Hello dear friends, The wait is over for lakhs of banking aspirants across India! The State Bank of India (SBI) has announced a massive recruitment drive for 2050 Circle Based Officer (CBO) posts for the year 2026. This is one of the most anticipated notifications, especially for freshers and those looking for a stable career in their home state. If you have just completed your graduation and are looking for a prestigious job that values your local language and community connect, this is your perfect opportunity. This guide will explain every single detail in the simplest way possible, helping you navigate the entire process from application to preparation.
What is an SBI Circle Based Officer? Understanding the Role
Let’s break down the role first. A Circle Based Officer (CBO) is a specialist officer recruited for a specific regional circle of SBI. Unlike probationary officers who can be posted anywhere in India, a CBO’s primary placement and work are within a particular state or linguistic region. Your core responsibilities will include:
- Building and managing relationships with local customers.
- Processing agricultural, SME, and personal loans.
- Implementing the bank’s schemes and products at the grassroots level.
- Ensuring smooth customer service and resolving queries.
As a fresher, this role offers a unique mix of field work and branch operations, giving you a solid foundation in banking. You become the crucial link between SBI and the local community, using your language skills and cultural understanding every single day.
The Clock is Ticking: Critical Dates for SBI CBO 2026
Your first step to success is marking these dates on your calendar and planning backward. Missing a deadline means missing the chance.
| Activity | Important Date |
| Online Application Start Date | 29 January 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply Online | 18 February 2026 |
| Last Date for Fee Payment | 18 February 2026 |
| Exam Date | To be notified later |
| Admit Card Release | Before the Exam |
| Result Declaration | Will be updated on the official site |
Crucial Advice for Candidates: The application window is open for about 20 days. Do NOT make the common mistake of waiting until the last day (18th February). Server overload, last-minute document issues, or payment delays are common. Set a personal deadline for yourself: Submit your application by 15th February 2026. This gives you a buffer to solve any unexpected problems.
Are You Eligible? The Must-Know Criteria
Before you dream about the job, check these boxes carefully. The eligibility is designed to be inclusive for fresh graduates.
1. Age Limit (As on 31 December 2025):
- Minimum Age: You must be at least 21 years old.
- Maximum Age: You should not be more than 30 years old.
- Age Relaxation: SBI provides age relaxation for candidates belonging to Scheduled Caste (SC), Scheduled Tribe (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), Persons with Disability (PWD), and other categories as per the Government of India guidelines. The exact number of years of relaxation will be clearly mentioned in the official notification on the SBI website.
2. Educational Qualification:
- You must possess a Bachelor’s Degree in any stream from a recognized university or institute.
- The Non-Negotiable Condition: You must be proficient in the local language of the circle you are applying for. This means you should be able to read, write, speak, and understand the language comfortably. This is tested rigorously during the selection process.
Complete Vacancy Breakdown: Choose Your Circle Wisely
This is your most critical decision. You must select a circle where you are 100% confident in the specified local language. Here is the complete list of vacancies for SBI CBO 2026.
| States Name | Number of Posts | Languages |
| Uttar Pradesh | 200 Posts | Hindi / Urdu |
| Delhi / Uttarakhand / Haryana / Uttar Pradesh | 76 Posts | Hindi |
| Madhya Pradesh / Chhattisgarh | 97 Posts | Hindi |
| Rajasthan | 103 Posts | Hindi |
| Odisha | 80 Posts | Odia |
| Telangana | 80 Posts | Telugu |
| West Bengal/ Sikkim/ A & N Islands | 200 Posts | Bengali / Nepali |
| Maharashtra | 194 Posts | Marathi |
| Maharashtra/ Goa | 143 Posts | Marathi / Konkani |
| Assam/ Arunachal Pradesh /Manipur/ Meghalaya/ Mizoram/ Nagaland/ Tripura | 68 Posts | Assamese / Bengali / Bodo / Manipuri / Garo / Khasi / Mizo / Kokborok |
| Gujarat / Dadra & Nagar Haveli / Daman & Due | 194 Posts | Gujarati |
| Andhra Pradesh | 97 Posts | Telugu / Urdu |
| Karnataka | 200 Posts | Kannada |
| Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh / Himachal Pradesh / Haryana / Punjab | 103 Posts | Hindi / Punjabi / Urdu |
| Tamil Nadu / Pondicherry | 165 Posts | Tamil |
| Kerala / Lakshadweep | 50 Posts | Malayalam |
| Total | 2050 Posts |
How to Choose: Look for the circle that includes your home state or a region whose language you know fluently. For example, if you are from Karnataka and know Kannada, “Basava Land” with 200 posts is your circle. If you are comfortable in Bengali, you can opt for “Rohit Island / Meera Hills” (200 posts) or the North-East circle.
