The State Bank of India (SBI) has long been recognized as one of the most prestigious institutions for aspiring bankers in India. Every year, thousands of candidates compete for the position of Probationary Officer (PO), which is a dream job for many due to the perks, job stability, and career growth opportunities it offers. For the year 2024, SBI is expected to release its notification for the SBI PO Recruitment in September, and it is essential for aspirants to be familiar with the eligibility criteria before applying.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover every detail you need to know about the SBI PO Eligibility Criteria 2024, including age limits, educational qualifications, nationality requirements, and more. Ensuring you meet these criteria will allow you to proceed with confidence through the rigorous selection process.
SBI PO Selection Process 2024
The SBI PO Selection Process comprises three stages:
- Preliminary Examination: A computer-based test that consists of multiple-choice questions designed to test basic aptitude skills.
- Mains Examination: Those who qualify in the Prelims will sit for the Mains exam, which includes both objective and descriptive questions.
- Interview and Group Discussion: Candidates who pass the Mains will be called for a final round of Group Discussions and Interviews.
Candidates must successfully pass all three stages to be considered for the coveted SBI PO post.
SBI PO 2024 Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the SBI PO 2024 recruitment, aspirants must meet a number of specific criteria, including nationality, age limits, educational qualifications, and number of attempts.
Nationality Requirements
Candidates applying for the SBI PO 2024 must meet one of the following nationality criteria:
- Indian Citizens: The majority of applicants fall into this category.
- Subjects of Nepal or Bhutan.
- Tibetan Refugees: Must have entered India before January 1, 1962, with the intent of permanent settlement.
- Persons of Indian Origin (PIO): Those who have migrated from countries like Burma, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, or East African countries such as Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and others, with the intention of permanent settlement in India.
It is important to note that candidates from categories 2, 3, and 4 must hold a certificate of eligibility issued by the Government of India.
SBI PO Age Limit
Candidates interested in applying for the SBI PO Exam 2024 must adhere to the following age limits:
- Minimum Age: 21 years
- Maximum Age: 30 years
The candidate’s age will be calculated as of April 1, 2024. However, there are provisions for age relaxation based on the candidate’s category.
SBI PO Age Relaxation
- SC/ST: 5 years
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years
- Persons with Disabilities (PwBD):
- SC/ST PwBD: 15 years
- OBC PwBD: 13 years
- General/EWS PwBD: 10 years
- Ex-servicemen and candidates domiciled in Jammu & Kashmir during the period of January 1, 1980, to December 31, 1989: 5 years
Educational Qualification for SBI PO 2024
To be eligible for the SBI PO Exam 2024, candidates must meet the following educational requirements:
- Graduation in any discipline from a recognized university or institution.
- Final-year students can also apply, provided they can submit proof of graduation before December 31, 2024.
- The date of passing the graduation exam will be considered as the date appearing on the mark sheet or provisional certificate issued by the university.
- If the graduation result is posted online, the date when it was published will be considered the passing date.
SBI PO Percentage Requirements
Candidates must mention the percentage obtained in their graduation when filling out the online application form. The percentage calculation is straightforward: the total marks obtained by the candidate in all subjects are divided by the aggregate maximum marks of all subjects.
Fractions are not rounded up. For instance, a score of 59.99% will be treated as less than 60%.
SBI PO Number of Attempts
There is a limit on the number of attempts allowed for different categories:
- General/EWS: 4 attempts
- General (PwD)/EWS (PwD): 7 attempts
- OBC: 7 attempts
- OBC (PwD): 7 attempts
- SC/ST (including PwD): Unlimited attempts
Candidates must keep track of their previous attempts to avoid disqualification.
Reservation for Persons with Disabilities (PwD)
The SBI PO 2024 recruitment also offers a 4% horizontal reservation for candidates with benchmark disabilities as per the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016.
Categories of Disabilities Covered:
- Locomotor Disability (LD):
- OA (One Arm affected)
- OL (One Leg affected)
- OAL (One Arm and One Leg affected)
- BL (Both Legs affected)
- Other conditions like Dwarfism, Muscular Dystrophy, Cerebral Palsy, etc.
- Visual Impairment (VI):
- Blindness: Visual acuity must not exceed 6/18 or be lower than 20/60.
- Low Vision: Limited field of vision (less than 40 degrees).
- Hearing Impairment (HI):
- Deaf: Loss of hearing must be 70 dB or more in speech frequencies in both ears.
- Hard of Hearing: Hearing loss should be between 60 dB to 70 dB in speech frequencies in both ears.
- Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) and Mental Illness (MI): Candidates with recognized learning disabilities and mental illnesses are also eligible under this category.
Conclusion
The SBI PO 2024 Eligibility Criteria are comprehensive and clearly outlined to ensure that only the most qualified and capable candidates proceed through the selection process. Candidates are advised to carefully review the eligibility criteria before applying to avoid any disqualification at a later stage. The combination of age limits, nationality, educational qualifications, and attempts will determine your eligibility for the SBI PO 2024 exam.
With a structured selection process, competitive exams, and a demanding interview phase, aspirants must prepare rigorously to secure their position as a Probationary Officer at the State Bank of India.