The application form for these recruitment are open IBPS PO application form opened today 1 June and SBI PO application form opened in June 2026. The application form for SBI PO is closing on 8 July. Though the candidates are smart enough they apply to both the recruitment which is a better SBI PO vs IBPS PO. What the difference lies in these two entities. We have tried to answer this question below.
Table of Contents
SBI PO vs IBPS PO: Key Differences
| Feature | IBPS PO | SBI PO |
|---|---|---|
| Recruitment Authority | Conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) for multiple Public Sector Banks. | Conducted directly by the State Bank of India (SBI) for recruitment only in SBI. |
| Participating Banks | Selection is for 11+ participating Public Sector Banks such as Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, Union Bank, Bank of Baroda, etc. | Recruitment is exclusively for State Bank of India, India’s largest public sector bank. |
| Exam Difficulty | The exam is considered moderately difficult, with a relatively predictable pattern. | Generally regarded as more challenging, featuring higher-level reasoning, data analysis, and descriptive questions. |
| Career Growth & Exposure | Promotions depend on the policies of the allotted participating bank, so growth opportunities may vary. | SBI provides faster career progression, greater business exposure, and opportunities for overseas postings and specialised roles. |
Age Limit in SBI PO vs IBPS PO
SBI PO
- 21 to 30 years
IBPS PO
- 20 to 30 Years
Relaxation
Both institutes offer age relaxation to reserved category candidates.
SBI PO Preliminary Exam Pattern
| S.No. | Name of Test (Objective) | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | English Language | 40 | 40 | 20 Minutes |
| 2 | Quantitative Aptitude | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| 3 | Reasoning Ability | 30 | 30 | 20 Minutes |
| Total | — | 100 | 100 | 1 Hour (60 Minutes) |
SBI PO Mains Exam Pattern
| S.No. | Name of Test (Objective) | No. of Questions | Maximum Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude | 40 | 60 | 50 Minutes |
| 2 | Data Analysis & Interpretation | 30 | 60 | 45 Minutes |
| 3 | General/Economy/Banking Awareness | 60 | 60 | 45 Minutes |
| 4 | English Language | 40 | 20 | 40 Minutes |
| Total (Objective Test) | — | 170 | 200 | 3 Hours |
Descriptive Test (Communication Skills)
| Section | Questions | Marks | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Email Writing (1 out of 2 options) | 1 | 10* | rowspan=”3″ 30 Minutes |
| Situation Analysis (1 out of 2 options) | 1 | 10* | |
| Report Writing or Precis Writing (1 out of 2 options) | 1 | 10* | |
| Total (Descriptive Test) | 3 | 30 | 30 Minutes |
Personality Test
| Test Structure | Maximum Marks |
|---|---|
| Group Exercise | 20 |
| Interview | 30 |
| Total | 50 |
The Group Exercise (GE) in the SBI PO Phase III 2026 is designed to assess how well candidates perform in a team environment. It evaluates communication, leadership, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills rather than banking knowledge.
What does the SBI PO Group Exercise involve?
The Group Exercise is conducted before the interview and carries 20 marks. Candidates are divided into small groups (usually 8–12 candidates) and are given a task to complete together within a limited time.
Common types of Group Exercise include:
- Group Discussion (GD): Candidates discuss a current affairs, banking, economic, or social topic and share their views.
- Case Study: The group is presented with a real-life business or management problem and must work together to find a solution.
- Group Task/Problem-Solving Activity: Candidates collaborate to solve a given challenge or make a collective decision.
- Situation Analysis: The group analyzes a hypothetical scenario and suggests the best course of action.
What do the assessors evaluate?
During the Group Exercise, the panel looks for:
- Communication and presentation skills
- Teamwork and cooperation
- Leadership qualities
- Logical thinking and analytical ability
- Problem-solving approach
- Confidence and positive attitude
- Ability to listen to others and respect different opinions
- Time management and participation
Tips to perform well
- Speak clearly and confidently without dominating the discussion.
- Listen carefully to others and acknowledge their points.
- Present logical, well-structured arguments backed by facts where possible.
- Encourage quieter members to participate if appropriate.
- Avoid interrupting, arguing aggressively, or criticizing other candidates.
