You’ve decided to become a Probationary Officer (PO) in a bank — but should you go for IBPS PO or SBI PO?
Both are prestigious, but they differ in recruiter, salary, job profile, and career path. This guide compares them **side-by-side** to help you choose wisely.
📌 Quick Overview
| Feature | IBPS PO | SBI PO |
|---|---|---|
| Conducted by | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) | State Bank of India (SBI) |
| Posts Offered | PO in 11+ public sector banks (e.g., PNB, BoB, Canara) | PO only in State Bank of India |
| Starting Salary (2025) | ₹52,000 – ₹57,000/month | ₹58,000 – ₹63,000/month |
| Exam Stages | Prelims → Mains → Interview | Prelims → Mains → Interview |
| Job Location | Anywhere in India (based on preference & vacancy) | Anywhere in India (SBI has 22,000+ branches) |
🎯 Detailed Comparison
1. Salary & Allowances (2025)
IBPS PO (as per 11th Bipartite Settlement):
- Basic Pay: ₹36,000
- Gross Salary: ₹52,000 – ₹57,000 (with DA, HRA, CCA, medical)
- Leased accommodation or HRA (7–9% of basic)
SBI PO (SBI-specific structure):
- Basic Pay: ₹41,960
- Gross Salary: ₹58,000 – ₹63,000
- Better perks: Higher pension, medical, travel allowances
✅ SBI PO pays ₹5,000–6,000 more per month on average.
2. Syllabus & Exam Pattern
Both exams have **identical syllabi** for Prelims and Mains:
- Prelims: English, Quant, Reasoning (100 Qs, 100 marks)
- Mains: Reasoning & Computer, DI, General/Banking Awareness, English (Descriptive)
However:
- SBI PO Mains is slightly tougher and has more puzzles.
- IBPS PO has more GK on recent govt. schemes.
- Cut-off for SBI PO is usually 5–8 marks higher.
3. Job Profile & Work Culture
IBPS PO:
- Posted in banks like PNB, Canara, Union Bank, etc.
- Workload varies by bank — some have better work-life balance.
- Promotions depend on individual bank policies.
SBI PO:
- Work in India’s largest bank (22,000+ branches, 50+ countries)
- Higher workload but better exposure and training.
- Standardized promotion policy across all circles.
4. Career Growth
| Stage | IBPS PO | SBI PO |
|---|---|---|
| After 2 years | Assistant Manager | Deputy Manager |
| After 5–7 years | Manager (Scale II) | Manager (Scale II) |
| Top Position | Chief General Manager (in respective bank) | Chairman (SBI) – e.g., Dinesh Khara (ex-SBI PO) |
| Foreign Postings | Rare (only in select banks like BoB) | Common (SBI has 200+ overseas offices) |
5. Exam Difficulty & Competition
- IBPS PO: ~10 lakh applicants for ~5,000 posts (2024) → 2% selection rate
- SBI PO: ~10 lakh applicants for ~2,000 posts (2024) → 0.8% selection rate
→ SBI PO is more competitive due to fewer vacancies and higher prestige.
✅ Which One Should You Choose?
Choose IBPS PO if you:
- Want more bank options (PNB, BoB, Canara, etc.)
- Prefer slightly lower competition
- Are okay with marginally lower salary
- Value work-life balance in regional banks
Choose SBI PO if you:
- Want the most prestigious public sector bank job
- Aim for foreign postings and fast-track growth
- Don’t mind higher competition for better pay
- Seek standardized career progression
💡 Pro Tip: Apply for Both!
Since the **syllabus is nearly identical**, prepare for one and appear for both. Many aspirants use IBPS PO as a “safety net” while targeting SBI PO.
Master the common syllabus with daily banking MCQs — updated for 2025!
→ Practice IBPS & SBI PO MCQsNote: Salary and vacancies based on IBPS PO 2025 and SBI PO 2025 official notifications.