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Never miss a deadline — key dates for both exams in one place.
| Exam Phase / Event | 🏦 SBI PO 20262000+ Vacancies | 🏦 IBPS PO 20263500+ Vacancies |
|---|---|---|
Official Notification | April 2026 | July 2026 |
Online Application Opens | April 2026 | July 2026 |
Application DeadlineKey | May 2026 | August 2026 |
Admit Card – Prelims | May 2026 | September 2026 |
Prelims ExamKey | June 2026 | October 2026 |
Prelims Result | July 2026 | November 2026 |
Admit Card – Mains | July 2026 | November 2026 |
Mains ExamKey | August 2026 | November 2026 |
Mains Result | September 2026 | December 2026 |
Interview / GDKey | October 2026 | January 2027 |
Final ResultKey | November 2026 | February 2027 |
Know the target — category-wise and section-wise cut-offs from recent years.
| Category | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / UR | 62.50 | 60.75 | 58.00 |
| OBC | 59.00 | 57.50 | 55.25 |
| SC | 52.50 | 50.00 | 48.75 |
| ST | 46.00 | 44.50 | 42.00 |
| EWS | 58.25 | 56.00 | 54.00 |
| Category | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| General / UR | 89.47 | 86.20 | 84.10 |
| OBC | 83.10 | 80.50 | 78.30 |
| SC | 72.40 | 70.00 | 67.80 |
| ST | 64.20 | 61.75 | 59.50 |
| EWS | 81.00 | 78.25 | 76.00 |
Note: Cut-offs vary by state and number of vacancies each year. Sectional cut-offs also apply — clearing the overall cut-off alone is not sufficient.
Both are top banking jobs. Here's how they differ so you can prioritise your preparation.
| Parameter | SBI PO | IBPS PO |
|---|---|---|
| Conducting Body | State Bank of India | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection |
| Vacancies (2026) | 1,500 | ~3,500–4,500 |
| Starting Basic Pay | ₹48,480/month | ₹36,000/month |
| Gross In-Hand | ₹71,000 – ₹75,000 | ₹52,000 – ₹58,000 |
| Selection Stages | Prelims → Mains → GD → Interview | Prelims → Mains → Interview |
| Exam Difficulty | Hard | Moderate–Hard |
| Posting | Pan India (SBI branches) | Pan India (11 PSU banks) |
| Prestige | Highest — India's largest bank | High — multiple banks |
| Notification | June (Released) | July–August |
| Prelims | August | October |
| Competition | ~12.14 lakh applicants | ~13–15 lakh applicants |
| Promotion Speed | Faster | Moderate |
| Transfer Frequency | High | Moderate |
Make an informed choice based on your goals, preferences, and strengths.
Choose SBI PO if salary, brand name, and career growth speed are your top priorities. The extra stage (Group Discussion) and higher competition are worth it for the premium package.
Choose IBPS PO if you want more vacancies, slightly lower competition, or prefer a specific bank like Bank of Baroda or Canara Bank.
Prepare for both simultaneously — the Prelims syllabus is nearly identical (Reasoning, Quant, English). Only Mains differs slightly. Attempting both doubles your chances of a banking job in the same calendar year.
Get daily and monthly current affairs for SBI PO, IBPS PO, and other banking exams. Stay informed with important national, international, banking, economy, and government updates.
The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee kept the benchmark repo rate unchanged at 6.5% for the sixth consecutive time, maintaining its focus on withdrawal of accommodation. The MPC voted 4:2 in favour of keeping rates steady while monitoring inflation and global cues.
The Reserve Bank of India launched UPI-Lite X, an offline payment mode allowing transactions up to ₹500 without internet connectivity. This initiative targets financial inclusion in rural areas and low-connectivity zones, supporting the last-mile digital payments push.
The International Monetary Fund revised India's GDP growth forecast upward to 7.2% for FY2026, citing strong domestic consumption and robust manufacturing sector performance. India remains the fastest-growing major economy globally for the third consecutive year.
India's foreign exchange reserves touched a record $680.2 billion as of May 2026, providing over 11 months of import cover. The increase was driven by FPI inflows, RBI's forex purchases, and strong remittance receipts from the Indian diaspora.
India has topped the G20 Financial Inclusion Index 2026, recognising rapid expansion of banking services through Jan Dhan Yojana, UPI adoption, and microfinance growth. The index evaluates access, usage, and quality of financial services across 20 major economies.
State Bank of India posted a record quarterly net profit of ₹22,000 crore in Q4 FY2026, up 23% year-on-year, driven by healthy credit growth and declining NPAs. The bank's gross NPA ratio fell to 2.1%, the lowest in 12 years.
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Practice with SBI PO and IBPS PO mock tests, sectional tests, quizzes, and study material designed to help you prepare effectively and improve your performance.
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Start Preparing NowFind answers to the most common questions about banking salaries, exam difficulty, preparations, and selection processes.
The State Bank of India (SBI) PO salary is the highest among all public sector banks in India. An SBI PO starts with 4 advance increments, making the starting basic pay ₹48,480. Including allowances like HRA, DA, petrol, and medical reimbursements, the total monthly gross salary ranges between ₹80,000 and ₹85,000.
Unlike SBI PO, there is no restriction on the number of attempts for the IBPS PO exam. Candidates can attempt the exam as many times as they want, provided they fulfill the age criteria of 20 to 30 years (with standard relaxations for reserved categories).
The starting basic pay scale for both IBPS PO (Probationary Officer) and IBPS SO (Specialist Officer) is identical at ₹36,000 (Scale-I officer). However, the gross salary of a Specialist Officer (SO) can sometimes be slightly higher due to professional qualification allowances, though POs typically have faster promotion tracks and greater long-term growth opportunities.
