The SBI Law Officer Recruitment 2026: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Salary and PYQs offers opportunities for experienced law graduates.
The State Bank of India (SBI) advertised regular vacancies for Assistant Manager (Law) and Deputy Manager (Law).
They were advertised under Advertisement No. CRPD/SCO/2026-27/02.
The recruitment covers legal advisory, litigation management, regulatory compliance and contract-related responsibilities. Selection involves an online written examination followed by an interview.
Latest update (15 November 2026): The application period has closed. SBI has published interview shortlists and schedules for both legal posts. Candidates can access their interview call letters through the official recruitment portal.
This guide explains the confirmed vacancies, qualifications, and experience requirements.
SBI Law Officer Recruitment 2026: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Salary and PYQs guides you through examination structure and resources.
Official notification: Download SBI Legal Officer Recruitment 2026 PDF
SBI Law Officer Recruitment 2026: Overview
| Particulars | Official details |
|---|---|
| Recruiting organisation | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Recruitment category | Specialist Cadre Officer (SCO) |
| Advertisement number | CRPD/SCO/2026-27/02 |
| Posts | Assistant Manager (Law), Deputy Manager (Law) |
| Nature of appointment | Regular |
| Total notified vacancies | 49, including 2 backlog vacancies |
| Educational qualification | Recognised law degree |
| Required experience | 2 years or 4 years, depending on post |
| Selection process | Online written examination and interview |
| Written examination | Objective and descriptive tests |
| Negative marking | None under the 2026 notification |
| Recruitment status | Interview stage as of 15 November 2026 |
| Official website | SBI Careers |
SBI recruits legal specialists through vacancy-specific advertisements. Eligibility and examination requirements may change between recruitment cycles.
Candidates should therefore follow the 2026 notification rather than older preparation websites.
SBI Law Officer 2026 Notification and Important Dates
SBI issued Advertisement No. CRPD/SCO/2026-27/02 on 24 June 2026. Applications were accepted between 24 June and 14 July 2026.
The selection process has subsequently reached the interview stage.
| Event | Date or status |
|---|---|
| Recruitment notification | 24 June 2026 |
| Online application commenced | 24 June 2026 |
| Last date for application | 14 July 2026 |
| Eligibility cut-off date | 31 May 2026 |
| Online written examination | 23 August 2026 |
| Written examination shortlists | Published |
| Deputy Manager (Law) interviews | Scheduled from 11 November 2026 |
| Assistant Manager (Law) interviews | Scheduled from 16 November 2026 |
| Final selection result | Not announced on the verified recruitment listing as of 15 November 2026 |
SBI has provided separate interview schedules for both posts. Candidates must verify their roll numbers, interview venues and reporting times.
Official interview resources:
- Assistant Manager (Law) Interview Schedule
- Deputy Manager (Law) Interview Schedule
- SBI Recruitment Updates and Interview Call Letters
The June application window cannot be treated as currently open. Any subsequent recruitment will require a separate official announcement.
SBI Law Officer Vacancy 2026
SBI advertised 49 vacancies across two legal posts. These comprise 47 regular vacancies and 2 backlog vacancies.
Category-wise vacancy distribution
| Category | Assistant Manager (Law) | Deputy Manager (Law), regular |
|---|---|---|
| General/Unreserved | 9 | 12 |
| OBC | 5 | 7 |
| SC | 3 | 4 |
| ST | 1 | 2 |
| EWS | 2 | 2 |
| Total regular vacancies | 20 | 27 |
Additionally, SBI notified 2 backlog vacancies for ST candidates under Deputy Manager (Law).
Therefore, the overall recruitment comprises:
- Assistant Manager (Law): 20 vacancies
- Deputy Manager (Law): 29 vacancies, including backlog posts
- Total: 49 vacancies
The advertisement also provides horizontal reservation for eligible Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD).
SBI describes these vacancies as provisional. Their number may change according to the Bank’s requirements.
SBI Law Officer Eligibility Criteria 2026
Eligibility involves educational qualifications, Bar Council enrollment, relevant professional experience and prescribed age limits.
The controlling eligibility date for this recruitment is 31 May 2026.
Educational qualification
Candidates must hold a graduate degree in Law from a recognized university in India.
The advertisement states that candidates possessing a five-year integrated law degree may receive preference.
However, this preference does not exclude candidates with an otherwise qualifying three-year LL.B. degree.
Candidates should possess the prescribed qualification by the relevant cut-off date.
