The State Bank of India (SBI) Probationary Officer (PO) exam is one of the most prestigious and sought-after banking exams in India. With its attractive salary, career growth opportunities, and the esteemed reputation of SBI, the SBI PO exam attracts lakhs of aspirants every year.
Notification pdf was released announcing 600 Probationary Officer vacancies for which 839325 candidates have submitted their applications.The mains exam will be conducted on 5th May 2025.
This blog provides a comprehensive guide to the SBI PO 2025 exam, covering everything from the notification to the selection process, exam pattern, syllabus, preparation tips, and more.
What is the SBI PO Exam?
The SBI PO exam is conducted annually by the State Bank of India to recruit Probationary Officers. These officers are trained to handle various banking operations and take on leadership roles within the bank. The selection process is rigorous, comprising three stages: Preliminary Exam, Main Exam, and Group Exercises & Interview.
SBI PO 2025 Notification
The SBI PO 2025 notification was released on December 26, 2024, by the State Bank of India on its official website. The notification provides detailed information about the exam, including vacancies, eligibility criteria, exam dates, application process, and more. It is a crucial document for candidates to understand the requirements and prepare accordingly.
SBI PO Recruitment 2025
The SBI PO Recruitment 2025 aims to fill 600 vacancies for the post of Probationary Officer across various branches of SBI. This recruitment drive is highly competitive, with approximately 10 lakh candidates applying annually due to the job’s prestige, lucrative salary, and career growth opportunities. Selected candidates can be posted anywhere in India and have the potential to rise to senior positions, including Chairperson.
SBI PO 2025 – Exam Summary
Here’s a quick overview of the SBI PO 2025 exam:
| Particulars | Details |
| Organization | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post Name | Probationary Officer (PO) |
| Total Vacancies | 600 (Tentative) |
| Recruitment Frequency | Once a year |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Exam Stages | 1. Prelims (Objective)
2. Mains (Objective + Descriptive) 3. Interview & Group Exercise |
| Mains Exam Date | 5th May 2025 |
| Salary (Approx.) | ₹48,480/- per month (Basic Pay + Allowances) |
| Job Location | Across India (As per SBI norms) |
| Official Website | www.sbi.co.in |
SBI PO Mains Exam Date 2025
The SBI PO Mains Exam 2025 is scheduled for May 5, 2025. Candidates who qualify for the prelims exam, conducted on March 8, 16, and 24, 2025, are eligible to appear for the mains. The mains exam is a critical stage, as it contributes significantly to the final merit list.
SBI PO Recruitment 2025 Important Dates
SBI PO 2025 Recruitment begins with the official notification on 26th December 2024. The last date to apply online and pay fees is 19th January 2025. The Prelims exam will be held on 8th, 16th, 24th, and 26th March 2025, followed by Mains on 5th May 2025. Results and admit cards will be released as per the schedule below.
| Activity | Important Dates |
| SBI PO Notification Release | 26th December 2024 |
| Online Application Start Date | 27th December 2024 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 19th January 2025 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 19th January 2025 |
| SBI PO PET Admit Card Release | 15th February 2025 |
| SBI PO Prelims Admit Card Release | 28th February 2025 |
| SBI PO Prelims Exam Dates | 8th, 16th, 24th, 26th March 2025 |
| SBI PO Prelims Result | 5th April 2025 |
| SBI PO Mains Admit Card Release | 18th April 2025 |
| SBI PO Mains Exam Date | 5th May 2025 |
SBI PO 2025 Mains Call Letter Out
The SBI PO Mains exam has been scheduled for 5th May 2025 for which the call letter has been released by the State Bank of India (SBI) on 18th April 2025. Candidates can download their admit cards using their registration number/roll number and date of birth/password. The admit card includes details such as the exam date, time, venue, and important instructions.
SBI PO 2025 Vacancies
The SBI PO 2025 recruitment has announced a total of 600 vacancies, including 586 regular vacancies and 14 backlog vacancies. The vacancies are distributed across various categories, as shown below:
| Category | Vacancies |
| General | 240 |
| OBC | 158 |
| SC | 87 |
| ST | 57 |
| EWS | 58 |
| Backlog | 14 |
| Total | 600 |
Note: The number of vacancies may increase, as per SBI’s discretion.
Major Changes
SBI introduced several changes in the SBI PO 2025 recruitment process, including:
- Exam Pattern: Increased the number of questions in the English section of prelims to 40, while reducing Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude to 30 each. In mains, objective-type questions increased to 170 from 150.
- Salary Structure: The starting basic pay increased to ₹48,480 with 4 advance increments.
- Sectional Cut-Off: Reintroduced in the mains exam, requiring candidates to score minimum marks in each section.
- Application Deadline: Extended to January 19, 2025.
SBI PO 2025 Online Application
The online application process for SBI PO 2025 began on December 27, 2024, and the last date to apply was extended to January 19, 2025. Candidates must apply through the official website by following these steps:
- Visit sbi.co.in and navigate to the “Careers” section.
