What is SBI Junior Associate (Clerk) Exam? - Age Limit, Pattern, Salary, Qualification and Eligibility
What is SBI Junior Associate?
SBI Junior Associate is also known as SBI Clerk. SBI Junior Associate is an entry-level government banking exam conducted by the State Bank of India (SBI) for recruitment to the post of Junior Associate in various branches across the country. The role of a Junior Associate involves customer service and clerical tasks in bank branches such as account handling, cash deposits, withdrawals, passbook updates, cheque clearance, loan processing, drafting, account opening, and resolving customer queries.
To become an SBI Clerk candidates must appear for the SBI Junior Associate exam. This exam is primarily conducted in three stages. The first stage is called the Preliminary Examination, the second stage is the Main Examination, and the third stage is the Language Proficiency Test (LPT).
Why SBI Clerk?
State Bank of India is the largest and government bank of India. It has a total of more than 50 crore customers across the country and more than 20,000 branches which is at the top compared to any private and other government banks. Every year SBI releases many vacancies for bank clerks. The selected candidates get good salary, job security, and additional benefits like DA and pension.
SBI Junior Associate Exam Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Exam Name | SBI Junior Associates |
| Other Name | SBI Clerk Exam |
| Conducting Body | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Purpose | Recruitment of clerks (Junior Associates) post in SBI |
| Target Candidates | Graduates aspiring for clerical jobs in SBI |
| Exam Level | National |
| Frequency | Once year |
| Application Mode | Online |
| Official Website | Website |
SBI Clerk Eligibility Criteria
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
| Category | Age limit/Relaxation |
|---|---|
| General | 20 to 28 years |
| SC/ST | 5 years relaxation |
| OBC | 3 years |
| PWD (General) | 10 years |
| PWD (SC/ST) | 15 years |
| PWD (OBC) | 13 years |
How to Apply SBI Clerk?
New Registration
- To fill out the SBI Junior Associate exam form candidates need to visit the careers section on the official SBI website.
- Once there candidates should click on the "Apply" link under the 'Recruitment of Junior Associate section based on the current openings.
- Next they need to click on the "New Registration" button.
- A registration form will then appear on the screen which candidates need to complete in six steps:
- Basic Info: In this section candidates should fill out their basic details such as first name, middle name, last name, mobile number, and email ID, and then click on the "Save & Next" button.
- Photo and Signature: Here candidates must upload their scanned current photo and signature and click "Next".
- Details: Candidates should fill in their preferred circle, qualifications, caste, experience, and language details accurately and then click "Save & Next".
- Preview: In this section candidates should review the entire form and then click the "Complete Registration" button.
- Uploads: Candidates need to upload two documents: a photo of their left-hand thumb impression and a photo of their right-hand thumb impression on white paper. Once uploaded click "Save & Next".
- Payment: To pay the registration fee candidates should click on the "Submit" button and use any one of the available payment methods to complete the fee payment.
SBI Clerk Exam Pattern
1. SBI Clerk Preliminary Exam
The preliminary exam is the first stage of the SBI Junior Associate exam. It is a screening test which tests the basic aptitude and skills of the candidate. In this stage the candidate has to clear the exam. After clearing the preliminary exam the candidate is considered eligible for the main exam. This exam is taken in online mode and the time duration of which is 1 hour. There are three sections in this exam and all the three papers are of 100 marks.
| Exam Mode | Online |
| Paper Name | Preliminary Exam |
| Question type | Objective-type (MCQ) |
| Section |
|
| Total questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Duration | 1 hour (60 minutes) |
2. SBI Clerk Main Exam
Candidates are eligible for the main exam only after passing the preliminary exam. Main exam is the second and important stage of Junior Associate exam. Because the marks of this stage are counted in the final selection. The main exam is of total 2 hours 40 minutes. There are total 4 sections in this stage, and all the four sections are of 200 marks.
| Exam Mode | Online |
| Paper Name | Main Exam |
| Question type | Objective-type (MCQ) |
| Section |
|
| Total questions | 190 |
| Total Marks | 200 |
| Duration | 2.40 Hours (160 minutes) |
3. SBI Clerk Language Proficiency Test (LPT)
The Language Proficiency Test (LPT) is conducted to assess the candidates efficiency in the local language. After passing the preliminary and main examinations candidates become eligible for the LPT. This test is not administered to everyone; it is only for candidates applying in a state different from the one they studied in.
For example, if a person studied in Bihar and applied in Maharashtra they would need to take the LPT. In this stage the candidate is given a passage to read in the local language, write an essay or letter, engage in a basic conversation, and answer questions in that language. The candidate only needs to qualify in the LPT. However if a candidate clears the preliminary and main examinations but fails the LPT their selection process may be cancelled.
SBI Clerk Selection Process
- Prelims Result: After the SBI Clerk (Junior Associate) prelims exam the result is declared by SBI.
- Mains Exam: Once the prelims result is declared only qualified candidates are called for the mains exam.
- Merit List: A merit list is prepared based on the candidates performance in the main examination.
- Medical Examination: Selected candidates must undergo a medical examination to ensure they are fit for service.
- Document Verification: The document verification process is conducted for candidates who have successfully qualified.
- LPT (Local Language Proficiency Test): Candidates need to demonstrate proficiency in the local language of the state they have applied to.
- Joining Letter: After successful selected candidates are given official joining letter by SBI.
SBI Clerk Role
- Junior Associate: Junior Associate (Customer Support and Sales) is one of the initial designations of SBI Clerk. In this role the duty of JA is to listen to the queries of bank customers, provide information related to accounts, explain about banking products and services.
- Cashier: In the position of cashier SBI clerk handles money related responsibilities in the bank such as cash deposit, cash withdrawal, and accounting.
- Loan Clerk: Loan clerk meets the customer for loan, and verifies, and processes the loan application document.
- Deposit Clerk: Deposit clerk opens a new account for the customer.
- Customer Relationship Executive: The customer relationship executive interacts with customers directly and tries to solve their problems.
- Checking Clerk: The checking clerk works for cheque clearing and related operations.
SBI Clerk Salary
The basic salary of an SBI Clerk (Junior Associate) is ₹19,900. The gross salary including other allowances and benefits ranges from ₹29,000 to ₹32,000 per month.
SBI Clerk Benefits and Allowence
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA)
- Transport Allowance (TA)
- Medical Benefit
- Special Allowance
- Leave Benefit
- Provident Fund (PF)
- Pension
- Loan Benefit (Housing loan, Car loan, Personal loan)
- Insurance
SBI Clerk Advantages
- Job Security: SBI being a government bank SBI clerks enjoy high job security.
- Good Salary: SBI offers good salary along with additional allowances and benefits to its clerks.
- Salary and Promotion: Salary hike and promotion are offered based on the good work of the clerk.
- Transfer Options: As SBI has branches all over India clerks get the flexibility to get transferred to different locations.
- Gender Diversity: There are more female employees in SBI than male employees. And along with this various policies and benefits are provided to female employees in SBI which balance their professional and personal growth.
SBI Clerk Disadvantages
- Work Load: SBI has the highest number of customers in India so clerks have more workload during week ends and week starts.
- Promotion: Promotion from junior position to senior position takes more time and competition.
- Less Flexibility: Due to fixed timings and rules of SBI clerks there is less flexibility in work compared to private sector.
