Are you a banking professional stuck in a slow-growth career trajectory? Do you dream of working for India’s largest public sector bank but dread the rigorous Prelims-Mains cycle of the Probationary Officer (PO) exam?
If you answered yes, the SBI Circle Based Officer (CBO) 2026 notification is the opportunity you have been waiting for.
State Bank of India (SBI) has officially released the recruitment notification for the engagement of Circle Based Officers (CBO). With 2,273 vacancies on offer, this recruitment drive is specifically designed for experienced professionals who want to switch gears and enter the elite workforce of SBI without starting from scratch as a trainee.+1
In this comprehensive guide, we will decode everything you need to know about the SBI CBO 2026 exam—from eligibility quirks and salary benefits to the selection process and application strategy.
What is the SBI Circle Based Officer (CBO) Role?
Before diving into the technicalities, it is crucial to understand what this post actually is.
The Circle Based Officer (CBO) is a Junior Management Grade Scale-I (JMGS-I) officer, similar to a Probationary Officer (PO) in rank. However, there are two distinct differences:
- Experience Requirement: Unlike POs who are fresh graduates, CBOs are hired laterally. You need prior banking experience to apply.
- Posting Stability: As the name suggests, this is a “Circle Based” recruitment. Candidates are selected for a specific Circle (State/Region) and are generally posted within that circle for a significant duration. This offers stability that the All-India transfer liability of a PO does not immediately offer.
For the 2026 cycle, SBI has announced a total of 2,273 vacancies (2,050 Regular + 223 Backlog).
Key Highlights: SBI CBO 2026
| Parameter | Details |
| Organization | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Post Name | Circle Based Officer (CBO) |
| Vacancy Count | 2,273 |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Registration Dates | Active Now – Closes Feb 18, 2026 |
| Exam Date (Tentative) | March 2026 |
| Selection Process | Online CBT + Screening + Interview |
| Official Website | sbi.co.in/web/careers |
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1. Eligibility Criteria: Are You The Right Fit?
The eligibility for CBO is stricter than standard banking exams. You must clear three specific hurdles: Age, Education, and Experience.
A. Age Limit (As of 31.12.2025)
- You must not be older than 30 years.
- You must not be younger than 21 years.
- Relaxations: The upper age limit is relaxed for reserved categories:
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years.
- SC/ST: 5 years.
- PwBD: 10-15 years depending on category.
B. Educational Qualification
You need a Graduation Degree in any discipline from a recognized University.
- Note: Candidates with dual degrees (IDD), Medical, Engineering, or Chartered Accountant (CA) qualifications are also eligible to apply.
C. The “Golden” Criterion: Work Experience
This is the deal-breaker. To be eligible, you must have:
- Minimum 2 years of experience (as of 31.12.2025).
- Role: You must have worked as an Officer (in any scale).
- Organization: The experience must be in a Scheduled Commercial Bank or any Regional Rural Bank (RRB).
Who is NOT Eligible?
- Employees currently working in subsidiaries of SBI.
- Employees working in Cooperative Banks (unless they fall under Scheduled Commercial Banks).
- Employees already working in SBI in clerical/supervisory cadres.
- Candidates who have resigned from SBI in the past in the officer grade.
D. Local Language Proficiency
Since you are applying for a specific circle (e.g., Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Bengaluru), you must be proficient in the local language of that state (Reading, Writing, and Speaking).
- Exemption: If you have studied the specific local language in 10th or 12th standard and have a mark sheet to prove it, you will not need to take the language test.
2. Salary & Perks: Is the Switch Worth It?
Financial growth is the primary motivator for any job switch. SBI CBO offers a lucrative package that outmatches most private sector banking roles at the same level.
- Basic Pay: The starting basic pay is ₹48,480 per month.
- The Experience Bonus: This is the best part. You will be eligible for one increment for every completed year of service rendered in an officer cadre in a Scheduled Commercial Bank/RRB, up to a maximum of 2 increments.
- Effect: While a fresh PO starts at the base level, a CBO starts at a higher notch due to these advance increments.
- Allowances: Over and above the basic pay, you receive:
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) / Lease Rental
- City Compensatory Allowance (CCA)
- Medical, Furniture, and Leave Fare Concession (LFC).
- Gross Salary: In a metro city like Mumbai or Delhi, the gross monthly salary typically ranges between ₹75,000 to ₹80,000.
3. The Selection Process: Simplified & Fast
Unlike the IBPS PO or SBI PO exams, the CBO selection process does not drag on for months. It has three clear stages:
Stage I: Online Computer Based Test (CBT)
Scheduled for March 2026, this test consists of Objective and Descriptive sections.
Objective Test (120 Marks | 2 Hours)
- English Language: 30 Qs (30 Marks) – 30 Minutes.
- Banking Knowledge: 40 Qs (40 Marks) – 40 Minutes. (High Weightage)
- General Awareness / Economy: 30 Qs (30 Marks) – 30 Minutes.
- Computer Aptitude: 20 Qs (20 Marks) – 20 Minutes.
Descriptive Test (50 Marks | 30 Minutes)
- Task: Letter Writing & Essay Writing.
- Method: Typing on a computer.
- Note: The descriptive paper is evaluated only if you qualify for the objective test.
Stage II: Screening
There is no “Mains” exam. After the CBT, shortlisted candidates’ documents are verified to ensure they strictly meet the eligibility criteria (specifically the experience certificate and job profile).
Stage III: Interview (50 Marks)
The final stage is a personal interview.
- Merit List Calculation: The final selection is based on your normalized marks in the Online Test (75% weightage) and the Interview (25% weightage).
4. Career Path & Transfer Policy
Many aspirants worry about career stagnation in “specialized” roles. However, SBI has clarified the path for CBOs:
- Designation: You join as a Circle Based Officer (JMGS-I).
- Probation: 6 months of probation.
- Promotion: On completing service requirements, CBOs are eligible for promotion to Scale II, Scale III, and beyond, merging into the general cadre eventually.
- Transfer Policy: This is a critical constraint. CBOs are generally required to serve in the applied Circle for a minimum period of 12 years or until promotion to Scale-IV (Chief Manager level). This is excellent for those who want stability in a specific state but might be a drawback for those seeking immediate cross-country transfers.
5. How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide
The clock is ticking. The last date to apply is February 18, 2026.
- Visit the Portal: Go to
https://bank.sbi/web/careersorhttps://www.sbi.co.in/web/careers. - New Registration: Click on “RECRUITMENT OF CIRCLE BASED OFFICERS” > “Apply Online” > “Click here for New Registration”.
- Upload Documents:
- Photograph (4.5cm × 3.5cm)
- Signature (Black ink)
- Brief Resume (PDF)
- ID Proof (PDF)
- Proof of Date of Birth (PDF)
- Experience Certificate / Job Profile (Crucial: Must clearly state you are an officer).
- Fee Payment:
- General/EWS/OBC: ₹750
- SC/ST/PwBD: Nil.
- Final Submit: Save the application printout for future reference.
Conclusion: Why You Shouldn’t Miss This
The SBI CBO 2026 is not just a job opening; it is a career accelerator. It recognizes your past hard work and allows you to bypass the intense competition that fresh graduates face. With a simplified exam pattern that focuses heavily on Banking Knowledge (which you already possess) rather than complex Quantitative Aptitude, the odds of success are significantly higher.
Deadline: February 18, 2026. Action: Apply today.
Your future at India’s premier banking institution awaits!
Disclaimer: The information provided above is based on the official notification for SBI CBO 2026. Candidates are advised to read the detailed advertisement on the official SBI website before applying.
