Overview
State Bank of India (SBI) is the largest public sector banks in India. It conducts various recruitment drives to hire employees for different posts. One such post is that of Probationary Officer (PO). The State Bank of India Probationary Officer (SBI PO) is a highly competitive exam that is conducted every year to recruit young and dynamic candidates for the post of Probationary Officer in the State Bank of India. The SBI PO is one of the most sought-after bank exams in India and attracts thousands of candidates every year. In this blog, we will discuss everything you need to know about SBI PO, including the exam pattern, syllabus, eligibility criteria, and more.
Eligibility Criteria:
1. Educational Qualification: Candidates must have a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognized university or institute. Those who are in the final year of their graduation are also eligible to apply, but their final result should be declared on or before the cut-off date mentioned in the notification.
2. Age Limit: Candidates must be between 21 and 30 years of age as on the cut-off date mentioned in the notification. Age relaxation is provided to candidates belonging to certain categories as per government norms. The category-wise age relaxation is as follows:
– SC/ST: 5 years
– OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years
– PWD (General): 10 years
– PWD (OBC): 13 years
– PWD (SC/ST): 15 years
– Ex-Servicemen, Commissioned Officers including Emergency Commissioned Officers (ECOs)/ Short Service Commissioned Officers (SSCOs) who have rendered 5 years military service and have been released on completion of assignment: 5 years
3. Nationality: Candidates must be Indian citizens, or subject of Nepal/Bhutan, or Tibetan refugees who came to India before January 1, 1962, with the intention of permanently settling in India, or persons of Indian origin (PIO) who have migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, East African countries of Kenya, Uganda, the United Republic of Tanzania (formerly Tanganyika and Zanzibar), Zambia, Malawi, Zaire, Ethiopia and Vietnam with the intention of permanently settling in India.
4. Number of Attempts: There is a limit on the number of attempts a candidate can make for the SBI PO exam. The category-wise attempt limits are as follows:
– General/EWS: 4 attempts
– OBC: 7 attempts
– SC/ST: No limit
It is important to note that candidates who have already appeared for the maximum number of attempts allowed are not eligible to apply for the exam again.
Candidates who meet the above eligibility criteria can apply for the SBI PO exam. However, it is important to thoroughly read the notification and understand the eligibility criteria before applying, as any candidate found ineligible at any stage of the recruitment process will be disqualified.
The preliminary examination of the SBI PO exam will comprise of Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude and English Language. Here is the detailed syllabus of the SBI PO Prelims exam:
Exam Pattern
SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern
| S.No. | Name of Subjects | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| 1 | English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| 2 | Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| 3 | Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 hour | |
The Mains Examination of SBI PO exam 2023 will constitute 4 sections: Reasoning + Computer Aptitude, English Language, Data Analysis & Interpretation and General/Economy/Banking Awareness. The complete SBI PO Mains syllabus is discussed below:
SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern
| S.No. | Name of Subjects | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
| 1 | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 50 | 50 minutes |
| 2 | Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| 3 | General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| 4 | English Language | 35 | 40 | 40 minutes |
| Total | 155 | 200 | 3 hours | |
Syllabus
SBI PO Syllabus for Prelims Exam
The section-wise topics from which the SBI will ask questions in SBI PO Prelims Exam has been tabulated below.
The subject-wise topics that need to be covered for preparing for SBI PO Mains Exam
| Quantitative Aptitude Syllabus | Reasoning Syllabus | English Syllabus | |||
| Simplification/ Approximation | Alphanumeric Series | Reading Comprehension | |||
| Profit & Loss | Directions | Fill in the blanks | |||
| Mixtures & Alligations | Logical Reasoning | Cloze Test | |||
| Permutation, Combination & Probability | Data Sufficiency | Para jumbles | |||
| Work & Time | Ranking & Order | Vocabulary | |||
| Sequence & Series | Alphabet Test | Paragraph Completion | |||
| Simple Interest & Compound Interest | Seating Arrangement | Multiple Meaning /Error Spotting | |||
| Surds & Indices | Coded Inequalities | Sentence Completion | |||
| Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere | Puzzle | Tenses Rules | |||
| Time & Distance | Syllogism | ||||
| Data Interpretation | Blood Relations | ||||
| Ratio & Proportion | Coding-Decoding | ||||
| Number Systems | Input-Output | ||||
| Percentage | Tabulation | ||||
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | Reasoning | General/Economy/Banking Awareness | English Language | Computer | |
| Tabular Graph | Verbal Reasoning | Current Affairs | Reading Comprehension | Internet | |
| Line Graph | Syllogism | Financial Awareness | Grammar | Memory | |
| Bar Graph | Circular Seating Arrangement | General Knowledge | Verbal Ability | Keyboard Shortcuts | |
| Charts & Tables | Linear Seating Arrangement | Static Awareness | Vocabulary | Computer Abbreviation | |
| Missing Case DI | Double Lineup | Banking Terminologies Knowledge | Sentence Improvement | Microsoft Office | |
| Radar Graph Caselet | Scheduling | Banking Awareness | Word Association | Computer Hardware | |
| Probability | Input Output | Principles of Insurance | Para Jumbles | Computer Software | |
| Data Sufficiency | Blood Relations | Error Spotting | Computer Fundamentals /Terminologies | ||
| Let it Case DI | Directions and Distances | Cloze Test | Networking | ||
| Permutation and Combination | Ordering and Ranking | Fill in the blanks | Number System | ||
| Pie Charts | Data Sufficiency | Operating System | |||
| Coding and Decoding | Basic of Logic Gates | ||||
| Code Inequalities | |||||
| Course of Action | |||||
| Critical Reasoning | |||||
| Analytical and Decision Making | |||||
How to apply
To apply for SBI PO exam, follow the steps given below:
1. Visit the official website of State Bank of India (www.sbi.co.in).
2. Click on the “Careers” tab.
3. Click on the “Join SBI” link under the “Latest Announcements” section.
4. Click on the “Current Openings” link.
5. Click on the “Recruitment of Probationary Officers” link.
6. Click on the “Apply Online” link.
7. Fill in the required details in the application form, such as name, date of birth, address, educational qualifications, etc.
8. Upload your photograph and signature as per the specifications mentioned in the form.
9. Pay the application fee using net banking, debit card, or credit card.
10. Submit the application form.
After submitting the application form, you will receive a confirmation email and SMS from SBI. Keep a copy of the application form and fee receipt for future reference.