SBI SCO Recruitment 2026: Notification, Vacancy, Selection Process, Eligibility, Syllabus & How to Apply

Overview: Your wait is over! The official notification for SBI SCO recruitment 2026 is out. Start preparing! But before that read this blog to get all necessary information about this prestigious recruitment.  

• The State Bank of India (SBI) has officially released its Specialist Cadre Officer (SCO) Recruitment 2026 notification for law officers.  
• There are vacancies for two posts under this recruitment: Assistant Manager (Law) and Deputy Manager (Law).  
• Eligible candidates can apply from 24th June 2026 to 14th July 2026.  

Let's dive deeper into the details!  

Download Free Study Material For SBI SCO Law Officer Exam Preparation

SBI SCO Recruitment Notification 2026   

The SBI Central Recruitment & Promotion Department (CRPD) has issued Advertisement No. CRPD/SCO/2026-27/02, inviting online applications from eligible Indian citizens for recruitment to Specialist Cadre Officer posts in the Law domain.  

There are two posts open under this recruitment:  

• Assistant Manager (Law): Junior Management Grade Scale I (JMGS-I) 
• Deputy Manager (Law): Middle Management Grade Scale II (MMGS-II)  

These two posts differ in both seniority and pay.  

Note: According to the notification, you can only apply for one post.  

SBI SCO Recruitment 2026 Important Dates
Event	Date
Notification Released	24th June 2026
Online Registration Opens	24th June 2026
Last Date to Apply & Pay Fee	14th July 2026
Online Written Test (Tentative)	August 2026

Download SBI SCO Recruitment 2026 Notification PDF

SBI SCO Law Recruitment 2026: Vacancy Details  

SBI has announced a total of 49 vacancies distributed across both posts and different categories.  

The competition will be focused and intense, since only law graduates with mandatory work experience are eligible.  

Here's the category-wise vacancy distribution for SBI SCO recruitment (law) 2026:  

Post	SC	ST	OBC	EWS	UR	Total
Assistant Manager (Law)	3	1	5	2	9	20
Deputy Manager (Law)	4	2	7	2	12	27
Deputy Manager (Law) - Backlog	-	2	-	-	-	2
Total Vacancies						49

PwBD (Horizontal Reservation):  

• Assistant Manager: 1 seat (VI category) 
• Deputy Manager: 1 seat each for VI and HI categories  

The 2 backlog vacancies for Deputy Manager (ST category) are carried forward from previous recruitment cycles where the reserved seats went unfilled.  

ST candidates applying for Deputy Manager should note this as it may slightly improve their odds in that category.  

SBI SCO Recruitment (Law) 2026: Eligibility Criteria  

Before you apply, it's important that you check and meet the SBI SCO Law eligibility 2026. You should meet the following eligibility conditions:  

Educational Qualifications  

Candidates must have a bachelor's degree in law (LLB) from a recognized university in India. Both the traditional 3-year LLB (after graduation) and the integrated formats are accepted.  

• Candidates who have completed a 5-year integrated law course (BA LLB / BBA LLB / BCom LLB / B.Sc. LLB etc.) from a recognized Indian university may be given preference.  
• This preference is likely applied at the shortlisting or interview stage, so if you hold an integrated degree, mention it prominently in your application and resume.  

Work Experience (as on 31st May 2026)   

This is a mandatory requirement for both posts and is the most critical eligibility condition. Experience must be acquired after enrolment as an advocate with the Bar Council, not before, and not during law school.  

For Assistant Manager (Law) - 2 years of:  

• Practice as an enrolled Advocate with Bar Council, OR 
• Service as a Law Officer in the Legal Department of a Scheduled Commercial Bank, OR 
• A combination of both (totaling 2 years)  

For Deputy Manager (Law) - 4 years of:  

• Practice as an enrolled Advocate with Bar Council, OR 
• Service as a Law Officer in the Legal Department of a Scheduled Commercial Bank, OR 
• A combination of both (totaling 4 years)  

Here are some important points to note here:  

• The experience certificate from your employer must specifically state the nature of work you handle. A generic employment letter saying you were a "Law Officer" without specifying legal functions may be scrutinized or rejected.  
• If you have worked partly as an advocate and partly as a bank law officer, ensure both periods are documented with separate certificates, and that the total adds to the required duration.  
• Only Scheduled Commercial Banks qualify for the banking experience route. Cooperative banks, NBFCs, or financial institutions do not count.  

Fresher? Check Out Details About IBPS Law Officer Exams>> 

Age Limit  

Candidates should come under the following age bracket as on 31st May 2026:  

Post	Minimum Age	Maximum Age
Assistant Manager (Law)	25 years	32 years
Deputy Manager (Law)	25 years	35 years

Candidates across several categories are eligible for age relaxation. Here are the details:  

Category	Age Relaxation
OBC (Non-Creamy Layer)	3 years
SC/ST	5 years
PwBD (UR / EWS)	10 years
PwBD (OBC)	13 years
PwBD (SC / ST)	15 years
Ex-Servicemen (with 5 years of military service)	5 years

Note: Cumulative age relaxation under multiple categories is not permitted. You can only claim relaxation under one applicable category.  

