SBI CBO Syllabus 2026: Exam Pattern, Subject-Wise Topics & Selection Process

SBI CBO Syllabus 2026: The SBI CBO Exam 2026 is conducted by the State Bank of India to recruit experienced banking professionals for the post of Circle Based Officer (CBO). This recruitment drive is specially designed for candidates who already have prior banking experience and are looking for a stable and prestigious career in India’s largest public sector bank.

In this article, we have covered complete details of the SBI CBO Syllabus 2026, including the latest exam pattern, descriptive test, interview process, and selection procedure. Understanding the syllabus and exam structure will help candidates plan their preparation effectively and focus on the most important topics.

SBI CBO Exam Pattern 2026

Before starting preparation, it will be important for candidates to understand the SBI CBO exam pattern 2026. The exam will be designed to assess a candidate’s banking knowledge, English language skills, general awareness, and basic computer knowledge.

• The SBI CBO exam will be conducted in online mode.
• The question paper will consist of objective-type questions.
• The total duration of the exam will be 2 hours.
• The exam will carry a total of 120 marks.
• There will be no negative marking for wrong answers.

SBI CBO Syllabus 2026 – Online Examination

The SBI CBO Preliminary Exam 2026 will be conducted to assess the candidate’s basic understanding of banking, English language, general awareness, and computer aptitude. Below, we have provided the topic-wise syllabus for each subject to help you understand what to study and how to plan your preparation effectively.

SBI CBO Syllabus – English Language

• Reading Comprehension
• Cloze Test
• Para Jumbles
• Error Detection
• Sentence Correction / Improvement
• Fill in the Blanks
• Vocabulary
• Synonyms
• Antonyms
• Phrases and Idioms
• Spotting Errors
• Active / Passive Voice
• Direct / Indirect Speech
• Sentence Completion
• Word Swapping

SBI CBO Syllabus – Banking Knowledge

• Indian Banking System
• Types of Banks
• RBI – Role and Functions
• Monetary Policy
• Banking Regulation Act
• Financial Markets
• Money Market
• Capital Market
• Basel Norms I, II, III
• Non-Performing Assets (NPA)
• Digital Banking and Payment Systems
• UPI, NEFT, RTGS
• Financial Inclusion
• Priority Sector Lending (PSL)
• Banking Terms and Abbreviations
• Credit Rating
• Risk Management
• Cyber Security in Banking
• Current Banking Awareness

SBI CBO Syllabus – General Awareness / Economy

• National and International Current Affairs
• Basics of Indian Economy
• Union Budget and Economic Survey
• Government Schemes
• Banking and Financial News
• Inflation and GDP
• Fiscal Policy
• Monetary Policy Tools
• Awards and Honours
• Important Days
• Sports
• Books and Authors
• National and International Organizations
• Static GK
• Facts Related to India and the World

SBI CBO Syllabus – Computer Aptitude

• Computer Basics / Fundamentals
• Hardware and Software
• Input and Output Devices
• Operating System
• Memory and Storage
• MS Word
• MS Excel
• MS PowerPoint
• Internet and Networking
• Email System
• Database Management
• Cyber Security
• Shortcut Keys
• Computer Terminology
• Cloud Computing Basics

SBI CBO Descriptive Test 2026

The Descriptive Test will be conducted as a part of the SBI CBO online examination to assess a candidate’s English writing skills.

• The Descriptive Test will be of 30 minutes duration.
• It will be conducted in the English language only.
• The test will include Letter Writing and Essay Writing.
• A total of 2 questions will be asked.
• The maximum marks for this section will be 50 marks.
• There will be no sectional qualifying marks.
• The minimum qualifying marks (aggregate) will be decided by SBI.
• Marks obtained in the Descriptive Test will be considered in the final merit list.

SBI CBO Interview 2026

Candidates who qualify the online written examination and the screening process will be called for the personal interview.

• The interview will carry a total of 50 marks.
• Candidates will have to score minimum qualifying marks in the interview.
• The minimum qualifying marks will be decided by the Bank.
• The interview will assess the following:
  • Banking knowledge
  • Professional experience
  • Communication skills
  • Confidence and personality

Only candidates who will qualify both the online examination and the interview separately will be considered for final selection.

SBI CBO Exam 2026 – Selection Process

The selection process will consist of an Online Test, Screening, and an Interview. The final merit list will be prepared based on the marks obtained in the Online Test (Objective and Descriptive) and the Interview, with a weightage of 75:25, respectively.

1. The selection process will start with an online written examination. The online exam will include objective and descriptive tests.
2. Candidates who qualify the online exam will undergo document and experience screening.
3. Shortlisted candidates will be called for a personal interview.

SBI CBO 2026 Preparation Tips

• Understand the syllabus clearly first: Avoid random study. Go through the complete syllabus and focus only on relevant topics.
• Give priority to Banking Knowledge: Since SBI CBO is for experienced candidates, strong conceptual clarity in banking and current banking updates will be very important.
• Do not ignore English Language: Reading comprehension and descriptive writing can be scoring areas if practiced regularly.
• Stay updated with current affairs: Focus mainly on banking, financial, and economic news from the last 6–8 months.
• Keep Computer Aptitude basics strong: Questions are usually simple, so clear understanding of fundamentals is enough to score well.
• Practice mock tests regularly: Mock tests will help improve speed, accuracy, and time management for the actual exam.
• Prepare well for the Descriptive Test: Practice letter and essay writing with clear structure and simple language.
• Get ready for the interview: Be confident about your banking experience, job role, and responsibilities, as interview questions will be experience-based.

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