SBI PO Prelims Answer Key 2026 Out – Direct Link to Download at sbi.bank.in

The SBI PO Prelims Answer Key 2026 is now live — the State Bank of India published the official response sheet on 12 October 2026 at sbi.bank.in. This guide is for every candidate who appeared in the SBI PO Phase-I Preliminary Exam held on 1st and 2nd August 2026 and wants to download the answer key, compare responses, and calculate their estimated score before the official result. This article covers the direct download link, step-by-step process, category-wise cut off marks, score calculation method, and everything you need to know about the Mains exam next steps.

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📋 Table of Contents

What Is the SBI PO Prelims Answer Key 2026?

The SBI PO Prelims Answer Key 2026 is the official document released by the State Bank of India that shows the correct responses for every question in the Phase-I Preliminary Examination. It is released in the form of an individual response sheet — candidates can see their own attempted answers alongside the official correct answers. SBI does not release a single common question paper PDF; instead, each candidate receives a personalised response sheet tied to their unique question set.

The response sheet is critical because it allows candidates to calculate their estimated scores before the official result is announced. For this recruitment cycle covering 1,500 PO vacancies, the prelims exam was held on 1st and 2nd August 2026 across hundreds of exam centres nationwide. The answer key was published on 12 October 2026 — approximately 10 weeks after the exam, which is consistent with SBI’s historical release pattern.

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It is important to understand a key policy: SBI does not allow candidates to raise objections against the answer key, unlike many other public sector recruitment exams (UPSC, SSC, IBPS). The response sheet is released as a final informational tool only, with no objection or challenge window. This makes it even more important to review your response sheet carefully and note discrepancies, though formal challenges cannot be submitted.

SBI PO Answer Key 2026 Direct Download Link

The SBI PO Prelims Answer Key 2026 direct link is active on the State Bank of India’s official careers portal. The link requires candidates to log in with their registration credentials — the response sheet is not a publicly downloadable PDF but a login-protected individual document.

How to Download SBI PO Prelims Answer Key 2026 — Step-by-Step

Follow these steps exactly to download your SBI PO Prelims Answer Key / Response Sheet 2026. The process takes under 3 minutes if you have your login credentials ready.

1. Visit the official SBI portal — Go to sbi.bank.in or sbi.co.in on any browser. Use a desktop or laptop for the best experience.
2. Click on “Careers” in the top navigation menu — This takes you to the SBI Careers portal where all active recruitment links are listed.
3. Find the SBI PO 2026 Recruitment section — Look for “Recruitment of Probationary Officers – Advt. No. CRPD/PO/2026-27/09” and click on the relevant link for “Phase-I Prelims Answer Key / Response Sheet.”
4. Enter your login credentials — Input your Registration Number or Roll Number along with your Password or Date of Birth (in DD/MM/YYYY format) as registered at the time of application.
5. Click “Submit” or “Login” — The system will retrieve your personal response sheet after authentication.
6. View your response sheet on screen — Your attempted answers will appear alongside the official correct answers for each question. Check each response carefully.
7. Download and save the PDF — Use the “Download” or “Print” option to save your response sheet. Store it securely — you may need it to calculate your score or cross-check the official result.

How to Calculate Your Score Using the SBI PO Answer Key

Once you have your response sheet, use the official SBI PO marking scheme to calculate your estimated preliminary exam score. The Prelims exam carries a maximum of 100 marks across three sections, and there is negative marking of 0.25 marks per wrong answer.

Score Calculation Formula:

Your Score = (Correct Answers × 1) − (Wrong Answers × 0.25)

For example, if you attempted 85 questions and got 72 correct and 13 wrong: Score = (72 × 1) − (13 × 0.25) = 72 − 3.25 = 68.75 marks. Un-attempted questions carry zero marks and zero penalty. Note that the Prelims exam is qualifying in nature only — Prelims marks are NOT added to the final merit list. Only Mains marks (200 marks) and Group Exercise + Interview marks (50 marks) decide the final selection.

SBI PO Prelims Cut Off 2026 — Category-Wise Official Marks

The official SBI PO Prelims Cut Off 2026 has been released category-wise along with the response sheet. There is no sectional cut off in SBI PO Prelims — only the overall aggregate score is used for shortlisting. Approximately 10× the number of vacancies (around 15,000 candidates) are shortlisted for the Mains exam. The table below shows both the official 2026 cut offs and the previous year’s 2025 cut offs for comparison.

Source: Official SBI scorecard releases (sbi.bank.in) and cross-verified data from Oliveboard and CareerPower. Always cross-check your individual scorecard on the official portal for confirmed category-wise qualifying status.

