SBI Clerk Cut Off 2026: Check Expected Prelims State-Wise and Category-Wise Cutoff
SBI Clerk Cut Off 2026 is now a major focus for candidates after completion of the regular Junior Associate Preliminary Examination on September 26 and 27, 2026. The State Bank of India has not yet released the official prelims cutoff, so marks currently circulating online should be treated only as expected ranges based on exam difficulty, vacancies, previous-year trends and candidate feedback.
One of the most important points candidates should understand is that SBI Clerk does not have one national prelims cutoff. The qualifying level can differ by state or Union Territory and by category because recruitment is conducted against state-wise and category-wise vacancies.
Current post-exam estimates for the General or Unreserved category range from below 60 marks in some states to above 80 marks in more competitive states. For example, expected General-category ranges after the September 26-27 examination are around 75-83 for Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, 76-84 for Punjab, 77-85 for West Bengal and Uttarakhand, 79-87 for Jammu and Kashmir, and 49-57 for Tamil Nadu.
These figures are not official SBI cutoffs. Candidates should wait for the SBI Clerk Prelims Result 2026 and scorecard before treating any number as final.
SBI Clerk Cut Off 2026: Latest Update
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Recruitment | SBI Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) 2026 |
| Common Name | SBI Clerk 2026 |
| Regular Recruitment Advertisement | CRPD/CR/2026-27/17 |
| Regular Prelims Exam Dates | September 26 and 27, 2026 |
| Special Backlog Drive Prelims | Separate recruitment process |
| Prelims Marks | 100 |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Exam Duration | 60 minutes |
| Official Cutoff Status | Not released yet |
| Cutoff Type | State-wise and category-wise |
| Official Website | https://sbi.bank.in/ |
| SBI Careers | https://sbi.bank.in/web/careers |
Is SBI Clerk Cut Off 2026 Released?
No. The official SBI Clerk Prelims Cut Off 2026 for the regular Junior Associate recruitment has not yet been released.
The preliminary examination was completed on September 26 and 27, and SBI's careers page currently shows the recruitment and preliminary call-letter information rather than a prelims result or scorecard.
The official cutoff should therefore be considered available only when SBI publishes the preliminary result, marks or scorecard information through its recruitment portal.
SBI Clerk Expected Prelims Cut Off 2026
The following ranges are post-examination estimates for General or Unreserved candidates. They are useful for understanding the likely competitive range but should not be presented as official SBI marks.
| State/UT | Expected General Cutoff 2026 |
|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar | 65-73 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 56-64 |
| Assam | 73-81 |
| Bihar | 69-77 |
| Chhattisgarh | 69-77 |
| Delhi | 75-83 |
| Gujarat | 67-76 |
| Haryana | 73-82 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 76-84 |
| Jammu & Kashmir | 79-87 |
| Jharkhand | 70-78 |
| Karnataka | 58-66 |
| Kerala | 69-77 |
| Madhya Pradesh | 78-86 |
| Maharashtra | 60-69 |
| Odisha | 73-81 |
| Punjab | 76-84 |
| Rajasthan | 74-82 |
| Tamil Nadu | 49-57 |
| Telangana | 48-56 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 75-83 |
| Uttarakhand | 77-85 |
| West Bengal | 77-85 |
These ranges are estimates prepared after the examination based on factors such as the perceived difficulty of the shifts, vacancy levels and historical cutoff behaviour.
The final cutoff can fall below or above these ranges.
SBI Clerk Category-Wise Cut Off 2026
Candidates frequently search for one national SBI Clerk category-wise cutoff covering General, OBC, EWS, SC and ST candidates. That is not how SBI Clerk cutoff works.
The actual cutoff can vary according to both:
- State or Union Territory
- Candidate category
This means an OBC candidate in Uttar Pradesh may not have the same cutoff as an OBC candidate in Maharashtra, Telangana or Karnataka.
Similarly, the difference between General and SC cutoff in one state may be very different from the category gap in another state.