Nationality  

Candidates must be Indian Citizens.  

SBI SCO Recruitment Law 2026: Selection Process & Exam Pattern  

The selection for SBI SCO recruitment 2026 takes place in two stages:  

Stage 1: Online Written Test  

The online exam has two components: an Objective test and a Descriptive test; both held on the same day.  

Objective Type Test  

Section	No. Of Questions	Marks	Time	Nature
Reasoning	25	25 marks	45 mins (combined)	Qualifying only
English Language	35	35 marks	45 mins (combined)	Qualifying only
Professional Knowledge	50	50	45 mins	Counts for merit

• The Reasoning and English sections are only qualifying in nature. You must cross the minimum cut-off set by the Bank, but the marks do not contribute to your rank or merit list.  
• The sole determinant of your position in the merit list is your score in Professional Knowledge.  

This means every mark in the PK section is precious, and your preparation strategy should be weighted heavily toward it.  

Note: There is no negative marking for wrong answers.  

Descriptive Test  

The Descriptive test requires you to write detailed answers on legal topics. This is where your ability to think and communicate like a practicing law officer will be tested.  

Answers are expected to demonstrate applied understanding, not just rote knowledge.  

Expected question types include legal opinion drafting, analysis of a legal scenario, or explanation of legal provisions in a banking context.  

Component	Details
Questions to attempt	Any 5 out of 8
Marks	50 (10 marks each)
Time	45 minutes

• Candidates must qualify in both tests individually.  
• Even a strong PK score will not save you if you fail to meet the minimum qualifying mark in the Descriptive test.  
• The merit list is then prepared based on the combined score of the PK objective section and the Descriptive test totaling 100 marks. 

Stage 2: Interview 

• The interview carries 100 marks 
• Shortlisted candidates are called category-wise based on written test performance 
• Qualifying marks are decided by the Bank 

The interview is expected to test your legal knowledge, banking awareness, situational judgment, and communication skills. All these matters equally for a law officer role  

As a practicing advocate, be prepared to discuss real cases you have handled, your courtroom experience, and how that applies to the Bank's legal needs.  

If you come from a bank's legal department, expect questions on SARFAESI proceedings, DRT filings, and recovery mechanisms.  

Final Merit List Weightage
Online Written Test	70%
Interview	30%

If two candidates score identical marks at the cut-off point, the older candidate (by age in descending order) is ranked higher in the merit list.  

Join Our New Government Law Officers Batch For SBI SCO Preparation

SBI SCO Recruitment 2026 Syllabus  

Before you start preparing, make sure you know what you need to study. Here's the indicative syllabus mentioned in the SBI SCO recruitment notification 2026.  

Candidates are advised to prepare well for fundamental concepts, issues and current developments in the field of:  

• Constitutional Law  
• Administrative Law  
• Financial sector laws  
• Procedural laws  
• New Labor Laws  
• Principles of Statutory Interpretation and  
• Legal Drafting, etc. 

How to Apply for SBI SCO Recruitment 2026?  

Here a step-by-step process to apply for the SBI SCO recruitment 2026:  

Step 1: Visit the official SBI careers portal: https://sbi.bank.in/web/careers/current-openings  

Step 2: Locate and click on Advertisement No. CRPD/SCO/2026-27/02  

Step 3: Register using your basic details. The system will generate a Registration Number and Password. Note these down immediately, as you will need them to log back in and complete your application.  

Step 4: Fill in the online application form carefully. If you cannot complete it in one sitting, save your progress. You can re-open and edit the saved application up to 3 times before final submission.  

Step 5: Upload all required documents in the prescribed format and size.  

Step 6: Pay the application fee through the integrated payment gateway  

Step 7: Submit the form. After submission, take a printout of the e-receipt and the final application form for your records.  

Note: No changes, corrections, or modifications will be permitted after final submission, not via post, email, or any other means. Review every field carefully before clicking Submit.  

What is the Application Fee for SBI SCO Recruitment 2026?  

Here's the category-wise application fee mentioned in the SBI SCO recruitment notification 2026:  

Category	Fee
General / OBC / EWS	₹750 (non-refundable)
SC / ST / PwBD	Nil

• Payment must be made online via Debit Card, Credit Card, or Internet Banking.  
• On successful payment, an e-receipt is generated. Download and save it.  
• The fee is non-refundable under any circumstances, including if the Bank cancels or modifies the recruitment process.  

What are the Documents Required to Apply for SBI SCO Application Process 2026?  

Getting the document upload right is critical when applying for SBI SCO recruitment 2026. Incomplete or unclear uploads will result in rejection at the shortlisting stage itself.  

Ensure all documents are in PDF format (except photo and signature), with each file not exceeding 500 KB.  

