SBI PO vs IBPS PO - Which One is Better?
SBI PO vs IBPS PO
SBI PO and IBPS PO both offer the position of Probationary Officer in public sector banks, but they differ in several ways. An SBI PO is conducted by the State Bank of India, and the IBPS PO is conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection for various government banks. The main differences include the selection process, work culture, salary, and promotion opportunities.
Aspirants are advised to be familiar with SBI PO vs IBPS PO salary, syllabus, career scope, and job security, along with the level of competition, before deciding on the right path. Understanding these factors can help students choose which exam is better for their career goals. Candidates can check all information, including SBI PO vs IBPS PO: Which is better? Job descriptions, exam patterns, selection processes, etc., below.
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SBI PO vs IBPS PO Overview
When comparing SBI PO vs IBPS PO, it’s important to look at key differences in areas like salary, promotion, work pressure, and exam difficulty. While both are good career options in the public sector banking sector, the experience and opportunities may differ depending on the bank.
The table below highlights the main differences between SBI PO and IBPS PO to help candidates make an informed decision:
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SBI PO vs IBPS PO Overview |
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Feature |
SBI PO |
IBPS PO |
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Conducting Body |
State Bank of India |
Institute of Banking Personnel Selection |
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Participating Banks |
SBI only |
11+ Public Sector Banks (i.e., PNB, BOB & Canara Bank) |
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Vacancies (Approx.) |
2,000 – 2,500 annually |
3,000 – 4,000 annually |
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Salary Structure |
₹41,960 basic pay + perks (housing, loans, etc.) |
₹36,000 basic pay + allowances (HRA, DA, etc.) |
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Work Pressure |
High due to a large customer base & targets |
Moderate, spread workload across banks |
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Career Growth |
Faster promotions, opportunities for foreign postings |
Stable growth, transfers within participating banks |
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Transfer Frequency |
Frequent, pan-India |
Less frequent, usually within the region |
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Exam Difficulty Level |
High (especially General Awareness & Interview) |
Moderate, uniform across banks |
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Official Website |
sbi.co.in |
ibps.in |
SBI PO vs IBPS PO Job Description
Both SBI PO and IBPS PO offer the position of Probationary Officer in public sector banks, but the daily work and responsibilities of both can be slightly different.
SBI PO Job Description:
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SBI POs handle customer queries, sell the financial products and enhance the performance of the branches.
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They are in charge of loan approvals, analyzing credits, and overseeing bank employees.
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The workload is higher with SBI due to its high customer base and business targets.
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SBI POs are often under more pressure but get better promotions in a short period.
IBPS PO Job Description:
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IBPS POs are used to provide help in customer service, process routine customer transactions and also deal with loans.
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They work in different departments in public sector banks.
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The workload is moderate with better work-life balance and postings.
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Career growth is stable, though slightly slower than at SBI.
Check Out: SBI PO Previous Year Papers
SBI PO vs IBPS PO Exam Pattern
The exam pattern of SBI PO vs IBPS PO is mostly similar, but SBI includes some extra evaluation stages and has a slightly tougher difficulty level.
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SBI PO vs IBPS PO Exam Pattern |
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Stage |
SBI PO |
IBPS PO |
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Prelims Exam |
3 Sections: English, Quant, Reasoning 100 Marks, 60 minutes total 20 mins per section |
Same as SBI PO 100 Marks, 60 minutes total 20 mins per section |
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Mains Exam |
4 Sections + Descriptive Test Total: 250 Marks Includes General/Economic Awareness & Essay/Letter Writing |
4 Sections + Descriptive Test Total: 225 Marks Includes Essay/Letter Writing |
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Descriptive Test |
Yes – 50 Marks (Letter & Essay Writing) |
Yes – 25 Marks (Letter & Essay Writing) |
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Interview Round |
Group Discussion + Interview + Psychometric Test |
Personal Interview only (No GD or Psychometric Test) |
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Difficulty Level |
Slightly Higher – tougher GA section + extra evaluation stages |
Moderate – standard structure across participating banks |
SBI PO vs IBPS PO Selection Process
The selection process for SBI PO And IBPS PO has a similarity in structure but different in evaluation stages. Both exams have three phases: Prelims, Mains, and Interview, but in the case of SBI PO, there is an additional round of Group Discussion (GD).
