SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Notification Out – Apply Online for 7150 Posts

SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Important Dates

SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Vacancy Details

A total of 7150 training seats have been announced for engagement as Apprentices under the Apprentices Act, 1961. These are distributed State/UT-wise across SC, ST, OBC, EWS, and UR categories with horizontal reservation for Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD). The number of training seats is provisional and may vary according to the actual requirement of the Bank. Candidates can apply for engagement in one State only.

Abbreviations: SC – Scheduled Caste, ST – Scheduled Tribe, OBC – Other Backward Classes, EWS – Economically Weaker Section, UR – Unreserved, VI – Visually Impaired, HI – Hearing Impaired, LD – Locomotor Disability, d&e – Autism Spectrum Disorder, Specific Learning Disorder, Mental Illness, and Multiple Disabilities. Reservation for PwBD is horizontal within overall vacancies. Change of category will not be permitted after registration of online application.

PwBD (Persons with Benchmark Disabilities) – Categories Eligible

SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must fulfill all eligibility conditions as on the date of eligibility (01-04-2026). Only Indian Citizens are eligible to apply. Candidates must mandatorily register on the NAPS portal (https://apprenticeshipindia.gov.in) before applying online. Candidates can apply for engagement in one State only and can appear for the examination only once under this engagement project.

SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Age Limit

Candidates must be a minimum of 20 years and maximum of 28 years as on 01-04-2026, i.e., candidates must have been born not later than 01-04-2006 and not earlier than 02-04-1998 (both days inclusive). Maximum age indicated is for Unreserved and EWS candidates. Relaxation in upper age limit is applicable as per Government of India guidelines for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates.

SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Application Fee

Candidates are required to pay non-refundable Fees/Intimation Charges through online mode only. The process of registration is complete only when fee is deposited with the Bank through online mode on or before the last date for payment of fees. Fee once paid will NOT be refunded on any account nor can it be held in reserve for any other exam or selection.

SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Selection Process

Selection for engagement of apprentices will be based on (i) Online Written Test and (ii) Test of Local Language, followed by Medical Examination. Final selection is subject to verification of eligibility, qualifying in local language test, and medical fitness. A Wait List (State-category wise) will be maintained for one year from the date of result or next engagement exercise, whichever is earlier. Candidates will be released only once from this waitlist against non-joining subject to availability of qualified candidates.

Stage 1 – Online Written Examination (Objective Type)

Each test has a separate timing as mentioned above. There will be NEGATIVE MARKS for wrong answers — 1/4th of the mark assigned for the question will be deducted for each wrong answer. Test questions (except General English) will be set in 13 Regional Languages viz. Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Konkani, Malayalam, Manipuri, Marathi, Odia, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu — in addition to English and Hindi — as applicable State-wise. SC/ST/OBC/PwBD candidates get 5% relaxation in minimum qualifying marks on aggregate. Merit list will be drawn State-wise and Category-wise in descending order; tie-break is by age in descending order.

Medium of Examination – State/UT-wise

Stage 2 – Test of Local Language

The test of specified local language will be conducted after qualifying the online written examination. Candidates who fail to qualify this test will not be engaged as apprentice. Candidates who produce 10th or 12th standard mark sheet/certificate evidencing having studied the specified local language will not be required to undergo the language test. Candidates must appear at their own expense; SBI will not reimburse travelling expenses.

Stage 3 – Medical Examination

Engagement of selected apprentices is subject to being declared medically fit as per the requirement of the Bank and satisfactory completion of KYE formalities.

SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Weightage in Junior Associate Recruitment

Weightage/Relaxation to apprentices in recruitment of Junior Associates shall be given as per the recruitment policy of the Bank as amended from time to time, to apprentices who successfully complete the apprenticeship training in SBI, subject to candidate’s satisfactory conduct and performance during the entire training period. Successful completion refers to passing of the skill evaluation test (Trade test) and obtention of the joint National Apprenticeship Certificate issued by SBI-NSDC / BFSI-SSC.

