What is SBI Junior Associate (Clerk) Exam? - Age Limit, Pattern, Salary, Qualification and Eligibility

What is SBI Junior Associate (Clerk) Exam?

SBI Junior Associate, also commonly known as SBI Clerk, is an entry-level government banking exam conducted by the State Bank of India. Through this exam, candidates are recruited for the post of Clerk (Junior Associate) in SBI branches across the country.

How to become an SBI Clerk?

To become an SBI Clerk, candidates have to clear the SBI Junior Associate exam. This exam is conducted in three major stages, which are as follows:

If you want to become an SBI Clerk, you have to clear all the three stages - Preliminary Exam, Main Exam and Language Proficiency Test.

Why become an SBI Clerk?

State Bank of India (SBI) is the largest and most trusted government bank in India. It has a total of 20,000+ branches and more than 50 crore customers across the country, which is the highest compared to any private and other government banks. Every year SBI releases many vacancies for bank clerks, which increases the number of opportunities and increases the chances of selection. In such a situation, the job of SBI clerk is not only prestigious but also a great way to secure the future.

What is the job of an SBI Junior Associate?

The role of an SBI Junior Associate mainly involves customer service and clerical work in an SBI branch. The following tasks are performed in it:

SBI Junior Associate Exam Summary

SBI Clerk Eligibility Criteria

Candidates have to fulfil certain eligibility criteria before applying for SBI Clerk Recruitment. These criteria are set by the State Bank of India (SBI).

1. SBI Clerk Educational Qualification

Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university.

Candidates in the final year/semester of their graduation may also apply.

2. SBI Clerk Age limit

The age limit of candidates for SBI Clerk recruitment has been set for different categories. Following are some age limits of SBI Clerk:

SBI Clerk Exam Pattern

SBI Clerk Recruitment Exam is conducted in 3 main stages:

1. SBI Clerk Preliminary Exam

SBI Clerk Preliminary Exam is the first stage of the SBI Junior Associate recruitment process. It is a screening test aimed at testing the basic aptitude and banking skills of the candidates. The exam is conducted in online mode and the duration is 1 hour. There are three sections in this exam and all the three papers are of 100 marks.

2. SBI Clerk Main Exam

SBI Clerk Main Exam is the second and most important stage of the SBI Junior Associate recruitment process. Only those candidates who clear the preliminary exam are considered eligible for this exam. The main exam is of total duration of 2 hours 40 minutes. There are total 4 sections in this stage and all the four sections are of 200 marks.

3. SBI Clerk Language Proficiency Test (LPT)

Language Proficiency Test (LPT) is the third and final stage of the SBI Clerk (Junior Associate) selection process. This test is conducted to check the candidate's proficiency in the local language. In this stage, the candidate is given a passage to read, write an essay or letter in the local language, conduct basic conversation and answer questions in that language. LPT is only qualifying; there is no merit in it. If a candidate fails in LPT, his/her selection is liable to be cancelled even if he/she has cleared the main exam.

Why is LPT required?

This test ensures that the candidate possesses the required speaking, writing and reading abilities in the local language of the State where he/she will be posted.

Eligibility for LPT

Only those candidates are eligible for LPT who clear the preliminary and main exams. This exam is not compulsory for all candidates.

For which candidates LPT is for?

LPT is for those candidates who have done their education in another state but have applied for another state.
Example: If a candidate has studied in Bihar but applied for Maharashtra, he/she will have to give LPT in Marathi language.

SBI Clerk Selection Process

SBI Clerk (Junior Associate) recruitment process is a phased system in which candidates are selected on the basis of merit, performance and eligibility criteria. Below is the complete selection process to become an SBI Clerk:

SBI Clerk Work Profile

The job of an SBI Clerk is focused on providing high-quality customer service. SBI Clerks (SBI Junior Associate) are called the backbone of the bank as they directly interact with the customers and handle the day-to-day operations of the bank. This is a clerical position which is very important for the customer service and branch operations of SBI. The role of the candidates selected for this position is not limited to the counter only, but they are also given the responsibility of customer service, cash handling, account management and administrative work of the bank in the future.

Key Functions of SBI Clerk

1. Junior Associate

2. Cashier

3. Loan Clerk

4. Deposit Clerk

5. Customer Relations Executive

6. Checking Clerk

7. Other Responsibilities

SBI Clerk Promotion

SBI Clerk Salary

The basic salary of SBI Clerk (Junior Associate) at the time of appointment is up to Rs. 19,900/- per month. With this, other allowances are added and the total salary ranges from Rs. 29,000/- to Rs. 32,000/- per month.

SBI Clerk Perks and Allowances

SBI Clerk Advantages

If you are interested in working in the banking sector, SBI clerk job offers many benefits that make it one of the most sought-after government jobs in India. Below are the major advantages of being an SBI clerk:

SBI Clerk Disadvantages

While SBI Clerk job offers many benefits, it also has some drawbacks and challenges that are important to know. If you are thinking of becoming an SBI Clerk, considering these aspects can make your decision balanced.