SBI PO Prelims result 2026 out for 1,500 posts: What next, Mains exam pattern, selection process

The State Bank of India (SBI) has announced the Probationary Officer (PO) Preliminary Examination 2026 results, which included 1,500 successful candidates. Those who passed the preliminary test have advanced to the next phase of the selection process: the SBI PO Mains examination. The prelims result can be accessed via roll number on the official SBI website. The original SBI PO Preliminary Examination took place on August 1 and 2, 2026.

Moving forward, candidates must prepare for the Main Examination, set to occur on September 12, 2026. The Main Exam is conducted online and consists of an objective test worth 200 marks and a descriptive test worth 50 marks. In the objective portion, candidates will face 170 questions spanning topics like reasoning, data analysis, general awareness, and English language.

The descriptive test, which follows immediately after the objective exam, requires candidates to write essays, emails, reports, and precis within a 30-minute timeframe.

The marks obtained in the preliminary exam do not contribute to the final merit list. Instead, the Main Examination and Phase III scores will determine the final selection. Selected candidates will then undergo a psychometric test, group exercise, and personal interview. SBI calculates final merit by combining Main Examination and Phase III results, applying normalization where appropriate.

Facing the Mains exam, shortlisted candidates should now shift focus to key areas such as banking and economic awareness, data interpretation, reasoning, computer aptitude, and effective descriptive writing. With the Main Examination holding significant weight in the selection process, it should now be the primary area of focus for aspiring SBI POs.