The State Bank of India (SBI) has released the notification for 6,589 Clerk vacancies in 2025. With lakhs of candidates expected to appear for the recruitment process, understanding the cutoff trends becomes essential for aspirants targeting the Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) role.
π SBI Clerk 2025: Exam Overview
The SBI Clerk exam is conducted in three stages:
- Preliminary Examination
- Mains Examination
- Language Proficiency Test (LPT)
Each phase has its own merit list, and the cutoffs are released state-wise and category-wise. Due to the local language requirement, every state has a separate merit list, making it important to understand regional cutoff variations.
π SBI Clerk 2025 Expected Cutoff: Prelims (General Category)
Based on previous trends, the expected cutoff for General category candidates in Prelims may range between 70 to 85 marks, depending on the state.
π State-wise Expected Cutoff Range:
- Uttar Pradesh: 75β80 marks
- Delhi: 80β85 marks
- Maharashtra: 70β75 marks
- Gujarat: 72β77 marks
- Tamil Nadu: 74β79 marks
- Rajasthan: 78β83 marks
- West Bengal: 76β81 marks
- Bihar: 78β83 marks
These are not official figures, but they are realistic estimates based on data from the 2023β24 recruitment cycle.
π SBI Clerk Previous Year Cutoff Trends (2023β24)
Analyzing the previous yearβs cutoffs offers insights into how much you need to aim for in 2025. The following trends were observed across states:
- Delhi had the highest General category cutoff: 83 marks
- Maharashtra had one of the lowest: 66.25 marks
- States like Bihar, Rajasthan, and West Bengal were in the upper 70s to low 80s range
Other categories like OBC, SC, ST, and EWS also saw variable cutoffs, often trailing the General cutoff by 5 to 15 marks depending on the state.
π§ Key Factors Influencing SBI Clerk 2025 Cutoff
The cutoff isnβt random β several key factors contribute to the final numbers:
- Number of Vacancies
- Fewer vacancies generally push the cutoff higher; with 6,589 vacancies this year, moderate cutoffs are expected.
- Exam Difficulty Level
- If the paper is tougher than usual, the cutoff will likely drop and vice versa.
- State-wise Competition
- States with higher population and competition, like Uttar Pradesh or Bihar, tend to have higher cutoffs.
- Candidate Performance
- The overall performance of candidates in a given year plays a direct role.
- Category-wise Quota
- Cutoffs are different for General, OBC, SC, ST, and EWS candidates.
- Normalization Process
- Since exams are conducted in multiple shifts, SBI uses normalization to adjust scores fairly.
β SBI Clerk 2025 Cutoff FAQs
1. Is the SBI Clerk cutoff the same for all states?
No. Each state has its own cutoff due to language requirements and regional competition levels.
2. Is there a sectional cutoff in SBI Clerk?
No. SBI does not enforce sectional cutoffs in either Prelims or Mains.
3. Does the cutoff vary by category?
Yes. There are separate cutoffs for General, OBC, SC, ST, and EWS candidates.
4. How is the cutoff calculated?
Itβs based on:
- Difficulty of the exam
- Number of test-takers
- Available vacancies
- Score normalization across shifts
5. What is a safe score for SBI Clerk 2025?
- Prelims: 80+ marks (General category)
- Mains: 95+ marks (General category)
- These scores are considered safe for most competitive states.
π― Final Thoughts: Target Smart, Prepare Wisely
The SBI Clerk 2025 exam is highly competitive but predictable if you analyze the trends. Cutoffs do vary by state and category, but a well-planned preparation strategy focused on consistent mock tests, smart time management, and state-specific awareness can put you ahead of the curve.
Aim for above the expected cutoff β not just to clear the exam, but to ensure a safe margin that keeps you well within the merit list.
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