State Bank of India will conduct the SBI Apprentice online exam on 11th July 2026 for candidates who applied against the official notification (CRPD/APPR/2026-27/07) released on 19th May 2026. This single-stage online test is the first and most important step in the selection process for 7,150 apprentice vacancies announced across 34 states and union territories. The admit card for this exam is expected to be released shortly before the test date on SBI’s official careers portal, and candidates are advised to keep checking the website regularly for the call letter and any further updates.
This article covers the complete exam schedule, pattern, selection process, eligibility, and salary details for SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026.
SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 at a Glance
Before going into the exam-specific details, it helps to understand the recruitment drive as a whole. SBI is engaging apprentices under the Apprenticeship Act, 1961 this is a structured training engagement, not a regular bank job.
SBI Apprentice 2026 Important Dates
This section lists every key date in the SBI Apprentice 2026 recruitment cycle, from notification release to the exam date, so candidates can track each stage without missing a deadline.
With the exam date now set, candidates have a defined preparation window and should focus their remaining time on mock tests and revision rather than waiting further for schedule updates.
SBI Apprentice 2026 Exam Pattern
Knowing the exam pattern in detail is essential for structuring preparation ahead of the 11th July 2026 exam date. SBI conducts a single-stage online objective exam for apprentice selection.
Key features of the exam pattern:
- The exam consists of 100 objective-type (MCQ) questions worth 100 marks.
- Total duration is 1 hour, split into 4 sections of 15 minutes each.
- Questions are available in both English and Hindi.
- Negative marking applies: 1/4th mark is deducted for every wrong answer.
- There is no penalty for unattempted questions.
SBI Apprentice 2026 Selection Process
Once the exam is conducted on 11th July 2026, candidates move through a defined set of stages before final selection. This section breaks down each step in order.
Candidates who clear the online exam will be called for the Local Language Test, which checks their ability to read, write, and speak the official language of the state/UT they applied for. Candidates who studied the local language at the Class 10 or 12 level are exempted from this stage.
SBI Apprentice 2026 Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility is verified during document checks, so it’s worth reviewing these requirements while you prepare for the exam.
Age Limit
Candidates must be between 20 and 28 years old as of 1st April 2026. Age relaxation applies as follows:
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years
- PwBD (General): 10 years
- PwBD (SC/ST): 13 years
- PwBD (OBC): 15 years
Educational Qualification
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree from a recognised University or Institute.
SBI Apprentice 2026 Salary and Apprenticeship Duration
A common question among applicants is what they will earn and for how long the engagement lasts. This section answers both in brief.
Selected apprentices will receive a monthly stipend of Rs. 15,000 with no other allowances or benefits. The apprenticeship period runs for one year, and SBI is not obligated to offer permanent employment after this term ends. As per the notification, apprentices are relieved from their position after completion of three years from the date of appointment.
SBI Apprentice 2026 Exam Centres
The online exam on 11th July 2026 will be conducted across multiple cities covering all states and union territories where vacancies have been announced, including major centres such as Delhi NCR, Mumbai/Thane, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Patna, Jaipur, Bhopal, and Guwahati, among others. The exact exam city allotted will be mentioned on the admit card.
How to Prepare for the SBI Apprentice Exam Before 11th July 2026
With the exam date now confirmed, candidates have a clear timeline to plan their preparation. A focused approach across all four sections Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Quantitative Aptitude, General English, and General/Financial Awareness is essential given the strict 15-minutes-per-section time limit and negative marking rule. Practicing sectional mock tests under timed conditions, along with daily current affairs revision for the Financial Awareness section, can help candidates build both accuracy and speed before exam day.