Are you willing to pursue your career in the banking sector? If yes, you all must be well aware that SBI & IBPS Recruitment Exams are the most opted career options amongst young graduates. Whether you go for IBPS or SBI, both the options possess highly lucrative and reputed career opportunities like – PO, Clerk & SO.
But it becomes a challenging task to filter out the best one between these two!
To ease out your worries, we have come up with clear differences between IBPS Clerk and SBI Clerk. You may read all the points and analyze which career option will be worthwhile for you.
Job Profiles & Responsibilities
Job Perks & Benefits + Work Environment
Recruitment Procedures & Selection Criteria
Process After Selection
1. IBPS Clerk:
After getting the provisional allotments, IBPS Clerks must join the allotted bank within the given time duration. Thereafter, the respected banks provide them training about the tasks they need to perform while working as Bank Clerks.
Those who complete their training successfully will be posted to the different branches of the concerned bank to survive and complete their next two years of probation. So, initially, IBPS Clerks are posted at Junior Level, and after completing their 2 years of the probation period, they can be promoted to the upper level.
2. SBI Clerk:
SBI Clerks are initially designated at Junior Level Grade, and after completing their 6 months of training, they can be promoted to the Officer Level. To get the officer's grade, they must qualify for the Internal Exam conducted based on the structure of all bank branches.
Job Profiles & Responsibilities
In any bank, the clerks are the first checkpoint where customers can come and ask their queries. Considering the differences between SBI Clerk & IBPS Clerk, we have come up with a few points where their duties may differ from each other.
Clerical staff is considered an integral part of the bank workforce as they are responsible for almost every task. Task and Responsibilities of IBPS Clerk and SBI Clerk are the same. A Clerk performs most of the tasks in a bank. Filling the entries, handling all the cash transactions, handling the customers, solving their problems, etc., are all done by a Clerk.
Bank Details & Job Locations
IBPS is the self-recruitment agency that conducts the exam for the recruitment in 17 Public Sector Banks except for SBI, whereas SBI is a banking branch. It shows its recruitment exam to fill up the vacant seats at its various branches & associate banks.
S. No. |
IBPS Banks (Headquarters) |
1. |
Allahabad Bank (Kolkata) |
2. |
Andhra Bank (Hyderabad) |
3. |
Bank of Baroda (Mumbai) |
4. |
Bank of India (Mumbai) |
5. |
Bank of Maharashtra (Pune) |
6. |
Canara Bank (Karnataka) |
7. |
Central Bank of India (Mumbai) |
8. |
Corporation Bank (Mangalore) |
9. |
Indian Bank (Chennai) |
10. |
Indian Overseas Bank (AbuDhabi) |
11. |
Oriental Bank of Commerce (Gurgaon) |
12. |
Punjab National Bank (New Delhi) |
13. |
Punjab & Sind Bank (New Delhi) |
14. |
Syndicate Bank (Manipal) |
15. |
UCO Bank (Kolkata) |
16. |
Union Bank of India (Mumbai) |
17. |
United Bank of India (Kolkata) |
Apart from the above-mentioned 17 IBPS Clerk Participating Banks, the candidates who wish to apply for Rural Regional Banks may get job postings at any of the branches amongst 56 RRBs.
SBI is considered the Largest Bank of India with more than 24,000 branches worldwide. Those who wish to get into the State Bank of India as Clerk Position has more than 24,000 options for job postings.
Transfer Policy
For IBPS Clerk:
After serving more than 5 years in a branch, a clerk may be transferred to other branches in the same city/place.
If there are no other branches in the same city, then a clerk after 5 years can be transferred outside the place but within 40/100 km.
An IBPS clerk, after serving more than 10 years in a city/place, they are liable to transfer to any location outside the city but within 40/100 km.
Note: On transfer, the employee may immediately Apply for transfer to the previous branch or branches nearer to that branch.
For SBI Clerk:
The candidates posted as Junior Associate through the recruitment exam can be transferred only after completing 5 years of service.
The candidates who have been selected under a special recruitment drive conducted in Tura and Kashmir Valley & Ladakh will be eligible for transfer policy after serving 8 years in SBI.
Junior Agriculture Associates will continue in rural/semi-urban branches till they reach Scale V.
Who cannot avail of the Periodical Transfer Policy?
Male Employees who are 55 years of age and above.
Female Employees who are 50 years of age and above.
Widowers – One term of 5 years’ exemption will be given provided such employees have small and school-going children.
Physically Handicapped Employees - as per the Government guidelines.
Employees with cardiac ailment who have undergone bypass surgery/ open heart surgery up to three years from the surgery date and those affected/have paralysis.
Employees are suffering from cancer and kidney ailment involving dialysis.
Employees have school-going mentally disabled children - as per the Government guidelines.
Sports persons actively represent the Bank’s team at State and above level.
However, these exempted categories of Employees are liable to be transferred among the branches/offices within the same place/centre.
Salary Structure
Salary Structure is one of the most crucial factors attracting young graduates to work with the Indian Banking Bodies. Below, you can check the comparative analysis of IBPS Clerk & SBI Clerk Salary Structure.
S. No. |
Salary Factors |
IBPS Clerk (INR) |
SBI Clerk (INR) |
1. |
Basic Pay |
13075 - 31450 |
13075-31450 (INR 11765 plus two advance increments admissible to graduates) |
2. |
Special Allowance |
1561 |
900-1200 |
3. |
Dearness Allowances (DA) |
45.60% of Basic Pay |
45.60% of Basic Pay |
4. |
City Compensatory Allowance (CCA) |
0 |
0 |
5. |
Transport Allowance (TA) |
425 |
Based on the Location |
6. |
House Rent Allowance (HRA) |
1058 - 1176 |
800-1100 |
7. |
Salary in Hand |
18000-23000 |
23000-26000 |
The salary structure of IBPS Clerk & SBI Clerk is almost similar, but SBI has some additional allowances. Therefore, the salary of an SBI Clerk is around INR 2000 more than the in-hand salary payable to an IBPS Clerk Officer.
