SBI PO Eligibility Criteria: Age Limit and Qualification

SBI Probationary Officer is one of the most competitive banking exams in India, and getting the eligibility details wrong — especially around age and final-year status — can knock candidates out before they even sit the exam. Here's what actually applies.

Age Limit

The age band is 21 to 30 years, calculated as on a fixed cut-off date set each cycle (for the 2026 cycle, as on 1st April 2026 — meaning applicants needed to be born between 2 April 1996 and 1 April 2005, both dates inclusive).

Age relaxation: 3 years for OBC candidates, 5 years for SC/ST candidates, applied as per standard government reservation norms.

Educational Qualification

You need a graduation degree in any discipline from a recognised university, or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government.

Final-year students can also apply — provisionally — as long as they can provide proof of having completed graduation before the interview stage. This is a detail a lot of final-year candidates miss and assume they have to wait a year to apply.

Nationality

Applicants must be Indian citizens.

Other Conditions

Beyond nationality, age, and qualification, SBI PO eligibility also factors in category-wise age relaxation and attempt limits, both of which are set out in detail in each year's official notification.

Exact cut-off dates shift with each notification cycle. Always confirm the current year's age cut-off date and attempt limits against the official SBI careers notification before applying.