How many attempts are allowed in SBI SO exam?

The State Bank of India (SBI) does not impose a limit on the number of attempts for the Specialist Officer (SO) examination. Candidates can apply for the SBI SO exam as many times as they wish, provided they meet the age and other eligibility criteria specified for the post they are applying for. This open attempt policy allows candidates to improve their performance and apply multiple times to increase their chances of selection. However, it’s important to note that while there is no restriction on the number of attempts, candidates must still fall within the prescribed age limits for their category each time they apply.

What is the mode of conducting the SBI SO Exam?

The State Bank of India (SBI) conducts the Specialist Officer (SO) exam primarily as an online computer-based test (CBT). This modern approach to testing allows for a standardized and efficient assessment process. In the CBT format, candidates are presented with questions on a computer screen and submit their answers electronically within the exam’s duration. The online mode ensures a fair testing environment, with consistent question delivery and timing mechanisms across all test centers. It also facilitates quick processing of results and a more eco-friendly alternative to paper-based exams. For certain positions, the selection process may include shortlisting based on qualifications and experience, followed by an interview, rather than an online test. This methodical and transparent approach to recruitment reflects SBI’s commitment to selecting the best candidates for specialist roles in the banking sector.

What information does SBI SO Notification contain?

SBI SO notification provides important information about the exam, such as eligibility criteria, age limit, education qualifications, application process, application fee, exam pattern, syllabus, important dates, start and end date of application process, date of exam, release of admit card, announcement of results, etc.

What is the time required for SBI SO exam preparation?

Generally, at least six months of dedicated preparation is required to cover the comprehensive syllabus and test different question types. During this time, you will be able to fully grasp the concepts, boost your problem-solving skills, and enhance your speed and precision. You will need to focus on reasoning, quantitative ability, English language skills, and professional knowledge. You will also need to do regular mock tests and revise topics to reinforce your learning and identify areas that require more focus.

How is life after clearing SBI SO?

After passing the SBI Specialist Officer (SO) test, one can lead a challenging and fulfilling life. Joining one of the biggest banking companies in India as a SO gives you the chance to advance both professionally and personally. Depending on the exact position, the role usually entails specialised tasks that support the bank's operations and service delivery. Examples of these tasks include IT, finance, law, or analytics. Together with a competitive pay and full benefits package, the position offers the prestige of working for a well-known public sector bank.

Is the SBI SO exam conducted in a single day?

The State Bank of India (SBI) Specialist Officer (SO) exam schedule is structured to accommodate the various stages of the selection process, which may include preliminary exams, main exams, and interviews. The preliminary and main exams are typically conducted on separate days, and if an interview stage is involved, it would be scheduled on yet another day. Candidates are advised to check the SBI exam calendar or the official SBI website for the most accurate and updated information regarding the exam dates. This ensures that candidates can plan their preparation and other commitments accordingly.

How many times is the SBI SO exam held in a year?

The State Bank of India (SBI) Specialist Officer (SO) exam is conducted once annually. This frequency ensures that the bank can systematically manage the recruitment process for various specialist categories, aligning with its staffing needs and organizational planning. The SBI SO exam is part of the bank’s larger recruitment strategy, which includes other positions such as Probationary Officers (PO) and Clerks. Each year, the bank releases a notification detailing the vacancies, eligibility criteria, and other relevant information for the SO exam. Candidates aspiring to join SBI in a specialist capacity should keep an eye out for the official announcement and prepare accordingly. The annual schedule allows ample time for candidates to prepare and aligns with the bank’s structured approach to inducting new talent into its specialised roles.

What type of questions are asked in the SBI SO exam?

The SBI Specialist Officer (SO) exam features a diverse set of questions tailored to assess the candidate’s proficiency in various areas relevant to the specialist role. The written exam typically consists of two papers: Paper-I focuses on testing reasoning, quantitative aptitude, and English language skills. It includes objective-type questions that evaluate analytical abilities, numerical problem-solving, and comprehension of English. Paper-II is centered around professional knowledge, with questions designed to gauge the candidate’s expertise in their specific field, be it, law, finance, or any other specialised domain. The question types range from basic knowledge checks to application-based queries that require candidates to apply their understanding to solve complex problems. The exam’s structure ensures a comprehensive evaluation of the candidate’s capabilities, making it a crucial step in the selection process for various specialist positions within SBI.

