SBI Begins Accepting Applications for 7,150 Apprentice Vacancies — Everything You Need to Know Right Now
If you have been waiting for a golden entry point into India’s largest public sector bank, your wait is officially over. The State Bank of India has released its recruitment notification to fill 7,150 new vacancies for Apprentice posts, and candidates can apply online from May 19, 2026, to June 8, 2026, through the official SBI website. That gives you just three weeks. No pressure — but also, yes, some pressure.
Let us break down every important detail so you do not miss a thing.
What Is the SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?
SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is a one-year apprenticeship training programme under the Apprenticeship Act, 1961, for engagement of 7,150 apprentices in State Bank of India branches and offices across various States and Union Territories. It is a training position with a fixed monthly stipend of ₹15,000 and does not provide any guarantee of permanent employment in SBI after completion of the apprenticeship period.
So yes, it is not a permanent job. But here is what smart candidates know — it is one of the best ways to get your foot through the door of India’s number one bank.
The apprentices who successfully complete the training will receive weightage and relaxation in the recruitment process for Junior Associates in SBI. That alone makes this opportunity worth every rupee of the application fee.
Key Highlights at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Organisation | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Advertisement No. | CRPD/APPR/2026-27/07 |
| Total Vacancies | 7,150 |
| Application Start | May 19, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | June 8, 2026 |
| Monthly Stipend | ₹15,000 |
| Training Duration | 1 Year |
| Application Fee | ₹300 (SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-SM: Nil) |
| Official Website | sbi.co.in |
Who Can Apply? Eligibility Criteria Explained
Before you rush to fill the form, make sure you tick all the right boxes. SBI is not the kind of institution that forgives eligibility mistakes.
Educational Qualification
Candidates must possess a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university or institute recognised by the Government of India. Arts, Science, Commerce — any stream works. If you have a degree, you are eligible on the education front.
Age Limit
The age limit for SBI Apprentice 2026 is a minimum of 20 years and a maximum of 28 years as of the eligibility date. Age relaxation is applicable for categories like SC/ST, OBC (NCL), and PwBD as per Government of India norms.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
|---|---|
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| PwBD (General) | 10 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
| Ex-Servicemen | As per Govt. rules |
Nationality
Candidates must be a citizen of India or fall under the categories specified under the Apprentices Act, 1961. Read the official notification for the complete nationality conditions.
Application Fee — How Much Does It Cost?
The application fee for SBI Apprentice 2026 is ₹300 for all candidates except SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen, who are exempted from paying any fee. The fee can be paid online only using debit card, credit card, net banking, or UPI during the application process on the official SBI careers portal.
Three hundred rupees. For a shot at working inside India’s biggest bank, that is practically free.
How to Apply for SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026
The process is fully online. No queues, no post offices, no drama. Here is the step-by-step flow:
- Visit the official SBI careers page at sbi.co.in/web/careers/current-openings
- Find Advertisement No. CRPD/APPR/2026-27/07 and click on the application link
- Register on the NAPS portal at apprenticeshipindia.gov.in as part of the process
- Fill in the online application form with personal and academic details
- Upload your photograph, signature, and required documents
- Pay the application fee online
- Submit and save the confirmation page
One important note — the vacancy distribution varies from state to state, and candidates must go through the detailed notification before applying to know which state they should apply for.
SBI Apprentice 2026 Exam Pattern — What to Expect
The SBI Apprentice 2026 online written exam is an objective-type test consisting of 100 questions for 100 marks with a total duration of 60 minutes, divided into four sections of 15 minutes each. There is negative marking of one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question for every wrong answer.
The four sections are:
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 15 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 25 | 25 | 15 minutes |
| General English | 25 | 25 | 15 minutes |
| General/Financial Awareness | 25 | 25 | 15 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Except for the test of General English, questions for the written examination are set in 13 regional languages — Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Oriya, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, and Urdu — in addition to English and Hindi.
That is genuinely thoughtful. SBI is meeting candidates in their own language, not the other way around.
Selection Process — Step by Step
The selection process includes an Online Written Test, Local Language Test, and Medical Examination.
Here is how it flows:
Step 1 — Online Written Examination The CBE (Computer Based Examination) tests your reasoning, quant, English, and awareness skills.
Step 2 — Local Language Test Candidates need to prove proficiency in the local language of the state they are applying for. This is not a formality — it matters.
Step 3 — Medical Examination Standard fitness check conducted by SBI-approved medical authorities.
SBI prepares the merit list state-wise and category-wise. If two candidates score the same marks, the older candidate gets a higher rank in the merit list.
The exam is tentatively scheduled for July 2026, and candidates can select their preferred examination city while filling out the form. SBI can add or cancel any examination centre if required, and no request for exam centre change will be accepted afterwards.
Monthly Stipend and What You Actually Get
Apprentices are eligible for a stipend of ₹15,000 per month for the engagement period of one year. Apprentices are not eligible for any other allowances or benefits.
It is not a salary package with perks. But ₹15,000 a month plus hands-on banking training in India’s largest public sector bank? That is a resume entry worth its weight in gold.
Why This Opportunity Matters More Than You Think
The SBI Apprentice programme is not just a job. It is a launchpad. Since a large number of vacancies have been announced, the competition is expected to be high. For context, in 2023 SBI released 6,160 apprentice vacancies. This year’s 7,150 is the highest batch in recent years.
Fresh graduates who skip this will likely regret it when their peers walk into SBI Junior Associate interviews with actual branch experience on their CV.
Important Dates — Do Not Miss These
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Released | May 19, 2026 |
| Application Window Opens | May 19, 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | June 8, 2026 |
| Online Examination (Tentative) | July 2026 |
Quick reminder: Applications submitted after June 8, 2026, will not be entertained. The system closes. That is it.
Useful Official Links
- Apply Online: sbi.co.in/web/careers/current-openings
- NAPS Registration: apprenticeshipindia.gov.in
- Official Notification PDF: Available on the SBI Careers portal under Advertisement No. CRPD/APPR/2026-27/07
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How many vacancies are there in SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026? A total of 7,150 vacancies have been announced by the State Bank of India for the Apprentice post under the Apprenticeship Act, 1961.
Q2. What is the last date to apply for SBI Apprentice 2026? The last date to submit the online application is June 8, 2026.
Q3. Is SBI Apprentice a permanent government job? No. This is a one-year apprenticeship training programme, not a permanent job. However, it provides weightage in future SBI recruitment.
Q4. What is the monthly stipend for SBI Apprentices? Selected candidates receive a monthly stipend of ₹15,000 during the one-year training period.
Q5. Can Arts graduates apply? Yes. A graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university is sufficient. Stream does not matter.
Q6. Is there negative marking in the exam? Yes. One-fourth of the marks assigned to a question will be deducted for each wrong answer. Avoid guessing blindly.
Q7. Can I apply for more than one state? Each candidate can apply for engagement in only one State/UT as per the detailed notification. Choose wisely.
Q8. What is the application fee? The application fee is ₹300 for general candidates. SC/ST/PwBD/Ex-Servicemen are fully exempted from paying any fee.
Final Word
The SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is a legitimate, structured opportunity backed by the government’s Apprentices Act. It is well-documented, fairly transparent, and gives young graduates real exposure to banking operations. If you meet the eligibility criteria, applying is a no-brainer.
Do not overthink it. Fill the form before June 8, prepare seriously for the July exam, and give yourself a real shot at building a career inside one of the most respected financial institutions in Asia.
The window is open. Use it.
Sources: SBI Official Careers Portal (sbi.co.in), Adda247, Testbook, FreeJobAlert, Bankersadda — all verified as of May 19, 2026.
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