SBI PO 2026 syllabus covers Prelims and Mains exam topics, including English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, Data Analysis and Interpretation, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, Computer Aptitude, and Descriptive Test check the complete syllabus here for effective preparation. With 1500 vacancies announced in 2026, candidates should thoroughly understand the updated Syllabus and exam pattern to prepare strategically for every stage of the recruitment process.
SBI PO Syllabus 2026
While preparing with the SBI PO Syllabus 2026, candidates should also be aware of the examination schedule so that they can plan their studies accordingly. Since the time available between the Preliminary and Main examinations is limited, aspirants should complete a major portion of the Mains syllabus before appearing for the Preliminary Examination.
| Aspect | Details |
| Exam Name | SBI PO 2026 |
| Mode of Exam | Online |
| Prelims Exam Subjects | English Language, Reasoning & Quantitative Aptitude |
|
Total Vacancies
|
1500 |
|
Mains Exam Subjects
|
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General / Economy / Banking Awareness, English Language |
|
Interview
|
Interview & Group Exercises (Personality Assessment)
|
|
Negative Marking
|
0.25 marks deducted for each wrong answer
|
|
Language of Paper
|
Bilingual |
| Prelims Exam Pattern | 100 Questions, 100 Marks, 60 Minutes |
|
Mains Exam Pattern
|
170 Questions (Objective) + Descriptive Test 200 Marks (Objective) + 30 Marks (Descriptive) Total Duration: 3 Hours 30 Minutes |
| Official Website | sbi.co.in |
How is the SBI PO Syllabus 2026 Divided?
The SBI PO Syllabus 2026 is designed according to the different stages of the recruitment process. Candidates should understand which subjects are covered at each stage before starting their preparation. The recruitment process consists of:
- Preliminary Examination
- Main Examination
- Psychometric Test
- Group Exercise
- Personal Interview
SBI PO Prelims Syllabus
| English Language | Reasoning | Quantitative Aptitude |
| Reading Comprehension | Logical Reasoning | Profit & Loss |
| Cloze Test | Alphanumeric Series | Simple Interest & Compound Interest |
| Para Jumbles | Data Sufficiency | Ratio & Proportion, Percentage |
| Vocabulary | Puzzle | Time & Distance |
| Sentence Rearrangement | Coded Inequalities | Mensuration – Cylinder, Cone, Sphere |
| Fill in the blanks | Ranking/Direction/Alphabet Test | Sequence & Series |
| Error Spotting | Blood Relations | Permutation, Combination & Probability |
| Multiple Meaning/Error Spotting | Seating Arrangement | Mixtures & Allegations |
| Paragraph Completion | Input-Output | Number Systems |
| Verbal Ability | Syllogism | Data Interpretation (Table DI, Bar Graph (Simple & Composite), Line Graph, Pie Chart, Caselet DI, Mixed Graph DI, Missing Data DI, Radar/Spider Graph, Arithmetic-based DI (Profit, Loss, Percentage, Ratio, etc.)) |
| Word Association | Tabulation | Surds & Indices |
Puzzle and Seating Arrangement Subtopics for Prelims
- Linear Seating Arrangement (Single Row)
- Double Row Seating Arrangement
- Parallel Rows (Two rows facing each other)
- Circular Seating Arrangement (Inside/Outside Facing)
- Square Seating Arrangement
- Floor-Based Puzzle
- Box-Based Puzzle
- Day/Month/Year-Based Puzzle
- Comparison Puzzle (Height, Age, Weight, etc.)
- Uncertain Number of Persons Puzzle (Variable arrangement)
Exam Pattern of SBI PO Prelims
The SBI PO Preliminary Examination consists of three sections with a total of 100 objective-type questions carrying 100 marks. Candidates will get 60 minutes to complete the exam, with 20 minutes allotted for each section.
