SBI PO Prelims 2026 Exam Today and Tomorrow: Check Shift Timings, Reporting Time, Documents Required and Exam Day Guidelines

The SBI PO Prelims 2026 examination will be conducted by the State Bank of India (SBI) on August 1 and August 2, 2026, for recruitment to 1,500 Probationary Officer (PO) vacancies across India. The online preliminary examination will be held in four shifts each day. Candidates are advised to carefully verify their exam date, reporting time, shift and examination centre details mentioned on their admit card before leaving for the venue.

SBI has made it clear that entry to the examination centre will close strictly at the reporting time printed on the call letter. Candidates arriving late due to traffic, transport delays or any other reason will not be allowed to enter the examination hall.

SBI PO Prelims 2026 Shift Timings and Reporting Time

The preliminary examination will be conducted in four shifts on both August 1 and August 2.

• Shift 1
  Reporting Time: 8:00 AM
  Exam Time: 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM
• Shift 2
  Reporting Time: 10:30 AM
  Exam Time: 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
• Shift 3
  Reporting Time: 1:00 PM
  Exam Time: 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
• Shift 4
  Reporting Time: 3:30 PM
  Exam Time: 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM

Each shift has a total duration of one hour. Candidates allotted the first shift are advised to reach the examination city in advance if they are travelling from another location, as there is very little margin for delays before the 8:00 AM reporting time.

Documents Required at the SBI PO Prelims Exam Centre

Candidates must carry all mandatory documents to gain entry into the examination hall. Missing any required document may result in denial of entry.

• Printed copy of the SBI PO Prelims 2026 Admit Card or Call Letter.
• Original valid photo identity proof such as Aadhaar Card, PAN Card, Passport, Voter ID or Driving Licence.
• Recent passport-size photographs, preferably matching the one uploaded during registration.
• Photocopy of the same identity proof if mentioned in the call letter.

Only original identity documents will be accepted for verification. Candidates whose names have changed after marriage or through legal procedures should also carry supporting documents such as a marriage certificate or Gazette notification.

SBI PO Prelims 2026 Exam Day Guidelines

Applicants should reach the examination centre well before the reporting time mentioned on the admit card. They must occupy only the allotted computer system and seat assigned to them and strictly follow the instructions issued by the invigilators.

Electronic devices including mobile phones, smartwatches, Bluetooth devices, earphones, calculators, fitness bands and pen drives are strictly prohibited inside the examination hall. Candidates are also not allowed to carry books, notes, loose papers or any printed study material.

Biometric verification and photograph capture will be conducted before the examination. Candidates should carefully read all instructions displayed on the computer screen before starting the test.

SBI has warned that possession of any prohibited item, even if switched off, may lead to cancellation of candidature and debarment from future recruitment examinations.

SBI PO Prelims 2026 Exam Pattern

The SBI PO Preliminary Examination is an online objective test carrying 100 marks with a total duration of one hour. The paper consists of three sections:

• English Language
• Quantitative Aptitude
• Reasoning Ability

Sectional timing will be applicable for each section. Candidates should note that there is a negative marking of one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question for every incorrect answer. The Preliminary Examination is only a qualifying stage, and its marks will not be included in the final merit list.

What Happens After SBI PO Prelims?

Candidates who qualify the Preliminary Examination by securing both the sectional and overall cut-off marks will be shortlisted for the SBI PO Mains Examination. The Mains consists of objective and descriptive tests.

Those who clear the Mains will proceed to the psychometric test, group exercise and personal interview. The final merit list for SBI PO recruitment will be prepared based on candidates’ combined performance in the Mains Examination and the interview process.

With one of India’s most competitive banking recruitment examinations beginning today, candidates are advised to report on time, carry all required documents and carefully follow the examination guidelines to avoid any last-minute issues at the test centre.

Source: State Bank of India (SBI)