SBI Clerk 2026 Prelims: Exam Dates Confirmed, Admit Card Alert, and Crucial Last-Minute Exam Rules

State Bank of India has set the SBI Clerk 2026 prelims for September 26 and 27. The careers page states, “THE ONLINE PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION IS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR 26.09.2026 & 27.09.2026. CALL LETTERS WILL BE ISSUED IN DUE COURSE.” As of September 20, admit cards are awaited; monitor the SBI Careers portal only.

Aspirants should expect the call letter to show date, shift, reporting time and venue. It must be printed with a pasted recent photo. Keep registration number and password ready for login, and track email or SMS alerts. Avoid third‑party links promising faster downloads; use the official page only.

SBI Clerk 2026 admit card window: what to check

Once live, verify name, photo, signature, exam city and chosen medium immediately. Affix the same photograph uploaded in the form, and carry two extra copies. Bring original photo ID plus one photocopy. Keep the prelims call letter safe, because SBI requires it again at mains reporting.

SBI Clerk 2026 shift rules and ID checklist

Reach the centre well before reporting time; late entry is not allowed. Phones, smartwatches and calculators are banned. Carry a ballpoint pen, glue for affixing photos, and a blue stamp pad for your left thumb impression. Follow invigilator and scribe rules, and note the Public Examinations Act, 2024.

SBI Clerk 2026 prelims pattern and marking scheme

The prelims features three sections over sixty minutes with separate timings. English Language has 30 questions in 20 minutes. Numerical Ability and Reasoning Ability have 35 questions each in 20 minutes. There is negative marking of one‑fourth per wrong answer. Sectionwise marks are not maintained across tests.

SBI Clerk 2026 normalisation and cut‑off cues

The exam runs in multiple shifts, so scores are equated across sessions. Banking tests typically use an equi‑percentile approach, though SBI does not publish the formula. Shortlisting is about ten times the vacancies and merit lists are state‑wise and category‑wise, so cut‑offs vary accordingly.

SBI Clerk 2026 last‑week prep plan

Switch to timed mocks that mirror 20‑minute slots, and review accuracy daily. Prioritise arithmetic basics, single‑variable equations, and short comprehension practice. Finalise a stable attempt order and guess less to control negatives. Lock logistics now: ID photocopies, stamp pad, glue, and early arrival to reduce shift stress.