SBI PO Prelims Question Paper 2026: Memory-Based Paper, Exam Pattern and Official Details
The SBI PO Prelims 2026 examination is being conducted as Phase-I of the Probationary Officer recruitment process under Advertisement No. CRPD/PO/2026-27/09. Candidates searching for the SBI PO Prelims Question Paper 2026 should note that SBI does not provide the official recruitment question paper, answer sheet or right-answer key. Memory-based questions, where available, are unofficial and should be treated only as practice material.
SBI PO Prelims Question Paper 2026 Overview
State Bank of India has issued the recruitment advertisement for 1,500 Probationary Officer vacancies under Advertisement No. CRPD/PO/2026-27/09. According to the official notification, the recruitment process consists of Preliminary Examination, Main Examination and the subsequent Phase-III selection process.
The official notification specifies August 2026 as the tentative month for the Phase-I online Preliminary Examination. SBI’s official careers material should be treated as the primary source for examination schedules, call letters, results and other recruitment updates.
| Particular | Official Details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting Organisation | State Bank of India |
| Post | Probationary Officer |
| Advertisement Number | CRPD/PO/2026-27/09 |
| Total Vacancies | 1,500 |
| Application Period | 18 June 2026 to 8 July 2026 |
| Phase-I | Online Preliminary Examination |
| Phase-I Schedule | August 2026, as per the official notification |
| Phase-II | Online Main Examination |
| Phase-II Schedule | September 2026, as per the official notification |
| Phase-III | Psychometric Test, Group Exercises & Interview |
| Phase-III Schedule | October / November 2026, as per the official notification |
| Official Question Paper | Not provided by SBI |
Is SBI PO Prelims Question Paper 2026 Officially Released?
No official SBI PO recruitment question paper PDF has been provided by State Bank of India. SBI’s official Probationary Officer information page explicitly states that the Bank does not provide an answer sheet, question paper or right-answer key for its recruitment examinations.
As a result, candidates should be careful when they find websites describing their PDF as the “official SBI PO question paper”. Such a PDF should not be presented as an SBI-issued document unless it is actually published through an official SBI careers source.
SBI PO Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
The official SBI Probationary Officer information page specifies an online Preliminary Examination carrying 100 marks. The test consists of three sections and has a composite duration of one hour.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | Composite Time of 1 Hour |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 35 | |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 1 Hour |
SBI PO Prelims Negative Marking 2026
SBI’s official Probationary Officer information states that a penalty applies to wrong answers in the objective tests. For each incorrect answer, one-fourth of the marks assigned to that question is deducted while calculating the corrected score.
No penalty is applied when a candidate leaves a question unanswered. Candidates should therefore consider accuracy and question selection rather than attempting questions randomly.
| Response | Effect |
|---|---|
| Correct Answer | Marks assigned to the question are awarded |
| Wrong Answer | One-fourth of the marks assigned to the question is deducted |
| Unanswered Question | No penalty |
SBI PO Prelims Memory-Based Paper 2026
After an examination, candidates may recall questions and topics they encountered during their test. Such information can be compiled into an unofficial memory-based paper. However, these recollections are not issued, verified or authenticated by State Bank of India.
A memory-based paper can therefore be useful for preparation and post-exam discussion, but candidates should not assume that every recalled question has the exact wording, values or options that appeared in the examination.
SBI PO Prelims Question Paper PDF 2026
Candidates looking for an SBI PO Prelims Question Paper PDF should first understand the distinction between an official SBI document and a memory-based reconstruction. SBI’s official recruitment information confirms that the Bank does not provide copies of the question paper, answer sheet or right-answer key.
Therefore, there is no official SBI PDF link that can be provided for the Preliminary Examination question paper. The official SBI careers portal should instead be used for the recruitment advertisement, call letter, corrigendum, results and other documents released by the Bank.
SBI PO Recruitment 2026 Official Notification Details
The official SBI notification for Probationary Officer recruitment is Advertisement No. CRPD/PO/2026-27/09. SBI invited applications from eligible Indian citizens for appointment as Probationary Officers and announced 1,500 vacancies.
| Official Notification Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Advertisement Number | CRPD/PO/2026-27/09 |
| Notification Date | 18 June 2026 |
| Post | Probationary Officer |
| Total Vacancies | 1,500 |
| Online Registration | 18 June 2026 to 8 July 2026 |
| Preliminary Examination | August 2026 |
| Main Examination | September 2026 |
| Phase-III | October / November 2026 |
SBI PO Selection Process 2026
According to the official SBI Probationary Officer recruitment information, selection is conducted through multiple stages. Candidates who qualify in the Preliminary Examination and are shortlisted proceed to the Main Examination. Candidates shortlisted from the Main Examination subsequently participate in the Phase-III selection process.