Assistant Manager (Law): Eligibility
| Requirement | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Grade | JMGS-I |
| Minimum age | 25 years |
| Maximum age | 32 years |
| Educational qualification | Recognised law degree |
| Mandatory experience | 2 years |
| Relevant experience cut-off | 31 May 2026 |
An applicant must satisfy one of the prescribed experience alternatives:
- Two years of experience as a practicing advocate after Bar Council enrollment.
- Two years as a Law Officer in the legal department of a Scheduled Commercial Bank.
- Two years of combined experience in these recognized professional capacities.
The advertisement requires the experience to have been acquired after enrollment as an advocate.
Deputy Manager (Law): Eligibility
| Requirement | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Grade | MMGS-II |
| Minimum age | 25 years |
| Maximum age | 35 years |
| Educational qualification | Recognised law degree |
| Mandatory experience | 4 years |
| Relevant experience cut-off | 31 May 2026 |
The permitted experience alternatives correspond to those for Assistant Manager (Law). However, the minimum required period increases to four years.
Candidates must establish the prescribed experience through appropriate documentary evidence.
Does a fresh law graduate qualify?
A fresh law graduate without the prescribed professional experience would not meet the 2026 eligibility requirements.
An LL.B. degree alone is insufficient for either advertised post.
Similarly, SBI expressly excludes internship experience and teaching or training experience from qualifying professional experience.
This distinction matters particularly for graduates who have completed several legal internships.
Is Bar Council enrollment mandatory?
The 2026 advertisement expressly connects qualifying experience with Bar Council enrollment.
Candidates must also upload proof of enrollment with the Bar Council.
Applicants relying on banking-sector experience should carefully examine the notification’s wording concerning post-enrollment experience.
Age relaxation
The 2026 advertisement provides the following upper-age relaxations, wherever applicable:
| Category | 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 |
| Eligible ex-servicemen | 5 years |
SBI does not permit cumulative age relaxation under the specified categories.
Candidates claiming reservation must possess valid certificates in the prescribed format.
SBI Law Officer Application Process and Fees
The 2026 application window has already closed. The following steps describe the procedure prescribed for that recruitment.
- Visit the official SBI Careers website.
- Locate the relevant Specialist Cadre Officer advertisement.
- Read the detailed recruitment notification and eligibility conditions.
- Complete the online registration using accurate personal details.
- Upload the prescribed photograph, signature and supporting documents.
- Pay the application fee, where applicable.
- Submit the completed application and retain its generated receipt.
Application fees
| Category | Application fee |
|---|---|
| General/OBC/EWS | ₹750 |
| SC/ST/PwBD | Nil |
SBI described the application fee and intimation charges as non-refundable.
Documents required
The notification specifies documents including:
- Recent photograph and signature
- Identity proof and date-of-birth evidence
- Brief professional resume
- Law degree and relevant academic certificates
- Bar Council enrollment proof
- Professional experience certificates
- Applicable caste, EWS or disability certificates
- Employment and salary-related documents, where applicable
Candidates should retain their original documents for verification.
Experience certificates should specifically establish the nature and duration of qualifying work.
SBI Law Officer Selection Process 2026
The 2026 recruitment comprises two principal stages:
Stage 1: Online written examination
Stage 2: Interview
The online examination includes objective and descriptive assessments. Both contribute to the written examination score.
SBI Law Officer Objective Examination Pattern
| Subject | Questions | Maximum marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 25 | 25 | 45 minutes shared with English |
| English Language | 35 | 35 | Within the same 45 minutes |
| Professional Knowledge | 50 | 50 | 45 minutes |
| Total | 110 | 110 | 90 minutes |
Important distinction: Reasoning and English Language are qualifying sections. Their marks do not contribute to the merit score.
Professional Knowledge carries 50 marks and contributes to merit.
The Bank determines the minimum qualifying marks.
Negative marking: The official 2026 notification expressly states that wrong answers will not attract negative marks.
This differs from older SBI Deputy Manager (Law) examination instructions.
Descriptive Examination Pattern
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Descriptive |
| Questions provided | 8 |
| Questions to answer | Any 5 |
| Marks per question | 10 |
| Maximum marks | 50 |
| Duration | 45 minutes |
Candidates must qualify separately in the objective and descriptive examinations.
The merit-bearing components of the written examination are Professional Knowledge and the descriptive test.
Together, these components carry 100 marks.
Interview Pattern and Final Merit
SBI assigns 100 marks to the interview. Candidates must achieve the qualifying standard determined by the Bank.