SBI SO 2025: Admit Card Out, Exam Date, Pattern & Syllabus

18 Students Q&A

Updated on Jan 13, 2025 15:29 IST

By Anangsha Patra, Deputy Manager – Editorial

SBI SO 2025: State Bank of India (SBI) released SBI SO 2025 notification for Deputy Manager. A total of 151 vacancies were released. Candidates can download their admit cards by logging with the required credentials. The hard copy of the admit card is not sent to candidates by post.

SBI SO 2024

The State Bank of India (SBI) released SBI SO admit card 2024 for the posts of Assistant Manager Engineer- Civil, Electrical, Fire. Candidates can download their admit cards by logging with the required credentials. A total of 169 vacancies were announced. SBI SO application form was available from November 22 to December 12, 2024. The selection process for Assistant Manager (Engineer-Civil) and Assistant Manager (Engineer- Electrical) comprises online test and interaction. The selection process of Assistant Manager (Engineer- Fire) comprises shortlisting and interaction. Read below for more details on SBI SO 2024 exam.

Q: What is SBI SO eligibility?

The eligibility criteria for the State Bank of India Specialist Officer (SBI SO) exam are determined based on several factors, including age limit, educational qualifications, and work experience. Candidates must be Indian citizens or meet certain nationality criteria. The age limit varies for different posts within the SBI SO category, typically ranging from 20 to 40 years, with certain positions requiring specific age criteria. Educational qualifications depend on the particular role applied for but generally require a graduate degree in a relevant discipline from a recognised university. Work experience requirements are also post-specific, with some roles necessitating a certain number of years in a related field. It’s important for candidates to check the official SBI notification for detailed eligibility conditions for the post they are interested in.

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Q: What is the salary of SBI SO?

The salary of a SBI Specialist Officer varies from position to position and from grade to grade. For example, a junior management grade scale I officer starts at a basic salary of INR 23,700 which can go up to INR 42,020 with the passage of time. Middle Management and senior management positions have higher starting salaries and pay scales.

Besides the basic salary, SBI SO’s also get Dearness Allowance, House Rent Allowance, City Compensation Allowance, and other allowances. SBI SOs also get perks like Provident Fund, Contributory pension fund, Medical facility, and Lease facility.

The in-hand salary of an SBI Specialist Officer is usually between INR 42,000 and 45,000 with or without additional benefits and allowances.

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Q: Is there any age limit to apply for the SBI SO?

Yes, SBI SO candidates are required to be at least 21 years of age. However, the minimum and maximum age limit varies from post to post. The minimum age limit can be as low as 21 years, while the maximum limit can be as high as 45 years. There are age relaxations for reserved categories, in line with government norms.

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What is SBI SO exam?

SBI SO exam is conducted by the State Bank of India to recruit officers in different specialized categories. SBI invites applications for specialist officer (SO) recruitment as per vacancies in different departments. Commonly, recruitment is conducted for managerial posts, however, notifications are also being released for recruitment at the senior levels. Presently, recruitment for several posts is going on. The recruitment is generally conducted in two phases, online exam and personal interview, however, in many cases, recruitment is done by shortlisting of candidates followed by personal interview.

SBI SO 2025 Highlights

Some of the important highlights of SBI SO exam are given below.

Exam Particulars	Exam Details
Exam Name	SBI SO
Conducting Body	State Bank of India
Exam Level	National level
Exam Frequency	Once a year as per vacancies
Exam Stages	Online Test and Interview
Mode of Exam	Online
Exam Purpose	For selection of Specialist Officers
Exam Fees	INR 750 for General/OBC/EWS candidates while SC/ST/PWD candidates are exempted from fee payment
Exam Duration	120 minutes
No. of Papers and Total Marks	Professional KnowledgeTest (100 marks)
Total Questions	80
Marking Scheme	Negative marking of 25 per cent per wrong answer will be applicable
Language/Medium of Exam	English and Hindi
No. of Test Cities	More than 50 cities (Approx)
Official Website	https://sbi.co.in/web/careers/current-openings

SBI SO Notification 2025

SBI SO Notification 2025 was released for the various posts. The notification was released in PDF form and comprises details such as dates, vacancies, selection process, salary and many more.

SBI SO Application Form 2025

SBI SO 2024 application form was available for Assistant Manager in Engineer- Civil, Electrical, Fire. Candidates falling under the prescribed age limit and having relevant educational qualifications could apply for the exam. The application fees are INR 750 for General/OBC/EWS candidates while SC/ST/PWD candidates were exempted from fee payment.