Why We Are Not Publishing One Fake National Category-Wise Cutoff
Any table showing one single figure such as:
- General: 78
- OBC: 74
- EWS: 75
- SC: 68
- ST: 62
for the entire country would be misleading.
SBI Junior Associate recruitment is conducted state-wise, and vacancies are divided by category. The official cutoff therefore reflects competition within the relevant state and category rather than one all-India threshold.
Expected Category-Wise Cutoff: How Candidates Should Interpret It
| Category | How to Read Expected Cutoff |
|---|---|
| General/UR | Use the state-wise expected ranges as a broad post-exam reference |
| OBC | Actual cutoff depends on OBC vacancies and candidate performance within the state |
| EWS | Varies by state and available EWS vacancies |
| SC | Depends on state-specific SC vacancy and competition levels |
| ST | Can vary substantially because vacancy availability differs sharply by state |
| PwBD | Handled under applicable horizontal reservation and recruitment rules |
| Ex-Servicemen | Cutoff depends on the applicable category and reservation framework |
SBI Clerk Prelims Exam Pattern 2026
The SBI Clerk Preliminary Examination carries 100 marks and contains 100 objective questions.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
SBI Clerk Negative Marking 2026
SBI Clerk objective examinations apply negative marking for incorrect answers.
One-fourth of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each incorrect response.
Because preliminary questions generally carry one mark each, an incorrect response effectively results in a deduction of 0.25 mark.
How to Calculate SBI Clerk Prelims Score
A simple raw-score calculation can be made using:
Estimated Score = Correct Answers - (Incorrect Answers Ă— 0.25)
Example
Suppose a candidate attempted 85 questions:
- Correct answers: 76
- Incorrect answers: 9
- Positive marks: 76
- Negative marks: 9 Ă— 0.25 = 2.25
- Estimated raw score: 73.75
This calculation provides only an approximate self-estimate. Candidates should rely on the official SBI scorecard for their final marks.
Is There a Sectional Cutoff in SBI Clerk Prelims?
Candidates should follow the exact conditions stated in the applicable SBI recruitment notice and result documentation.
Recent SBI Junior Associate recruitment structures have focused on aggregate performance for shortlisting rather than requiring candidates to separately clear a fixed published cutoff in each prelims section.
The important practical requirement is therefore to score sufficiently high overall to fall within the state-wise and category-wise shortlist for the Main Examination.
Does SBI Clerk Prelims Score Count in Final Selection?
No. SBI Clerk prelims functions primarily as a screening stage.
The marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are not normally added to the final merit score.
Final selection is based on the Main Examination marks under the applicable recruitment rules, subject to:
- Eligibility verification
- Local-language requirement
- Category requirements
- Other notified conditions
SBI Clerk Prelims Cutoff vs Mains Cutoff
| Prelims Cutoff | Mains Cutoff |
|---|---|
| Used to shortlist candidates for the Main Examination | Used for final state/category merit under applicable rules |
| Exam carries 100 marks | Main exam carries 200 marks |
| Prelims marks do not form final merit | Main marks are crucial for final selection |
| State/category competition matters | State/category competition also matters |
Why Does SBI Clerk Cutoff Differ From State to State?
Several factors cause substantial differences in state-wise cutoffs.
- Number of vacancies in a state
- Number of candidates who applied
- Number of candidates who appeared
- Difficulty level of the examination
- Candidate performance
- Category-wise vacancy distribution
- Number of candidates shortlisted for Mains
A state with fewer vacancies and a large number of strong candidates can produce a higher cutoff.
A state with more vacancies or a comparatively difficult candidate-performance distribution may record a lower cutoff.
Why Tamil Nadu and Telangana Expected Cutoffs Are Lower Than Some Northern States
Expected cutoff differences should not be interpreted as evidence that one state's candidates are academically stronger or weaker.
Cutoffs are recruitment outcomes produced by:
- Vacancies
- Applicants
- Exam performance
- Reservation distribution
- State-specific competition
A lower cutoff can therefore reflect a very different vacancy-to-candidate ratio rather than easier recruitment standards.
