SBI Security Officer Selection Process 2026: Exam Pattern

SBI Security Officer Selection Process 2026 for 60 regular vacancies of Manager (Security) and Deputy Manager (Security) includes two stages. The Online applications open from November 4 to November 25, 2026. After qualifying in the second stage of selection, candidates will be called for final appointment. Recruitment begins with an Online Written Examination tentatively scheduled for December 2026/January 2027, followed by a personal interview in January/February 2027. 

(Advertisement No. CRPD/SCO/2026-27/28)

Two-Stage SBI Security Officer Selection Process 2026 Explained

The SBI Security Officer Selection Process 2026 includes two stages:

1. Stage I: Online Written Test (Objective Type)
2. Stage II: Personal Interview

Stage I: Online Written Test Structure & Exam Pattern

The first stage in the selection process is the Online Written Examination.

Detailed Exam Pattern

SBI Security Officer Selection Process 2026: Crucial Rules of the Online Test

Candidates must pay close attention to three critical exam rules laid out by SBI:

1. Qualifying Sections vs. Merit Section: Except for the Professional Knowledge (PK) paper, the remaining three sections—Reasoning Ability, English Language, and General Awareness—are strictly qualifying in nature. Marks scored in these three sections will not be added or reckoned when calculating your final merit score. However, candidates must still secure the minimum qualifying marks in each of these sections (as decided by the Bank) to have their Professional Knowledge paper evaluated and to qualify for the interview stage.
2. High Weightage of Professional Knowledge: Each question in the Professional Knowledge section carries 2 marks (50 questions = 100 marks), whereas Reasoning and General Awareness carry 0.5 marks per question (50 questions = 25 marks), and English carries 1 mark per question (50 questions = 50 marks). Because Professional Knowledge is the sole written component counted toward merit, your score in these 35 minutes directly determines your interview call and final rank.
3. Zero Negative Marking: There is no penalty for wrong answers marked in the objective tests. Since there is no negative marking, candidates should ensure they attempt all 200 questions across all four sections without leaving any blank.

Syllabus Breakdown for Professional Knowledge (PK)

Because the Professional Knowledge test carries 100% of the written exam’s merit weightage, mastering Annexure I of the notification is essential. The syllabus spans 15 core operational and managerial domains:

1. Security Basic Practices and Principles: Definitions and inter-relations between safety, physical security, information security, IT security, incidents, emergencies, crises, disasters, assets, threats, vulnerabilities, and countermeasures; defensive vs. proactive approaches; national and international security bodies.
2. Security Management Components & Concepts: Security surveys and audits, manpower deployment, perimeter fortification, access control, surveillance, man-machine integration, layered defence, the 5/6-D approach principle, security lighting, budgeting/ROI, and MIS reporting.
3. Risk Assessment: Asset profiling, threat analysis, vulnerability assessment, risk matrices, gap closure, procurement/commissioning of security solutions, and stepwise risk treatment methods (avoidance, mitigation, transfer, acceptance).
4. Security Hardware: Operational utility, ratings, and false-alarm ratios of turnstiles, flap barriers, X-ray baggage scanners, DFMD, HHMD, under-vehicle scanning systems, burglar alarms, communication systems (EPABX, walkie-talkies, hotlines), explosive vapour detectors, motorised boom barriers, bollards, tyre busters, bulletproof gear, sniffer dogs, and basic knowledge of small arms.
5. Security Software: Policy documents, manuals, SOPs, crisis/disaster response guidelines, drills, contingency operations during gadget failure, and fostering a security-conscious work culture.
6. Fire Safety: Fire triangle concepts, classification of fires, types and operation of fire extinguishers, preventive measures, response SOPs, and statutory IS/NBC standards.
7. CCTV Operations: Analogue, digital, and IP-based camera systems, optimal placement, onsite/offsite storage, footage retrieval, data mirroring, video analytics, and legal/IT guidelines.
8. Manpower Management: General administration, discipline, morale, duty rotation, leave reserves, handing/taking over protocols, command and control, and statutory labor/security regulations.
9. Executive Protection: Core principles, precautions, in-house vs. outsourced expertise, operational challenges, and standard dos and don’ts.
10. Disaster Management & Business Continuity Plan (BCP): First responder roles, natural and man-made disaster response, National Disaster Management Policy, state/city DM organograms, local mutual aid agreements, and surprise drills.
11. Information Security: Overlapping areas with physical security, counter-surveillance, espionage, reconnaissance, social engineering, verbal/non-verbal information denial, and statutory guidelines.
12. IT Security (Physical Aspects): Physical access control for IT infrastructure, inward/outward movement checks of men and material, and preventing physical security loopholes.
13. Organizational Relationship Management & Liaison: Protecting organizational image from reputational risk, managing boundaries, and liaising effectively with local army, police, fire services, paramilitary, and civil bureaucratic authorities (Home, Finance, Disaster Management).
14. Security Management in Banks: Physical security of bank branches, custody and storage of cash/gold/valuables, vault/strong room and locker room specifications, cash-in-transit security, ATM security, and deterrence against burglary, dacoity, theft, and vandalism.
15. General Administration: Office management, code of ethics, general welfare, supervision, and command/control mechanisms.

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Stage-II: Personal Interview & Document Verification

Candidates who clear the minimum qualifying marks in Reasoning, English, and General Awareness and rank high enough in the Professional Knowledge paper will be shortlisted category-wise for the Personal Interview.

