SBI Clerk Prelims Shift Timings 2026: Reporting Time, Exam Duration and Instructions
The SBI Clerk Shift Timings 2026 for the regular Junior Associate vacancies are divided into 4 shifts on 26 and 27 September 2026. The SBI Clerk Prelims exam timings are 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM for Shift 1, 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM for Shift 2, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM for Shift 3, and 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM for Shift 4. The reporting times are 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:30 PM, respectively.
The SBI Clerk Prelims exam duration is 60 minutes, with 20 minutes allotted to each of the three sections: English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. Candidates should check their individual admit card carefully because it contains their exact SBI Clerk reporting time, exam centre, shift, and exam-day instructions.
The SBI Clerk Prelims 2026 examination for regular vacancies is scheduled for 26 and 27 September 2026 in four shifts each day. Candidates appearing for the regular Junior Associate recruitment should follow the timings mentioned on their individual call letters.
The reporting time is approximately one hour before the online examination begins. During this period, candidates need to complete identity verification, registration, and other pre-examination formalities.
| Shift | Reporting Time | Handwriting Sample | Exam Start Time | Exam End Time |
| Shift 1 | 8:00 AM | 8:55 AM–9:00 AM | 9:00 AM | 10:00 AM |
| Shift 2 | 10:30 AM | 11:25 AM–11:30 AM | 11:30 AM | 12:30 PM |
| Shift 3 | 1:00 PM | 1:55 PM–2:00 PM | 2:00 PM | 3:00 PM |
| Shift 4 | 3:30 PM | 4:25 PM–4:30 PM | 4:30 PM | 5:30 PM |
Candidates should reach the examination venue before the reporting time mentioned on their admit card. The candidate-specific shift and reporting time printed on the call letter should always be treated as the final instruction.
Note: The SBI Clerk Special Recruitment Drive for backlog vacancies was conducted separately on 16 September 2026. Candidates appearing for the regular vacancies on 26 and 27 September should follow the four-shift schedule applicable to the regular recruitment.
The SBI Clerk reporting time 2026 is earlier than the actual exam starting time because candidates have to complete verification and pre-examination formalities before entering the test.
For the regular SBI Clerk Prelims examination on 26 and 27 September 2026:
| SBI Clerk Shift | Reporting Time | Exam Time |
| Shift 1 | 8:00 AM | 9:00 AM–10:00 AM |
| Shift 2 | 10:30 AM | 11:30 AM–12:30 PM |
| Shift 3 | 1:00 PM | 2:00 PM–3:00 PM |
| Shift 4 | 3:30 PM | 4:30 PM–5:30 PM |
Candidates should not consider the examination starting time as their arrival time. Reaching the venue after the reporting time can create problems during verification, and late entry may not be permitted.
The SBI Clerk Prelims exam duration is 60 minutes. A total of 100 questions are asked for 100 marks across three sections.
Each section has a separate fixed duration of 20 minutes. Candidates therefore cannot transfer unused time from one section to another.
| Particular | SBI Clerk Prelims 2026 |
| Total Questions | 100 |
| Total Marks | 100 |
| Number of Sections | 3 |
| Total Exam Duration | 60 minutes |
| English Language | 20 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 20 minutes |
| Negative Marking | 0.25 mark for each wrong answer |
One mark is awarded for each correct answer, while one-fourth or 0.25 mark is deducted for every incorrect answer.
The SBI Clerk Prelims sectional timing 2026 is 20 minutes for each section. Candidates must complete the questions available in a section within its assigned time.
| Section | Questions | Marks | Sectional Time |
| English Language | 30 | 30 | 20 minutes |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 | 20 minutes |
| Total | 100 | 100 | 60 minutes |
Because every section has a fixed time limit, candidates need a balance of speed, accuracy, and question selection. Practising SBI Clerk mock tests under the actual 20-minute sectional restriction can help candidates become familiar with the examination environment.
Candidates appearing for SBI Clerk should also check the important dates related to the recruitment process.
| Event | Special Recruitment Drive – Backlog Vacancies | Regular Recruitment |
| SBI Clerk Notification 2026 | 7 August 2026 | 11 August 2026 |
| Registration Starts | 7 August 2026 | 11 August 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 27 August 2026 | 31 August 2026 |
| Prelims Examination | 16 September 2026 | 26 and 27 September 2026 |
| Mains Examination | October/November 2026 | November 2026 |
Candidates appearing under the regular SBI Clerk recruitment should specifically follow the 26 and 27 September 2026 exam dates and the shift mentioned on their individual admit card. The 16 September examination was conducted separately for backlog vacancies.
