SBI PO Vs RRB NTPC - Comparison of Selection Process, Salary & Job Profile

SBI PO and RRB NTPC are the popular recruitment exams in the country. Candidates often feel challenged when it comes to choosing between the two. Though both are good career options, however, there is a vast difference in the pattern of the exams. In this article, we have explained the difference between SBI PO and RRB NTPC in terms of selection process, pattern, salary, work environment, promotion policy, number of applicants, difficulty level, job profile, eligibility criteria, etc.

What is SBI PO and RRB NTPC?

SBI PO is conducted to select eligible candidates for the post of Probationary Officer in various branches of SBI.

Whereas, the RRB NTPC exam is conducted by the Railway Recruitment Boards (RRBs) to select candidates for Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC) graduate and undergraduate posts in various Zonal Railways and Production Units of Indian Railways. The posts include Junior Clerk cum Typist, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Junior Time Keeper, Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Senior Clerk cum Typist, etc.

SBI PO Vs RRB NTPC: Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria of RRB NTPC and SBI PO is given below.

Parameters	SBI PO	RRB NTPC
Age limit	21 to 30 years	Undergraduate post: 18 to 30 years Graduate post: 18 to 33 years
Educational qualification	Graduation in any discipline	Undergraduate posts: Candidates must have passed Class 12 Graduate posts: Candidates must be a graduate from a recognised university

Also Read: 

SBI PO Eligibility Criteria

SBI PO Vs RRB NTPC: Selection Process

RRB NTPC

RRB NTPC selection process comprises four stages. The selection process for each post is different.

Station Master and Traffic Assistant: The selection process of Station Master and Traffic Assistant includes two-stage Computer Based Tests followed by Computer Based Aptitude Test.

Junior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Time Keeper, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Senior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Account Assistant cum Typist and Senior Time Keeper: Candidates for these posts are selected based on two-stage Computer-Based Tests followed by Typing Skill Test.

Trains Clerk, Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Goods Guard, Senior Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Commercial Apprentice: Selection of candidates is done based on two-stage CBT followed by document verification and medical examination.

Check here RRB NTPC selection process

SBI PO

SBI follows a three-stage selection process for recruitment of Probationary Officers. The stages of selection are given below.

• Preliminary exam
• Mains exam
• Group Exercise and Interview

Check here SBI PO Selection Process

SBI PO and RRB NTPC: Number of applicants

The number of applicants is more in RRB NTPC compared to SBI PO. For RRB NTPC 2020 exam, over 1.25 crore applications have been received. In SBI PO, approximately 10 to 15 lakh candidates apply for the exam.

• Check here RRB NTPC application form
• Check here SBI PO application form

SBI PO and RRB NTPC: Vacancies

Railways announce huge vacancies for its various exams. The number of vacancies announced for RRB NTPC is more than that for SBI PO. Railways have announced a total of 35,208 vacancies for RRB NTPC 2020 exam. However, the number of vacancies announced for SBI PO in 2019 was 2,133. 

• Check RRB NTPC vacancies
• Check SBI PO vacancies

SBI PO Vs RRB NTPC: Difference in Exam Pattern

RRB NTPC

RRB NTPC exam pattern is such that it is divided into four stages: first stage CBT, second stage CBT, CBAT and typing skill test. The exam pattern of each stage is given below.

First Stage: The first stage CBT of RRB NTPC is held for 90 minutes (120 minutes for PwBD candidates accompanied by scribe). The test paper comprises questions from General Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence and Reasoning. The test paper will have 100 objective type multiple-choice questions. The 1st stage CBT is qualifying in nature. The standard of questions will be of Class 10, 12 and graduation level.

Second Stage: RRB NTPC 2020 exam pattern for 2nd stage CBT comprises three sections, General Questions Awareness, Mathematics, and General Intelligence and Reasoning. The test carries a total of 120 questions. The duration of the test is 90 minutes (120 minutes is given to PwBD candidates).