Interview Criteria

• Interview Marks: The Personal Interview carries a maximum of 100 marks.
• Qualifying Cut-off: SBI decides the minimum qualifying marks required to pass the interview. Candidates who fail to achieve the qualifying marks in the interview will not be considered for the final merit list, regardless of their written test score.
• Mode of Interview: As per the tentative schedule, interviews may be conducted either in person or through Video Conferencing (VC) in January / February 2027.
• Original Document Verification: Admission to the online test is purely provisional. Detailed verification of all original documents (age proof, educational certificates, discharge book/service record, SHAPE-1 or equivalent medical fitness certificate, caste/EWS certificates, and NOC for serving personnel) takes place when the candidate reports for the interview. If a candidate is found ineligible during verification, they will neither be permitted to appear for the interview nor reimbursed any travel expenses.
• Travel Reimbursement: Outstation candidates called for an in-person interview are reimbursed economy-class airfare (shortest route in India, up to a maximum of ₹10,000 to-and-fro, or actual cost, whichever is lower) upon submitting original/copies of flight tickets, invoices, and boarding passes. Local taxi/cab fares are not reimbursed.

Final Merit List & Normalization Formula

Once both the Online Written Test and Personal Interview are completed, SBI prepares the final category-wise merit list. Because the written test and interview carry different weightages in the final evaluation, the raw marks are normalized out of 100 marks using a 70:30 ratio:

Quick Overview: SBI Security Officer Recruitment 2026

Check the overview of the SBI Security Officer Recruitment 2026 below:

• Recruiting Organization: State Bank of India (Central Recruitment & Promotion Department, Corporate Centre, Mumbai)
• Advertisement Number: CRPD/SCO/2026-27/28
• Posts & Scales:
  • Manager (Security) – Middle Management Grade Scale-III (MMGS-III)
  • Deputy Manager (Security) – Middle Management Grade Scale-II (MMGS-II)
• Total Vacancies: 60 (UR: 25, OBC: 16, SC: 9, EWS: 6, ST: 4)
• Nature of Engagement: Regular Basis (with a 6-month probation period)
• Place of Posting: Anywhere in India
• Online Application Window: November 4, 2026, to November 25, 2026
• Selection Methodology: Online Written Test followed by Personal Interview

How Your Normalized Score is Calculated

Final Score (out of 100)=PK Marks Scored×0.70+Interview Marks Scored×0.30

• Merit Ranking: The category-wise merit list is drawn in descending order based on this normalised score out of 100.
• Tie-Breaker Policy: If two or more candidates secure identical cut-off marks at the qualifying threshold, the tie is resolved by ranking candidates according to their age in descending order—meaning the older candidate is placed higher on the merit list.

Strict Examination Security: Biometric & IRIS Verification

Given that this recruitment is for Security Officers, SBI enforces rigorous identity verification and anti-malpractice protocols across all stages:

• IRIS Scan & Thumb Impression: SBI captures digital biometric data (Left Eye IRIS scan and thumb impressions) at the exam venue and subsequent stages. Candidates wearing spectacles or contact lenses must remove them during IRIS capture. Candidates are also instructed not to apply mehandi, ink, or chemicals on their hands that could interfere with thumbprint verification.
• Response Pattern Analysis: The bank uses analytical algorithms to compare candidate responses and detect shared answers or unnatural similarity patterns. Any detected irregularity results in immediate cancellation of candidature.
• Ban on Electronic Devices: Mobile phones (even switched off), smartwatches, Bluetooth devices, calculators, and storage media are strictly prohibited inside the examination/interview premises.

Important Dates & Tentative Schedule

Candidates should keep track of the following official timeline to ensure they do not miss any deadlines:

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SBI Security Officer Selection Process 2026: Strategic Preparation Tips for Aspirants

1. Prioritise Professional Knowledge (70% Final Weightage): While you must pass Reasoning, English, and General Awareness, scoring high in Professional Knowledge is what actually builds your merit rank. Dedicate at least 65–70% of your daily study hours to banking security protocols, RBI/IBA guidelines on vault and cash-in-transit security, fire safety standards, and modern electronic surveillance systems.
2. Do Not Neglect the Qualifying Sections: Many experienced officers excel in Professional Knowledge but risk disqualification by missing the sectional cut-off in Reasoning, English, or General Awareness. Practice sectional mock tests under strict time limits (30 mins for Reasoning, 30 mins for English, 25 mins for GA) to comfortably clear the qualifying thresholds.
3. Capitalize on No Negative Marking: Since there is zero penalty for incorrect answers, manage your time so you can attempt every question. Use the last 2–3 minutes of each sectional timer to mark educated guesses on remaining questions.
4. Prepare Your Service Portfolio for the Interview: The 30% interview weightage tests your leadership, crisis management experience, and understanding of civilian banking environments. Be ready to explain how your military or paramilitary operational experience translates into branch security audits, disaster management planning, and liaison with local police and civil authorities.

FAQs

1. What posts and total vacancies are available under Advertisement No. CRPD/SCO/2026-27/28?

The notification announces 60 regular vacancies for Manager (Security) (MMGS-III) and Deputy Manager (Security) (MMGS-II).

2. Are there any qualifying Marks for SBI Security Officer Recruitment 2026?

Except for the Professional Knowledge paper, the other papers are qualifying in nature, but you have to qualify in them.

3. What is the medical fitness standard required to apply?

Applicants must possess medical fitness in SHAPE-1 or an equivalent medical category as of the date of release of the advertisement.

4. Is there any negative marking in the online written examination?

No, there is no penalty or negative marking for wrong answers in the objective tests.

5. What is the application fee structure?

The non-refundable application and intimation fee is ₹750 for General, EWS, and OBC candidates, while SC and ST candidates are completely exempt from paying the fee.