Candidates must follow the SBI Clerk exam-day instructions printed on their admit cards. The call letter contains candidate-specific information, so it should be read carefully before visiting the examination centre.
Important instructions include:
Candidates should arrange the required documents before leaving for the SBI Clerk examination centre.
| Document | Requirement |
| SBI Clerk Prelims Admit Card | Mandatory |
| Photocopy of valid photo ID | Mandatory, as instructed |
| Original valid photo ID | Mandatory |
| Photograph | As prescribed in the call letter |
Candidates should refer to their individual call letters for any additional document requirements.
Candidates should carry only the documents and items permitted under the examination instructions.
Keep the following ready before leaving for the venue:
Avoid carrying unnecessary or prohibited belongings to the examination centre.
Candidates can use this quick checklist before leaving for the examination centre:
| Exam-Day Requirement | Check |
| SBI Clerk admit card printed | ✓ |
| Original photo ID ready | ✓ |
| Required ID photocopy ready | ✓ |
| Reporting time checked | ✓ |
| Shift timing checked | ✓ |
| Examination centre location checked | ✓ |
| Travel route planned | ✓ |
| Sectional timing understood | ✓ |
| Documents kept together | ✓ |
It is advisable to locate the examination centre in advance, particularly if the venue is unfamiliar.
The SBI Clerk selection process 2026 primarily consists of the Preliminary Examination followed by the Main Examination.
The stages are:
Candidates who qualify in the Prelims according to SBI’s prescribed criteria can proceed to the Main examination.
The Prelims consists of English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability. A total of 100 questions are asked for 100 marks within 60 minutes.
Checking the SBI Clerk shift timings before exam day helps candidates plan their travel and reach the venue within the required reporting window.
Candidates should particularly confirm:
The candidate’s admit card remains the final source for individual shift and venue details.
| SBI Clerk Resources | SBI Clerk Resources |
| SBI Clerk Notification | SBI Clerk Exam Pattern |
| SBI Clerk Syllabus | SBI Clerk Salary |
| SBI Clerk Cut Off | SBI Clerk Vacancy |
The SBI Clerk Prelims exam for regular vacancies is conducted in four shifts. Shift 1 is from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, Shift 2 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, Shift 3 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, and Shift 4 from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
There are four shifts each day for the regular SBI Clerk Prelims examination scheduled for 26 and 27 September 2026.
The reporting times are 8:00 AM for Shift 1, 10:30 AM for Shift 2, 1:00 PM for Shift 3, and 3:30 PM for Shift 4. Candidates should follow the exact reporting time printed on their admit cards.
The SBI Clerk Prelims exam dates for regular vacancies are 26 and 27 September 2026. The backlog-vacancy Prelims examination was held separately on 16 September 2026.
The SBI Clerk Prelims examination lasts 60 minutes. Each of the three sections has a fixed duration of 20 minutes.
Yes. SBI Clerk Prelims has 20 minutes of sectional timing each for English Language, Numerical Ability, and Reasoning Ability.
Yes. 0.25 mark or one-fourth of the marks assigned to a question is deducted for each incorrect answer.
Yes. A short handwriting sample session is scheduled before the start of the online examination.
Candidates should reach the examination venue before the reporting time stated on their admit card so that verification and other pre-examination formalities can be completed.
Candidates should carry their printed SBI Clerk Prelims admit card, the required photocopy of a valid photo ID, and the same valid photo ID in original. Any additional requirement mentioned on the call letter should also be followed.
Your exact exam date, shift, reporting time, examination venue, and candidate-specific instructions are mentioned on the SBI Clerk admit card.
The SBI Clerk Shift Timings 2026 for the regular Junior Associate Prelims examination include four slots on 26 and 27 September 2026. The examination will be held from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM, and 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM, while the corresponding reporting times are 8:00 AM, 10:30 AM, 1:00 PM, and 3:30 PM.
Candidates should check their SBI Clerk admit card for their allotted exam date, shift, and examination centre, reach the venue before the prescribed reporting time, and keep all required documents ready. Since the Prelims examination has a 60-minute duration with 20 minutes allotted to each section, candidates should also be familiar with the sectional timing before appearing for the exam.
The important correction is that 16 September 2026 now refers only to the backlog recruitment, while the current regular-vacancy exam is 26–27 September 2026. Testbook also confirms four daily slots with the fourth shift ending at 5:30 PM.
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