SBI CBO Selection Process 2026: Exam Pattern, Interview & Merit Rules

SBI CBO Selection Process 2026

For the recruitment of Scale 1 Circle Based Officers, the State Bank of India enforces a rigorous multi-stage selection procedure as outlined in the official SBI CBO Notification 2026. Candidates are shortlisted circle-wise and category-wise; applications are exclusive to a single circle, and final appointments are confined to that specific region. To secure an appointment as an SBI Circle Based Officer, candidates must successfully qualify in all four selection stages. Refer to the information below for essential updates.

SBI Circle Based Officer Selection Process 2026

To help aspiring applicants navigate the recruitment journey, we have detailed each stage of the selection process below. The four primary stages are as follows:

1. Online Examination
2. Screening of Experience and Job Profile
3. Interview
4. Local Language Proficiency Test

1. Online Examination

The online examination consists of an objective test and a descriptive test, totaling 170 marks. Notably, there is no negative marking for incorrect responses. The descriptive test commences immediately upon the conclusion of the objective test, with candidates required to type their responses directly on the computer screen.

SBI CBO 2026 Online Application: Click Here to Apply

(A) Online Objective Test

The objective test features 120 questions carrying 1 mark each, for a total of 120 marks. Candidates have a 2-hour duration to complete four key sections: English Language, Banking Knowledge, General Awareness/Economy, and Computer Aptitude. Detailed breakdowns are provided in the table below.

(B) Descriptive Test

The descriptive test is 30 minutes long and evaluates English proficiency through letter writing and essay tasks. This section consists of two questions worth a total of 50 marks. See the table below for further specifications.

2. Screening

Upon clearing the online exam, candidates undergo a document review by the Bank’s Screening Committee. This committee assesses eligibility regarding required experience and professional job profiles; failure to meet these criteria results in disqualification. Following the screening, candidates equivalent to three times the number of vacancies will be shortlisted for the Interview stage.

3. Interview

The Interview stage is worth 50 marks. To be included in the final merit list, candidates must achieve the minimum qualifying score established by the bank. The interview panel evaluates applicants on banking expertise, professional experience, communication prowess, and overall suitability for the CBO role.

4. Final Merit List

The final merit list identifies candidates who have successfully passed the interview and proceed to the final Language Proficiency Test. The merit list is calculated based on performance in both the online examination and the interview, with specific weightage assigned as detailed below.

For merit calculation, online test scores (objective + descriptive) are normalized to 75, and interview scores are normalized to 25. The final aggregate out of 100 determines the cut-off merit for selection.

5. Local Language Proficiency Test

Shortlisted candidates must pass a mandatory Language Proficiency Test in the local language of their applied circle, covering reading, writing, and speaking skills. This is a qualifying round only and carries no marks, yet failure to pass leads to disqualification. Candidates who studied the local language in Class 10 or 12 are exempt from this test.