Graduation and the 31 December deadline
The basic educational requirement is graduation in any discipline from a recognised university or an equivalent qualification recognised by the Central Government. Candidates in the final year or semester can apply provisionally, but if provisionally selected they must produce proof that they passed graduation on or before 31 December 2026. An Integrated Dual Degree candidate should also ensure the passing date is on or before that date.
The practical point is simple: "I am in final year" is not enough by itself. Ask whether the university will issue acceptable proof by the notification deadline.
Age as on 1 April 2026
For the general age band, the candidate must be at least 20 and not above 28 years as on 1 April 2026. The notification-based date-of-birth range is 2 April 1998 to 1 April 2006, both dates inclusive where stated in the reproduced notification details.
Standard relaxations include 5 years for SC/ST and 3 years for OBC. PwBD relaxations are 10 years for General/EWS, 13 for OBC and 15 for SC/ST. Ex-servicemen and some other notified groups have separate conditions, so candidates in those categories should use the exact notification table rather than applying a generic relaxation rule from memory.
One State/UT only
SBI Clerk is not an all-India merit list for one national pool. You apply for vacancies in one State/UT only. Merit is drawn State-wise and category-wise, and the specified local language is tied to that choice.
That means a candidate should not choose a State only because a previous cutoff looked lower. The vacancy count, language requirement, place of posting and transfer restrictions all matter.
Local language and LLPT
A candidate applying for a State/UT must be proficient in the specified opted local language in reading, writing, speaking and understanding. Candidates who can produce a Class 10 or Class 12 marksheet/certificate showing that they studied the specified language are exempt from the separate language test.
For others who qualify for selection, the Local Language Proficiency Test is conducted after provisional selection and before joining. It is qualifying, not a competitive marks stage. A candidate who cannot qualify the language requirement will not be offered appointment.
A quick eligibility self-check
Before relying on eligibility, verify five things together: graduation proof by 31 December 2026, age on 1 April 2026, category certificate where applicable, one chosen State/UT, and the specified local language for that State/UT.
Submitting the form does not itself prove eligibility; the application remains subject to SBI's later scrutiny and document verification.