- English Language: 40 Questions | 40 Marks | 20 Minutes
- Reasoning Ability: 30 Questions | 30 Marks | 20 Minutes
- Quantitative Aptitude: 30 Questions | 30 Marks | 20 Minutes
Overall Exam Pattern
- Total Questions: 100
- Total Marks: 100
- Total Duration: 60 Minutes
- Mode of Examination: Online
- Question Type: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions)
SBI PO Prelims Topic Importance
The SBI PO 2026 exam requires a stage-wise preparation strategy, as each phase of the selection process tests different skills and competencies
Reasoning Ability
| Topic | Importance | Expected Questions |
| Puzzles & Seating Arrangement | Very High | 15–25 |
| Syllogism | High | 3–5 |
| Inequality | High | 2–5 |
| Coding-Decoding | High | 0–5 |
| Blood Relations | High | 0–4 |
| Alphanumeric Series | High | 0–5 |
| Direction & Distance | Medium | 0–3 |
| Order & Ranking | Medium | 0–2 |
| Miscellaneous | Medium | 1–5 |
English
| Topic | Importance | Expected Questions |
| Reading Comprehension | Very High | 7–10 |
| Cloze Test | High | 5–7 |
| Error Detection | High | 3–6 |
| Para Jumbles | High | 3–6 |
| Fillers | High | 2–5 |
| Phrase Replacement | High | 3–5 |
| Sentence Rearrangement | Medium | 0–6 |
| Word Usage | Medium | 0–5 |
Quantitative Aptitude
| Topic | Importance | Expected Questions |
| Data Interpretation | Very High | 10–11 |
| Arithmetic (All Topics) | Very High | 8–15 |
| Caselets DI | High | 3–5 |
| Simplification / Approximation | High | 4–6 |
| Number Series | High | 0–6 |
| Quadratic Equations | High | 4–6 |
Arithmetic
| Topic | Importance | Expected Questions |
| Profit & Loss | Very High | 1–2 |
| Percentage | Very High | 1–2 |
| Time & Work | Very High | 1–2 |
| Ratio & Proportion | Very High | 1–2 |
| Simple & Compound Interest | High | 1–2 |
| Mixture & Alligation | High | 1–2 |
| Time & Distance | High | 1–2 |
| Boats & Stream | Medium | 1 |
| Partnership | Medium | 1 |
| Ages | Medium | 1 |
| Average | Medium | 0–1 |
| Mensuration 2D | Medium | 1 |
| Mensuration 3D | Medium | 0–1 |
SBI PO Mains Syllabus
| English Language | Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | Data Analysis & Interpretation | General / Economy / Banking Awareness |
| Reading Comprehension | Puzzles & Seating Arrangement | Data Interpretation (Table, Bar, Line, Pie, Radar, Caselet DI) | Current Affairs |
| Cloze Test | Logical Reasoning | Data Sufficiency | Banking Awareness |
| Para Jumbles | Input-Output | Quantity Comparison | Financial Awareness |
| Error Spotting | Coding-Decoding | Number Series | RBI & Monetary Policy |
| Fillers | Syllogism | Quadratic Equations | Economy & Economic Survey |
| Vocabulary | Inequalities | Probability | Government Schemes |
| Word Usage | Blood Relations | Permutation & Combination | Budget & Fiscal Policies |
| Word Swap | Direction & Distance | Arithmetic Word Problems | Static Banking Awareness |
| Match the Column | Order & Ranking | Percentage | Banking Terminologies |
| Sentence Rearrangement | Machine Input-Output | Profit & Loss | Financial Institutions |
| Sentence Improvement | Critical Reasoning | Ratio & Proportion | Reports & Indexes |
| Phrase Replacement | Course of Action | Average | International Organizations |
| Connectors | Statement & Assumption | Simple & Compound Interest | Insurance Awareness |
| Miscellaneous | Statement & Conclusion | Time & Work | General Knowledge |
| Cause & Effect | Time, Speed & Distance | Important Days & Themes | |
| Data Sufficiency | Boats & Streams | Awards & Honours | |
| Analytical & Decision Making | Partnership | Sports | |
| Computer Aptitude | Mixture & Alligation | Books & Authors | |
