SBI PO Cut Off 2026, Previous Year Prelims & Mains Cut-off

As of 2026, the SBI PO exam is expected to be conducted in August–September 2026, and the SBI PO Cut Off 2026 will be released category-wise along with the result after each stage of the exam. It shows the minimum marks required to qualify for Prelims, Mains, and final selection.

Cut-off trends play a crucial role in SBI PO preparation, as they help candidates understand the competition level and expected safe score range before the exam.

The cut-off varies every year depending on key factors such as vacancies, exam difficulty level, number of candidates appearing, and normalisation across shifts.

Before diving into the numbers, ensure you are familiar with the SBI PO Notification 2026 updates regarding exam dates and the application window.

Reviewing previous and expected SBI PO cut-off trends is crucial for understanding competition and planning a result-oriented preparation strategy. Let’s check it out.

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SBI PO 2026 Cut Off

• SBI PO Cut Off 2026 refers to the minimum qualifying marks required at each stage of the selection process.
• The SBI PO selection process consists of three stages: Prelims, Mains, and Phase 3 (Interview).
• Prelims Exam: Conducted for 100 marks. Candidates who clear the overall cut-off in Prelims qualify for the Mains exam.
• Mains Exam: Conducted for 250 marks. Candidates must clear both sectional and overall cut-offs to qualify for Phase 3. Sectional cut-offs are applicable for each section of the objective test as well as the descriptive paper.
• Phase 3: Includes a Psychometric Test (personality profiling), Group Exercise, and Interview.
• Marks Distribution in Phase 3: Group Exercise carries 20 marks, and the Interview carries 30 marks, making a total of 50 marks.
• Final Selection: The SBI PO final cut-off is calculated using Mains and Phase 3 marks in a ratio of 75:25, respectively.

SBI PO Previous Year Cut Off

The table below gives a quick overview of the SBI PO General (UR) category cut off trend across years for all three stages:

Key Observation: The 2025 Prelims recorded the highest cut off in recent years (66.75 for UR), while 2023 had the lowest at 59.25. For Mains, 2021 recorded the highest cut off (94.85) since the new exam pattern was introduced, while 2023 saw a sharp dip to 70.

Understanding the Sectional Cut-Off Rules

One of the most common myths among aspirants involves sectional timing and marks. For a clear breakdown of how each phase is structured, refer to the SBI PO 2026 Syllabus and Exam Pattern.

• Prelims: There is NO sectional cut-off. You only need to clear the overall aggregate score.
• Mains: Sectional cut-offs DO apply. Candidates must meet the minimum qualifying marks in each objective section to move to the Phase 3 Interview.

Factors Affecting SBI PO Cut Off

Several factors determine the SBI PO cut off at each stage:

1. Number of Vacancies: Higher vacancies generally lead to a lower cut off, while fewer vacancies push the cut off higher. In 2025, SBI released 541 vacancies — a lower number compared to 2000 vacancies in 2023, which partly explains the higher 2025 cut off.
2. Difficulty Level of the Exam: A tougher exam results in a lower cut off, and an easier exam raises the bar. Normalisation across shifts accounts for variation in difficulty.
3. Number of Candidates: The 2025 cycle saw approximately 6.5 lakh applicants, making it highly competitive.
4. Normalisation Process: SBI normalises marks to ensure fairness across multiple exam shifts. Scores are mapped to a common scale where a 70 in a tough shift may carry more value than a 72 in an easier one.
5. Category-wise Competition: Each category (UR, SC, ST, OBC, EWS) has its own cut off based on the performance of candidates in that group.

How to Check SBI PO Cut Off 2026?

Candidates can check the SBI PO Cut Off 2026 by following these steps once it is officially released:

1. Visit the official SBI Careers website at sbi.co.in/web/careers.
2. Click on “Current Openings” on the home page.
3. Look for the link related to SBI PO 2026 Result / Scorecard / Cut Off.
4. Log in using your Registration Number / Roll Number and Date of Birth / Password.
5. Your category-wise cut off and scorecard will be displayed on the screen.
6. Download and save the scorecard PDF for future reference.

