As per the 2026 notification, the upper age limit of 28 is relaxed by 3 years for OBC (non-creamy layer), 5 years for SC/ST, 10 years for PwBD (General/EWS), 13 years for PwBD (OBC) and 15 years for PwBD (SC/ST).
SBI relaxes only the upper age limit of 28 years. The minimum age of 20 stays the same for everyone. Here is the relaxation table from the 2026 notification (Advertisement No. CRPD/CR/2026-27/17), which matches the 2025 notification.
| Category | Relaxation | Maximum age |
|---|---|---|
| General / EWS | None | 28 |
| OBC (non-creamy layer) | 3 years | 31 |
| SC / ST | 5 years | 33 |
| PwBD (General / EWS) | 10 years | 38 |
| PwBD (OBC) | 13 years | 41 |
| PwBD (SC / ST) | 15 years | 43 |
| Ex-servicemen / Disabled ex-servicemen | Actual period of service + 3 years (8 years for disabled ex-servicemen from SC/ST) | Subject to a maximum of 50 |
| Widows, divorced women and women judicially separated who have not remarried | 7 years | 35 (General/EWS), 38 (OBC), 40 (SC/ST) |
| Trained apprentices of SBI | 1 year (General/EWS), 4 (OBC), 6 (SC/ST), 11 (PwBD Gen/EWS), 14 (PwBD OBC), 16 (PwBD SC/ST) | - |
Rules that trip people up
- No stacking. The notification says cumulative age relaxation is not available, either within the table or in combination with any other item. You take the single applicable row.
- OBC creamy layer gets nothing. OBC candidates in the creamy layer must apply as General and do not get OBC relaxation or reservation.
- Certificates matter. OBC candidates need a non-creamy layer certificate in the Government of India format issued between 1 April 2026 and the date of joining (for the 2026 cycle). EWS needs an Income and Asset Certificate for the relevant financial year. PwBD candidates need a disability certificate dated on or before the last date of registration.
- Category is locked. No change of category is allowed after you register the online application.
The SBI apprentice relaxation applies only to apprentices whose engagement began on or after 1 January 2022, who completed the one-year branch training, passed the trade test and hold the joint National Apprenticeship Certificate, with satisfactory conduct.
- SBI Junior Associates 2026 detailed advertisement (CRPD/CR/2026-27/17)
- SBI Junior Associates 2025 detailed advertisement (CRPD/CR/2025-26/06)
Rules can change with each notification. Confirm on sbi.bank.in/web/careers.
More eligibility questions
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