SBI SO Eligibility Criteria for Different Posts

Find SBI specialist officers' eligibility criteria below:

SBI SO Age Limit

The age limit for various post is given below.

SBI SO Posts	SBI SO Age Limit
Manager (Performance Planning & Review	25 to 35 years
Assistant Manager (Network Security Specialist and Routing & Switching)	40 years
Deputy Manager, Relationship Manager (OMP), and Product Manager	25 to 35 years
Circle Defence Banking Advisor	60 years
Manager (Marketing)	40 years
Deputy Manager (Marketing)	35 years
System Officer (Test Engineer), System Officer (Web Developer, Executive (Test Engineer), Executive (Interaction Designer), Executive (Web Developer) and Executive (Portal Administrator	Maximum age is 32
System Officer (Performance/Senior Automation Test Engineer), Senior Executive (Performance/ Automation Test Engineer), Senior Executive (Interaction Designer, Senior Executive (Project Manager)	Maximum age is 35 years
System Officer (Project Manager), Senior Special Executive (Project Manager)	Maximum age is 38 years
System Officer (Project Manager)	Maximum age is 40 years
Manager	38 years
AGM	45 years
DM	35 years

SBI SO Educational Qualification

The educational qualification prescribed for various posts is given below.

SBI SO Posts	Educational Qualification
Manager (Performance Planning & Review)	B.Com./B.E./B.Tech., and ii) PG in Management /MBA or its equivalent from recognized university/ college as 2 years full-time regular course. (Institutions recognized/approved by Govt. bodies/ AICTE / UGC). Specialisation in Finance will be preferred.
Assistant Manager	Candidates must have passed Bachelor's degree in any stream with a 60 per cent
Deputy Manager, Relationship Manager (OMP), and Product Manager	B.E./ B. Tech along with MBA/PGDM or equivalent degree (as full-time course) with specialisation in Marketing
Circle Defence Banking Advisor	The applicant must be a retired Major General or Brigadier from Indian Army, or from comparable ranks from Indian Navy or Air Force
Manager (Marketing)	The educational qualification required for the post is MBA/PGDBM or equivalent with specialisations in Marketing/Finance. The minimum work experience required for this post is five years as an executive in supervisory/management role in the field of marketing of digital and other financial products in a scheduled commercial bank or public sector or listed financial institution/company
Deputy Manager (Marketing)	The maximum age limit for the exam is 35 years as on July 1, 2021. The educational qualification required for the post is MBA/PGDBM or equivalent with specialisations in Marketing/Finance. The minimum work experience required for this post is two years as an executive in supervisory/management role in the field of marketing of digital and other financial products in a scheduled commercial bank or public sector or listed financial institution/company.
System Officer (Test Engineer), System Officer (Web Developer, Executive (Test Engineer), Executive (Interaction Designer), Executive (Web Developer) and Executive (Portal Administrator, System Officer (Performance/Senior Automation Test Engineer), Senior Executive (Performance/ Automation Test Engineer), Senior Executive (Interaction Designer, Senior Executive (Project Manager), System Officer (Project Manager), Senior Special Executive (Project Manager)	BE/ BTech in (Computer Science/ Computer Science & Engineering/ Information Technology/ Software Engineering/ Electronics & Communications Engineering) or MCA or MTech/ MSc in (Computer Science/ Information Technology/ Electronic & Communications Engineering) or equivalent qualification from recognised University/ Institute. Candidates must also have relevant experience
System Officer (Project Manager)	The educational qualification is BE/ BTech in (Computer Science/ Computer Science & Engineering/ Information Technology/ Software Engineering/ Electronics & Communications Engineering) or MCA or MTech/ MSc in (Computer Science/ Information Technology/ Electronic & Communications Engineering) or equivalent qualification from recognised University/ Institute. Minimum 10 years’ post basic qualification experience in IT Industry/ Business of which 5 years’ experience in Testing will be preferred
Manager, AGM, DM	BE/BTech in relevant discipline

SBI SO Preparation Tips

The tips and tricks to crack SBI SO exam are given below:

Understand the syllabus and exam pattern
Follow a proper study routine
Clear the basic concepts of each and every topics given in the syllabus
Attempt mock tests to improve speed and accuracy

SBI SO Syllabus 2025

The detailed SBI SO syllabus 2025 is given below.

