Around 20,000 candidates from Allahabad and neighbouring areas appeared for the clerical grade examination of the State Bank of India. The exam was held at 18 examination centres in two sessions on Sunday.

Nearly, 36 lakh are said to have applied for the post, out of which around 56,000 are from Allahabad. The authorities have made arrangements for this huge number. The examination would be held in six rounds, of which two rounds were held on Sunday. The next round would take place on the 15th and the 22nd of this month. Authorities have issued admit cards of different colours to differentiate between the candidates appearing on different dates.

Ashok Gupta, Chief Manager SBI said that the results would be declared in January.

SBI is planning to divest a 6.5 percent stake in UTI Asset Management Company and UTI Trustee Company. The bank presently holds a 25 percent stake in each of the companies. After the divestment, the stake would be reduced to 18.5 percent.