SBI PO Prelims 2026 Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme

Understanding the SBI PO Prelims 2026 exam pattern is essential for interpreting your response sheet correctly and planning your Mains preparation. The Preliminary Exam is a Computer-Based Test (CBT) with 100 objective-type multiple-choice questions carrying 100 marks in a total duration of 1 hour.

• Total Questions: 100 (objective type, multiple choice)
• Total Marks: 100
• Duration: 60 minutes (20 minutes per section — sectional time limit applies)
• Negative Marking: 0.25 marks deducted per wrong answer
• No Sectional Cut Off: Only overall aggregate score matters for shortlisting
• Exam Mode: Online (Computer-Based Test)
• Nature: Qualifying — Prelims marks are NOT counted in the final merit list
• Language: Bilingual (English and Hindi, except English Language section)

SBI PO Salary 2026 — What You Earn After Selection

One of the biggest reasons lakhs of graduates compete for the SBI PO 2026 recruitment is the highly competitive salary package. A newly appointed Probationary Officer at SBI earns a starting basic pay of ₹56,480 per month (inclusive of 4 advance increments over the base pay of ₹48,480), and the total gross monthly salary including all allowances amounts to approximately ₹93,000 per month. After standard deductions including NPS contribution, Provident Fund, and professional tax, the net in-hand salary credited to the account is between ₹80,000 and ₹86,000 per month.

Beyond the monthly salary, SBI POs receive significant non-monetary perks including medical insurance for self and family, concessional home loans and personal loans, furniture allowance, petrol allowance, and access to the SBI pension scheme. The service bond is ₹2 lakh for 2 years of post-joining service.

Who Should Check the SBI PO Answer Key 2026?

• 🎓 Graduates who appeared in the SBI PO Prelims on 1st–2nd August 2026 and want to calculate their estimated score before the result.
• 📊 Candidates near the expected cut off marks (58–67 marks range) who need to verify whether they have qualified for the Mains exam.
• 🏦 Bank job aspirants preparing for SBI PO Mains 2026 who want to start preparation now without waiting for the official result.
• 📋 Candidates who want to verify their attempted answers and identify weak sections for targeted improvement in future attempts.
• 🔍 Coaching institute students and self-preppers who want to cross-check their performance against expert-solved memory-based papers.
• 👨‍👩‍👧 Parents and guardians tracking their ward’s performance in the SBI PO 2026 recruitment process.
• 📰 Education researchers and journalists covering the banking recruitment space in India.
• 🎯 Aspirants planning to apply in the next SBI PO cycle who want to understand the exam pattern, cut offs, and competition level.

SBI PO vs SBI Clerk 2026 — Key Differences

Advantages and Disadvantages of the SBI PO Answer Key Process

Understanding the pros and cons of how SBI handles the answer key helps candidates plan better and set realistic expectations.

✅ Advantages:

• Individual response sheets allow precise personalised score calculation
• Released well before the Mains exam — gives candidates time to plan
• Transparent section-wise marking enables targeted weak-area analysis
• Accessible 24/7 from the official SBI portal — no physical collection needed
• Reliable benchmark — official cut offs are released alongside the scorecard

❌ Disadvantages:

• No objection or challenge window — candidates cannot contest any answer
• SBI does not release the original question paper — only individual responses
• Server congestion frequently occurs on the day of answer key release
• Password reset issues can delay access for candidates who forgot login credentials

SBI PO Mains 2026 — Next Steps After Prelims Answer Key

After checking the SBI PO Prelims Answer Key 2026, here is what happens next in the recruitment timeline. Candidates who qualify the Prelims cut off must start intensive preparation for the SBI PO Mains 2026, which was scheduled for September 12, 2026.

The SBI PO Mains exam carries 200 objective marks + 50 descriptive marks, along with a Group Exercise (20 marks) and Interview (30 marks). The final merit list is prepared on an 80:20 ratio of Mains marks to Group Exercise and Interview combined.

Important Links — SBI PO Prelims Answer Key 2026

Conclusion — SBI PO Prelims Answer Key 2026

The SBI PO Prelims Answer Key 2026 is now officially available at sbi.bank.in as of 12 October 2026. Use your registration number and date of birth to log in, download your individual response sheet, and calculate your estimated score using the formula: (Correct × 1) − (Wrong × 0.25). Compare your score against the official category-wise cut offs — General: 66.25, OBC: 66.00, EWS: 64.75, SC: 58.75, ST: 52.75 — to determine if you have qualified for the SBI PO Mains 2026. Bookmark this page for the latest updates on Mains admit card, result, and final cut off for this 1,500-vacancy recruitment drive.

Frequently Asked Questions About SBI PO Prelims Answer Key 2026

Has the SBI PO Prelims Answer Key 2026 been officially released?

