SBI PO Prelims Expected Cut Off 2026, Check Category-wise Marks

The SBI PO Prelims Exam 2026 has concluded across all shifts, and candidates are now waiting for the release of the expected cut-off and result. Based on the exam analysis, shift-wise difficulty level, candidate feedback, previous years’ cut-off trends, and this year’s competition, we have prepared the SBI PO Prelims Expected Cut Off 2026 to help aspirants estimate their chances of qualifying for the next stage.

SBI PO Prelims Expected Cut Off 2026

The SBI PO Prelims Expected Cut Off 2026 has been prepared based on the overall difficulty level of all exam shifts, candidate feedback, previous years’ cut-off trends, the number of vacancies, and this year’s competition. While the official cut-off will be released along with the SBI PO Prelims Result 2026, expected in the last week of August or the first week of September 2026, these expected scores will help candidates assess their chances of qualifying for the Mains examination and plan their preparation accordingly.

Is 70+ Marks a Safe Score in SBI PO?

Whether 70+ marks is a safe score depends on the candidate’s category and the final cut off released by SBI. Based on the expected cut off, here is what candidates can expect:

• General (UR): 67 – 72 marks is expected to be the safe range. A score of exactly 70 may be on the borderline.
• EWS: Candidates scoring 67+ marks are expected to have a good chance of qualifying.
• OBC: A score of 70+ marks is likely to be considered a safe score based on the expected cut off.
• SC: Candidates scoring 60+ marks are expected to remain in a comfortable position.
• ST: A score of 58–61 marks is expected to be sufficient for qualification.
• Remember: The official cut off may vary after the normalisation process and the evaluation of all shifts, so candidates should treat these as expected ranges rather than confirmed qualifying marks.

Why is This the SBI PO Expected Cut Off?

The expected cut off has been estimated by considering the factors that usually influence the qualifying marks.

• Overall Difficulty Level: The paper was neither extremely easy nor highly difficult. Most candidates found the examination to be balanced, which is why the expected cut off is likely to remain close to last year’s level with only a slight variation.
• Performance Across All Shifts: Since the examination was conducted in multiple shifts over two days, the expected cut off is based on the combined feedback received from candidates who appeared in different sessions.
• Competition Level: The SBI PO examination continues to be one of the most competitive banking exams in the country. A large number of well-prepared candidates appeared this year, which is expected to keep the qualifying marks competitive.
• Number of Vacancies: The availability of vacancies determines how many candidates will be shortlisted for the Mains examination. While vacancies influence the cut off, candidate performance remains the deciding factor.
• Normalisation: As every shift may not have the exact same level of difficulty, SBI follows a normalisation process before preparing the final merit list. This ensures fairness for candidates across all shifts.

What Happens After Clearing the SBI PO Prelims Cut Off?

Qualifying the SBI PO Prelims is only the first milestone in the selection process. Candidates who clear the expected cut off move one step closer to becoming a Probationary Officer and should shift their complete focus to the next stage of recruitment.

• Qualify for SBI PO Mains: Candidates meeting the cut-off will be shortlisted for the Mains examination.
• Prelims Marks Won’t Count: The marks scored in the Prelims are used only for shortlisting and are not included in the final merit list.
• Download the Mains Admit Card: Qualified candidates will be able to download their Mains call letter once it is released by SBI.
• Prepare for an Advanced Exam: The Mains exam is more analytical and requires strong preparation in Banking Awareness, Data Analysis, Reasoning, English, and the Descriptive Test.
• Aim for the Final Selection: Performance in the Mains, followed by the Psychometric Test, Group Exercise, and Interview, determines the final selection as an SBI Probationary Officer.