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Can citizens of Nepal or Bhutan apply for SBI Clerk?

EligibilityUpdated 2026-10-23
Short answer

Not under the recent notifications. The 2024, 2025 and 2026 SBI Junior Associate notifications invite applications only from eligible Indian citizens.

Under the recent cycles, no. The official SBI Junior Associate notifications for 2024 (CRPD/CR/2024-25/24), 2025 (CRPD/CR/2025-26/06) and 2026 (CRPD/CR/2026-27/17) all open with the same line: applications are invited from eligible Indian Citizens. The 2026 special recruitment drive for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies uses the same wording.

Why you may have read something different

Several coaching and exam websites still list a wider nationality rule - Indian citizens, subjects of Nepal, subjects of Bhutan, Tibetan refugees who came to India before 1 January 1962, and some persons of Indian origin. That wording appeared in older bank notifications, and some sites have carried it forward without checking. It does not appear in the recent SBI Junior Associate advertisements, which are the documents that decide eligibility.

What this means for you

You areStatus under the 2026 notification
An Indian citizenEligible, subject to age, education and other conditions
A subject of Nepal or BhutanNot covered - the notification invites Indian citizens only
A Tibetan refugee or person of Indian origin who is not an Indian citizenNot covered

Note that "Nepali" appears in the 2026 notification only as a specified local language for West Bengal and Sikkim. That is about language, not nationality.

Other recruitments

Rules differ between recruiters. Some other bank or government notifications may still include Nepal and Bhutan subjects. Always go by the specific notification you are applying under.

Eligibility is checked at joining, and SBI's decision is final. If you are not an Indian citizen, read the first paragraph of the latest official SBI notification before paying any fee.

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