Sections	Topics
Banking Knowledge	Banking in India, Indian & International Finance System, Banking and Financial Reforms in India, Financial Market in India, Banking Concepts, Important Bank & Finance Acts History of Banking in India, Banking and Financial Committees in India, Currency, RBI Act, 1934, Financial Institutions in India, Money & Capital Marketing, Money Laundering & Anti, Money Laundering, Green Banking, Types of Bank Accounts and many more.
Quantitative Aptitude	Pipes and Cisterns, Partnership, Problems on L.C.M and H.C.F, Compound Interest, Numbers and Ages, Probability, Problems on Trains, Averages, Percentages, Volume and Surface Area, Races and Games, Quadratic Equations, Ratio and Proportion, Odd Man Out, Mensuration, Permutations and Combinations, Bar & Graphs, Line charts, Tables, Relationships between Numbers, Percentages, Interest, Simple Interest, etc.
English	Fill in the blanks, Reading Comprehension, Para Jumbles, Error Detection, Synonyms, Antonyms, etc.
Reasoning Ability	Non-Verbal Reasoning, Data Interpretation, Analytical Reasoning, Puzzles, Verbal Reasoning, Logical Reasoning, Data Sufficiency, etc.
Professional Knowledge	Business Law, Business Management, Finance, Financial Accounting, Principles of Taxation, Principles of Auditing & Reporting, Business Economics & Business and, Commercial Knowledge, TPS Taxation, Business Correspondence and Reporting Business Mathematics and Logical Reasoning & Statistics Advanced Finance Assurance & Business Systems

SBI SO Exam Pattern 2025

SBI SO exam pattern is different for different posts. For Assistant Manager Network Security Specialist and Routing & Switching the pattern is such that it comprises online test and interview. The online test comprises a Professional KnowledgeTest of 100 marks. The duration of the test is 80 minutes. The interview carries 25 marks. The final merit list will be arrived at after aggregating the marks (out of 100 marks) and interview (out of 25 marks). The weightage given to the online test and interview for the posts is 75 per cent and 25 per cent, respectively. However, the online test for this post has been cancelled and final selection will be based on the interview.

SBI SO exam pattern for System Officer (Test Engineer), System Officer (Web Developer, System Officer (Performance/Senior Automation Test Engineer) comprises questions from General Aptitude and Professional Knowledge (PK). The General Aptitude us further divided into various sections-Test Of Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language. The Professional Knowledge is divided into two sections-General IT Knowledge and Role Based Knowledge. The total marks are 270. Except Professional Knowledge (PK) paper, other papers will be of qualifying in nature. Candidates have to score minimum qualifying marks in these papers. The minimum qualifying marks will be as decided or may be waived at the discretion of Bank. The questions will be bilingual i.e. in Hindi & English. The candidates will have the option to answer the questions in Hindi or English (except for test of English Language). To be eligible for being short-listed for interview, candidates have to score equal to or above the cut-off marks to be decided by the Bank for the Professional Knowledge test (PK test), besides scoring equal to or above the Minimum qualifying marks in other tests. Adequate number of candidates as decided by the Bank will be called for Interview based on performance in online written test. Interview will carry 25 marks. The qualifying marks in Interview will be as decided by the Bank. The final merit list will be arrived at after aggregating the marks of Professional Knowledge test (out of 150 marks) and interview (out of 25 marks). 70 per cent weightage will be given to online test and 30 per cent to interview.

SBI SO Exam Centres 2025

The online test is conducted in Guntur, Kurnool, Vijaywada, Vishakhapatnam, Guwahati, Silchar, Muzaffarpur, Patna, Chandigarh/ Mohali, Raipur, Bilaspur, Delhi/ New Delhi, Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Gurugram, Panaji, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Ambala, Hissar, Hamirpur, Shimla, Jammu, Jamshedpur, Ranchi, Bengaluru, Hubli, Mangalore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Bhopal, Indore, Aurangabad, Mumbai/ Thane/Navi Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Imphal, Shilong, Aizawl, Kohima, Bhubaneshwar, Sambalpur, Puducherry, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, Jaipur, Udaipur, Bardang/ Gangtok, Chennai, Madurai, Tirunelveli, Hyderabad, Warrangal. Agartala, Prayagraj (Allahabad), Kanpur, Lucknow, Meerut, Varanasi, Dehradun, Asansol, Greater Kolkata, Siliguri centres.

