India’s largest bank has opened its doors to specialists. The State Bank of India (SBI) has invited online applications for 77 Specialist Officer posts, and the registration window is already live. Candidates who meet the eligibility criteria can apply through the bank’s official website, sbi.co.in, till November 25, 2026.
The recruitment covers two very different kinds of roles. There are 17 posts for Assistant Manager, Engineer (Fire), meant for fire-safety professionals, and 60 posts for Manager (Security) and Deputy Manager (Security), aimed largely at officers from the armed forces and paramilitary forces. Both sets of posts are on a regular basis, which makes this a rare chance to join SBI as a permanent officer rather than on contract.
Vacancy details at a glance
SBI has split the 77 vacancies across two separate notifications under its Specialist Cadre Officer category. Here is the break-up:
- Assistant Manager, Engineer (Fire): 17 posts, Junior Management Grade Scale I
- Manager (Security) / Deputy Manager (Security): 60 posts
- Total vacancies: 77
- Application window: November 4 to November 25, 2026
- Application fee: Rs 750 for General, OBC and EWS candidates; no fee for SC and ST candidates
- Where to apply: sbi.co.in, through the SBI Careers portal
The bank has said the number of vacancies is provisional and can change as per its requirements, so candidates should not wait till the last day to file their forms.
Fire engineer posts: who can apply
The fire engineer posts, advertised under number CRPD/SCO/2026-27/29, are for candidates with a professional fire-safety qualification. Applicants must hold one of the following: a B.E. in Fire from the National Fire Service College (NFSC), Nagpur; a B.E. or B.Tech in Safety and Fire Engineering; a B.E. or B.Tech in Fire Technology and Safety Engineering; an equivalent four-year degree in Fire Safety from a UGC-recognised university or AICTE-approved institution; graduate membership of the Institution of Fire Engineers (India or UK); or the Divisional Officers course from NFSC, Nagpur.
A degree alone is not enough. Candidates with a four-year fire engineering or safety degree need at least two years of composite experience in fire safety with a reputed organisation. Those applying through the Institution of Fire Engineers membership or the Divisional Officers course need at least three years of experience as a Station Officer or in an equivalent role, such as in-charge fire officer in a corporate or large industrial complex, or as a fire officer in a state government institution or public sector undertaking.
The age limit for this post is 21 to 40 years as on October 31, 2026. Selected candidates will join in Junior Management Grade Scale I, with a starting basic pay of Rs 48,480 and a pay scale that goes up to Rs 85,920. The probation period is six months.
Security officer posts: what SBI is looking for
The 60 security posts are split between Manager (Security) and Deputy Manager (Security). The basic educational requirement is a graduation degree in any discipline from a government-recognised university or institution. These roles are designed for officers with a service background: candidates for Manager (Security) need at least 10 years of relevant service, while Deputy Manager (Security) applicants need at least five years.
This is a familiar route into banking for defence and paramilitary officers. SBI’s security officers look after the physical security of branches, currency chests and administrative offices, and the bank has regularly recruited retired and serving officers for these roles. The November 25 deadline applies to both security posts as well.
How the selection works
As per the notifications, the selection process includes an online written examination followed by an interview. Candidates who clear the written test will be shortlisted for the interview, and the final merit will be based on performance across both stages. The exact exam pattern, syllabus and interview schedule will be shared by the bank on its careers portal, so applicants should keep checking sbi.co.in after registering.
How to apply before November 25
The application process is fully online. Candidates need to visit the SBI Careers page, pick the relevant notification, register with a valid email ID and mobile number, fill in personal, educational and experience details, upload the required documents, and pay the fee online. The fee is Rs 750 for General, OBC and EWS candidates, while SC and ST candidates are exempt. Payment can be made through the online modes listed on the portal.
Before applying, candidates should read the detailed notification carefully, since eligibility conditions such as the cut-off date for qualifications and experience differ between the two posts. For the fire engineer post, the qualification must have been obtained on or before October 31, 2026. Keeping scanned copies of certificates, identity proof and a photograph ready before starting the form will make the process quicker.
Why this recruitment matters
Specialist Officer recruitments are different from SBI’s large clerk and probationary officer drives. The numbers are small, the eligibility is narrow, and the roles are highly specific. That also means competition is limited to people who genuinely fit the profile. For a fire-safety engineer with two or three years of field experience, or a defence officer looking for a second career in banking, this is one of the few direct entry routes into India’s biggest bank as an officer.
With the window open for just three weeks, interested candidates should not leave the application to the final days. The portal often slows down near the deadline, and a form submitted after November 25 will not be accepted.
FAQs
How many posts are open in SBI SO Recruitment 2026?
There are 77 posts in total: 17 for Assistant Manager, Engineer (Fire), and 60 for Manager (Security) and Deputy Manager (Security).
What is the last date to apply for SBI SO 2026?
The last date to submit the online application and pay the fee is November 25, 2026. The window opened on November 4, 2026.
What is the application fee for SBI Specialist Officer posts?
The fee is Rs 750 for General, OBC and EWS candidates. SC and ST candidates do not have to pay any fee.
What qualification is needed for the SBI fire engineer post?
Candidates need a B.E. or B.Tech in fire or safety engineering, or an equivalent qualification, along with two to three years of relevant experience depending on the qualification route.
Where can I apply for SBI SO Recruitment 2026?
Applications can be submitted online through the SBI Careers portal on the bank’s official website, sbi.co.in.
Interested candidates should check the official SBI notification for complete eligibility, reservation and exam details before applying.