Competition Level Analysis for SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026

The competition level for SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 is expected to be very high due to 7150 seats being offered at the all-India level and the exam being open to any graduate, including those already preparing for bank and SSC exams. While the written test is of easy to moderate difficulty and slightly below SBI Clerk level, the large number of serious aspirants in high-population states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana will push state-wise and category-wise cut-offs upward.

In practical terms, each seat is likely to attract dozens to over a hundred candidates in major states, making speed, accuracy, and sectional balance crucial to clearing the single-stage written exam followed by the local language test. However, the effective competition reduces at later stages because some candidates will fail to qualify the language test or be filtered out at the document verification, CIBIL, Aadhaar, and medical fitness stages, and SBI will finally select candidates strictly on state-wise and category-wise merit from those who clear all stages.

Who should NOT apply for SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?

• Candidates looking for a permanent job in SBI; this is only a 1‑year apprenticeship with no guarantee of absorption or regular employment.
• Candidates who already completed any Apprenticeship (in SBI or any other organisation) or are currently undergoing apprenticeship training under the Apprentices Act.
• Candidates outside the age band 20–28 years as on the cut-off date (even 1 day younger/older is not eligible, except notified relaxations for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD).
• Aspirants who do not have a Graduation degree from a recognised University/Institute by the specified date.
• Candidates not fluent in the notified local language of the State/UT (reading, writing, speaking, understanding), and who are unlikely to clear the language test or do not have 10th/12th proof.
• Candidates unwilling or unable to register on the NAPS portal before applying, as this is a mandatory prerequisite for SBI Apprentice.
• Candidates with serious CIBIL/loan/credit‑card defaults who have not regularised or repaid outstanding dues by the time of offer; such profiles are normally rejected in bank recruitments.
• Ex‑Servicemen / Disabled Ex‑Servicemen, where the notification clearly states no engagement / no reservation for them under Apprentice.
• PwBD candidates whose disability type falls under “likely to improve” (temporary disability) where reservation benefits may not apply as per notification conditions.
• Candidates who cannot produce valid Aadhaar (except where exempted, e.g., certain North‑Eastern states with alternate ID allowed).

Common mistakes / What to check before applying SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026?

• Applying in a wrong State or language where you cannot comfortably read, write and speak the specified local language.
• Entering wrong category (SC/ST/OBC/EWS/UR); category cannot be changed later and mismatch with certificates at DV can lead to cancellation.
• OBC candidates from creamy layer applying as OBC instead of UR; only non‑creamy OBCs with valid, recent certificate get reservation.
• Uploading blurred/incorrect photo, signature, thumb impression or declaration (wrong size, wrong format, someone else’s handwriting) leading to rejection at scrutiny.
• Using invalid or inactive mobile number/email ID, causing failure to receive OTPs, registration details, call letters or further communication.
• Submitting multiple applications for different states or with different details; SBI usually accepts only the last complete application and may forfeit extra fees.
• Ignoring negative marking and over‑attempting in the exam, which can sharply reduce your score despite high attempts.
• Not reading the clause that this is not regular employment, and later protesting about absorption or permanent posting after apprenticeship ends.

How to Apply for SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026

Candidates shall apply online; no other mode of application will be accepted. Candidates must first mandatorily register on the NAPS portal (https://apprenticeshipindia.gov.in) and read the detailed guidelines on https://bfsissc.com before applying online through the SBI website.

Candidates should have a valid email ID and mobile number which should be kept active till declaration of results. Candidates are advised to apply well before the closing date and not wait till the last date.

Documents Required to be Scanned and Uploaded (as per Annexure-I):

• Recent passport-size colour photograph (4.5 cm × 3.5 cm; 200×230 pixels; 20 KB–50 KB; JPEG)
• Signature with black ink on white paper (140×60 pixels; 10 KB–20 KB; JPEG)
• Left Thumb Impression on white paper with black or blue ink (240×240 pixels; 20 KB–50 KB; JPEG/JPG)
• Handwritten Declaration in English on white paper with black ink (800×400 pixels; 50 KB–100 KB; JPEG/JPG) — in candidate’s own handwriting
• Live photograph captured via webcam or mobile phone (to be uploaded at the time of online application)