Application Fee & Payment Methods
The application fee is reasonable and the process is entirely online.
| Category | Application Fee |
| General / OBC / EWS Candidates | ₹ 750 |
| SC / ST / PWD Candidates | ₹ 0 (No Fee) |
Online Payment Mode: You can pay the fee using any of the following methods: Debit Card, Credit Card, Internet Banking, IMPS (Immediate Payment Service), or Cash Card/Mobile Wallets. Keep a screenshot or receipt of the successful payment.
A Step-by-Step Walkthrough of the Online Application Form
Filling the form correctly is the first test. Let’s go through it step-by-step.
Step 1: Registration (Starting 29th Jan 2026)
- Visit the official SBI Careers website.
- Find the advertisement for “CBO Recruitment 2026” and click on “Apply Online”.
- You will be redirected to a new registration page. Enter your basic details like Name, Mobile Number, and Email ID.
- A provisional Registration Number and Password will be generated and sent to your email and phone. Note these down securely.
Step 2: Filling the Main Application Form
- Log in with your Registration Number and Password.
- Carefully fill in all sections:
- Personal Details: Name, Father’s/Mother’s Name, Date of Birth, Category, etc. (Must match your certificates).
- Educational Details: Enter your graduation details, university name, marks, etc.
- Circle Preference: This is a drop-down menu. Select your chosen circle very carefully. You cannot change this after final submission.
- Communication Address: Provide your correct and complete address.
Step 3: Uploading Scanned Documents
Prepare these in advance to avoid hurry. Ensure they are clear and within the specified file size (usually below 500KB).
- Recent Photograph: A passport-sized color photo with a white background.
- Signature: Your signature on white paper with a black ink pen.
- Other Documents: You may need to upload your graduation certificate, category certificate (if applicable), etc.
Step 4: Payment of Application Fee
- Proceed to the payment gateway.
- Select your mode of payment (Debit Card, etc.) and complete the transaction.
- Wait for the confirmation page. Your application is NOT complete until the fee payment is successful.
Step 5: Final Submission and Printout
- Once the fee is paid, review your entire application form one last time.
- Submit the final form.
- IMPORTANT: Immediately take a printout of the final application form and the fee receipt. Keep 2-3 copies safely for all future stages of the recruitment process.
The Selection Process: What to Expect After Applying
As a fresher, understanding the next steps removes fear and helps you prepare strategically. The selection will have two main phases:
1. Online Written Examination:
Once applications are screened, SBI will conduct an online exam. While the exact pattern will be notified, it typically includes:
- Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude
- Quantitative Aptitude
- English Language
- General Awareness (with special reference to Banking)
- There might be a Descriptive Paper to test your writing skills in English.
Preparation Tip: Start with basics. Focus on speed and accuracy in maths and reasoning. Read a newspaper daily for current affairs and banking news.
2. Interview & Local Language Verification:
Candidates who clear the written exam will be called for an interview. Simultaneously, your knowledge of the local language will be tested.
- Interview: Assesses your personality, communication skills, and suitability for a banking role.
- Language Test: This is mandatory and qualifying in nature. If you cannot prove your proficiency (through 10th/12th standard marksheet or a separate test), you will be disqualified, regardless of your marks in the written exam or interview.
Faq’s: your Question Answer
1: Can freshers apply for SBI CBO?
Yes, absolutely. No prior work experience is required. Any fresher who has completed graduation from a recognized university can apply.
2: At which stage is the local language test conducted?
This test is held after clearing the written exam, along with the interview. If you have not studied the language in 10th/12th grade, you will have to take a separate proficiency test.
3: How much is the application fee?
The fee is ₹750 for General/OBC/EWS category candidates. There is no fee for SC/ST/PWD candidates.
4: Can I change my chosen circle after applying?
No. The circle preference cannot be changed once the form is submitted. That is why you must choose your circle carefully based on your language skills right at the beginning.
5: Will the job location be fixed?
Yes, you will primarily be posted within the circle you applied for. There are no all-India transfers in this role.
Conclusion
- Language First: Your language skill is your ticket. Be honest with yourself about your proficiency.
- Documents Ready: Gather all certificates (academic, category, ID proof) and get them scanned before 29th January.
- Practice the Form Fill: You can look at previous years’ SBI forms to get an idea of the information required.
- Official Website Only: All information, updates, and the application link will be available only on the official SBI Careers portal. Do not rely on other websites.
- Start Light Preparation: Use the time between application submission and the exam notice to build your fundamentals in reasoning and quantitative aptitude.
The SBI CBO 2026 recruitment is a structured, transparent, and excellent opportunity to start a fulfilling career. With 2050 vacancies spread across the country, your chances are significant if you are meticulous in your application and sincere in your preparation. Follow this guide, stay updated via the official website, and take the first step confidently on 29th January 2026. Your journey to becoming an SBI Officer begins here
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