Here's a list of documents you must have (all in PDF, A4 size, max 500 KB each):  

• Brief Resume 
• Valid ID Proof 
• Proof of Date of Birth 
• Educational certificates and mark sheets (degree certificate or provisional certificate) 
• Proof of enrolment with Bar Council (This is mandatory and non-negotiable; without it, your application will not be processed)  
• Experience certificates  
• Caste Certificate / EWS Certificate (if applicable) 
• PwBD Certificate (if applicable) 
• Form-16 / Offer Letter / Latest Salary Slip from current employer  

File Format & Dimensions for Photo and Signature  

• Photograph: JPG/JPEG format, 20-50 KB, 200×230 pixels preferred. Must be a recent passport-size color photograph against a light background. You will also be required to capture a live photograph through a webcam or mobile during the online application process.  
• Signature: JPG/JPEG format, 10-20 KB, 140×60 pixels preferred. Sign on white paper with black ink. Signatures in capital letters will be rejected.  

SBI SCO (Law) 2026 Salary & Pay Scale  

SBI SCO law officers 2026 are eligible for a JMGS-I and MMGS-II grade pay scale. Here are the details:  

Post	Grade	Basic Pay Scale
Assistant Manager (Law)	JMGS-I	₹48,480 – ₹85,920
Deputy Manager (Law)	MMGS-II	₹64,820 – ₹93,960

In addition to the basic pay, selected candidates receive a comprehensive benefits package:  

• Dearness Allowance (DA): revised quarterly based on CPI, forms a significant portion of the total compensation 
• House Rent Allowance (HRA): varies by city classification 
• City Compensatory Allowance (CCA): applicable in designated cities 
• Provident Fund: employer contribution toward retirement savings 
• National Pension System (NPS): contributory pension with government co-contribution 
• Leave Fare Concession (LFC): travel entitlement for self and family 
• Medical Facility: for self and dependents 
• Other perquisites such as staff loans at concessional interest rates, as per the Bank's rules  

Travel Reimbursement for Interview  

Outstation candidates called for interview will be reimbursed economy class airfare for the shortest domestic route. It will be calculated from their place of current posting or residence, whichever is closer to the interview venue.  

• This is subject to a ceiling of ₹10,000 (to and fro). If actual airfare is lower than ₹10,000, only the actual amount is reimbursed.  
• Original or copies of flight tickets, invoices, and boarding pass must be submitted for reimbursement.  
• Local transportation - taxis, cabs, and personal vehicles will not be reimbursed.  

Note: Candidates who are found ineligible at the time of interview will not be permitted to appear and will not receive any fare reimbursement. 

SBI SCO Recruitment (Law) 2026: Important Rules and Conditions  

Here are a few rules and conditions you must consider and take care of:  

One post, One Application  

You cannot apply for both Assistant Manager and Deputy Manager. Candidates are strictly limited to one post.  

If multiple applications are submitted for the same or different posts, only the last valid completed application is retained, and fees paid for the others are forfeited.  

CIBIL Score Check   

If you have defaulted on any loan - personal loan, home loan, vehicle loan, or credit card dues and have not fully cleared those outstanding dues before the Bank issues the offer letter, you will not be eligible for appointment.  

If you have repaid the dues, but your CIBIL record has not yet been updated, you will need to either get it updated or produce a No Dues Certificate from the lender before joining.  

OBC Certificate Validity  

The non-creamy layer certificate must be issued between 01 April 2026 and the date of interview. Older certificates, even from late 2025, will not be accepted.  

EWS Certificate  

The Income and Asset Certificate must cover Financial Year 2025-26. If you are unable to obtain this certificate before the application window closes on 14 July 2026, apply under the Unreserved (UR) category to avoid disqualification.  

Government and PSU Employees  

If you are currently employed with a Central/State Government body, public sector undertaking, nationalized bank, or financial institution, you must submit a No Objection Certificate from your employer at the time of interview.  

Not producing it will result in disqualification, and you will not be reimbursed travel expenses either.  

Probation Period  

All selected candidates will serve a probation period as per the Bank's prevailing recruitment policy. Confirmation of service is subject to satisfactory performance during probation.  

Rules to Be Followed at the Exam Center  

• Mobile phones, smartwatches, pagers, Bluetooth devices, and calculators are strictly prohibited inside the exam premises. Candidates are advised not to bring these items at all, as the Bank cannot guarantee their safekeeping. 
• IRIS scan (left eye) and biometric thumb impression verification will be conducted at various stages of the process. Remove contact lenses and spectacles before IRIS capture. Do not apply mehndi, ink, or any external substance on your hands before the exam, as it may affect biometric capture and lead to cancellation of candidature. 
• Bring original photo ID (Aadhaar / PAN Card / Passport / Voter ID / Driving License / Bank Passbook with attested photograph) along with a self-attested photocopy. Without a valid ID, you will not be permitted to sit the exam. 

We hope this information helps you. Good Luck!