After 5 years of service, a Bank PO typically gets promoted from Scale I (PO) to Scale II (Manager) or receives regular annual increments. The basic pay rises to around ₹48,000 - ₹52,000, and the total gross monthly salary (including revised DA, HRA, and perks) ranges between ₹85,000 and ₹95,000 depending on the location and bank.
No, they are not the same. SBI PO salary is higher than IBPS PO salary. SBI offers 4 advance increments at the start of service, meaning the starting basic pay of an SBI PO is ₹48,480, whereas an IBPS PO starts with a basic pay of ₹36,000. Additionally, SBI provides superior lease accommodation allowances and other perks.
The syllabus covers three main phases: (1) Prelims: English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, and Reasoning Ability. (2) Mains: Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, General/Economy/Banking Awareness, English Language, Data Analysis & Interpretation, and an English Descriptive Test (Letter & Essay). (3) Interview: General and banking awareness topics.
A newly recruited IBPS PO (Scale-I Officer) starts with a basic pay of ₹36,000. With Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), City Compensatory Allowance (CCA), and other perks, the starting gross salary is approximately ₹55,000 to ₹60,000 per month.
SBI (State Bank of India) is generally considered better in terms of salary, perks, brand prestige, international posting opportunities, and faster promotion tracks. However, Canara Bank (a nationalized bank under IBPS) offers a slightly better work-life balance and less frequent transfers compared to SBI.
Under the Central Government 7th Pay Commission, Pay Level 7 (with a Grade Pay of ₹4600) has a basic pay starting at ₹44,900. Including allowances like DA (currently 50%+), HRA (up to 30% in X cities), and Travel Allowance, the gross starting salary is around ₹75,000 to ₹85,000 per month.
An IBPS PO is a Scale-I Officer, starting with a basic pay of ₹36,000 and a gross salary of ₹55,000 - ₹60,000. An IBPS Clerk is a clerical staff member, starting with a basic pay of ₹19,900 and a gross salary of ₹30,000 - ₹35,000. The salary difference is approximately ₹25,000 per month, plus officers enjoy much higher perks.
SBI PO has a higher salary. The starting basic pay for SBI PO is ₹48,480 due to four advance increments, whereas for IBPS PO, it is ₹36,000. The gross monthly difference is around ₹15,000 - ₹20,000 in favor of SBI PO.
Cracking IBPS PO in 15 days is extremely challenging and is only possible if you already have a very strong base in Mathematics, English, and Logical Reasoning. In 15 days, you can focus purely on taking full-length mock tests, revising key formulas, and practicing sectional tests to maximize your speed and accuracy.
The RBI Grade B Officer exam is considered the toughest exam in the Indian banking sector. It has a vast syllabus covering Economics, Social Issues, Finance, and Management, coupled with a very low success rate (~0.01%) and highly competitive eligibility criteria.
Among public sector PO exams, the RRB PO (Regional Rural Bank Officer Scale-I) conducted by IBPS is considered relatively easier. It does not have an English section in the Prelims stage (only Reasoning and Quant) and has a slightly lower difficulty level compared to SBI PO and IBPS PO.
Yes, SBI is designated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) as a Domestic Systemically Important Bank (D-SIB), which means it is classified as 'Too Big to Fail' (TBTF). The government holds a majority stake in SBI, ensuring that it has full state support and sovereign security.
Yes, Bank PO exams are highly competitive due to the massive number of applicants (around 10 to 15 lakh candidates for 2,000-3,000 vacancies). However, with a structured 4-6 months preparation plan, consistent practice of mock tests, and strong conceptual clarity, it is highly crackable.
No, UPSC Civil Services Exam is vastly tougher due to its massive, diverse syllabus, subjective writing requirements (Mains), and a multi-stage selection process that takes a full year. SBI PO is more speed-and-aptitude-based, with a syllabus restricted to Quant, Reasoning, English, and Banking.
It is moderately difficult. While it is not 'easy' because of sectional cutoffs and time limits, it is highly systematic. Aspirants who regularly practice mock tests, master basic calculation shortcuts, and stay updated with current affairs can crack it with 3-4 months of dedicated preparation.
The age limit for the General / EWS category is 20 to 30 years. Age relaxations apply as per government norms: 3 years for OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), 5 years for SC/ST, and 10 years for PwD candidates.
Yes, you can crack the Prelims exam in 30 days with a highly focused strategy: dedicate 8 hours daily, divide time between learning core concepts (first 15 days) and attempting daily full mock tests with detailed analysis (last 15 days). Mains preparation, however, requires ongoing current affairs study.
The exam tests four main subject areas: (1) Quantitative Aptitude / Data Interpretation, (2) Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, (3) English Language, and (4) General, Economy & Banking Awareness.
To get the job, you must: (1) Hold a university degree, (2) Apply online via the official IBPS portal, (3) Clear the Preliminary Exam, (4) Clear the Main Exam (objective + descriptive), (5) Clear the Personal Interview, and (6) Secure a high cumulative score for final merit allocation in one of the 11 public sector banks.
The RBI Grade B exam is significantly harder than the SBI PO exam. RBI Grade B features a descriptive Economics & Finance paper and highly complex questions, whereas SBI PO focuses primarily on speed, general aptitude, and banking knowledge.
An IBPS PO receives a starting gross monthly salary of approximately ₹52,000 to ₹58,000, depending on the location of posting. This includes a basic pay of ₹36,000 plus allowances (DA, HRA, Travel, and Special Allowances).
No, SBI PO is widely considered more difficult than IBPS PO. SBI PO features tougher Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning questions, higher cutoffs, a more intense selection process (including a Group Exercise stage), and more competitive candidate pools.
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