- Focus on helping the group reach a constructive conclusion rather than trying to “win” the discussion.
SBI PO Final Selection Criteria
| Stage | Maximum Marks | Normalized/Final Weightage |
|---|---|---|
| Main Examination (Written Test – Objective + Descriptive) | 230 | 75 |
| Group Exercise & Interview | 50 | 25 |
| Total | 280 | 100a |
Also read about: IBPS PO Notification 2026
IBPS PO Weightage
| Component | Weightage |
|---|---|
| Written Exam | 80 percent |
| Interview | 20 percent |
IBPS PO Salary
Basic: ₹48,480-2000/7-62480-2340/2-67160-2680/7-85920
is a pay scale, which shows how the basic pay increases over time through annual increments.
| Stage | Basic Pay (₹) | Annual Increment (₹) | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joining | 48,480 | – | – |
| Year 2 | 50,480 | 2,000 | 1 |
| Year 3 | 52,480 | 2,000 | 2 |
| Year 4 | 54,480 | 2,000 | 3 |
| Year 5 | 56,480 | 2,000 | 4 |
| Year 6 | 58,480 | 2,000 | 5 |
| Year 7 | 60,480 | 2,000 | 6 |
| Year 8 | 62,480 | 2,000 | 7 |
| Year 9 | 64,820 | 2,340 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 67,160 | 2,340 | 9 |
| Year 11 | 69,840 | 2,680 | 10 |
| Year 12 | 72,520 | 2,680 | 11 |
| Year 13 | 75,200 | 2,680 | 12 |
| Year 14 | 77,880 | 2,680 | 13 |
| Year 15 | 80,560 | 2,680 | 14 |
| Year 16 | 83,240 | 2,680 | 15 |
| Year 17 | 85,920 | 2,680 | 16 |
How to read the pay scale
- ₹48,480 – Starting Basic Pay.
- ₹2,000/7 – Annual increment of ₹2,000 for 7 years.
- ₹62,480 – Basic pay after completing those 7 increments.
- ₹2,340/2 – Next annual increment of ₹2,340 for 2 years.
- ₹67,160 – Basic pay after those 2 increments.
- ₹2,680/7 – Annual increment of ₹2,680 for 7 years.
- ₹85,920 – Maximum Basic Pay in this scale.
What does this mean for a Probationary Officer/Management Trainee?
- Starting Basic Pay: ₹48,480 per month
- Maximum Basic Pay: ₹85,920 per month
- In addition to the basic pay, officers receive allowances such as:
- Dearness Allowance (DA)
- House Rent Allowance (HRA) or leased accommodation (where applicable)
- City Compensatory Allowance (CCA) (in eligible locations)
- Special Allowance
- Learning Allowance (as applicable)
- Medical benefits
- Leave Travel Allowance (LTA)
- Pension/NPS and other retirement benefits
As a result, the gross monthly salary of a newly appointed IBPS PO 2026 is substantially higher than the basic pay, with the exact amount depending on the bank, city of posting, and prevailing allowance rates.
SBI PO Salary
Probationary Officer (PO) Salary, Pay Scale & Benefits
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Starting Basic Pay | ₹48,480 per month |
| Advance Increments | 4 advance increments at the time of joining |
| Pay Scale | ₹48,480–2,000/7–62,480–2,340/2–67,160–2,680/7–85,920 |
| Grade | Junior Management Grade Scale-I (JMGS-I) |
| Dearness Allowance (DA) | Applicable as per prevailing rates |
| House Rent Allowance (HRA) | Payable based on place of posting (if lease facility is not availed) |
| City Compensatory Allowance (CCA) | Payable for eligible cities |
| Provident Fund (PF) | Available as per bank rules |
| National Pension System (NPS) | Contributory Pension Fund benefits |
| Leave Fare Concession (LFC) | Available as per bank policy |
| Medical Facilities | Medical reimbursement/insurance benefits for self and eligible dependents |
| Lease Rental Facility | Available in lieu of HRA, subject to bank rules |
| Other Perquisites | Various allowances and benefits as applicable from time to time |
| Approximate Annual CTC (Mumbai Posting) | ₹21.97 lakh per annum |