The SBI PO Prelims exam for 2026 will be held on 01 August 2026 and 02 August 2026 across four shifts each day, following the same pattern State Bank of India has used in previous recruitment cycles. The exam is being conducted for 1,500 vacancies, with around 12.14 lakh candidates having applied for the Probationary Officer posts this year.
The admit card for the exam was released on 22 July 2026 on the official careers portal, sbi.bank.in/careers, and candidates must download it using their registration number and password or date of birth. The exact shift, reporting time, and gate closing time for each candidate are mentioned individually on the call letter.
SBI PO Prelims Shift Timings for the Exam
The exam will be conducted in four shifts on both days, each lasting 60 minutes:
- Shift 1: 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
- Shift 2: 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
- Shift 3: 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
- Shift 4: 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Candidates should note that these are general shift windows; the specific shift assigned to each candidate is printed on their individual admit card and may not match every slot listed above.
Reporting Time and Entry Rules
Candidates are advised to reach the exam centre at least one hour before their reporting time to allow sufficient time for biometric verification, document checks, and frisking. Entry is not permitted after the gate closing time under any circumstances, regardless of the reason for delay. It is strongly recommended that candidates visit their allotted exam centre a day in advance to avoid last-minute travel issues on the exam day itself.
Documents and Items to Carry
Candidates must carry a clear printout of the admit card along with a valid original photo ID, such as Aadhaar, PAN, Passport, Voter ID, or Driving Licence, matching the details on the call letter. The specified number of passport-size photographs must also be carried for the attendance sheet. Mobile phones, smartwatches, calculators, Bluetooth devices, earphones, and any study material are strictly prohibited inside the examination hall.
