You are posted in the State/UT you applied for. The 2026 notification says there is no inter-circle or inter-state transfer before 5 years of service, and after that only in exceptional cases such as extreme compassionate or spouse grounds, at the Bank's discretion.
Posting: merit lists are drawn State-wise and category-wise, and selected candidates are posted in the State they applied for. Within that State, the branch is decided by the Bank.
Transfer rules in the 2026 notification
- No inter-circle or inter-state transfer for Junior Associates before completing 5 years of service.
- After 5 years, only in exceptional cases such as extreme compassionate ground or spouse ground, the Bank may consider a request at its sole discretion, as per its transfer policy at that time.
How the rule has changed
| Advertisement | Transfer wording |
|---|---|
| 2024 (CRPD/CR/2024-25/24) | No provision for inter-circle or inter-state transfer |
| 2025 (CRPD/CR/2025-26/06) | No inter-circle or inter-state transfer, but intra-state transfer between two circles in the same state allowed (Delhi and Chandigarh circles in Haryana, Delhi and Lucknow circles in Uttar Pradesh, Mumbai Metro and Maharashtra circles in Maharashtra) |
| 2026 regular (CRPD/CR/2026-27/17) | No inter-circle or inter-state transfer before 5 years; after that only in exceptional cases at the Bank's discretion |
| 2026 special drive (CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16) | No inter-circle or inter-state transfer; intra-state between Delhi and Lucknow circles (UP) and Mumbai Metro and Maharashtra circles allowed |
The rule that applies to you is the one in the advertisement under which you were recruited.
Transfers inside your State
Moves between branches within your circle happen as per the Bank's transfer policy and requirements. Expect to serve in rural and semi-urban branches as well as cities at some point.
Becoming an officer changes things
Officer posts work differently. The 2026 SBI PO notification, for example, says selected officers may be posted anywhere in India and that the Bank can allot or transfer them to any circle or office. If you move to the officer cadre later, expect wider transfer liability than as a clerk.
- SBI Junior Associates 2026 detailed advertisement (CRPD/CR/2026-27/17)
- SBI Junior Associates 2025 detailed advertisement (CRPD/CR/2025-26/06)
- SBI Junior Associates 2024 detailed advertisement (CRPD/CR/2024-25/24)
- SBI Junior Associates special drive for SC/ST/OBC backlog vacancies 2026 (CRPD/CR/SPLDRIVE/2026-27/16)
- SBI PO 2026 detailed advertisement (CRPD/PO/2026-27/09)
Rules can change with each notification. Confirm on sbi.bank.in/web/careers.
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