- Click on the SBI PO 2025 application link.
- Register by providing basic details and generate login credentials.
- Fill out the application form, upload documents (photograph, signature, thumb impression, handwritten declaration).
- Pay the application fee and submit the form.
- Download and print the application for future reference.
SBI PO 2025 Application Fee
The application fee for SBI PO 2025 is non-refundable and must be paid online. The fee structure is as follows:
| Category | Fee (₹) |
| General/OBC/EWS | 750 |
| SC/ST/PwBD | Nil |
Payment modes include debit/credit cards, net banking, or UPI.
SBI PO 2025 Eligibility Criteria
To apply for SBI PO 2025, candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Nationality: Indian citizens only.
- Age Limit: 21 to 30 years as of April 1, 2024 (age relaxation for reserved categories as per government norms).
- Educational Qualification: Graduate in any discipline from a recognized university. Final-year students can apply provisionally, provided they produce proof of graduation by the interview stage.
- Number of Attempts:
- General/EWS: 4
- OBC: 7
- SC/ST: No limit
- Other: Candidates must have basic computer literacy and a valid mark sheet/degree certificate.
| Category | Age Relaxation |
| SC/ST | 5 years |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer) | 3 years |
| PwBD (General) | 10 years |
| PwBD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years |
SBI PO Recruitment 2025 Selection Process
The SBI PO 2025 selection process consists of three phases:
- Phase I: Preliminary Exam (Qualifying in nature, 100 marks).
- Phase II: Mains Exam (Objective + Descriptive, 250 marks).
- Phase III: Psychometric Test, Group Exercises, and Interview (50 marks).
The final merit list is based on the combined scores of the Mains exam and Phase III. Candidates must clear each stage to progress to the next.
SBI PO 2025 Exam Pattern
The SBI PO 2025 exam pattern is divided into Prelims and Mains, with negative marking (1/4th of the marks) for incorrect answers in objective tests.
Prelims Exam Pattern
- Duration: 1 hour
- Total Marks: 100
- No sectional cut-off
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| English Language | 40 | 40 | 20 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Mains Exam Pattern
- Duration: 3 hours (Objective) + 30 minutes (Descriptive)
- Total Marks: 250 (200 Objective + 50 Descriptive)
- Sectional cut-off applicable
| Section | No. of Questions | Marks | Duration |
| Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 50 | 50 minutes |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| English Language | 50 | 40 | 40 minutes |
| Descriptive Test (Letter/Essay Writing) | 2 | 50 | 30 minutes |
| Total | 170 + 2 | 250 | 3.5 hours |
Phase III
- Psychometric Test: For personality profiling (no marks).
- Group Exercises: 20 marks.
- Interview: 30 marks.
(Final Selection: Marks from the Main Exam (out of 250) and Group Exercises & Interview (out of 50) are normalized to calculate the final merit list.)
SBI PO 2025 Syllabus
The SBI PO 2025 syllabus covers a wide range of topics, as outlined below:
| Section | Topics |
| English Language | Reading Comprehension, Cloze Test, Para Jumbles, Error Spotting, Sentence Improvement, Vocabulary, Fill in the Blanks |
| Quantitative Aptitude | Simplification, Number Series, Data Interpretation, Quadratic Equations, Time & Work, Profit & Loss, Percentage, Ratio & Proportion |
| Reasoning Ability | Puzzles, Seating Arrangement, Syllogism, Blood Relations, Coding-Decoding, Inequalities, Direction Sense |
| Data Analysis & Interpretation | Line/Bar Graphs, Pie Charts, Caselets, Missing DI, Probability, Data Sufficiency |
| General/Economy/Banking Awareness | Current Affairs, Banking Terms, RBI Policies, Financial Awareness, Static GK |
| Computer Aptitude | Internet, MS Office, Networking, Computer Fundamentals, Keyboard Shortcuts |
| Descriptive Test | Letter Writing, Essay Writing (topics on economy, banking, social issues) |
Candidates should focus on high-weightage topics based on previous years’ papers.
SBI PO 2025 Exam Preparation
To crack the SBI PO 2025 exam, follow these preparation tips:
- Understand the Syllabus and Exam Pattern: Familiarize yourself with the topics and structure of the exam.
- Create a Study Plan: Allocate equal time to each section and prioritize weak areas.
- Practice Mock Tests: Take regular mock tests to improve speed and accuracy.
- Solve Previous Years’ Papers: Analyze question trends and difficulty levels.
- Stay Updated with Current Affairs: Read newspapers and follow banking/financial news.
- Join Online Coaching: Join online forums or coaching classes for peer support and expert guidance.
- Time Management: Practice solving questions within the allotted time to simulate exam conditions.
