SBI PO Interview Character Certificate Format 2026: Rules, Authorities & Guidelines

Sep 17 2026

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SBI PO interview character certificate format requirements frequently cause anxiety among candidates who have cleared the Mains examination and are gearing up for Phase 3 document verification. Along with the Biodata / Data Sheet, SBI requires candidates to produce character and identity certificates signed by recognized authorities to verify background, integrity, and conduct before allowing them into the interview room. Understanding the difference between the Identity Certificate and Character Certificate, knowing authorized signatories, and bringing the correct number of copies will prevent last-minute stress on the day of your interview.

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Number of Certificates Required: Freshers vs. Experienced Candidates

The number and nature of certificates depend on your employment status as declared on your application and Data Sheet:

Candidate Category	Required Certificates	Mandatory Signatories
Non-Working / Freshers	2 Certificates	Two different authorized persons (e.g., 1 Gazetted Officer + 1 Branch Manager, or 2 Gazetted Officers)
Working / Experienced	Up to 3 Certificates	1 from past/present employer + 2 from Gazetted Officers / Bank Branch Managers

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Who Is Authorized to Sign?

Candidates often ask whether local political representatives, corporators, or private bank managers can sign. SBI is strict about authorized designations:

Highly Recommended Signatories:

Central or State Government Gazetted Officers: Class-I / Group-A or Class-II / Group-B officers (e.g., Tehsildar, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Medical Officer in a government hospital, Assistant Executive Engineer, Government College Professors).
Branch Managers of SBI or Nationalized Banks: Must be a full Branch Manager (Scale-II or above) of SBI or any of the 11 other public sector nationalized banks (e.g., PNB, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Union Bank). Assistant Branch Managers (Scale-I) are not accepted.
Head / Principal of Your Last Attended Institution: You can obtain a certificate signed by the Principal or Dean of the college or university from which you graduated, regardless of your passing year.

Who Cannot Sign:

Branch managers or employees of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Cooperative Banks, or Private Sector Banks (such as HDFC, ICICI, or Axis).
Notaries or non-gazetted officers.
Local political figures (MLAs, MLCs, Corporators) should generally be avoided; a signature from a Gazetted Officer or Bank Branch Manager carries far higher credibility with the interview panel.

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Standard Format

The certificates typically appear as part of the official SBI PO Biodata / Data Sheet dossier issued ahead of the interview. Both documents follow a standardized template:

1. IDENTITY CERTIFICATE / परिचय प्रमाण पत्र

किसी भी प्रदेश / केन्द्र सरकार के राजपत्रित अधिकारी, सांसद, एमएलए, एम.एल. सी या भारतीय स्टेट बैंक या किसी राष्ट्रीय कृत बैंक के शाखा
मुख्य द्वारा जारी किया जाना चाहिये.

To be Issued by a Gazetted Officer of State/Central Government, Member of Parliament, MLA, or a Branch Manager of State Bank of India/Nationalized Bank.

प्रमाणित किया जाता है कि मैं श्री / श्रीमती/कुमारी _____________ आत्मज/पत्नी / आत्मजा

Certified that I have known Shri / Smt / Kumari ____________________________________________
Son / Daughter of Shri ____________________________________________

श्री ____________ को पिछले_____________ वर्षों ____________ महीनों से जानता/ जानती हूँ तथा मेरी जानकारी तथा विश्वास के अनुसार उनके द्वारा दिया गया उपर्युक्त विवरण सही है.

for the last ________ years and ________ months and that to the best of my knowledge and belief, the particulars furnished by him/her are correct.

Place / स्थान: ______________
Date / दिनांक: ______________

Signature / हस्ताक्षर: _____________________
Designation / पदनाम: ____________________
Name of Authority / नाम: _________________
Official Seal / कार्यालय की मुहर:

2. Certificate of Character

CERTIFICATE OF CHARACTER

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Certified that Shri/Smt./Kumari ____________________________________________
born on ______ / ______ / _____________ son/ wife/ daughter of _________________ of

Village/City ________________ is known to me for the last _____________
years _______________ months, possess good moral character and has no antecedents which should render him/her unsuitable for any employment.

Certified that Shri/Smt./Kumari ____________________ is not related to me.

I wish him all success in all his future endeavors.

Date-

Place-

Signature
(Designation with office seal)

Key Rules for Document Verification

Official Seal / Stamp Is Mandatory: The signing authority must affix their official round or designation seal containing their name, title, and department/branch. A bare signature without an official stamp will be rejected during verification.
"Known for" Duration: The issuing authority must specify a reasonable duration they have known you (usually at least 1 to 2 years).
No Relation Clause: The certificate explicitly states that the signatory is not related to the candidate. Family members or close relatives who happen to be Gazetted Officers cannot sign your certificate.
Originals vs. Xerox Copies: Always carry the original signed certificates along with at least 2–3 photocopies.
Psychometric Test Call Letter: Retain the stamped call letter and verified ID proof from your Psychometric Test round, as producing these is compulsory on the day of the interview.

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FAQs

Q. Is it compulsory to get the character certificate from my college?

No. While obtaining a certificate from your alma mater is an option, it is not mandatory. You can submit certificates issued by two different Gazetted Officers, or one Gazetted Officer and one Nationalized Bank Branch Manager.

Q. Can a private bank manager sign my character certificate?

No, SBI accepts signatures only from Branch Managers of State Bank of India or other nationalized public sector commercial banks. Signatures from private, cooperative, or rural bank managers are not valid.

Q. What if I have gaps in my education or employment?

Gaps do not invalidate your certificates. A Gazetted Officer or a Nationalized Bank Branch Manager from your locality can sign based on your local residence and background verification.