SBI PO and IBPS PO are both prestigious bank PO exams, but they differ significantly in competition level, salary, and career prospects. Here is a detailed comparison to help you decide which to target first.
Quick Comparison
| Parameter | SBI PO | IBPS PO |
|---|---|---|
| Conducted by | State Bank of India | IBPS (for 11 banks) |
| Vacancies | ~2,000 | ~4,000-5,000 |
| Exam Difficulty | Higher | Moderate-High |
| Starting Salary | ₹41,960 | ₹48,480 |
| In-hand (metro) | ~₹72,000 | ~₹68,000 |
| Promotion speed | Fast (SBI internal) | Moderate |
| Brand value | Very high | High |
| Competition | More fierce | Fierce |
Exam Pattern Comparison
Preliminary Exam
Both have identical prelims: English (30) + Quant (35) + Reasoning (35), 60 minutes.
Main Exam
- SBI PO: Reasoning & Computer (45), Data Analysis (35), Economy & Banking (40), English (35) + Descriptive (Letter + Essay, 50 marks, 30 min)
- IBPS PO: Similar pattern with slight variations; descriptive is 25 marks
Group Exercise + Interview
- SBI PO: Group Exercise (20 marks) + Interview (30 marks) - total 50 marks
- IBPS PO: Interview only (100 marks)
Salary: SBI PO vs IBPS PO
SBI PO basic starts at ₹41,960 but has more allowances. IBPS PO starts higher at ₹48,480 basic.
In practice, SBI PO in-hand salary is slightly higher due to additional perks.
Full salary details in our 7th Pay Commission salary guide.
Which Should You Prepare For?
Target SBI PO if:
- You want maximum brand prestige
- You prefer a single large bank over multiple bank options
- You can handle higher exam difficulty
- You want faster promotion prospects
Target IBPS PO if:
- You want more options (11 banks)
- You prefer more predictable exam pattern
- You want higher raw vacancy numbers
- You are appearing for the first time
Best strategy: Prepare for both simultaneously - the syllabi overlap by 90%.
Browse all current bank job notifications on this portal.
See also: IBPS PO Complete Guide | Banking Exam Preparation Tips | Government Job Salary Guide