The State Bank of India (SBI), the nation’s largest commercial banking institution, has officially announced the engagement of 6,160 Apprentices under the Apprentices Act 1961 for the 2026 financial training cycle. This nationwide program provides young graduates with practical banking operations exposure, financial inclusion training, and customer service experience along with a handsome monthly stipend and weightage in future SBI Junior Associate recruitments.
Below is a comprehensive handbook detailing state-wise allocations, local language mandates, the single-phase online written examination scheme, stipend structure, and online registration instructions.
SBI Apprentice 2026: Executive Overview
| Recruitment Feature | Official Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Programme Name | Engagement of Apprentices under Apprentices Act, 1961 |
| Total Openings | 6,160 Training Positions Across All States & UTs |
| Training Duration | 1 Year (Structured On-the-Job Banking Training) |
| Monthly Stipend | ₹15,000/- per month (Fixed for 1 Year Period) |
| Selection Mode | Online Written Test (100 Marks) ➔ Test of Local Language ➔ Medical Examination |
| Official Portal | sbi.co.in/careers / bank.sbi/careers |
State-Wise Opening Breakdown (Major Circles)
| State / UT | Local Language Specified | Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | Hindi / Urdu | 412 |
| Maharashtra | Marathi | 466 |
| Gujarat | Gujarati | 291 |
| Rajasthan | Hindi | 925 |
| Bihar & Jharkhand | Hindi / Urdu / Santhali | 345 |
| Tamil Nadu & Puducherry | Tamil | 648 |
| Punjab, Haryana & HP | Punjabi / Hindi | 615 |
| West Bengal | Bengali / Nepali | 328 |
| Other States & UTs | Respective Official Languages | 2,130 |
| Grand Total | All India | 6,160 |
Eligibility: Academic & Age Parameters
- Educational Qualification: Graduation from a recognized University / Institute in any stream (Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, etc.) as of the cutoff date.
- Age Limit: Minimum 20 years and Maximum 28 years.
- SC/ST candidates: 5 years age relaxation (up to 33 years).
- OBC candidates: 3 years age relaxation (up to 31 years).
- PwBD candidates: 10 to 15 years relaxation based on category.
- Local Language Proficiency: Candidates applying for vacancies of a particular State must be proficient (reading, writing, speaking, and understanding) in the specified local language of that State. Candidates who have studied the local language in 10th or 12th standard are exempted from the language test upon submitting mark sheets.
SBI Apprentice Online Examination Pattern (100 Marks / 60 Mins)
The online examination consists of objective questions with individual sectional timing:
| Section / Test | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / Financial Awareness | 25 | 25 | 15 Minutes |
| General English | 25 | 25 | 15 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 15 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 15 Minutes |
| Total | 100 Questions | 100 Marks |
Negative marking: 1/4th (0.25) of the mark assigned to that question will be deducted for each incorrect answer. The question paper is bilingual (English and regional state language).
Benefits & Weightage for Apprentices
- Stipend: Fixed stipend of ₹15,000/- per month throughout the 1-year training period.
- SBI Junior Associate Weightage: Apprentices who successfully complete their training are eligible for relaxation in upper age limit and preferential weightage/bonus marks in the recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) in SBI.
How to Apply Online for SBI Apprentice
- Go to sbi.co.in/careers or bank.sbi/careers.
- Open Current Openings and locate Engagement of Apprentices under Apprentices Act, 1961.
- Complete Part-I Registration using basic personal and communication details.
- Upload scanned photograph, signature, left thumb impression, and hand-written declaration.
- Select your target state, district preferences, and local language declaration.
- Pay the registration fee of ₹300 (SC/ST/PwBD candidates are exempt from fee payment).
- Download the e-receipt and printable application form for reference.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is SBI Apprentice a permanent job in the bank?
No. This is a 1-year apprenticeship engagement under the Apprentices Act 1961. It is not an offer of permanent employment in SBI; however, trainees receive an official certificate from BFSI SSC / SBI and bonus weightage in future SBI Clerk selections.
Q2: Can I apply for vacancies in a state other than my home state?
Yes, you can apply for vacancies in any state, provided you are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking the specified local language of that chosen state.
Q3: Can candidates who have completed apprenticeship elsewhere apply?
No. Candidates who have already undergone apprenticeship training in any organization or have more than 1 year of post-qualification work experience are not eligible.
Q4: Is there an interview for SBI Apprentice?
No, there is no interview. Selection is made 100% on the basis of online written test scores and passing the qualifying Local Language Test.
Ram Avtar is the Founder and Lead Career Analyst at Govt Results Alert. With over 6 years of experience analyzing Government Recruitment Notifications, SSC, Banking, and Railway examination patterns, he leads our fact-checking team to deliver authentic, timely, and verified job alerts directly from official government gazettes.