Documents to be Produced at the time of Examination / Document Verification / Engagement:

• Call Letter (downloaded from Bank’s website) along with photo identity proof (Passport / Aadhaar / PAN Card / Driving License / Voter’s Card / Bank Passbook with photograph / Identity Card issued by School or College / Gazetted Officer in official letterhead) in original and self-attested photocopy
• Caste Certificate in prescribed Government of India format (for SC/ST candidates) — to be submitted at the time of engagement if called for
• OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) Certificate in prescribed Government of India format, issued during the period 01-04-2026 to the date of joining (for OBC candidates)
• Income and Asset Certificate issued by Competent Authority in the format prescribed by Government of India, valid for the year 2026-27 (for EWS candidates)
• Disability Certificate in prescribed format issued by a Competent Authority as per Government of India guidelines (for PwBD candidates)
• Educational qualification certificates and marksheets (Graduation onwards)

Printout of Application Form is NOT to be sent to SBI. No Hard Copy of the Call Letter for Online Written Examination will be sent by post. Candidates must appear for the test at their own cost; SBI will not pay or reimburse any such expenses.

Apply Online at: https://www.sbi.co.in/careers or https://sbi.bank.in/careers

For queries: Call 022-22820427 (11:00 AM to 06:00 PM on working days) or visit https://cgrs.ibps.in — mention “Engagement of Apprentice in SBI” in the subject.

Important Instructions for SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 Candidates

• THIS IS NOT AN EMPLOYMENT IN THE BANK. NOR IS THE SAME CONTRACT EMPLOYMENT. Candidates engaged as Apprentice will NOT be treated as “employees” of SBI and will not be entitled to receive any benefits available for employees of the Bank.
• SBI shall have no obligation to offer regular employment to Apprentices during and/or after the completion of the Apprenticeship period. After completion, candidates will be relieved from the respective work area.
• Candidates can apply for engagement in one State only and can appear for the examination only once under this engagement project.
• Mandatory registration on NAPS portal (https://apprenticeshipindia.gov.in) before applying online on SBI website is required.
• No Ex-Servicemen / Disabled Ex-Servicemen shall be engaged as an Apprentice and there is no reservation for Ex-Servicemen in the Apprentice Engagement.
• OBC candidates belonging to the “Creamy Layer” are not entitled to reservation/relaxation; they should apply as General or General (LD/VI/HI/d&e) as applicable.
• Change of category will not be permitted after registration of online application.
• Candidates with CIBIL default record (unpaid loans/credit card dues) are not eligible for engagement until dues are regularized/repaid.
• All candidates (except Northeastern State candidates) must produce Aadhaar Number before engagement/contract signing.
• Not more than one application should be submitted; in case of multiple applications, only the last valid completed application will be retained and fee paid for other registrations will stand forfeited.
• PwBD candidates with disability conditions falling under “likely to improve” (temporary disability) category are not eligible for reservation.
• PwBD candidates eligible for scribe facility: candidates with 40% or more disability having physical limitation to write are eligible. Scribe must be arranged by the candidate at his/her own cost. Compensatory time of 20 minutes per hour of examination is allowed (whether availing scribe or not) for eligible PwBD candidates.
• Candidates are advised to keep their registered email ID/mobile active for receiving call letters/advices etc.
• Mobile phones, smartwatches, pagers, earphones or any other electronic/communication devices are not allowed inside the examination premises.
• All revisions/corrigendum (if any) will be hosted on the Bank’s website only — candidates should visit regularly.
• No request for change of examination centre shall be entertained. No Travel Expenses will be reimbursed/paid by SBI.
• Canvassing in any form will be a disqualification.
• Legal jurisdiction for any dispute arising out of this recruitment shall be Mumbai only.
• Bank reserves right to cancel the selection process partly/entirely at any stage.

SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026 – Important Links

• Apply Online: Click here
• Official Notification PDF: Click here
• Short Notification PDF: Click here
• NAPS Portal (Mandatory Registration): Click here
• Official Website: Click here 

SBI Apprentice Online Form 2026 – FAQs