The final merit calculation follows this weighting:
| Component | Final weightage |
|---|---|
| Online written examination | 70% |
| Interview | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
The Bank normalizes the written and interview scores according to this ratio.
Therefore, preparation must address both substantive law and professional interview performance.
Candidates should not assume that strong objective-test performance alone ensures selection. See SBI Law Officer Recruitment 2026: Eligibility, Exam Pattern, Syllabus, Salary and PYQs.
SBI Law Officer Syllabus 2026
The official notification provides an indicative syllabus, rather than an exhaustive statute-wise curriculum.
Its prescribed broad areas are:
- Constitutional Law
- Administrative Law
- Financial Sector Laws
- Procedural Laws
- New Labour Codes
- Principles of Statutory Interpretation
- Legal Drafting
SBI also refers to fundamental concepts, legal issues and current developments.
The Bank may ask questions beyond the listed areas.
1. Constitutional Law
Preparation should address constitutional structure, fundamental rights and public-law principles.
Useful revision areas include equality, judicial review, writ jurisdiction, legislative competence and constitutional remedies.
Candidates should understand relevant constitutional provisions alongside their judicial interpretation.
2. Administrative Law
Focus on natural justice, delegated legislation, administrative discretion and judicial control.
Review reasoned decisions, proportionality and principles governing public authorities.
Understanding how these doctrines operate in banking regulation can strengthen application-based answers.
3. Financial Sector Laws
This is particularly relevant to an institutional legal role within SBI.
Useful statutes for preparation include:
- Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
- Banking Regulation Act, 1949
- Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002
- Recovery of Debts and Bankruptcy Act, 1993
- Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016
- Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881
- Indian Contract Act, 1872
These statutes constitute a suggested preparation checklist. SBI has not individually enumerated all these enactments in its 2026 syllabus.
Candidates should prioritize provisions dealing with lending, security interests, debt recovery and banking transactions.
4. Procedural Laws
Study civil and criminal procedure relevant to litigation and enforcement.
Candidates may revise the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, alongside the applicable criminal procedural framework.
The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, also deserve attention.
Understand statutory commencement, transitional provisions and applicability to pending proceedings.
5. New Labour Codes
SBI specifically includes the New Labour Codes in its indicative syllabus.
Candidates should understand the legislative framework governing wages, industrial relations, social security and occupational safety.
Check the applicable commencement notifications, rules and amendments before relying on any provision.
6. Statutory Interpretation
Revise literal, purposive and harmonious interpretation.
Other useful principles include ejusdem generis, noscitur a sociis and the presumption against retrospection.
Practice applying interpretative principles to unfamiliar statutory provisions.
7. Legal Drafting
Prepare short legal opinions, contractual clauses, notices and reasoned legal answers.
Emphasize issue identification, statutory authority and legally sustainable conclusions.
Descriptive practice should prioritize accuracy, organization and clear legal reasoning.
SBI Law Officer Salary and Pay Scale 2026
SBI has prescribed separate pay scales for the two legal posts.
| Post | Grade | Starting basic pay | Maximum scale figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assistant Manager (Law) | JMGS-I | ₹48,480 | ₹85,920 |
| Deputy Manager (Law) | MMGS-II | ₹64,820 | ₹93,960 |
These figures represent the officially notified basic-pay structures.
Eligible officers may receive allowances and benefits under SBI’s applicable service rules.
The notification refers to DA, HRA, CCA, pension-related benefits, Leave Fare Concession and medical facilities.
Actual monthly take-home salary depends on applicable allowances and deductions.
Posting and probation
SBI may post selected officers anywhere in India.
Posting decisions remain within the Bank’s discretion.
Selected candidates will undergo probation under the applicable SBI recruitment and service rules.
The advertisement does not establish a universal fixed posting location for legal officers.
SBI Legal Officer Job Profile
The position involves substantially more than routine document verification.
SBI’s official job description includes legal advisory, documentation and litigation-related responsibilities.
Typical functions include:
- Providing legal opinions on institutional matters
- Drafting, reviewing and negotiating contracts
- Identifying and mitigating legal risks
- Supporting litigation before judicial and quasi-judicial forums
- Coordinating with statutory and regulatory authorities
- Briefing external advocates and legal professionals
- Conducting property-title investigations where assigned
- Advising operational teams about legal developments
The actual duties depend on the unit and assignment.
Candidates with experience in banking litigation, documentation and regulatory compliance may find these responsibilities particularly relevant.
SBI Law Officer Previous-Year Question Papers (PYQs) and Answer Keys
Previous-year material can help candidates understand examination standards.