| Scheduling Puzzles | Ages | Obituaries | |
| Number System | Miscellaneous | ||
| Mensuration (2D & 3D) | |||
|
Data Interpretation-Based Arithmetic
|
Puzzle and Seating Arrangement Subtopics for Mains
- Multi-Variable Hybrid Puzzles (3 to 5 variables mixed together)
- Blood Relation Seating/Arrangements (Family tree + sitting order)
- Concentric Seating (Circle inside a circle / Square inside a square)
- Uncertain Row + Variable (Unknown number of people + extra features)
- Linear Rows with Distance Constraints (Seats placed at mathematical intervals, e.g., multiples of 6 meters)
- Direction Sense Integrated Puzzles (Grid and coordinate mapping)
- Triangular / Hexagonal / Pentagonal Seating (Geometric shapes)
- Matrix & Complex Tabulation (Heavy elimination charts)
- Box Puzzles with Capacities/Weights (Boxes containing different numeric items)
- Coded Puzzles (Arrangements governed by step-by-step alphanumeric conditions)
- Scheduling Puzzles (Meetings, shifts, events with conditions)
- Variable or Uncertain Number of Persons Puzzles
- Mixed/Hybrid Puzzles (combination of 2–3 types)
Exam Pattern of SBI PO Mains
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude: 40 Questions | 60 Marks | 50 Minutes
- Data Analysis & Interpretation: 30 Questions | 60 Marks | 45 Minutes
- General/Economy/Banking Awareness: 60 Questions | 60 Marks | 45 Minutes
- English Language: 40 Questions | 20 Marks | 40 Minutes
Overall Mains Objective Exam Pattern
- 170 Questions | 200 Marks | 3 Hours
- Mode of Examination: Online
- Question Type: Objective (Multiple Choice Questions)
- Negative Marking: 0.25 Marks deducted for every incorrect answer
SBI PO Descriptive Test 2026
- Communication Skills (Email Writing, Report Writing, Situation Analysis & Precis Writing): 30 Marks | 30 Minutes
SBI PO Mains Topic Importance
Reasoning
| Topic | Importance | Expected Questions |
| Puzzles & Seating Arrangement | Very High | 15–20 |
| Machine Input Output | Very High | 4–8 |
| Logical Reasoning | High | 6–8 |
| Data Sufficiency | High | 2–4 |
| Coding Decoding | High | 2–4 |
| Order & Ranking | Medium | 2–4 |
| Inequalities | Medium | 1–4 |
| Direction Based | Medium | 1–3 |
| Coded Blood Relation | Medium | 2–4 |
| Syllogism | Medium | 1–3 |
Data Analysis & Interpretation
| Topic | Importance | Expected Questions |
| Data Interpretation | Very High | 15–16 |
| Data Sufficiency | Very High | 3–4 |
| Number Series | High | 2–4 |
| Quadratic Equations | High | 2–3 |
| Quantity Comparison | High | 1–2 |
| Time & Work | High | 1–2 |
| Speed, Time & Distance | High | 1–2 |
| Mensuration (2D & 3D) | High | 1–2 |
| Percentage | Medium | 1 |
| Mixture & Alligation | Medium | 1 |
| Ages | Medium | 1 |
| Compound Interest | Medium | 1 |
| Partnership | Medium | 1 |
| Number System | Medium | 1 |
| Boats & Streams | Medium | 1 |
| Ratio & Proportion | Medium | 1 |
| Basic Fundamentals | Medium | 1 |
English
| Topic | Importance | Expected Questions |
| Reading Comprehension | Very High | 14–18 |
| Para Jumbles | High | 5–7 |
| Match the Column | High | 3–5 |
| Fillers | High | 3–6 |
| Error Spotting | High | 3–5 |
| Cloze Test | High | 3–5 |
| Word & Sentence Rearrangement | Medium | 2–6 |
| Word Swap | Medium | 2–4 |
| Replacement | Medium | 2–3 |
| Miscellaneous | Medium | 1–4 |
General/Economy/Banking Awareness
| Topic | Importance | Expected Questions |
| Current Affairs (Last 4–6 Months) | Very High | 15–20 |
| Banking & Financial Awareness | Very High | 10–15 |
| RBI & Monetary Policy | High | 3–5 |
| Government Schemes & Policies | High | 2–4 |
| Static Banking Awareness | High | 2–4 |
| Economy & Economic Survey | High | 2–4 |
| Budget & Fiscal Policies | High | 1–3 |
