It is the clerical pay scale: basic pay starts at Rs 24,050 and rises by fixed increments in stages up to Rs 64,480. Graduates join at Rs 26,730 because they get two advance increments of Rs 1,340.
The full pay scale in the 2026 notification is:
Rs 24050-1340/3-28070-1650/3-33020-2000/4-41020-2340/7-57400-4400/1-61800-2680/1-64480
Read it as "start - increment amount / number of increments - new figure". Each step is one increment in basic pay.
The stages decoded
| Stage | Increment | Number of increments | Basic pay reaches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Start | - | - | Rs 24,050 |
| 1 | Rs 1,340 | 3 | Rs 28,070 |
| 2 | Rs 1,650 | 3 | Rs 33,020 |
| 3 | Rs 2,000 | 4 | Rs 41,020 |
| 4 | Rs 2,340 | 7 | Rs 57,400 |
| 5 | Rs 4,400 | 1 | Rs 61,800 |
| 6 | Rs 2,680 | 1 | Rs 64,480 |
That is 19 increments in all from the bottom to the top of the scale.
Why graduates start at Rs 26,730
The notification says the starting basic pay is Rs 26,730, which is Rs 24,050 plus two advance increments admissible to graduates. Two increments of Rs 1,340 make Rs 2,680, and 24,050 + 2,680 = 26,730. Since graduation is the minimum qualification, every new Junior Associate gets this.
Why basic pay matters
- DA is calculated as a percentage of basic pay, so a higher basic raises DA too.
- Other allowances and your NPS contribution are linked to pay as per the Bank's rules.
- Extra increments for passing JAIIB (one) and CAIIB (two), as recognised under the 12th Bipartite Settlement, move you further along this scale.
Where the scale comes from
Clerical pay in SBI and other public sector banks is set through industry-level wage settlements between the Indian Banks' Association and employee unions. The 12th Bipartite Settlement, signed in March 2024, revised pay with effect from 1 November 2022.
- SBI Junior Associates 2026 detailed advertisement (CRPD/CR/2026-27/17)
- IIBF banking booklet - JAIIB/CAIIB recognition under the 12th Bipartite Settlement
- King Stubb & Kasiva - Overview of the 12th Bipartite Settlement (2024)
Rules can change with each notification. Confirm on sbi.bank.in/web/careers.
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