SBI Clerk 2025 General Cutoff Trends
Previous-year prelims data show how sharply cutoffs can move from one year to another.
| State | General Cutoff 2025 |
|---|---|
| Punjab | 86.00 |
| Himachal Pradesh | 83.75 |
| Uttarakhand | 83.50 |
| Haryana | 81.00 |
| Delhi | 78.25 |
| West Bengal | 81.50 |
| Bihar | 74.00 |
| Kerala | 74.00 |
| Gujarat | 72.50 |
| Assam | 73.00 |
| Jharkhand | 70.00 |
| Karnataka | 61.00 |
The figures demonstrate why using only one previous year to predict the next cutoff can be unreliable.
SBI Clerk Cutoff Can Change Sharply From Year to Year
Consider Delhi:
- 2025 General cutoff: around 78.25
- 2024 General cutoff: around 67
Or Bihar:
- 2025 General cutoff: around 74
- 2024 General cutoff: around 47.25
Large movements like these show why expected cutoffs should always be presented as ranges rather than exact predictions.
What Is a Safe Score for SBI Clerk Prelims 2026?
There is no single safe score applicable to every state.
A score around 80 may be comfortable in some states but close to the expected cutoff in highly competitive states.
A score in the 60s may remain competitive in states where the cutoff is expected to be lower.
Candidates should compare their estimated score with the expected range for the state and category they applied under.
If I Score 80 Marks, Will I Clear SBI Clerk Prelims?
An estimated 80 can be competitive in many states, but it does not guarantee qualification.
For states where the expected General range extends into the low or mid-80s, an 80 could remain near the borderline.
Category and state both matter.
If I Score 75 Marks, Can I Clear SBI Clerk?
A score around 75 could be above the expected range in some states and near or below the range in others.
For example, it may compare more favourably in Maharashtra or Karnataka than in Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand or Punjab.
If I Score 70 Marks, Is SBI Clerk Prelims Possible?
A 70-mark score may remain competitive in several states but could be below the expected General cutoff in high-cutoff states.
Reserved-category candidates should not compare their score only with the General estimate because their official state/category cutoff may differ.
If I Score 60 Marks, Can I Qualify?
Possibly in some states, particularly where the expected range is lower.
However, 60 would likely be below the predicted General range in several highly competitive states.
The official result remains necessary before drawing a conclusion.
What Is Normalisation in SBI Clerk?
The SBI Clerk Preliminary Examination is conducted in multiple shifts.
When different shifts contain different sets of questions, examination authorities use the applicable scoring process to ensure candidates are evaluated consistently across sessions.
This is why simply comparing raw attempts from two different shifts can be misleading.
The final score shown by SBI should be treated as authoritative.
Good Attempts vs Cutoff: Are They the Same?
No.
“Good attempts” is an unofficial exam-analysis concept. It generally refers to the number of questions coaching experts believe could constitute a strong attempt given the perceived difficulty of a shift.
Cutoff is the actual score threshold determined through the recruitment process.
| Good Attempts | Cutoff |
|---|---|
| Unofficial estimate | Official recruitment threshold when released by SBI |
| Often based on candidate feedback | Based on actual candidate performance and vacancies |
| Usually refers to number of attempts | Refers to marks |
| Can vary across coaching analyses | One official figure applies to the relevant state/category |
Why Accuracy Matters More Than Attempts
Because incorrect answers attract negative marking, attempting more questions does not automatically produce a higher score.
Candidate A
- Attempts: 90
- Correct: 75
- Wrong: 15
- Estimated score: 71.25
Candidate B
- Attempts: 82
- Correct: 78
- Wrong: 4
- Estimated score: 77
Candidate B attempted fewer questions but obtained the stronger estimated score because accuracy was higher.
How Many Candidates Will Be Shortlisted for SBI Clerk Mains?
SBI shortlists an adequate number of candidates for the Main Examination according to the vacancies and recruitment rules.
The shortlist is generated in state-wise and category-wise merit order.
