Build strong grammar rules for error detection and focus on contextual vocabulary. Regular mock tests help in time management for 20 minutes.
This evaluates numerical ability and problem-solving. Major areas: Simplification/Approximation, Data Interpretation (tables, graphs, caselets), Number Series, Profit & Loss, Ratio & Proportion, Percentage, Time & Work, Time & Distance, Mensuration, Simple & Compound Interest, Mixtures & Alligations, Permutation & Combination, and Probability. Master shortcut techniques for calculations. Practice various DI sets and arithmetic word problems daily. Accuracy is vital to avoid negative marking.
This assesses logical thinking and decision-making. Important topics: Puzzles & Seating Arrangements (linear, circular, floor-based; high weightage), Syllogism, Inequalities, Coding-Decoding, Blood Relations, Alphanumeric Series, Direction Sense, Input-Output, Data Sufficiency, and Ranking/Order. Practice different puzzle variations extensively. Develop quick elimination methods. These topics are scoring if practiced consistently.
This section combines advanced reasoning with basic computer knowledge. Topics: Complex Puzzles & Seating Arrangements (multi-variable, hybrid), Input-Output, Coding-Decoding, Critical Reasoning, Data Sufficiency, Syllogism, Blood Relations, Direction Sense, Inequalities, Machine Input-Output, and Computer topics like Hardware, Software, Networking, MS Office, Internet, and Abbreviations. Expect high-weightage puzzles. Practice critical reasoning for assumption/argument questions. Computer aptitude is usually scoring with basic knowledge.
Focuses on advanced quantitative analysis. Key areas: Data Interpretation (various graphs, caselets, missing DI; high weightage), Data Sufficiency, Number Series, Quadratic Equations, Quantity Comparison, Profit & Loss, Percentage, Ratio, Time & Work, Mensuration, Probability, and Arithmetic-based DI. Develop skills for complex calculations and pattern recognition in DI sets. Integrate arithmetic concepts into DI practice. Time management is key for this 45-minute section.
This tests current knowledge and banking concepts. Cover Current Affairs (last 4-6 months: national/international, awards, schemes), Banking & Financial Awareness, RBI policies, Economy (survey, budget), Government Schemes, Static Banking Terms, Financial Institutions, Reports & Indices, and International Organizations. Read newspapers and monthly capsules daily. Focus on banking developments and economic news for high scoring potential.
Advanced level testing: Reading Comprehension (longer passages), Para Jumbles, Error Spotting, Cloze Test, Fillers, Sentence Improvement, Word Swap, Match the Column, Connectors, Vocabulary, and Phrase Replacement. Emphasis on comprehension, grammar, and writing precision. Practice inference-based questions and complex sentence structures. This section carries lower marks but is important for overall qualification.
Tests communication skills through writing tasks: Email Writing, Situation Analysis, Report Writing, or Precis Writing. Practice formal writing, structure, clarity, and relevance within word limits. Read editorials and practice summarizing for precis. Consistent practice improves coherence and speed.
Candidates qualifying Mains appear for Psychometric Test, Group Exercise (20 marks), and Personal Interview (30 marks). Total 50 marks, with normalized contribution to final merit. This stage evaluates personality, communication, leadership, banking knowledge, and current affairs awareness. Prepare biodata, banking awareness, and situational questions thoroughly. Confidence and clarity matter significantly.
Final merit is based on Mains (230 marks, normalized) + Interview (50 marks, normalized) out of 300, scaled to 100. Focus on consistent mocks, previous year papers, current affairs, and weak area improvement. Allocate time for revision and descriptive practice. Stay updated via official SBI website.
The Descriptive Test is a part of the Mains exam and includes two questions:
It is conducted for 50 marks with a time limit of 30 minutes.
The selection process consists of three stages:
The final merit list is based on the candidate’s performance in the Mains exam and Interview.
To prepare for the SBI PO exam, it’s crucial to select the right books that cover all sections of the syllabus effectively. Here’s a list of recommended books for each section of the SBI PO exam:
These books will help you cover the entire syllabus and improve your understanding of key concepts. Regular practice, mock tests, and staying updated with current affairs are crucial for success in the SBI PO exam.
The syllabus is divided into three stages:
The Prelims exam includes:
Important topics include:
Key topics:
Major topics:
Yes, marks of Prelims are not counted in final merit; it is only a screening test.
Mains includes:
Yes, 0.25 marks are deducted for each wrong answer in objective tests.
The selection process has 3 stages:
Includes:
Yes, recent updates include:
The exam is conducted in online (computer-based) mode for both Prelims and Mains.
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