The State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest public sector bank, has officially launched the Circle Based Officer (CBO) recruitment drive for 2026. This targeted recruitment aims to hire experienced banking professionals for supervisory and business-oriented roles at the circle level, focusing on credit processing, business development, customer relationship management, and rural/semi-urban banking operations.
The official notification (Advertisement No. CRPD/CBO/2025-26/18) was released on January 28, 2026, with online applications open from January 29, 2026, to February 18, 2026. The recruitment offers a total of 2,273 vacancies (2,050 regular + 223 backlog), making it one of the largest officer-level drives in SBI for experienced candidates this year.
Key Highlights
- Post Name: Circle Based Officer (CBO) – Junior Management Grade Scale-I (JMGS-I)
- Total Vacancies: 2,273 (2,050 Regular + 223 Backlog)
- Advertisement No.: CRPD/CBO/2025-26/18
- Organization: State Bank of India
- Job Location: Assigned to specific SBI Circles across India (candidates must be proficient in the local language of the chosen circle; postings are non-transferable outside the circle initially)
- Official Website: www.sbi.co.in → Careers → Current Openings
- Application Portal: Direct link via SBI careers or IBPS registration portal (ibpsreg.ibps.in/sbicbonov25)
- Application Mode: Online only
Important Dates
- Notification Release: January 28, 2026
- Online Registration & Application Start: January 29, 2026
- Last Date for Online Application & Fee Payment: February 18, 2026
- Online Exam (Tentative): March 2026
- Admit Card Release: Expected early March 2026 (via registered email/SBI portal)
- Interview & Other Stages: To be notified after online exam results
- Final Result & Appointment: Expected in mid-2026
Eligibility Criteria
This recruitment is specifically for candidates with banking experience; freshers are not eligible.
- Educational Qualification: Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university or equivalent qualification recognized by the Central Government (including Integrated Dual Degree).
- Work Experience: Minimum 2 years of post-qualification experience as an officer in any Scheduled Commercial Bank or Regional Rural Bank (as listed in the Second Schedule of RBI). Experience must be as on December 31, 2025.
- Age Limit (as on notification cutoff, typically January/February 2026): 21 to 30 years (relaxations: SC/ST – 5 years, OBC – 3 years, PwBD – 10 years, Ex-Servicemen – as per rules).
- Local Language Proficiency: Mandatory reading, writing, and speaking proficiency in the local language of the applied circle (may be tested during selection).
- Nationality: Indian citizen.
Note: Proof of experience (appointment letters, experience certificates, etc.) is mandatory during document verification.
Vacancy Distribution
Vacancies are circle-wise and category-wise (UR/SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwBD). Major circles include:
- Amaravati, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Patna, Thiruvananthapuram, etc.
- Backlog vacancies (223) are distributed across circles, often in reserved categories.
Exact circle-wise, post-wise, and category-wise breakup is detailed in the official notification PDF (available on sbi.co.in).
Salary and Benefits
- Pay Scale: ₹48,480 – ₹85,920 (JMGS-I scale with annual increments)
- Basic Pay (Starting): ₹48,480 per month
- In-Hand Salary: Approximately ₹90,000+ per month (including Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, City Compensatory Allowance, special allowances, etc., varying by posting location)
- Perks: Medical benefits, pension under NPS, leave fare concession, housing/lease facilities, performance-linked incentives, and other SBI officer-level benefits.
- Probation: Typically 2 years, with confirmation based on performance.
The role offers strong career progression within SBI, with opportunities to move into higher managerial grades.
Selection Process
The process is multi-stage and highly competitive:
- Online Written Examination (Objective type, 200 marks):
- Sections: Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, English Language, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, Professional Knowledge (credit, banking operations, etc.).
- Duration: 2–3 hours (tentative).
- Negative marking: May apply (check notification).
- Screening of Applications: Based on eligibility, experience, and other criteria.
- Interview: For shortlisted candidates (weightage for online test + interview).
- Focus: Banking knowledge, experience, personality, communication, and local language skills.
- Local Language Proficiency Test (if required for the circle).
Final merit list combines online test + interview scores. Document verification and medical examination follow for selected candidates.
Application Process & Fee
- Visit sbi.co.in/web/careers → Current Openings → Recruitment of Circle Based Officer.
- Register with basic details (name, mobile, email) to get registration ID/password.
- Fill the online form, select preferred circle (only one allowed).
- Upload scanned documents: Photo, signature, left thumb impression, handwritten declaration, experience certificates, etc.
- Pay the application fee online.
- Submit and print the application.
Application Fee:
- General/OBC/EWS: ₹750 (approx.)
- SC/ST/PwBD: Exempted (₹0)
Preparation Tips
- Focus on banking awareness, current affairs, credit policies, numerical ability, and reasoning.
- Review RBI guidelines, banking products, and previous CBO papers.
- Practice mock tests (professional knowledge carries high weightage).
- Ensure local language readiness for your preferred circle.
This is a prestigious opportunity to join India’s leading bank with excellent pay, stability, and growth. With 2,273 vacancies and the deadline on February 18, 2026, eligible candidates should apply immediately—server issues are common near closing dates!
Always refer to the official SBI CBO Notification PDF (Advertisement No. CRPD/CBO/2025-26/18) on www.sbi.co.in for the most accurate vacancy tables, detailed eligibility, syllabus, and guidelines. The direct apply link is active on the SBI careers page.
Good luck with your application! If you need specifics (e.g., circle-wise vacancies or preparation strategy), provide more details.