CBAT: The CBAT comprises six test batteries. There is no negative marking in the test. The questions and answer options will be in English and Hindi.

Typing Skill Test: The test is qualifying in nature. Candidates should be able to type 30 words per minute (WPM) in English or 25 WPM in Hindi on Computer. Candidates cannot use the editing tool and spell check facility. 

SBI PO

The exam pattern of SBI PO for prelims, mains and interview are given below.

Stages of exam	Exam pattern
Prelims	Preliminary exam comprises three sections. The paper will contain 100 objective questions of 100 marks that candidates need to complete within the one-hour duration
Mains	The mains exam is such that the paper will contain both objective and subjective questions of total 250 marks. The test paper will have total 157 questions. Candidates need to complete the paper in a total of 3.5 hours duration.
Interview	The interview carries total 50 marks. Out of these, 20 marks are allotted to Group Exercise and 30 marks for Interview.

Check SBI PO exam pattern

SBI PO and RRB NTPC: Comparison of Salary

SBI offers a good salary package to Probationary Officers which is more than that of candidates selected through RRB NTPC. The salary structure of both posts is given below.

SBI PO

The starting basic SBI PO salary is Rs 27,620 (with 4 advance increments). The pay scale for Junior Management Grade Scale I is 23700-980/7-30560-1145/2-32850-1310/7- 42020. Candidates are also eligible for DA, HRA/Lease rental, CCA, Medical and other allowances. The total compensation per annum on CTC basis is Rs 8.20 lakhs (minimum) and Rs 13.08 lakhs (maximum) depending on the place of posting.

RRB NTPC

The salary offered to Junior Clerk cum Typist, Accounts Clerk cum Typist, Junior Time Keeper, Trains Clerk is Rs 19,900. The salary offered to Traffic Assistant is Rs 25,500. The salary for Goods Guard, Senior Commercial cum Ticket Clerk, Senior Clerk cum Typist, Junior Account Assistant cum Typist and Senior Time Keeper is 29,200. RRB NTPC salary for Commercial Apprentice, Station Master is 35,400. Candidates are also offered dearness allowance, house rent allowance, transport allowance, pension scheme, medical benefits and other special allowance. Read More

SBI PO and RRB NTPC: Job Profile

In RRB NTPC, candidates are required to do different types of work as per the post. Generally, the work is of supervision and administrative work that includes the following activity.

• Operating the signals
• Maintaining the accounts of the railway
• Working as guards
• Perform any work specified by department

As a bank PO, candidates are expected to undertake the following responsibilities.

• Provide services to customers
• Enhance business of the bank
• Handle cash activities at the bank
• Manage clearance of payments
• Manage accounts of customers
• Official communication

SBI PO and RRB NTPC: Work Pressure

RRB NTPC is non-technical posts in the Indian Railways. After joining, candidates are allotted departments as per their merit.  Candidates are given an initial orientation cum training.

The work of SBI PO includes General Banking, Administrative tasks, or any other task bestowed by the senior management from time to time. Candidates will have to undergo rigorous training. They are trained for accounting, marketing, investment, billing, finance, human resources, forex, agriculture banking, general banking.

The difference in work pressure is customer engagement. Like SBI PO, candidates have to interact or bring new customers. However, in RRB NTPC, candidates are not expected to do that.

SBI PO and RRB NTPC: Future Growth

Promotion in the bank takes place every two to three years. The designations offered to candidates on promotion are given below.

• Bank PO
• Assistant Manager
• Branch Manager
• AGM
• GM

As per the post, candidates will be promoted to the next higher level.

• Assistant Station Master can be promoted to Divisional Operations Manager
• Junior Accounts Assistant can go upto Chief Account Officers/Financial Adviser
• Goods Guard can go upto Chief Controller
• Commercial Apprentice can go upto Senior Divisional Commercial Manager