The State Bank of India released the preliminary examination call letters for the Probationary Officer recruitment drive filling 1,500 vacancies on July 24, 2026. Registered candidates can download their SBI PO Prelims admit cards from the official portal ahead of the online examination scheduled across national test centers in August 2026.
MUMBAI, India — State Bank of India (SBI) released the official call letters on July 24, 2026, for the upcoming Probationary Officer preliminary examinations aimed at filling 1,500 positions across its countrywide branch network.
Candidates who completed registration for the national recruitment drive can access their admit cards via the official bank career portal. The issuing of examination passes marks the critical transition to the preliminary testing stage, which is scheduled to take place at designated computer-based testing centers across the country throughout August 2026.
Access Credentials and Hall Ticket Download Procedure
According to official guidelines issued by the Central Recruitment and Promotion Department (CRPD), candidates must log in using their registration credentials to generate the admit card document.
The bank confirmed that individual physical call letters will not be dispatched via postal mail. Aspirants are required to bring a printed copy of the admit card along with a valid, original government-issued photo identification card such as an Aadhaar Card, Permanent Account Number (PAN) Card, Voter ID, or Passport to their assigned examination venue.
Preliminary Examination Pattern and Selection Stages
The preliminary evaluation serves as an initial screening test to shortlist candidates for the Phase II Main Examination. According to recruitment notifications, the online examination features a 100-mark objective test structured into three timed sections:
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 Minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 Minutes |
Negative marking will be enforced during the objective phase, with 0.25 marks deducted for every incorrect response. Candidates qualifying the preliminary milestone will advance to the comprehensive written main exam and subsequent psychometric tests, group exercises, and personal interviews.
Official Sources Section
Recruitment notifications, examination rules, and call letter access frameworks have been verified against official announcements published by public sector authorities:
Quote Section
"According to officials at the Central Recruitment and Promotion Department, candidate verification procedures will strictly require physical hall tickets accompanied by matching original identity proof at all examination entry gates."
Why It Matters
For Job Applicants: Securing the call letter early permits candidates to verify testing locations, reporting timeframes, and personal detail accuracy before exam day.
For Banking Operations: Filling 1,500 Probationary Officer roles helps address managerial staffing requirements across state-owned bank branches.
For Public Sector Recruitment: Represents one of the largest competitive public sector banking recruitment cycles of the financial year.
Key Facts at a Glance
Total Vacancies: 1,500 Probationary Officer (PO) positions nationwide.
Admit Card Release Date: Released on July 24, 2026.
Examination Window: August 2026 across multiple shifts.
Selection Process: Phase I (Prelims), Phase II (Mains), and Phase III (Psychometric & Interview).
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can candidates download the SBI PO Prelims admit card?
Applicants can download their preliminary admit cards directly from the official careers section of the bank's portal by entering their registration number and password.
What documents are required at the preliminary exam center?
Candidates must carry a printed hard copy of the admit card, an attached passport-size photograph identical to the one uploaded during application, and an original government-issued photo ID with a photocopy.
Is there sectional timing in the SBI PO preliminary exam?
Yes, each of the three sections English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability has a strict 20-minute operational time limit, totaling 60 minutes for the full paper.
Source: Official notifications, public press statements, and call letter releases published by the State Bank of India and verified against recruitment standards from the Ministry of Finance.