SBI PO vs IBPS PO: Career Prospect, Salary, Promotion & Selection Process
SBI PO and IBPS PO are the most recruitment exams in the banking sector. However, the difference lies in terms of career prospects, salary, and work environment. Here, we have done a comparative analysis of the two job profiles.
Banking aspirants often search which career option will provide better opportunities to them, SBI PO or IBPS PO. Well, SBI PO and IBPS PO have their own significance and career growth option. Both are the most sought after recruitment exams in the banking sector. Both the recruitments take place every year. Lakhs of candidates appear in both the exams. The difference mainly lies in terms of career prospects, salary and work environment. In this article, we have done a comparative analysis between the two job profiles: SBI PO and IBPS PO. This will give candidates an idea regarding the selection process, exam pattern, job profile, work environment, salary, promotions, perks etc, of both the posts.
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SBI PO vs IBPS PO: Selection Process and Participating Banks
The selection process of both the exam is explained below.
SBI PO
The recruitment is conducted to select candidates for the post of Probationary Officers in SBI only. The level of the exam is tougher than IBPS PO. The recruitment process of SBI PO is carried out in the following three stages.
- Preliminary exam
- Mains exam
- Group Exercise and Interview
IBPS PO
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducts the exam for selection of Probationary Officers/Management Trainees in the 11 participating organisations: Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Indian Overseas Bank, UCO Bank, Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Union Bank of India, Bank of Maharashtra, Indian Bank and Punjab & Sind Bank. The selection process is completed in the following stages:
- Preliminary exam
- Mains exam
- Interview
Also Read: SBI Junior Associate Hall Ticket 2022 Live
SBI PO vs IBPS PO: Exam Pattern
The difference in the exam pattern of SBI PO and IBPS PO is given in the table below.
| Specification |
SBI PO |
IBPS PO |
|---|---|---|
| Number of papers |
Prelims: Three Mains: Four Objective Papers and one descriptive paper |
Prelims: Three Mains: Four Objective Papers and one descriptive paper |
| Subjects |
Prelims: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability Mains: Objective paper comprises Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, Data Analysis & Interpretation, General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness and English Language. Descriptive paper comprises English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) |
Prelims: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning Ability Mains: English Language, Data Interpretation and Analysis, Reasoning and Computer Aptitude, 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 |
| Total marks |
Prelims: 100 Mains: 250 GD & Interview: 50 |
Prelims: 100 Mains: 225 Interview: 100 |
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SBI PO vs IBPS PO: Cut off Marks
SBI PO
There is no sectional cut off in prelims and mains exam. The selection of candidates is done based on the overall SBI PO cutoff marks.
IBPS PO
There are both sectional and overall IBPS PO cutoff marks in prelims and mains exam.
SBI PO vs IBPS PO: Job Profile
The job profile of SBI PO and IBPS PO is similar. Probationary Officers in SBI or other public sector banks are engaged in the following activities.
- The most important work of the PO is customer service. This includes solving queries of customers for services such as availing loans, opening a new accounts, deposits, checkbooks, credit cards, online banking, etc.
- As POs are directly engaged in customer handling, they are also entrusted with the responsibility of bringing new business to the organisation by offering various products and services such as fixed deposits, recurring deposits, insurance policies, etc.
- POs are also engaged in managing accounts of customers, cash handling activities such as cash disbursal and cash collection from cashiers as well as clearance of payments
- Some other responsibilities include maintaining reports, official correspondence with other departments, etc.
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SBI PO vs IBPS PO: Salary
SBI PO
SBI offers a good compensation package to the Probationary Officers. The total compensation per annum on CTC basis is minimum Rs 8.20 lakh and maximum Rs 13.08 lakh depending on place of posting and other factors. At present, the starting basic pay of Junior Management Grade Scale-I is Rs 27,620 (with four advance increments) in the scale of Rs 23700-980/7-30560-1145/2-32850-1310/7-42020. The official will also be eligible for DA, HRA/ Lease rental, CCA, Medical and other allowances & perquisites as per rules in force from time to time. Read More
IBPS PO
The basic salary of IBPS PO is Rs 23,700. The employee is entitled to HRA, DA, Special Allowance, City Compensatory Allowance apart from basic salary. The gross pay of IBPS PO is Rs 38,703 per month. Read More
SBI PO vs IBPS PO: Other Perks
The perks offered by SBI and other banks are more or less similar. However, there is a difference in the amount of perks.
Accommodation
Candidates selected as SBI PO can avail of a leased accommodation for which he is entitled to draw an amount that varies from Rs 8,000 in ‘C’ category cities to Rs 29,500 in Mumbai.
In IBPS PO, HRA depends on the place of posting and varies at 9%, 8% and 7%. In some places, banks offer their own accommodation on lease.
Medical Aid
SBI provides medical aid through CGHS scheme allowing 100% compensation for the individual and 75% for his family.
In most participating banks of IBPS, medical aid is provided as a fixed amount which currently stands at Rs 8,000 per annum.
SBI PO vs IBPS PO: Work Pressure and Environment
SBI PO
SBI is one of the oldest and largest banks in India with around 24,000 branches. After the merger, the bank constitutes around 50% of the banking services. Therefore, the work pressure is more.
IBPS PO
Most of the banks are not accessible in rural areas. Hence, the number of customers in these banks is less compared to SBI. Therefore, the work pressure is relatively less.
SBI PO vs IBPS PO: Career Growth/Promotion Policy
SBI provides immense opportunities for growth in career, including opportunities for posting abroad. The attractive promotion policy of the bank provides an opportunity for meritorious officers to reach the top management grade in a quick time. IBPS PO is an entry-level post in the management grade. The career path for IBPS PO and SBI PO is almost the same. The designations offered to candidates after promotions are given below.
- Junior Management Grade Scale I
- Middle Management Grade Scale-II (MMGS-II)
- Middle Management Grade Scale III
- Senior Management Grade Scale IV
- Senior Management Grade Scale V
- Top Management Grade Scale VI
- Top Management Grade Scale VII
- Executive Director (ED)
- Chairman and Managing Director (CMD)
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SBI PO vs IBPS PO: Pros and Cons
| Exams |
IBPS PO |
SBI PO |
|---|---|---|
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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A mass communication and journalism post-graduate, Anangsha has worked as a reporter and sub-editor and enjoys working in the education domain.