Note - The above-mentioned salary structure can vary as per the posting location and CPC (Central Pay Commission).
Job Perks & Benefits, Work Pressure
Banking jobs come up with the complete package of perks & benefits. Based on the below data, you can wisely decide which banks offer more job perks & benefits.
S. No. |
Perks & Activities |
IBPS Clerk |
SBI Clerk |
1. |
Flexible Duty Hours and Working in Shifts Facilities |
Yes |
Yes |
2. |
Challenging Tasks |
Yes |
More than other PSBs |
3. |
Travelling Allowances |
Bank Guest Houses are available at major cities |
Holiday Homes & Bank Guest Houses available at major cities |
4. |
Housing Allowances |
Yes (Accommodation is also available in certain banks) |
Yes (Accommodation available for specific places) |
5. |
Work Pressure & Environment |
Good & Healthy (Possessing Less Pressure) |
High Work Pressure & Tough Challenges |
6. |
Excellent Growth Chances |
Yes, but after 2 years of Probational Period |
After 3 years |
7. |
Dealing with People and Gaining Experience |
Yes |
Yes |
8. |
Leaves Privilege |
Same as PSB’s |
33 PL + 12 CL and Women, Single Men with Children & Aged Person can take leave sabbatical leave of up to 2 years. |
9. |
Medical Benefits |
Yes! INR 2000 per year |
100% Benefits for Employees & 75% for Family + Insurance Policy |
10. |
Worthwhile Pension Schemes |
Yes |
Yes |
11. |
Wonderful Salary Packages |
Initial Salary: INR 18,000 – 23,000(No Increment before 2 years) |
Initial Salary: 20,000 – 25,000(Up to 4 increments can be made within the initial years) |
12. |
Loan Facilities |
In some of the IBPS Participating Banks |
Yes! Bank also provides scholarships to deserving children of Bank Employees |
13. |
Reputation in Society |
Less than SBI |
In terms of Social Status, SBI is considered as Largest Bank in India. Therefore, the reputation of SBI employees increases automatically. |
Promotion & Growth Policies
The promotion & growth policies of SBI & IBPS are quite different. Below, we are sharing out the differences between the SBI Clerk & IBPS Clerk in terms of Promotion & Growth Policies.
For IBPS Clerk:
The candidates must undergo a probation period of 2 years to get promoted to the upper-level position.
After completing the probation period, the candidates can be promoted in two ways –
1. The candidates must appear in the written test conducted inter banks and qualify it based on their experience & knowledge. (No JAIIB & CAIIB Diploma applicable).
On the qualification of written test, A clerk can be promoted to the position of Trainee Officer.
2. Based on the JAIIB, CAIIB qualification, and Graduation + Post Graduation Mark sheets, the Clerks can be promoted to Trainee Officer or PO.
For SBI Clerk:
The candidates who get selected for the position of SBI Clerk must survive for 6 months training period to get their employment confirmed in the State Bank of India.
The 1st promotion can be made after completing 2 to 3 years in SBI.
The promotion for SBI Clerk can be done in two ways – ‘In-Cadre Promotions & Officer Cadre Promotions.’
S.No. |
Work Experience |
Promoted Designation |
Type of Promotion |
1. |
3 Years |
Trainee Officer (Middle Management Grade Scale – 2) |
Officer Cadre |
2. |
6 Years |
Junior Management Grade Scale – 1 Officer |
Officer Cadre under Fast Track Promotions |
3. |
10 Years |
Senior Assistant |
In-Cadre |
4. |
12 Years |
Junior Management Grade Scale – 1 Officer |
Officer Cadre |
5. |
20 Years |
Special Assistant |
In-Cadre |
6. |
30 Years |
Senior Special Assistant |
In-Cadre |
Recruitment Procedure & Selection Criteria
There is a major difference in the Recruitment Procedure of both the sectors – IBPS & SBI.
Below, we are listing all the major aspects of IBPS & SBI Clerk Recruitment along with their clear distinction. Please have a look!
S. No. |
Important Recruitment Factors |
IBPS Clerk |
SBI Clerk |
1. |
Selection Procedure |
Prelims + Mains |
Prelims + Mains |
2. |
Exam Pattern – Prelims, Mains |
Same |
Same |
3. |
Syllabus |
Comparatively Easy |
Harder than IBPS |
4. |
Eligibility |
Same |
Same |
5. |
Application Form |
Same Process |
Same Process |
6. |
Cutoff Marks |
Lower than SBI |
Higher |
7. |
Interview Process |
Not Conducted |
Not Conducted |
Total Number of Vacancies
The IBPS Clerk 2021-22 Recruitment procedure was started from 6th October 2021, whereas the SBI Clerk 2020 2021-22 Recruitment Procedure will start from April 2022.
As predicted by experts, the vacancies list of IBPS Clerk and SBI Clerk is as follows –
S.No. |
Recruitment Exams |
Total Number of Vacancies |
1. |
IBPS Clerk 2021 |
7858 |
2. |
SBI Clerk 2022 |
5454 |
The detailed guide for IBPS Clerk Vacancies will be a helpful read to know about state-wise and bank-wise vacancy detail.
With the help of the information given above, you can wisely decide which career option will be suitable for you: IBPS Clerk or SBI Clerk.
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