However, it is essential to distinguish actual examination papers from sample questions.
No publicly accessible, verifiable previous-year paper was found in the sources checked as of 15 November 2026.
SBI has, however, published authentic official examination handouts containing sample questions.
Verified official study resources
| Year | Official resource | Nature of material |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | SBI Deputy Manager (Law) Acquaint Yourself Booklet | Official sample questions and answer key |
| 2020 | SBI Deputy Manager (Law) Acquaint Yourself Booklet | Official sample questions and examination instructions |
| 2026 | SBI Law Officer Recruitment Notification | Current syllabus and examination pattern |
These official booklets are not reproductions of complete previous-year examination papers.
The 2017 material includes sample answers. The 2020 booklet also provides illustrative questions.
Candidates may additionally consult the 2026 SBI Law Officer examination analysis published by BankersAdda. Its discussion is based on candidate feedback and should not be represented as an authenticated SBI question paper.
Important: The 2017 and 2020 examination patterns differ from the 2026 pattern.
In particular, older handouts prescribe penalties for incorrect answers. The 2026 recruitment expressly provides no negative marking.
Always apply the current notification when planning examination attempts.
SBI Law Officer Preparation Strategy
A practical preparation strategy should follow the actual examination weighting.
Strengthen Professional Knowledge
Professional Knowledge directly contributes to written merit.
Focus first on the official syllabus categories. Read the relevant statutory provisions before relying on condensed notes.
Maintain concise summaries of important legal principles and recent developments.
Practice descriptive legal answers
The descriptive examination carries 50 marks.
Practice five structured answers within 45 minutes.
Begin with the legal issue, identify the applicable provision and explain its application.
Avoid unnecessary background discussion that does not resolve the question.
Prepare qualifying aptitude sections
Reasoning and English require minimum qualifying marks.
Regular practice remains necessary, even though these marks are excluded from merit.
Candidates should concentrate on accuracy, reading speed and basic reasoning skills.
Prepare for the interview
The interview contributes 30% of final merit.
Candidates should be ready to explain their professional experience and discuss practical legal problems.
Revise litigation strategy, contractual risk, debt recovery, property documentation and regulatory obligations.
Present genuine examples from professional experience without disclosing confidential client information.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the SBI Law Officer Recruitment 2026?
It is SBI’s Specialist Cadre Officer recruitment for Assistant Manager (Law) and Deputy Manager (Law) under Advertisement No. CRPD/SCO/2026-27/02.
2. How many SBI Law Officer vacancies were notified in 2026?
SBI advertised 49 vacancies, including 20 Assistant Manager posts and 29 Deputy Manager posts. The latter figure includes two backlog vacancies.
3. Can fresh LL.B. graduates apply?
Fresh graduates without the required professional experience are not eligible under the 2026 advertisement. Two years or four years of qualifying experience is mandatory, depending on the post.
4. Is there negative marking in the SBI Law Officer examination?
No. The official 2026 advertisement expressly excludes negative marking in the online written examination.
5. What is the SBI Legal Officer examination pattern?
The online written examination includes qualifying Reasoning and English sections, a 50-mark Professional Knowledge paper and a 50-mark descriptive test.
6. What is the SBI Law Officer salary?
The notified starting basic pay is ₹48,480 for Assistant Manager (Law) and ₹64,820 for Deputy Manager (Law), excluding applicable allowances.
7. What is the selection weighting?
The written examination contributes 70% and the interview contributes 30% towards final merit.
8. Where can candidates check SBI Law Officer results?
Candidates should monitor the official SBI Careers portal and its recruitment results section.
Official SBI Law Officer Recruitment Resources
Candidates should rely on original SBI documents for eligibility and recruitment updates.
- SBI Careers and Current Openings
- SBI Law Officer 2026 Official Advertisement
- Assistant Manager (Law) Interview Schedule
- Deputy Manager (Law) Interview Schedule
- SBI Recruitment Results and Archives
Conclusion
The SBI Law Officer Recruitment 2026 provides a specialist career pathway for qualified legal professionals.
The recruitment demands proven professional experience, sound legal knowledge and effective written communication.
The 2026 examination also places meaningful emphasis on descriptive assessment and interview performance.
Candidates should follow official updates and prepare through statutes, practical legal problems and verified SBI resources.
Last updated: 15 November 2026. Recruitment information is based on SBI Advertisement No. CRPD/SCO/2026-27/02 and official recruitment updates available on that date.