Therefore, qualifying does not mean simply crossing a fixed passing mark. Candidates need to rank sufficiently high within the applicable competition pool.
How to Check SBI Clerk Prelims Cut Off 2026
- Visit https://sbi.bank.in/.
- Open the Careers section.
- Select Current Openings or Recruitment Results.
- Find Recruitment of Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) 2026-27.
- Open the Preliminary Examination Result link once published.
- Check the marks or scorecard facility when available.
- Enter the required registration details.
- View your marks and qualifying status.
- Check the state/category cutoff displayed with the scorecard or result information.
- Download a copy for reference.
SBI Clerk Result 2026: What Candidates Should Check
Once the prelims result becomes available, candidates should verify:
- Registration number
- Roll number
- Candidate name where displayed
- Sectional marks
- Aggregate marks
- State or circle applied for
- Category
- Qualifying status
- Official cutoff
What Happens After SBI Clerk Prelims Result?
Candidates shortlisted from the preliminary stage will proceed to the SBI Clerk Main Examination.
The exact Main Examination date and call-letter schedule should be checked through the official SBI careers portal.
SBI Clerk Main Exam Pattern
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 | 35 minutes |
| General English | 40 | 40 | 35 minutes |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 | 45 minutes |
| Total | 190 | 200 | 2 hours 40 minutes |
When Should Candidates Start Preparing for Mains?
Candidates with a realistic chance of clearing prelims should not wait for the result before beginning Mains preparation.
The gap between preliminary result and Main Examination can be limited.
Useful areas to begin immediately include:
- Banking awareness
- Current affairs
- Financial awareness
- Data interpretation
- Advanced arithmetic
- Puzzles
- Seating arrangements
- Computer aptitude
- Reading comprehension
- English grammar and usage
Does Prelims Cutoff Affect Final SBI Clerk Merit?
No direct advantage is normally gained in final merit from scoring far above the prelims cutoff.
For example, if Candidate A clears prelims by two marks and Candidate B clears it by 20 marks, their prelims score is not normally added to the final selection score.
Both move to the Main Examination, where performance becomes decisive.
SBI Clerk Local Language Test
Final selection is also connected with proficiency in the specified local language for the state applied for.
Candidates who can produce Class 10 or Class 12 certificates showing that they studied the specified local language may be exempt from a separate language test under the recruitment rules.
Others may be required to qualify the language test before joining.
Can I Apply in Another State With a Lower Cutoff?
Cutoff trends should not be the only basis for choosing a state in future recruitment cycles.
Candidates should also consider:
- Specified local language
- Eligibility
- Vacancies
- Posting implications
- Competition
A historically low cutoff does not guarantee that the same state will have a low cutoff in the next recruitment.
Factors Affecting SBI Clerk Cut Off 2026
1. Number of Vacancies
A larger vacancy pool can affect how many candidates need to be shortlisted.
2. Number of Candidates
More candidates competing for limited seats can increase competition.
3. Exam Difficulty
A difficult paper can reduce the overall marks distribution.
4. Candidate Accuracy
If many candidates perform strongly despite a moderate paper, cutoff can remain high.
5. State-Wise Competition
SBI Clerk recruitment is not based on one all-India preliminary cutoff.
6. Category-Wise Vacancies
Separate vacancy distributions affect category-specific qualifying levels.
Why Expected Cutoff Predictions Can Be Wrong
Expected cutoffs are calculated before exam authorities release complete performance data.
Forecasts usually do not know:
- Exact marks distribution of all candidates
- Official normalised scores
- Exact category-wise candidate performance
- Final shortlisting ratio used in each state
This is why two exam-analysis websites may publish different expected cutoff ranges.
Should Candidates Worry if Their Score Is Near the Expected Cutoff?
No prediction can determine the result of a borderline candidate.
If your self-calculated score is close to the expected cutoff:
- Do not assume selection.
- Do not assume rejection.
- Start preparing for Mains.
- Wait for the official SBI result.
