Number of Papers

· IBPS PO Preliminary Exam

· IBPS PO Main Exam

· SBI PO Preliminary Exam – 1 hour

· SBI PO Main Exam – 2 hours 40 minutes

Exam Duration

· Prelim – 60 Minutes

·Mains – 3 hours 30 minutes

· Preliminary Exam – 60 Minutes

· Main Exam – 2 hours 40 minutes

Mode of Exam

Online

Online

Exam Schedule

IBPS PO is conducted every year. The Prelim Exam is conducted in the month of October, whereas, Main Exam is conducted in November.

The prelims of SBI PO is conducted in April and May every year. The Main exam is conducted in June every year.

Number of Sections

IBPS PO Preliminary Exam:

· Reasoning Ability

· Quantitative Aptitude

· English Language

IBPS PO Main Exam:

· Reasoning & Computer Aptitude

· General/ Economy/ Banking Awareness

· English Language

· Data Analysis & Interpretation

· English Language (Letter Writing & Essay)

SBI PO Preliminary Exam:

· English Language

· Quantitative

· Aptitude

· Reasoning Ability

SBI PO Main Exam:

· Reasoning &

· Computer Aptitude

· Data Analysis

· & Interpretation

· General Awareness

· about Economy/

· Banking

· English Language

Total Marks

· IBPS PO Preliminary Exam – 100

· IBPS PO Main Exam – 225

· SBI PO Preliminary Exam – 100

· SBI PO Main Exam – 200

Selection Process/ Steps Involved

Preliminary Exam (Qualifying Exam)

↓

Main Exam

↓

Source: testbook.com | Data as of 2026 | Verified April 30, 2026

SBI PO 2026 ka notification December 2025 se January 2026 ke beech expected hai, jabki IBPS PO ka notification typically July mein aata hai. Preliminary exam tentatively August 2026 mein schedule hai dono exams ke liye.

Banking sector mein computer awareness aur financial awareness scoring topics hain. Yeh sections properly prepare karne se good marks aa sakte hain. Current affairs ka importance banking exams mein bahut zyada hai — monthly compilation strategy follow karni chahiye.

Pros and Cons

Har exam ke apne advantages aur disadvantages hain. SBI PO mein salary package better hai, lekin competition bhi tough hai. IBPS PO mein multiple bank options milte hain, jo flexibility provide karta hai.

**Previous year** cutoff trends dekhe jayen toh SBI PO ka cutoff generally higher rehta hai IBPS PO se. Age limit aur attempt restrictions dono exams mein similar hain — maximum age 30 years (general category ke liye) aur koi specific attempt limit nahi hai.

Most students make the mistake of not focusing on sectional cutoffs. Sirf overall cutoff clear karna sufficient nahi hai — har section mein minimum marks laane zaroori hain.

Career Growth

When comparing SBI and IBPS, career growth pattern almost same hai. Similar promotional structure follow hota hai dono mein, jo yahan dekh sakte hain:

Junior Management Grade – Scale I – PO

↓

Middle Management Grade – Scale II – Manager

↓

Middle Management Grade – Scale III – Senior Manager

↓

Senior Management Grade – Scale IV – Chief Manager

↓

Senior Management Grade – Scale V – Assistant General Manager

↓

Top Management Grade – Scale VI – Deputy General Manager

↓

Top Management Grade – Scale VII – General Manager

↓

Executive Director (ED)

↓

Chairman and Managing Director (CMD)

Promotion timeline typically 2-3 years mein next scale mil jaata hai, performance aur vacancy ke basis pe. SBI mein slightly faster growth opportunities hain due to larger operations aur more branches.

Exam Pattern Comparison 2026

Dono exams ka pattern almost similar hai — Prelims, Mains, aur Interview. But there's a catch: SBI PO mein Group Exercise/Group Discussion round bhi hota hai interview ke saath.

Prelims mein English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, aur Reasoning Ability sections hain. Mains mein additional subjects Computer Awareness aur General/Banking/Financial Awareness add ho jaate hain. Descriptive paper bhi hota hai Mains mein.

What actually works is focusing on high-scoring sections first. Computer Awareness aur Banking Awareness mein zyada time spend karna beneficial hai because yeh sections easier hain compared to Quantitative Aptitude.

Sectional Time Management Strategy

Banking prelims mein sectional time management crucial hai. Each section ke liye maximum 20 minutes milte hain — yeh hard limit hai.

Here's what toppers recommend:

• English Language (20 minutes): Reading Comprehension pehle attempt karo, phir Cloze Test aur Error Detection
• Quantitative Aptitude (20 minutes): Easy questions identify karke pehle solve karo — Data Interpretation usually time consuming hota hai
• Reasoning Ability (20 minutes): Puzzles aur Seating Arrangement mein time management critical hai

One important tip — mock tests regularly solve karo with sectional timing. Yeh habit build karni padegi kyunki exam mein section change nahi kar sakte.

A common misconception is ki difficult questions ko skip nahi karna chahiye. Reality yeh hai ki accuracy zyada important hai speed se. Negative marking ka impact bohot zyada hota hai final score pe.

Current affairs preparation ke liye monthly current affairs compilation follow karo. Banking sector current affairs aur financial awareness topics pe special focus rakhna zaroori hai.

Here's where it gets interesting — SBI PO mein English language ka weightage slightly higher hota hai compared to IBPS PO. Isliye English preparation pe extra time invest karna beneficial hai SBI aspirants ke liye.

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FAQs on SBI PO vs IBPS PO

SBI PO vs IBPS PO, which one should I opt for?

Yeh decision aapke career goals pe depend karta hai. Agar aap single bank mein stability chahte hain with higher salary, toh SBI PO better option hai. Lekin agar multiple bank options aur flexibility chahiye, toh IBPS PO choose karo. Dono exams ke features, pros and cons yahan detail mein given hain.

What are the cons of SBI PO?

SBI PO ke main disadvantages hain: higher competition due to brand value, limited to single bank (no choice in bank selection), tougher interview process with Group Exercise round, aur sometimes posting in remote areas. Transfer policy bhi strict hoti hai initial years mein.

Is there any similarity in the career growth of SBI PO and IBPS PO?

Haan, career growth pattern almost same hai dono mein. Scale I se start hoke CMD level tak promotional hierarchy same hai. Promotion timeline bhi similar hai — typically 2-3 years mein next scale. SBI mein slightly faster growth opportunities hain due to larger operations.

What is the salary difference between SBI PO and IBPS PO in 2026?

SBI PO ka starting salary typically 8-10% higher hota hai IBPS PO se. In-hand salary around ₹50,000-55,000 per month hoti hai SBI PO ki, while IBPS PO mein ₹45,000-50,000. But yeh bank-specific vary kar sakta hai IBPS mein.

Can I appear for both SBI PO and IBPS PO in 2026?

Absolutely! Dono exams different time pe conduct hote hain. IBPS PO typically July-October mein hota hai, jabki SBI PO December-March mein. Isliye both exams ke liye apply kar sakte hain aur appear bhi kar sakte hain.

Complete information SBI PO vs IBPS PO ke baare mein yahan di gayi hai. Latest updates aur notification ke liye official IBPS website aur SBI careers page regularly check karte rahiye.

Banking exam preparation mein consistency key hai. Daily practice, mock tests, aur current affairs reading habit develop karni chahiye. All the best for your banking career journey!