Choosing the right books is crucial for SBI CBO preparation. Since the exam tests both banking knowledge (practical experience) and general aptitude, a combination of standard reference books and banking-specific resources is recommended. Here is a curated booklist for SBI CBO 2026 [citation:1][citation:3][citation:4].
Books for Banking Knowledge (40 Marks - Highest Weightage)
Banking Knowledge requires understanding of banking regulations, operations, and recent developments.
- 'Banking Awareness' by Arihant Experts - Comprehensive coverage of banking fundamentals, RBI functions, and financial terms.
- 'Banking and Financial Awareness' by RPH Editorial Board - Updated with latest banking news and regulations.
- 'Banking Law and Practice' by P.N. Varshney - For in-depth understanding of banking laws, SARFAESI, IBC, and Negotiable Instruments Act.
- 'Indian Financial System' by M.Y. Khan - For understanding financial markets, monetary policy, and regulatory bodies.
- 'Bare Acts' - Banking Regulation Act, 1949; RBI Act, 1934; Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881; SARFAESI Act, 2002 (for reference).
Books for English Language (30 Marks)
- 'Objective General English' by S.P. Bakshi - Comprehensive coverage of grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and practice exercises.
- 'Word Power Made Easy' by Norman Lewis - For building vocabulary and understanding word roots.
- 'High School English Grammar & Composition' by Wren & Martin - For strengthening grammar fundamentals.
- 'English for Competitive Exams' by Neetu Singh - Topic-wise practice with previous year questions.
Books for General Awareness / Economy (30 Marks)
- 'Lucent's General Knowledge' - For static GK covering history, geography, polity, and basic economics.
- 'Manorama Yearbook' - Annual reference for current affairs, awards, appointments, and international indices.
- 'Indian Economy' by Ramesh Singh - Comprehensive coverage of economic concepts, budgeting, and fiscal policies.
- 'Pratiyogita Darpan' (Monthly) - For monthly current affairs and banking news.
- 'Current Affairs' magazines from standard publishers (last 6 months issues).
Books for Computer Aptitude (20 Marks)
- 'Computer Knowledge' by Kiran Prakashan - Covers computer fundamentals, hardware, software, networking, and internet basics.
- 'Objective Computer Awareness' by Arihant Experts - Topic-wise coverage with practice questions.
- 'Computer Awareness for Banking Exams' by RPH Editorial Board - Specifically designed for banking exam requirements.
- 'A Modern Approach to Verbal & Non-Verbal Reasoning' by R.S. Aggarwal - For the reasoning part of Computer Aptitude section (puzzles, input-output, coding-decoding).
Books for Descriptive Test (Letter & Essay - 50 Marks)
- 'Descriptive English' by S.P. Bakshi and Richa Sharma - For essay and letter writing techniques, format, and practice topics.
- 'Banking Related Essay and Letter Writing' by RPH Editorial Board - Specifically for banking exam descriptive tests with sample topics.
Additional Resources
- RBI Circulars: Download and read RBI circulars from the last 1 year from the official RBI website [citation:1].
- Economic Survey and Union Budget: Key economic data and policy announcements.
- Banking News: Follow business newspapers like The Economic Times, Business Standard for daily banking updates.
- SBI CBO Practice Sets: Available from various publishers for mock tests [citation:6][citation:9].