SBI Clerk Main and SBI PO (Preliminary and Main) exams are given by lakhs of aspirants each year. Scoring good marks in these exams opens the doors of the prestigious State Bank of India for the deserving candidates; however, the posts, roles, and responsibilities will differ greatly. The syllabus for SBI Clerk and SBI PO is almost similar but still, there are some differences in both these exams, which are mentioned below.

The opportunities in the Indian banking domain are vast, and this sector welcomes students of all the streams to fill the application form and sit for the exam. Decent salary, additional perks, allowances are also of the major reasons that aspire lakhs of aspirants each year to give the exam so that they get respectable designation in the banking domain. The most popular entry-level designations in the banking sector are:

• Bank PO
• Bank Clerk

The conducting body for both these exams can be any of the following:

• IBPS – Institute of Banking Personnel Selection
• SBI – State Bank of India
• Indian Bank

In this article, we are talking about SBI Clerk and SBI PO jobs. If you are confused between the SBI Clerk Exams and SBI PO Exams, then go through this article to get accurate details.

Read More SBI Clerk Application & Registration

SBI PO and SBI Clerk- Preliminary Level Exam Pattern

The style and pattern of the Preliminary test for both the exams, SBI Clerk and SBI PO is the same. But in the SBI PO Preliminary Exams, the candidates can expect a bit more challenging and difficult questions as compared to the ones asked in the SBI Clerk Prelim Exams.

SBI PO and SBI Clerk Mains Exam Pattern

Sectional Timing and Variable Marking Scheme has been introduced in the Main Exam of both SBI Clerk and SBI PO. Some of the differences between the patterns in both these exams include:

Key highlights for both SBI PO and SBI Clerk

• For the SBI clerk exam, the candidates need to clear two rounds only including the pre and mains. Shortlisted candidates will directly be called for the post.
• No negative marking for the wrong answer.
• Test takers have to complete the test within the mentioned time duration.
• SBI PO’ exam descriptive section will be taken in the English language only; the aim to add this test is to test the candidates’ English skills.
• The candidates who cleared prelims but failed in mains need to apply for the same post again from the start. They will not be allowed to sit directly for the mains or interview round.

Read More SBI Clerk Admit Card

SBI PO- important factors to consider

• Salary-
  • SBI offers a basic pay of INR 27,620/- (with 4 advance increments) to the aspirants as PO.
  • The official will also get D.A, H.R.A, Medical and other types of allowances as per rules in force from time to time.
  • The total compensation each year on CTC basis will be at least INR 8.20 lacs and maximum INR 13.08 lacs (based on the place of posting and other factors).
• Job Profile-Job profile of POs includes offering customer services, bringing new business, handling the cash handling, paying on time, and maintaining daily reports.
• Eligibility (age) - 21– 30 years
• Eligibility: Education; graduation (in any stream)
• Promotions- 2 – 3 years
• Process of selection- Prelims, Mains & Interview
• Perks & Allowances –Leased house accommodation, Dearness allowance, City Compensatory allowance, Medical allowance, Travelling allowance, etc.
• Work timings- SBI PO’s actual office timings start from 10 am to 5 pm. However, their job is very hectic, and thus, they need to work extra beyond their regular office timings as well.

SBI Clerk- important factors to consider

• Salary- The starting Basic Pay is `13075.00 (`11765.00 plus two advance increments admissible to graduates).
• Job Profile- Their job problem includes underwriting, claims, maintaining accounts and data Entry.
• Eligibility: Age (20 – 28 years)
• Education- Graduation (any discipline, other criteria are specific to the jobs)
• Promotions- Clerks can get promoted through Internal Exams as well.
• Selection Process- Prelims, Mains
• Perks and Allowances- Dearness allowance, House accommodation, Pension, Medical Insurance, Provident Fund
• Timings of job- SBI Clerk, on the other hand, has fixed timings from 10-5. Therefore the work-life balance of a clerk is easier than that of a PO.

Read More SBI Clerk 2020 Exam Pattern

Detailed Roles and responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities of the individuals working in these departments differ a lot.

Career Growth and Promotion- Bank PO/ Bank Clerk

The aspirants planning to get a bank PO or bank Clerk job must be aware that Probation officers are assigned a lot more responsibilities as compared to the clerks. One of the inspiring reasons to get attracted towards the banking sector is the wider growth and promotion opportunities. Once a person gets employed in SBI as a PO or Bank Clerk, they can explore better career opportunities and get promoted to higher posts during their course of work.

The promotions in Bank PO mostly happen within 2 years while in the case of a bank clerk, sometimes it might take a little longer to get promoted to the next level.

Check Here SBI Clerk Practice Papers

You can give the SBI PO a try if you are ambitious and want to get promoted quickly. However, if you aim to spend quality time with your family rather than spend extra time at the office, you can give an exam for the SBI clerk post. While taking up the job of SBI clerk, you can prepare for other competitive exams such as UPSC, RBI, etc.

So these are some of the differences between SBI Clerk and SBI PO jobs and aspirants planning to give these exams in the future need to follow a proper strategy as clearing the bank PO exam is relatively more onerous as compared to the bank clerk exam.