This approach prevents candidates from losing valuable preparation time because of an unofficial forecast.
SBI Clerk Cut Off 2026 FAQs
Is SBI Clerk Prelims Cut Off 2026 released?
No. The official cutoff for the regular 2026 Junior Associate prelims has not yet been released.
When was SBI Clerk Prelims 2026 held?
The regular Junior Associate preliminary examination was conducted on September 26 and 27, 2026.
Will SBI Clerk cutoff be state-wise?
Yes. SBI Clerk competition and merit operate on a state-wise and category-wise basis under the recruitment framework.
Is there one SBI Clerk cutoff for all India?
No. There is no single nationwide prelims cutoff applicable to every candidate.
What is the expected SBI Clerk cutoff for Delhi?
Current unofficial post-exam estimates place the General-category range at approximately 75-83 marks.
What is the expected cutoff for Uttar Pradesh?
The current General-category estimate is approximately 75-83 marks.
What is the expected cutoff for Punjab?
The current General-category estimate is around 76-84.
What is the expected cutoff for Rajasthan?
The expected General range is approximately 74-82.
What is the expected cutoff for Haryana?
The General-category estimate is approximately 73-82.
What is the expected cutoff for Bihar?
The current General-category estimate is around 69-77.
What is the expected cutoff for West Bengal?
The expected General-category range is approximately 77-85.
What is the expected cutoff for Maharashtra?
Current estimates place the General cutoff around 60-69.
What is the expected cutoff for Karnataka?
Current General-category estimates are around 58-66.
What is the expected cutoff for Tamil Nadu?
Current General-category estimates are approximately 49-57.
What is the expected cutoff for Telangana?
Current General-category estimates are approximately 48-56.
What is the expected cutoff for Madhya Pradesh?
The current General-category expected range is around 78-86.
What is the expected cutoff for Jammu and Kashmir?
Current General-category estimates are approximately 79-87.
Is the expected cutoff official?
No. Expected cutoffs are estimates and must not be confused with SBI's official result.
What is SBI Clerk prelims total marks?
The preliminary examination carries 100 marks.
How many questions are there in prelims?
There are 100 objective questions.
How long is the SBI Clerk prelims exam?
The total examination duration is 60 minutes with sectional timing.
Is there negative marking?
Yes. One-fourth of the mark assigned to a question is deducted for an incorrect answer.
Do prelims marks count in final selection?
No. Prelims is a screening stage. Main Examination performance is used for final merit under the applicable recruitment rules.
Can the OBC cutoff be higher than General?
Category cutoffs depend on the state-specific vacancy and candidate distribution. Candidates should not assume a fixed relationship without checking the official scorecard.
Can two states have very different SBI Clerk cutoffs?
Yes. Historical SBI Clerk data show substantial state-to-state variation.
Is good attempts the same as cutoff?
No. Good attempts are unofficial estimates based on exam analysis, while cutoff is an official score threshold.
Where can I check the official SBI Clerk result?
Use https://sbi.bank.in/web/careers.
Should I start preparing for SBI Clerk Mains before the prelims result?
Yes, particularly if your estimated score is reasonably competitive for your state and category. Waiting for the result can reduce valuable Main Examination preparation time.
Final Update
The SBI Clerk Prelims Cut Off 2026 has not yet been released officially following the September 26 and 27 Junior Associate examination. Candidates should therefore treat all current figures as expected ranges rather than confirmed qualifying marks.
Current General-category estimates show substantial variation across states, from around 48-56 in Telangana and 49-57 in Tamil Nadu to approximately 79-87 in Jammu and Kashmir and 78-86 in Madhya Pradesh.
The most important point is that SBI Clerk does not use one national category-wise cutoff. Final prelims qualifying levels vary by state and category according to vacancies, candidate performance and the recruitment shortlisting process.
Candidates whose estimated marks are close to the predicted range should avoid assuming either selection or rejection. Continue preparing for the SBI Clerk Main Examination and wait for the official result and scorecard through https://sbi.bank.in/web/careers.
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