| International Organizations | Medium | 1–2 |
| Reports & Indexes | Medium | 1–3 |
| Important Days & Themes | Medium | 1–2 |
| Awards & Honours | Medium | 1–2 |
| Sports | Medium | 1–2 |
| Books & Authors | Low | 0–1 |
| Obituaries | Low | 0–1 |
SBI PO Descriptive Test
As you all know that there has been a change in the descriptive test pattern this year. Earlier the descriptive section carried 50 marks, but now the department has reduced it to 30 marks. Consistent writing practice and clarity of thought are essential to perform well in this section. It requires candidates to express ideas clearly and professionally within a limited time.
- Total Marks: 30 Marks
- Duration: 30 Minutes
| Section | Options | Task |
| Emails | 1 out of 2 | Write an email based on the given situation |
| Situation Analysis | 1 out of 2 | Analyze the situation and give a clear response/solution |
| Report Writing / Precis Writing | 1 out of 2 | Write either a report or a precis (summary) |
SBI PO Descriptive Paper- Sample Questions
Group Discussion and Interview
The final stage of the SBI PO selection process focuses on assessing a candidate’s overall personality, leadership qualities, and suitability for a Probationary Officer role beyond written exams.
At this stage, shortlisted candidates go through a psychometric test followed by Group Discussion (if conducted) and a Personal Interview to evaluate their behavioral and managerial skills.
Key aspects of this stage include:
- Psychometric test to understand behavioral traits and decision-making style
- Evaluation of communication and interpersonal skills
- Assessment of confidence, clarity of thought, and presence of mind
- Focus on leadership ability and problem-solving approach
- Interview panel analysis based on overall personality fit for banking roles
The final evaluation consists of:
- Group Exercises – 20 marks: Designed to assess teamwork, communication, and problem-solving approach in a group setting.
- Personal Interview – 30 marks: Focuses on subject knowledge, clarity of thought, confidence, and overall personality.
SBI PO Marking Scheme 2026
The SBI PO exam follows a structured marking system where accuracy plays a key role in determining final scores. A clear understanding of the marking pattern helps candidates plan their attempts wisely and avoid unnecessary negative marking.
Marking Scheme Overview:
- Correct Answer: Full marks awarded
- Incorrect Answer: 0.25 marks deducted (negative marking)
- Unattempted Questions: No marks deducted
- Descriptive Section: No negative marking applied
Key Differences Between SBI PO Prelims & Mains Syllabus
While both Prelims and Mains are part of the same exam, their syllabus, difficulty level, and focus areas differ significantly. Here’s a simple comparison between the SBI PO Prelims and Mains syllabus are:
| Aspect | Prelims | Mains |
| Sections | English, Quantitative, Reasoning |
Reasoning & Computer, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/Banking Awareness, English, Descriptive
|
| Difficulty | Basic to moderate | Advanced and Depth Analysis |
| Focus | Speed and accuracy |
Analytical skills, banking knowledge, and communication
|
| Descriptive Test | None |
Communication Skills: Emails, Reports, Situation Analysis & Precis Writing
|
| Duration | 1 hour | 3 hours + 30 minutes |
| Marks | 100 | 230 (200 Objective + 30 Descriptive) |
Download SBI PO Syllabus 2026 PDF
Candidates can download the SBI PO Syllabus 2026 PDF to check all the topics included in the exam. It helps in understanding the complete syllabus and preparing in a better way.
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