Yes, the SBI PO Prelims Answer Key 2026 has been officially released on 12 October 2026 at sbi.bank.in. Candidates can access their individual response sheet by logging in with their registration number or roll number and date of birth. SBI releases individual response sheets, not a common PDF for all candidates.

Where can I download the SBI PO Answer Key 2026?

The SBI PO Answer Key 2026 can be downloaded from the official SBI Careers portal at sbi.bank.in/web/careers. Navigate to the Current Openings section, find the SBI PO 2026 recruitment (Advt. CRPD/PO/2026-27/09), and click the answer key / response sheet link. You must log in with your registration credentials to access the document.

What is the SBI PO Prelims Cut Off 2026 for General category?

The official SBI PO Prelims Cut Off 2026 for General (Unreserved) category is 66.25 marks out of 100. The OBC cut off is 66.00, EWS is 64.75, SC is 58.75, and ST is 52.75. There is no sectional cut off — only the overall aggregate score across all three sections determines shortlisting for the Mains exam.

Can I raise an objection against the SBI PO Answer Key 2026?

No. SBI does not allow candidates to raise objections against the answer key under its official published policy. Unlike UPSC, SSC, or IBPS exams which have a formal challenge window, SBI’s answer key release is final. The response sheet is provided purely as a transparency and score-estimation tool for candidates, not as a basis for objections or rechecking.

What login credentials are required to download the SBI PO Answer Key?

To access the SBI PO Prelims Answer Key 2026, you need either your Registration Number or Roll Number, along with your Password or Date of Birth (in DD/MM/YYYY format as registered during the application). Both combinations work — if one fails, try the other. Keep these credentials safe as they are also needed to access the official result and scorecard.

How do I calculate my SBI PO Prelims score from the response sheet?

Use this formula: Score = (Number of Correct Answers × 1) − (Number of Wrong Answers × 0.25). Un-attempted questions carry zero marks and zero penalty. The maximum score is 100. For example, if you got 70 correct and 15 wrong: Score = 70 − (15 × 0.25) = 70 − 3.75 = 66.25 marks. Compare this with the official category-wise cut off to assess your qualifying status.

What is the SBI PO salary in 2026?

The SBI PO salary 2026 starts with a basic pay of ₹56,480 per month (inclusive of 4 advance increments). Adding Dearness Allowance, HRA, Special Allowance, and other perks, the gross salary is approximately ₹93,000 per month. After statutory deductions, the net in-hand salary credited to the account is between ₹80,000 and ₹86,000 per month. After 7 years of service, an SBI PO earns over ₹1 lakh per month in-hand.

When is the SBI PO Mains 2026 exam date?

The SBI PO Mains 2026 exam was scheduled for September 12, 2026. Candidates who cleared the Prelims cut off received a separate admit card via SMS and email. The Mains exam includes an Objective Test (200 marks) and a Descriptive Test (50 marks), followed by Group Exercise (20 marks) and Interview (30 marks). The final merit list is based on an 80:20 ratio of Mains to GE and Interview combined.

What happens if I do not clear the SBI PO Prelims Cut Off 2026?

If your score is below the official category-wise cut off for SBI PO Prelims 2026, you are not shortlisted for the Mains exam in this recruitment cycle. However, there is no cap on the number of attempts for SBI PO — you can apply again in the next cycle. Use the response sheet to identify your weak sections (English, Quantitative Aptitude, or Reasoning) and build a targeted preparation plan. You may also consider appearing in IBPS PO, RBI Grade B, or SBI Clerk exams as alternative pathways into the banking sector.

Is there any sectional cut off in SBI PO Prelims 2026?

No. SBI PO Prelims 2026 has NO sectional cut off. Only the overall aggregate score out of 100 is used for shortlisting. This means that even if your score in one section is comparatively low, you can still qualify if your overall aggregate score meets the category-wise cut off. This is a significant advantage of the SBI PO Prelims pattern compared to some other bank exams that enforce sectional cut offs.

How many candidates are shortlisted for SBI PO Mains from Prelims?

SBI shortlists approximately 10 times the number of vacancies from the Prelims stage for the Mains exam. For this cycle with 1,500 PO posts, approximately 15,000 candidates are expected to have been shortlisted for the SBI PO Mains 2026. The actual shortlist is released as a roll-number-wise PDF on the official SBI Careers portal, alongside the Prelims result and scorecard.

📅 Last Updated: October 2026 | This guide is reviewed and updated regularly for accuracy. Bookmark this page for the latest SBI PO 2026 updates.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. All salary figures, cut off marks, and exam dates are based on information available from official SBI sources and cross-verified educational portals. Candidates are advised to verify all details on the official SBI website at sbi.bank.in before taking any action.

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