The cut-off marks are not available as a single PDF; they appear on the individual scorecard of each candidate.

SBI PO Prelims Cut Off 2025

The SBI PO Prelims 2025 exam was conducted on 4th and 5th August 2025. SBI released the official Prelims Cut Off along with the result and scorecard. The category-wise cut off marks out of 100 are given below:

Notable: The 2025 Prelims cut off for the UR category (66.75) was the highest recorded in at least five years, reflecting a more competitive year with fewer vacancies.

SBI PO Mains Cut Off 2025

The SBI PO Mains exam 2025 was held on 13th September 2025. The category-wise Mains cut off (out of 250 marks) was officially released alongside the final result on 19th December 2025:

Analysis: The 2025 Mains cut off (75 for UR) was notably lower than 2024 (87.50) and 2021 (94.85), indicating a more challenging Mains paper or a stricter shortlisting ratio in the previous cycle.

SBI PO Final Cut Off 2025

The SBI PO Final Cut Off 2025 was released on 19th December 2025 along with the final result and scorecard. These marks are normalised out of 100, combining Mains performance (normalised to 75) and Interview marks (normalised to 25):

The 2025 final cut off of 46.79 for UR is slightly higher than the 2024 final cut off of 46.24, reflecting a marginally higher overall competition level.

SBI PO Prelims Cut Off 2024

The SBI PO Prelims 2024 exam was held in March 2025 over multiple shifts. The Prelims Cut Off 2024 was released on 5th April 2025 with the official result and scorecard:

SBI PO Mains Cut Off 2024

The SBI PO Mains exam 2024 (also referred to as the 2023-24 cycle) was conducted in June 2024. The category-wise Mains cut off (out of 250 marks) for shortlisting candidates to Group Exercise & Interview was:

SBI PO Final Cut Off 2024

The SBI PO Final Cut Off 2024 is normalised out of 100. Candidates who scored equal to or above the following marks in their respective categories were provisionally selected:

SBI PO 2024 Interview Qualifying Marks

All candidates called for the SBI PO 2024 Interview were required to secure the following minimum marks out of 50:

Candidates who failed to meet the interview qualifying marks were disqualified from final selection, even if their overall score exceeded the final cut off.

SBI PO Cut Off 2023

The SBI PO 2023 recruitment cycle saw 2000 vacancies announced — the highest in recent years — which resulted in a comparatively lower cut off across all three stages. The exam was rated moderate-to-difficult in difficulty.

SBI PO Prelims Cut Off 2023

The 2023 Prelims cut off (59.25 for GEN) was the lowest for the UR category in recent years, reflecting the higher vacancy count and the moderate exam difficulty.

SBI PO Mains Cut Off 2023

SBI PO Final Cut Off 2023

SBI PO 2023 Interview Qualifying Marks

SBI PO Prelims Cut Off 2022

The SBI PO Prelims 2022 exam was conducted in December 2022. The official category-wise cut off marks out of 100 are given below:

SBI PO Mains Cut Off 2022

The SBI PO Mains Cut Off 2022 (out of 250 marks) was released alongside the scorecard for the 2021-22 recruitment cycle:

SBI PO Prelims Cut Off 2021

The SBI PO Prelims 2021 exam (for the 2020-21 recruitment cycle) was held on 4th, 5th, and 6th January 2021. The official category-wise Prelims cut off marks are given below:

SBI PO Mains Cut Off 2021

The SBI PO Mains exam 2021 was conducted on 29th January 2021. The category-wise Mains cut off for shortlisting candidates to Group Exercise & Interview was:

Highest Mains Cut Off on Record: The 2021 Mains cut off for UR (94.85) and VI (97.72) are the highest in recent SBI PO history, reflecting an exceptionally competitive shortlisting year with limited vacancies.

