SBI Clerk Mains Exam 2025 Likely in November: Everything You Need to Know About the Exam Pattern, Marking Scheme, and Admit Card Release
The State Bank of India (SBI) is all set to move into the next phase of its highly competitive recruitment process for Junior Associates (Customer Support and Sales). As per the official notification, the SBI Clerk Mains Exam 2025 is likely to be conducted in November 2025. While the exact exam date and admit card release schedule are yet to be confirmed, the anticipation among lakhs of aspirants is at its peak.
The SBI Clerk Mains Exam serves as the final written stage before provisional selection, making it the decisive step for candidates aiming to join India’s largest public sector bank. Let’s dive deep into the exam pattern, marking scheme, expected dates, and preparation tips to help you stay ahead.
🗓️ SBI Clerk Mains 2025 Exam Date: What We Know So Far
According to the official recruitment notification, SBI is expected to hold the Clerk Mains Examination in November 2025. The Preliminary Exam was conducted on September 20, 21, and 27, and the results were declared on November 4, 2025. Candidates who cleared the prelims are now eagerly waiting for the Mains exam schedule.
Once the dates are confirmed, SBI will issue the admit cards on its official website — sbi.co.in/careers. Candidates are advised to check the website regularly to avoid missing important updates.
🎯 SBI Clerk Recruitment 2025: Overview
The SBI Clerk recruitment aims to fill 5,180 vacancies for the position of Junior Associate (Customer Support and Sales) across various branches in India. The selection process consists of:
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Preliminary Examination ✅ (already conducted)
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Main Examination 📘 (upcoming in November 2025)
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Language Proficiency Test (for certain states, after mains)
This year’s recruitment drive has attracted massive participation, given the reputation, salary benefits, and career stability offered by SBI.
🧩 SBI Clerk Mains Exam Pattern 2025 — Section-Wise Breakdown
The SBI Clerk Mains Exam will be objective type and computer-based, carrying a total of 200 marks for 190 questions. The duration of the exam will be 2 hours and 40 minutes. It will be divided into four key sections, each with a separate time limit — meaning candidates must plan their time management smartly.
Here’s the complete exam structure:
| Section | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
⚠️ Marking Scheme and Negative Marking
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Each question carries 1 mark, except in the Reasoning & Computer Aptitude section, where marks total 60.
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There will be negative marking of ¼ mark (0.25) for every wrong answer.
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No marks will be deducted for unanswered questions.
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Candidates must achieve the minimum aggregate cutoff marks to qualify for selection.
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No sectional cut-off will be applied, allowing candidates to balance scores strategically across sections.
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A 5% relaxation in aggregate marks is provided for SC/ST/OBC/PwBD/XS/DXS candidates.
🧾 SBI Clerk Mains 2025 Admit Card Details
The SBI Clerk Mains Admit Card 2025 will be released shortly before the examination, once the final schedule is announced. The admit card will include:
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Candidate’s name and roll number
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Exam date and reporting time
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Exam center details
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Important instructions for the test
Candidates can download the admit card from sbi.co.in/careers by entering their registration number and date of birth/password.
🔔 Pro Tip: Always verify your exam venue and reach the center at least 1 hour before the reporting time. Carry your photo ID proof, admit card, and passport-sized photograph as per the official guidelines.
📘 SBI Clerk Mains Syllabus 2025 — Key Topics to Focus On
To crack the Mains exam, candidates must have an in-depth understanding of the syllabus for each section. Here’s a quick overview of important topics:
1. General/Financial Awareness
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Current Affairs (last 6 months)
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Indian Banking System
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RBI Policies, Monetary & Fiscal Policies
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Static GK (Capitals, Currencies, National Parks)
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Important Financial Terms
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Government Schemes and Budget
2. General English
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Reading Comprehension
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Cloze Test
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Error Detection
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Para Jumbles
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Vocabulary (Synonyms/Antonyms)
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Grammar and Sentence Improvement
3. Quantitative Aptitude
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Data Interpretation (DI)
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Simplification and Approximation
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Number Series
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Quadratic Equations
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Arithmetic Word Problems (Time, Work, Profit & Loss, Percentage)
4. Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude
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Puzzles and Seating Arrangements
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Coding-Decoding
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Blood Relations
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Syllogism
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Logical Reasoning
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Basics of Computer Knowledge (MS Office, Internet, Networking)
💡 Preparation Tips for SBI Clerk Mains 2025
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Prioritize Mock Tests: Practice full-length mocks regularly to improve speed and accuracy.
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Focus on Weak Areas: Identify and strengthen sections where you struggle the most.
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Revise Current Affairs: Cover at least the last 6 months of news and banking updates.
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Time Management: Practice sectional tests within the actual time limits to avoid surprises on exam day.
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Accuracy First: Since there’s negative marking, avoid blind guesses.
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Use Smart Tricks: Learn shortcut methods for quant and reasoning to save precious minutes.
🏆 What Happens After SBI Clerk Mains 2025?
Candidates who clear the Mains examination will be called for a Local Language Proficiency Test (LPT), depending on the state they applied for. The final selection will be based on:
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Performance in the Mains exam
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Verification of documents
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Language proficiency
Those who clear all stages successfully will be appointed as Junior Associates (Customer Support & Sales) in SBI branches across the country.
🔍 Official Website for Updates
Candidates are strongly advised to visit the official SBI career portal regularly:
👉 https://www.sbi.co.in/careers
All official notifications, admit cards, and updates regarding SBI Clerk Mains 2025 will be published there.
🧠 Final Thoughts
The SBI Clerk Mains Exam 2025 is a golden opportunity for aspirants to secure a stable and prestigious banking career. With competition fiercer than ever, this is the time to intensify your preparation and stay updated with official announcements.
📅 The exam is expected to be held in November 2025, and the admit card release is just around the corner — so keep your preparation on track and your documents ready!