SBI PO Selection Process
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Prelims: Objective-type test (qualitative only)
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Mains: Objective and descriptive tests
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Group Exercise & Interview: Final round with GD, personal interview& sometimes a psychometric test
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Final Merit: Calculated using 75:25 Weightage (Mains: Interview)
IBPS PO Selection Process
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Prelims: Objective-type test (qualifying only)
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Mains: Includes an objective and descriptive paper
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Interview: Only personal interview, no GD or additional tests
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Final Merit: Weightage of 80:20 (Mains: Interview)
Check Out: IBPS PO Previous Year Papers
SBI PO vs IBPS PO Salary
The salary structure of SBI PO vs IBPS PO shows that SBI offers higher pay and more benefits compared to IBPS PO.
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SBI PO vs IBPS PO Salary |
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Component |
SBI PO |
IBPS PO |
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Basic Pay |
₹41,960 (with 4 advance increments) |
₹36,000 |
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In-Hand Salary |
₹80,350 (approx.) |
₹76,430 (approx.) |
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Gross Monthly Salary |
₹68,000 – ₹71,000 |
₹57,000 – ₹60,000 |
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Annual CTC |
₹8.5 – ₹12 LPA |
₹7.2 – ₹7.8 LPA |
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Perks & Allowances |
DA, HRA, CCA, petrol, furniture, lease housing |
DA, HRA, special allowance, LTC |
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Medical Benefits |
100% for self, 75% for family |
Up to ₹8,000 per year (varies) |
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Promotion Scope |
Faster promotions, foreign postings |
Regular promotions across banks |
Difference Between SBI PO and IBPS PO Syllabus
The SBI PO and IBPS PO syllabi are mostly the same, covering subjects like Reasoning Ability, Quantitative Aptitude, English Language, and General Awareness in both Prelims and Mains. However, the depth and difficulty level vary. Below is a brief comparison of the exam syllabus:
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SBI PO vs IBPS PO syllabus |
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Exam Stage |
SBI PO |
IBPS PO |
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Preliminary |
Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English |
Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English |
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Mains |
Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, puzzles and logic, Computer knowledge included |
Reasoning and No separate computer section |
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Data Analysis & Interpretation |
Data Analysis & Interpretation |
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General/Economy/Banking Awareness |
General Awareness – Focus on recent current affairs and banking basics |
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English Language |
English Language |
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Descriptive Test |
Essay & Letter (50 marks) |
Essay & Letter (25 marks) |
SBI PO vs IBPS PO - Which One is Better
Choosing between SBI PO and IBPS PO depends on various factors like salary, career growth, job pressure, and transfer policies. The table below highlights the key differences to help candidates make an informed decision.
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SBI PO vs IBPS PO - Which One is Better |
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Aspect |
SBI PO |
IBPS PO |
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Salary |
Higher salary with extra allowances. |
Good salary, slightly lower than SBI. |
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Career Growth |
Faster promotions, international posts. |
Steady growth depends on the bank. |
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Work Pressure |
Higher due to the large customer base. |
Moderate, varies by bank and branch. |
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Job Security |
Very high, the largest public sector bank. |
High, across multiple government banks. |
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Recruitment |
Fewer vacancies, tougher process. |
More vacancies, simpler selection. |
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Transfer Policy |
Frequent transfers across regions. |
Transfers vary, often less frequent. |
Read More: Bank Exam Syllabus and Preparation Strategy
IBPS PO vs SBI PO FAQs
Q1: IBPS PO or SBI PO – Which is better?
A: Both are good jobs. SBI PO offers a higher salary and faster promotions, while IBPS PO gives more bank choices and regional options. The best depends on your goals.
Q2: Which salary is highest, IBPS PO or SBI PO?
A: SBI PO has a higher salary, with monthly pay around ₹68,000–₹71,000, compared to ₹57,000–₹60,000 for IBPS PO.
Q3: Is SBI PO harder than IBPS PO?
A: Yes, SBI PO is tougher due to extra rounds like Group Discussion and a harder General Awareness section.
Q4: Which bank PO is best?
A: SBI PO is best for quick growth and perks; IBPS PO is good for stability and options in multiple banks.
Q5: Are SBI PO and IBPS PO syllabi the same?
A: The syllabus is mostly similar, but SBI PO has slightly tougher questions and no sectional cut-offs, unlike IBPS PO.