- Revise Regularly: Focus on formulas, shortcuts, and key concepts.
| Section | Recommended Study Time (Daily) | Resources |
| English Language | 1-1.5 hours | Wren & Martin, The Hindu Editorials |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 2 hours | R.S. Aggarwal, Arun Sharma |
| Reasoning Ability | 2 hours | M.K. Pandey, Arihant Publications |
| General Awareness | 1 hour | Manorama Yearbook, Lucent’s GK |
SBI PO 2025 Salary Structure & Career Growth
The SBI PO salary is one of the highest among public sector banks, making it an attractive career option. The revised salary structure for 2025 is as follows:
| Component | Details |
| Basic Pay | ₹48,480 (with 4 advance increments) |
| Pay Scale | ₹48,480-2000/7-62,480-2340/2-67,160-2680/7-85,920 |
| In-Hand Salary | ₹84,000–₹85,000 per month |
| Annual CTC (Mumbai) | ₹18.67 lakhs |
| Allowances | Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), City Compensatory Allowance (CCA), Medical, Travel, etc. |
| Perks | Provident Fund, Pension, Gratuity, Leave Benefits |
The salary varies based on the place of posting and other factors.
Career Growth & Promotions
| Designation | Experience Required |
| Probationary Officer (PO) | 2 years probation |
| Assistant Manager (AM) | After probation |
| Deputy Manager (DM) | 3-5 years |
| Branch Manager (BM) | 7-10 years |
| Chief Manager (CM) | 12-15 years |
SBI PO Exam Analysis
The SBI PO 2025 Prelims exam analysis (based on March 2025 shifts) indicates a moderate difficulty level. Key observations:
- English Language: Reading comprehension and cloze test were dominant, with moderate difficulty.
- Quantitative Aptitude: Data interpretation and arithmetic questions were time-consuming.
- Reasoning Ability: Puzzles and seating arrangements were challenging but doable.
Good attempts ranged from 60–70 marks, depending on the shift. Mains exam analysis will be available after May 5, 2025, from coaching institutes like Career Power and Shiksha.
SBI PO 2025 Exam Centre
The SBI PO 2025 exams are conducted across various cities in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, and more. Candidates can choose their preferred exam centre during the application process. The exact centre details are mentioned on the admit card. Note that SBI may allot a different centre if seats are unavailable at the preferred location.
| State/UT | Exam Centres |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur |
| Delhi NCR | Delhi, Gurgaon, Noida |
| Tamil Nadu | Chennai, Coimbatore |
| West Bengal | Kolkata, Siliguri |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru, Mysore |
SBI PO 2025 Admit Card
Admit cards for SBI PO 2025 are released separately for Prelims, Mains, and Phase III. Key details:
- Prelims Admit Card: Released on February 28, 2025.
- Mains Admit Card: Released on April 18, 2025.
- Download Process: Visit sbi.co.in, enter registration number/roll number and date of birth/password.
- Details on Admit Card: Candidate’s name, roll number, exam date, time, centre, and instructions.
Candidates must carry a printed admit card and a valid photo ID to the exam centre.
SBI PO 2025 Pre-Exam Training
SBI provides pre-exam training for SC/ST and religious minority candidates to help them prepare for the exam. The training is conducted online or at designated centres and covers:
- Exam pattern and syllabus.
- Practice tests and mock questions.
- Tips for time management and accuracy.
Candidates can opt for this training during the application process. Details are provided in the notification.
SBI PO 2025 Result
SBI PO 2025 results are released separately for each phase:
- Prelims Result: Declared on April 5, 2025, on it’s official website.
- Mains Result: Expected in June 2025.
- Final Result: Expected after Phase III (July/August 2025).
Candidates can check results by logging in with their registration number/roll number and date of birth. The final merit list is based on Mains and Phase III scores.
SBI PO 2025 Cut Off
The SBI PO 2025 cut-off marks are released after each phase, along with the results. The cut-off depends on factors like the number of vacancies, exam difficulty, and candidate performance. There is no sectional cut-off in Prelims, but sectional cut-offs apply in Mains. Previous year’s Prelims cut-off (2021) for reference:
| Category | Cut-Off Marks (Out of 100) |
| General | 59.5 |
| OBC | 53.75 |
| SC | 49.25 |
| ST | 43 |
| EWS | 60 |
After the exam, candidates can check the 2025 cut-off on SBI’s website.
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Latest Exam Trends & Analysis – Key insights from previous years’ papers and pattern changes to streamline your prep.
Exclusive Tips & Shortcuts – Time-saving techniques for Quant/Reasoning shared via our newsletters and webinars.
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Conclusion: Start Your SBI PO Journey with Us!
The SBI PO exam is your gateway to a prestigious and rewarding career in the banking sector. With a lucrative salary, job security, and rapid career growth, becoming an SBI Probationary Officer is a dream for many. However, the competition is fierce, and only the most prepared candidates succeed.
FAQs
Q1. Is SBI PO a government job?
Yes, SBI is a public sector bank, so POs are government employees.
Q2. How many attempts are allowed for SBI PO?
- General: 4 attempts
- OBC: 7 attempts
- SC/ST: No limit
Q3. What is the probation period for SBI PO?
2 years (including training)
Q4. Does SBI PO have a bond?
Yes, candidates must serve the bank for 3 years or pay a penalty (~₹3 lakhs).