IBPS PO vs SBI PO : Which is A Better Career Option ?
Banking aspirants are often puzzled about which career option will provide better opportunities, IBPS PO or SBI PO. Well, both the options have their own significance and career growth options. To make it easier for the aspirants, we will do a comparative analysis between IBPS PO and SBI PO in this article.
IBPS PO or SBI PO, which is better?
| Features | IBPS PO | SBI PO |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Papers | • IBPS PO Preliminary Exam • IBPS PO Main Exam |
• SBI PO Preliminary Exam • SBI PO Main Exam |
| Exam Duration | • Prelims: 60 Minutes • Mains: 3 hours 30 minutes |
• Prelims: 60 Minutes • Mains: 2 hours 40 minutes |
| Mode of Exam | Online | Online |
| Exam Schedule | • Prelims is conducted in the month of October. • Mains is conducted in the month of November. |
• Prelims is conducted in the months of April and May. • Mains is conducted in the month of June. |
| Number of Sections | Prelims: • Reasoning Ability • Quantitative Aptitude • English Language Mains: • Reasoning & Computer Aptitude • General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness • English Language • Data Analysis & Interpretation • English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) |
Prelims: • English Language • Quantitative • Aptitude • Reasoning Ability Mains: • Reasoning & Computer Aptitude • Data Analysis & Interpretation • General Awareness about Economy/ Banking • English Language |
| Maximum Marks | • Prelims: 100 • Mains Exam: 225 |
• Prelims: 100 • Mains: 200 |
| Selection Process | • Preliminary Exam (Qualifying Exam) • Main Exam • Interview - The candidates cumulative score of Mains and Interview process is in the ratio of 80:20, which are used to create merit for the final selection. |
• Preliminary Exam (Qualifying Exam) • Main Exam • Interview and Group Discussion - The candidates cumulative score in the Mains and Interview/GD round will be used for the final selection. |
| Cut-offs | There is sectional and overall cut-off at Pre and Mains level. | • There is sectional and overall cut-off at Pre and Mains levels. • There is no cut-off for Pre or Mains exam. • The final result is formed in accordance with the overall cut-off only. |
| Difficulty Level |
• The Prelims exam is of moderate difficulty level. • The IBPS Mains exam is tricky as the time provided to complete the paper is limited. |
SBI PO is more challenging than the IBPS exam. The questions in the quantitative ability section are relatively difficult, and the time is also limited. |
| Bank Options | • State Bank of Patiala • State Bank of Mysore • Indian Bank • IDBI Bank • State Bank of Hyderabad • Indian Overseas Bank • State Bank of Mysore • Oriental Bank of Commerce • Canara Bank • Bank of Baroda • Central Bank of India • State Bank of Travancore • Vijaya Bank • State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur • Punjab National Bank • Bank of Maharashtra • Union Bank of India • Corporation Bank • Bank of India • Dena Bank • Syndicate Bank • Allahabad Bank • Punjab and Sind Bank • United Bank of India • UCO Bank • Andhra Bank |
• State Bank Of India |
| Salary | INR 37,360 to INR 38,700 per month | INR 45,000/month (Depending on HRA) |
IBPS PO vs SBI PO: Exam Pattern
The difference in the Exam Pattern of IBPS PO and SBI PO is given below in the table: It is advised that candidates start their IBPS PO preparation and SBI PO preparation after considering the exam pattern.
| Specification | SBI PO | IBPS PO |
|---|---|---|
| Number of papers | • Prelims: Three • Mains: Four Objective Papers; One descriptive paper |
• Prelims: Three • Mains: Four Objective Papers; One descriptive paper |
| Subjects | • Prelims: Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and Reasoning Ability. • Mains: Objective paper comprises Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, General/ Economy/ Banking • Awareness, Data Analysis & Interpretation, and English Language. • Descriptive paper comprises English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) |
• Prelims: Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and Reasoning Ability. • Mains: English Language, Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, Data Interpretation and Analysis, General Awareness, etc. • Descriptive paper comprises questions from English (Essay and Letter Writing) |
| Duration | • Prelims: One hour • Mains: 3 hours 30 minutes |
• Prelims: 60 minutes • Mains: 3 hours 30 minutes |
| Maximum Marks | • Prelims: 100 • Mains: 250 • GD & Interview: 50 |
• Prelims: 100 • Mains: 225 • Interview: 100 |
IBPS PO vs SBI PO: Job Profile
Job Profiles of IBPS PO and SBI PO are similar. Probationary Officers in SBI or any other public sector banks are involved in the following activities:
• The most important work of a Bank PO is customer service. This includes solving queries of customers that visit a bank branch for activity, including opening new accounts, availing loans, deposits, cheque books, ATMs, credit cards, online banking, etc.
• As POs are directly engaged in customer handling, they are entrusted with the responsibility of bringing new business to the organization by offering various products and services like fixed deposits, insurance policies, recurring deposits, DMAT accounts, etc., to existing and new customers.
• POs are also engaged in managing accounts of customers, cash handling activities like cash disbursal and cash collection from cashiers, and clearance of payments.
• Some other responsibilities include payment clearance, maintaining reports, official correspondence with other departments, etc.
IBPS PO vs SBI PO: Salary
IBPS PO
The basic pay of IBPS PO is Rs 23,700. The employee is entitled to DA, HRA, Special Allowance, City Compensatory Allowance apart from basic salary. The gross pay of IBPS PO is Rs 38,703 per month. The Gross Pay of IBPS PO is Rs 38,703 per month.
SBI PO
SBI offers great compensation pay to Probationary Officers. The total compensation per annum is Rs 7.55 lacs and a maximum of Rs 12.93 lacs depending on various factors. SBI PO is paid four increments at the time of joining. It makes their salary Rs. 6000 higher than a PO in other banks.
Work Pressure and Environment
SBI PO
State Bank of India is one of the largest banks in India, with 24000 branches. After the merger, the bank constitutes around 50% of the banking services. It has a penetration of around 50% of the banking services of India after the merger. This apparently gives a feeling of the work pressure at SBI. Moreover, SBI is also one of the oldest banks and enjoys the loyalty of its customers. This increases customer engagement which results in even more work pressure.
IBPS PO
Most of the banks under IBPS are not accessible in rural areas. Hence the number of customers is less as compared to SBI. Therefore, the work pressure is relatively less.
Career Growth and Promotion
SBI provides great career opportunities, including opportunities for posting abroad. The promotion policy of SBI provides opportunities for deserving officers to reach the top level in a quick time. IBPS PO is an entry-level post in the management grade. The career path for both IBPS PO and SBI PO is the same.
• Junior Management Grade (Scale I) - Officer, i.e., PO
• Middle Management Grade (Scale II) - Manager
• Middle Management Grade (Scale III) - Senior Manager
• Senior Management Grade (Scale IV) - Chief Manager
• Senior Management Grade (Scale V) - Assistant General Manager
• Top Management Grade (Scale VI) - Deputy General Manager
• Top Management Grade (Scale VII) - General Manager
• Executive Director (ED)
• Chairman and Managing Director (CMD)
The Final Word
The above details will give you an understanding of the Job profile, salary and promotion offered to IBPS PO and SBI PO and help you make the right decision for your career. If you find it challenging to prepare for the exams on your own, you can also opt for IBPS PO online coaching at Mahendra’s and start your preparation.
All the Best!