Online Preliminary Examination.
Main Examination consisting of objective and descriptive tests.
Psychometric Test, Group Exercises and Interview.
Final selection is based on the stages and marks specified in the official recruitment process.
What Should Candidates Do After SBI PO Prelims?
Candidates who have appeared for the Preliminary Examination should not wait for the result before beginning Main Examination preparation. SBI’s recruitment process requires candidates shortlisted from Phase-I to appear for Phase-II.
The official SBI information states that Preliminary Examination marks are not added to the final selection score. Candidates should therefore concentrate on the next stage once they have completed Phase-I.
SBI PO Prelims Result 2026
The SBI PO Preliminary Examination result will be published through the official SBI recruitment/careers channels when released by the Bank. Candidates should not rely on unofficial websites for result dates or selection claims.
SBI’s official recruitment information explains that candidates qualifying in the Preliminary Examination and meeting the shortlisting requirements will proceed to the Main Examination.
Important Points About SBI PO Question Paper 2026
SBI does not provide the recruitment question paper.
SBI does not provide the right-answer/model answer key for the recruitment examination.
Candidate-recalled questions are unofficial.
100 questions, 100 marks and one-hour composite time.
One-fourth of the assigned marks is deducted for an incorrect answer.
Use SBI Careers and the official recruitment advertisement for verification.
Common Mistakes Candidates Should Avoid
Candidates should avoid downloading files from websites that claim to provide an “official SBI PO question paper” unless the document is hosted on an official SBI domain. A third-party PDF should not be mistaken for an SBI-issued document.
Candidates should also avoid treating unofficial good-attempt estimates or difficulty ratings as official SBI information. SBI does not publish such candidate-recalled analysis as part of its official recruitment notification.
Another important point is the examination pattern. Candidates should follow the official pattern rather than older SBI PO patterns or information copied from previous recruitment cycles.
Important Official Links
| Purpose | Official SBI Source |
|---|---|
| SBI Current Openings | Visit Current Openings |
| SBI PO Official Notification | Download Official Notification |
| SBI PO Careers Information | View PO Information |
| SBI PO Study Material / PET | Open Official SBI Page |
| Official SBI Question Paper PDF | Not provided by SBI |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the SBI PO Prelims Question Paper 2026 officially released?
No. SBI’s official information states that the Bank does not provide copies of the recruitment question paper, answer sheet or right-answer key.
Is the SBI PO memory-based paper official?
No. A memory-based paper is reconstructed from candidate recollections and is not an official SBI document.
How many questions are there in SBI PO Prelims 2026?
The official Preliminary Examination consists of 100 objective questions for 100 marks.
What is the SBI PO Prelims 2026 exam pattern?
English Language has 30 questions and 30 marks, while Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability each have 35 questions and 35 marks. The composite time is one hour.
Is there negative marking in SBI PO Prelims?
Yes. SBI specifies a penalty of one-fourth of the marks assigned to the question for an incorrect answer. There is no penalty for an unanswered question.
What is the SBI PO 2026 advertisement number?
The advertisement number is CRPD/PO/2026-27/09.
How many SBI PO vacancies were announced in 2026?
SBI’s official recruitment advertisement announced 1,500 Probationary Officer vacancies.
When is the SBI PO Preliminary Examination scheduled?
The official recruitment notification gives August 2026 as the tentative schedule for Phase-I. Candidates should check the official SBI careers portal for the examination call letter and exact examination details.
Are SBI PO Prelims marks counted in final selection?
No. SBI’s official selection information states that Preliminary Examination marks are not added to the final selection score.
Where can I check official SBI PO updates?
Candidates should use SBI’s official Current Openings and Probationary Officer careers pages for recruitment notices, call letters, results and other official updates.
Conclusion
The SBI PO Prelims Question Paper 2026 is a highly searched resource for candidates preparing for the Probationary Officer recruitment examination. However, candidates should clearly distinguish between an unofficial memory-based paper and an official SBI question paper.
SBI’s official information confirms the Preliminary Examination structure of 100 questions and 100 marks, comprising English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability, with a composite examination time of one hour. SBI also states that it does not provide copies of the recruitment question paper, answer sheet or right-answer key.
For the latest recruitment information, candidates should rely on the official SBI Current Openings page and the official SBI Probationary Officer recruitment notification rather than unverified third-party PDFs or claims.