1. Introduction

For many Andhra Pradesh banking professionals, career growth often hits a plateau after a few years in clerical or junior officer roles. Internal promotions take time, and lateral entry opportunities are rare. That is why the SBI Circle Based Officer (CBO) Recruitment 2026 deserves serious attention - but only for a specific category of candidates.

This is not a fresher opportunity. It is meant for already-serving bank officers who want a stable, long-term role within a defined geographic circle. For AP aspirants currently working in Scheduled Commercial Banks or RRBs, this recruitment offers a structured path into India’s largest public sector bank with location stability.

However, competition will be intense, eligibility is strict, and the experience clause eliminates a large number of casual applicants.

2. Key Recruitment Details (Verified Only)

  • Organization: State Bank of India
  • Post: Circle Based Officer (CBO)
  • Total Vacancies: 2273
    • Regular: 2050
    • Backlog: 223
  • AP-Relevant Circle: Amaravati
  • Vacancies in Amaravati Circle: 101
  • Local Language Requirement: Telugu/Urdu
  • Qualification: Graduation in any discipline
  • Experience: Minimum 2 years as Officer in Scheduled Commercial Bank or RRB (as on 31-12-2025)
  • Age Limit: 21-30 years (with applicable relaxations)
  • Application Start Date: 29-01-2026
  • Last Date to Apply: 18-02-2026
  • Salary: ₹48,480 - ₹85,920 (JMGS-I Scale)
  • Official Website: https://sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings

If any detail is not listed here, it is not available in the official notification.

3. Eligibility Explained for Andhra Pradesh Candidates

Educational Qualification

Any graduate degree from a recognized university qualifies. Specialized degrees like Engineering, Medical, CA, or Cost Accounting are also acceptable.

Mandatory Banking Experience

You must have:

  • Minimum 2 years’ experience as an Officer
  • Service must be in:
    • Scheduled Commercial Bank, or
    • Regional Rural Bank listed under RBI

Clerical staff, contract staff, or employees in bank subsidiaries are not eligible.

Salary Condition for Private Bank Officers

Candidates from non-PSB banks must prove minimum ₹9.5 lakh annual gross salary for each year of experience with documents like Form-16 or salary slips.

Local Language Requirement

For Amaravati Circle:

  • Must read, write, and understand Telugu or Urdu
  • If studied the language in 10th or 12th, language test is exempted

4. Who Should Apply - And Who Should Not

Ideal Candidates

  • Officers in RRBs seeking PSU exposure
  • Officers in private banks wanting stability
  • Candidates preferring long-term posting within Andhra Pradesh
  • Officers unable to secure internal promotions

Candidates Who Should Avoid Applying

  • Fresh graduates
  • Clerical staff expecting lateral entry
  • Officers planning inter-state transfers
  • Candidates unsure about document proof of experience

This role restricts transfers outside the selected circle until promotion to SMGS-IV or completion of 12 years of service.

5. Application Process - Step-by-Step (AP Context)

  1. Apply online only via SBI Careers portal
  2. Upload:
    • Photograph
    • Signature
    • Left thumb impression
    • Handwritten declaration
    • Experience proof
    • Salary proof
  3. Pay fee:
    • General/OBC/EWS: ₹750
    • SC/ST/PwBD: Nil
  4. Save e-receipt and application form

Common AP Candidate Mistakes

  • Uploading incomplete experience letters
  • Salary proof mismatch
  • Selecting wrong circle
  • Waiting until last date due to server congestion

6. Selection Process & What to Expect

Phase 1 - Online Examination

  • Objective: 120 marks
  • Descriptive: 50 marks
  • No negative marking
  • Sections:
    • English
    • Banking Knowledge
    • General Awareness/Economy
    • Computer Aptitude

Phase 2 - Screening

Experience documents reviewed

Phase 3 - Interview

50 marks

Phase 4 - Local Language Test

Only if language proof is not available

Final Merit

  • Online Exam: 75% weightage
  • Interview: 25% weightage

7. Salary, Role & Career Growth

Salary

  • Starting Basic: ₹48,480
  • Additional benefits:
    • DA
    • HRA
    • CCA
    • NPS
    • Medical
    • LFC

Posting

Within Amaravati Circle only

Career Growth

  • Promotion possible through internal exams
  • No inter-circle transfer flexibility
  • Designed for long-term regional officers

8. Preparation Strategy

Focus Areas:

  • Banking regulations
  • Financial awareness
  • RBI guidelines
  • Credit operations
  • Computer fundamentals
  • Descriptive writing practice

Avoid:

  • Deep quantitative aptitude
  • Irrelevant competitive exam content

Suggested Preparation Time: 2-3 months of focused revision

9. Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Strong salary
  • Location stability
  • No negative marking
  • PSU bank credibility

Cons

  • Limited transfer flexibility
  • High documentation scrutiny
  • Competition from experienced officers nationwide
  • Slow promotions compared to internal SBI channels

10. Applicant Checklist

✔ Graduation certificate
✔ Experience proof
✔ Salary documents
✔ Local language proof
✔ Age eligibility confirmation
✔ Caste/EWS certificate if applicable
✔ Valid email and mobile number

11. Conclusion

This recruitment is best suited for Andhra Pradesh banking officers who value long-term regional stability over frequent transfers. It is not a shortcut to a government job; it is a strategic lateral move requiring solid professional experience.

Apply only if you meet every eligibility condition and can provide documentary proof. Thoughtful applications have a far better success rate than rushed submissions.

12. FAQs (AP Aspirant Focused)

Q1: Can Andhra Pradesh candidates apply for multiple circles?
No. Only one circle is allowed.

Q2: Is APPSC involved?
No. This is purely an SBI recruitment.

Q3: Is local status required?
Not explicitly, but language proficiency is mandatory.

Q4: Will contract bank officers qualify?
No.

Q5: Is age relaxation cumulative?
No. Only one relaxation rule applies.