SBI PO Final Cut Off 2021

The SBI PO Final Cut Off 2021 is normalised out of 100:

SBI PO 2021 Interview Qualifying Marks

SBI PO Prelims Cut Off 2020

The SBI PO Prelims 2020 (conducted in January 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic) had the following category-wise cut off:

SBI PO Mains Cut Off 2020

The SBI PO Mains exam 2020 (held in March 2021) had the following category-wise cut off out of 250 marks:

SBI PO Final Cut-Off 2020

The SBI PO Final Cut Off 2020 (combining Mains + Interview, normalised to 100) was:

SBI PO 2020 Interview Qualifying Marks

SBI PO Prelims Cut Off 2019

The SBI PO Prelims 2019 exam saw a notably high cut off for the UR category at 71 marks — the highest Prelims cut off in the modern SBI PO exam pattern. The category-wise cut off was:

SBI PO Mains Cut Off 2019

The SBI PO Mains 2019 exam was held on 20th July 2019. The category-wise Mains cut off (out of 250 marks) for shortlisting to Group Exercise & Interview was:

All-time High: The 2019 Mains cut off for UR (104.42) is the highest recorded in SBI PO history for the general category, reflecting the most competitive year on record.

SBI PO Final Cut-Off 2019

The SBI PO 2019 Final Cut Off (normalised to 100) was:

SBI PO Cut Off for Group Exercise & Interview

SBI PO Phase III comprises a Psychometric Test, Group Exercise (GE), and Personal Interview. Candidates are assigned 50 marks for this phase. The qualifying marks in the Group Exercise and Interview are:

These qualifying marks have remained consistent across 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023, 2024, and 2025 cycles. Candidates who fail to score the minimum qualifying marks in the Interview are not considered for final selection, even if their overall normalised score exceeds the final cut off.

How the Final Score is Calculated: The final merit list is prepared by combining:

• Mains (Phase II) marks: Normalised to 75 out of 100
• Interview (Phase III) marks: Normalised to 25 out of 100
• Total: 100 marks (normalised)

SBI PO Cut-Off 2018

SBI PO Prelims Cut-Off 2018

The SBI PO Prelims 2018 exam had the following category-wise cut off:

SBI PO 2018 Final Cut Off Marks

The SBI PO 2018 Final Cut Off (normalised out of 100) was:

SBI PO 2018 Mains Cut Off (Out of 250):

Group Exercise & Interview Qualifying Marks (2018):

SBI PO 2017 Cut Off

Sectional Cut Off for SBI PO Prelims 2017

Unlike later years where only an overall cut off applies to Prelims, the 2017 exam had a notable distinction in pattern. Candidates needed to clear the overall cut off to qualify.

SBI PO Prelims 2017 Cut Off

SBI PO 2017 Mains & Final Cut Off

Mains Cut Off (Objective + Descriptive, Out of 250):

Group Exercise & Interview Qualifying Marks (2017):

SBI PO 2026 Selection Process & Marks Distribution

The selection process consists of three distinct phases. Understanding the detailed SBI PO Exam Pattern is essential to navigating these stages:

1. Prelims Exam (100 Marks): Qualifying in nature. No marks from this stage are added to the final merit list.
2. Mains Exam (250 Marks): Includes both objective and descriptive tests. This stage requires mastering the SBI PO Syllabus to clear both sectional and overall thresholds.
3. Phase 3 (50 Marks): Consists of a Psychometric Test, Group Exercise (20 marks), and Interview (30 marks).

Note on Final Selection: The final merit list is calculated by normalizing Mains and Phase 3 marks into a 75:25 ratio, totaling 100 marks.

Recommended Preparation Strategy

Given the rising cut-off trends, a high-speed, high-accuracy approach is essential. Most successful candidates follow a structured SBI PO 2026 Preparation Strategy that balances concept building with intense mock test analysis.

If you are just starting, you may also find these SBI PO Preparation Hacks useful for optimizing your study hours.

FAQs

Disclaimer: The cut‑off details provided are based on official SBI updates and previous year records. They are for guidance only. Candidates must verify all exam‑related information through official SBI notices before relying on this content for preparation or career decisions.

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