SBI SO Selection Procedure

The selection process for SBI SO is given below:

System Officer (Test Engineer), System Officer (Web Developer and System Officer (Performance/Senior Automation Test Engineer): online test and interview
System Officer (Project Manager): shortlisting and interview
Manager (Performance Planning & Review): The selection will be done through interview and shortlisting.
Assistant Manager (Network Security Specialist and Routing & Switching): The selection process comprises shortlisting and interview.
Assistant Manager (Civil and Electrical): The selection of candidates is done on the basis of online test and Interview
Assistant Manager (Marketing & Communication) and Circle Defence Banking Advisor: The selection is based on shortlisting and interview
Deputy Manager, Relationship Manager (OMP) and Product Manager: The selection is based on initial shortlisting and interview
Manager & Deputy Manager (Marketing): Candidates are selected based on online exam and interview. In case, the number of applications is less, candidates are selected based on shortlisting and interview.

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SBI SO Result 2025

SBI SO result 2025 will be declared online in PDF form on the official website. The result displays the roll numbers of qualified candidates. The final merit list will be arrived at after aggregating the marks (out of 100 marks) and interview (out of 25 marks). The weightage given to the online test and interview for the posts is 75 per cent and 25 per cent, respectively.

Also Read: SBI SO cutoff

SBI SO Admit Card 2025

SBI SO admit card is released online by SBI. To download the admit card, candidates need to enter the registration number or roll number and date of birth or password. The hard copy of the admit card is not sent to candidates by post. Candidates need to carry the printed copy of the admit card along with one photo-identity proof to the exam centre. SBI SO admit card is an important document without which candidates will not be allowed to appear for the exam.

SBI SO Salary

The salary structures of the SBI SO are given below.

Grade	Pay Scale (In INR)
Assistant Manager Assistant Manager (Network Security Specialist) & (Routing & Switching)	36,000-1490/7-46430-1740/2-49910-1990/7-63,840
Middle Management Grade Scale III (MMGS III)	63,840-1990/5-73790-2220/2-78,230
Middle Management Grade Scale II (MMGS II)	48,170-1740/1-49910-1990/10-69,810
Chief Manager (Company Secretary)	76010-2220/4-84890-2500/2-89890
Manager (SME Products)	63840-1990/5-73790-2220/2-78230
Dy. Manager (Chartered Accountant)	48170-1740/1-49910-1990/10-69810
Assistant Manager (Marketing & Communication)	36000-1490/7-46340-1740/2-49910-1990/7-63840
System Officer (Test Engineer) & System Officer (Web Developer)	36000-1490/7-46430-1740/2-49910-1990/7-63840
System Officer (Performance/Senior Automation Test Engineer)	48170-1740/1-49910-1990/10-69810
System Officer (Project Manager)	63840-1990/5-73790-2220/2-78230
System Officer (Project Manager)	76010-2220/4-84890-2500/2-89890
Executive (Test Engineer), Executive (Interaction Designer), Executive (Web Developer), Executive (Portal Administrator)	INR 15.00 Lacs to INR 20.00 Lacs
Senior Executive (Performance/Automation Test Engineer), Senior Executive (Interaction Designer), Senior Executive (Project Manager),	INR 19.00 Lacs to INR 24.00 Lacs
Senior Special Executive (Project Manager)	INR 23.00 Lacs to INR 27.00 Lacs

Besides, the salary candidates will also get DA, HRA, CCA, PF, Contributory Pension Fund, LFC, Medical Facility, other perquisites, etc.

Also Read: SBI SO Salary

SBI SO Vacancy 2025

The post-wise SBI SO vacancy 2025 is given below.

Sl. No.	Name of Post	Grade	Vacancies					Total	PwBD (Horizontal)
Sl. No.	Name of Post	Grade	SC	ST	OBC	EWS	UR	Total	VI	HI	LD	D&E
1	Deputy Manager (Systems) – Project Management & Delivery	MMGS-II	31	14	48	18	76	187	2	2	2	2
2	Deputy Manager (Systems) – Infra Support & Cloud Operations	MMGS-II	68	30	106	41	167	412	5	4	4	4
3	Deputy Manager (Systems) – Networking Operations	MMGS-II	13	6	20	8	33	80	1	1	1	1
4	Deputy Manager (Systems) – IT Architect	MMGS-II	4	2	6	2	13	27	1	1	--	--
5	Deputy Manager (Systems) – Information Security	MMGS-II	1	--	1	--	5	7	1	--	--	--
6	Assistant Manager (System)	JMGS-I	117	58	211	78	320	784	8	8	8	8
Total			234	110	392	147	614	1497	18	16	15	15