SBI PO Syllabus 2026, Check Subject Wise Syllabus and Exam Pattern for Prelims + Mains

Preparing for the SBI PO Exam 2026? Then the first thing you need is a clear game plan and that’s exactly what the SBI PO Syllabus 2026 gives you. Instead of studying everything randomly, the syllabus helps you understand what actually matters in the exam. From reasoning and quantitative aptitude to English, general awareness, and descriptive writing, every section plays a role in the selection process conducted by the State Bank of India. Once you know the topics and exam pattern, it becomes much easier to plan your preparation smartly, manage time better, and move ahead with confidence.

SBI PO Syllabus 2026

The SBI PO Syllabus 2026 outlines the subject-wise topics for both stages, enabling candidates to gauge the depth and scope of the exam. The Prelims focuses on speed and accuracy-based sections, while the Mains exam evaluates analytical skills, reasoning depth, and banking awareness. The descriptive paper further tests a candidate’s communication skills through email writing, report drafting, etc. By thoroughly understanding the syllabus, aspirants can prioritize important areas, improve time management, and enhance their chances of qualifying for the final selection.

SBI Probationary Officer Syllabus 2026 Overview

To help candidates understand the exam structure, we have provided a detailed syllabus for both stages below.

Download SBI PO Syllabus 2026 PDF

Candidates planning to appear for the examination should download the SBI PO Syllabus 2026 PDF to get a complete understanding of the exam structure and subject-wise topics. The syllabus helps aspirants identify the important areas they need to focus on for both the Prelims and Mains stages. For the convenience of candidates, the direct link to download the SBI PO Syllabus 2026 PDF is provided below so that they can start their preparation with a clear roadmap.

Download SBI PO Syllabus PDF

SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2026

The Prelims exam is the initial stage of the SBI PO 2026 selection process, conducted online. It is a qualifying exam, and candidates need to meet the cut-off to progress to the next phase. A negative marking system is in place, where a 1/4th mark is deducted for each incorrect answer. The exam has a total of 100 marks, and there is no sectional weightage.

Exam Structure:

English Language: 40 Questions | 20 Minutes
Reasoning Ability: 30 Questions | 20 Minutes
Quantitative Aptitude: 30 Questions | 20 Minutes

Total: 100 Questions | 60 Minutes

SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern 2026

The Mains stage of the SBI PO 2026 exam consists of two parts: the Objective Test and the Descriptive Test. The Objective Test is the first part, followed by the Descriptive Test. Candidates need to clear both the minimum qualifying marks in each section and the Descriptive Paper to progress. The cut-off for each section is determined based on the number of vacancies, and only those who qualify will proceed to Phase III.

• Objective Test: This includes 170 questions spread across four sections, with a total of 200 marks. The duration for this section is 180 minutes (3 hours), and there is a negative marking of 0.25 marks for each incorrect answer.
• Descriptive Test: This section tests your communication skills through tasks like Emails, Reports, Situation Analysis, and Precis Writing. It carries a total of 50 marks and must be completed in 30 minutes.

Exam Structure:

The exam pattern consists of two stages: Objective Test and Descriptive Test. The objective section evaluates candidates on core subjects like English, Data Analysis, Reasoning, and Banking Awareness, while the descriptive section assesses communication and writing skills. Below is the detailed exam pattern presented in a clear table format.

SBI PO Prelims Syllabus 2026

In the table below, we have provided the detailed syllabus for the SBI PO Syllabus 2026 Prelims. It has three main subjects: English, Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude.

SBI PO Mains Syllabus 2026

With the SBI PO Mains 2026 approaching, it’s time to focus fully on this crucial stage of the selection process. The mains exam is designed to test your depth of knowledge and overall ability in four key areas: Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, English Language, Data Analysis & Interpretation, and General/Economy/Banking Awareness. Along with these, there will also be a Descriptive Test that includes communication skills.

Key Differences Between SBI PO Prelims & Mains Syllabus

Here’s a simple comparison between the SBI PO Prelims and Mains syllabus are:

The SBI PO Prelims is all about testing your speed, accuracy, and basic problem-solving in English, Quant, and Reasoning. Think of it as the qualifying round. But once you’re through, the Mains raises the bar with sections like Computer Aptitude, Banking Awareness, and Descriptive English, demanding deeper understanding, analysis, and communication skills.

SBI PO Syllabus For Descriptive Test

The Descriptive Section of the SBI PO Mains 2026 is designed to evaluate candidates’ communication abilities through tasks such as email writing, report drafting, situation analysis, and summary writing. This section is worth 50 marks and must be completed within 30 minutes. Candidates are required to write an essay of around 250 words and a letter of about 150 words based on the given topics. To perform well, it’s important to practice writing on a variety of topics and review previous years’ papers to sharpen writing skills.

SBI PO Descriptive Paper- Sample Questions

SBI PO Group Discussion and Interview 2026

Psychometric Test – Along with the interview process, candidates shortlisted for the final stage will also undergo a psychometric test. This assessment is conducted to evaluate the personality traits, behavioral patterns, and decision-making abilities of candidates. The insights from this test help the interview panel understand the candidate’s suitability for the role of a Probationary Officer.  As mentioned in the SBI PO Syllabus 2026, the final selection stage includes Group Exercises worth 20 marks and a Personal Interview carrying 30 marks.

SBI PO Marking Scheme 2026

The SBI PO Marking Scheme 2026 is important for candidates to understand before appearing for the exam. It helps in planning attempts wisely and avoiding unnecessary negative marking. The SBI PO exam includes both objective and descriptive tests, and the marking rules are different for each.

• In the objective test, candidates are awarded full marks for every correct answer.
• For each wrong answer, one-fourth (0.25) mark is deducted as negative marking.
• There is no penalty for questions that are not attempted.
• In the descriptive test, there is no negative marking for incorrect answers.
• Unanswered questions in the descriptive section also do not attract any penalty.
• Understanding the SBI PO marking scheme helps candidates focus more on accuracy and attempt questions carefully during the exam.