State Bank of India has launched a Special Recruitment Drive specifically to clear pending SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies for Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) — 1538 posts spread across nearly every state in the country. This isn't a general recruitment cycle; unlike SBI's regular clerk drives, every single seat here is earmarked for these three reserved categories, with Gujarat's ST quota alone accounting for the single largest chunk.

Complete Circle-Wise, State-Wise Vacancy & Local Language Table

Gujarat's ST quota (289 posts) is the single biggest block in this entire drive — more than double the next largest, Maharashtra's 165 ST posts.

*Candidate must opt for ONE language at the time of application, for the Local Language Test. $Candidates applying for Uttar Pradesh should note the state falls under Lucknow Circle only; Maharashtra candidates should check operational areas via SBI's Branch Locator before choosing Maharashtra Circle or Mumbai Metro Circle.

Who Is NOT Eligible

• Candidates currently working in SBI's Clerical cadre
• Candidates who were previously employed in SBI's clerical cadre and resigned
• Candidates with an adverse report regarding character, antecedents, or moral turpitude

PwBD Eligibility (No Horizontal Reservation, But Age/Fee Concessions Apply)

The post is identified suitable for the following Benchmark Disability categories under the RPwD Act 2016. Note: this drive carries NO horizontal reservation for PwBD candidates — only age and fee concessions apply.

Candidates seeking concessions must submit a valid Disability Certificate, dated on or before the last date of registration, from a Medical Authority or notified Competent Authority.

Scribe & Compensatory Time

• Scribe facility is available to candidates with 40% or more disability who have a physical limitation affecting writing, including speed — must be indicated in the online application.
• Compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour is available whether or not a scribe is used.
• Both candidate and scribe must submit a suitable undertaking, in prescribed format with the scribe's photograph, at the time of examination.
• Candidates must arrange their own scribe, at their own cost.
• A scribe's qualification must be one step below the candidate's own qualification level.
• If a scribe is found independently answering questions at any stage, the exam session is terminated and the candidature is cancelled — even if discovered after the exam.

Preliminary Examination — Full Structure

Main Examination — Full Structure

Local Language Proficiency Test (LLPT) — Structure

Waived entirely for candidates who can produce a 10th or 12th standard mark sheet/certificate showing they studied the specified opted local language.

Ex-Servicemen Category — Documentation Rules

• Candidates released/retired from Armed Forces need Proforma-A (if they don't have a discharge certificate).
• Serving candidates applying under Ex-Servicemen category need Proforma-B, confirming their Specific Period of Engagement (SPE) completes on or before 31-08-2027.
• Candidates using Proforma-B must also submit a self-declaration (Proforma-C) and their actual release letter at joining.
• Serving personnel who've completed their initial engagement and are on extended assignment need Proforma-D — such candidates, if selected, must get released and join on or before 31-10-2027.
• Territorial Army Personnel are treated as Ex-Servicemen with effect from 15-11-1986.
• An Ex-Serviceman who has already availed re-employment benefits once in a government civil job has their status governed separately, per Government of India rules dated 14-08-2014.

Exam-Day Rules Worth Knowing

• No hard copy of the call letter (Preliminary or Main) will be sent by post — download it online, tentatively 10 days before the exam date.
• Candidates must bring one photo ID proof (Passport/Aadhaar/PAN/Driving License/Voter's Card/Bank Passbook) with duly attested photograph, in original plus a self-attested photocopy.
• Two additional photographs (same as pasted on the call letter) must be carried to the exam — candidates without this will NOT be allowed to appear.
• Mobile phones, pagers, smart watches, calculators, or any communication/storage device are strictly banned inside the exam premises, even if switched off.
• The Bank may capture thumb impression or IRIS biometric data at various stages; any inconsistency can lead to rejection of candidature.
• No request for change of examination centre, date, or session is entertained under any circumstance.

Medium of Examination by State (Sample)

Full 21-state medium list, and the complete tentative exam centre list across all 45 State/UT codes, are provided in Annexure-I of the official notification.

A structural point worth remembering throughout this process: your candidature will only be considered against the vacancies of the specific State/UT you apply for — you can appear for the exam from any notified centre, but the local language test must be taken at a centre within your applied state, at your own expense. And since existing or previously-resigned SBI clerical staff are barred from applying, this drive is genuinely aimed at fresh entrants into the reserved-category backlog, not at internal movement within the bank.

Disclaimer: Based on SBI Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16 dated 07.08.2026. Vacancies are provisional and may vary based on the Bank's actual requirement. Candidates should verify complete eligibility, exam centres, and updates on the official SBI careers website before applying.