SBI Clerk Vs IBPS Clerk, Which is Better?

Two of the most popular exams in India are the SBI Clerk and IBPS Clerk. Every year lakhs of candidates appear for both exams to secure a government job in the Banking sector. However, if you have begun preparing for Banking Exams in India and are wondering which exam is better, we got you covered. In this article, we will discuss some aspects of both the SBI and IBPS Clerk Exam.

SBI Clerk V/s IBPS Clerk

The major point of difference between both exams is the conducting body and the work allocation. SBI Clerk is conducted by the State Bank of India and selected candidates of this exam are placed exclusively in the State Bank of India in different branches across the country. IBPS Clerk Exam is organized by the Institute of Banking Personnel, in which several banks participate. Selected candidates are allowed to submit their bank preferences. Based on the marks and preferences, candidates are allotted one of the participating banks.

SBI Clerk V/s IBPS Clerk- Which has a better Salary?

The first and foremost question that hits the minds of the candidates is- which post has a better salary. So, we are comparing the salaries for both posts here so you can make your decision accordingly.

Component	IBPS Clerk Salary (2024)	SBI Clerk Salary
Basic Pay	Rs 19,900	Rs 19,900
Dearness Allowance (DA)	Rs 5,200 – Rs 5,500	Rs 8,933
House Rent Allowance (HRA)	Rs 2,035 – Rs 2,040	Rs 2,091
Transport Allowance (TA)	Rs 750 – Rs 800	Rs 600
Special Allowance	Rs 4,000 – Rs 4,4200	Rs 3,263
Special Pay-New	–	Rs 500
Gross Salary	Rs 32,000	Rs 35,000 (Approx)
Deductions	Rs 2,500 – Rs 3,000 (NPS, Union Fee)	Rs 2,792 (Contributory Pension Fund)
Net Salary	Rs 25,000 – Rs 30,000	Rs 32,000

Key Differences in SBI Clerk and IBPS Clerk Salary

Both positions offer similar basic pay, but the allowances and deductions vary, leading to differences in gross and net salaries. Check the key differences below.

• Dearness Allowance: SBI Clerk receives a higher DA (Rs 8,933) compared to IBPS Clerk (Rs 5,200 – Rs 5,500).
• Special Pay-New: SBI Clerk has an additional component of Rs 500 as Special Pay-New, which IBPS Clerk does not have.
• Gross Salary: The Gross Salary for SBI Clerk is approximately Rs 35,000, higher than the IBPS Clerk’s Rs 32,000.
• Net Salary: After deductions, the net salary of an SBI Clerk is higher at Rs 32,000 compared to the IBPS Clerk’s range of Rs 25,000 – Rs 30,000.

SBI Clerk V/s IBPS Clerk- Job Profile

Both the posts are of Clerk and have most or less similar job duties to fulfill. However, there might be a few differences also. So in the table below, we have discussed the job profile for both posts.

Component	IBPS Clerk	SBI Clerk
Job Role	Handles daily tasks like opening accounts, transferring money, issuing demand drafts, clearing cheques, and handling cheque book requests. Sometimes works as a cashier, dealing with cash transactions. Also responsible for customer service and resolving their issues.	Manages inquiry counters, handles receipts and withdrawals, opens new accounts, collects cash, issues bank statements, and manages mail. Verifies documents, updates passbooks, oversees cash and important documents, issues demand drafts, sanctions withdrawals, maintains records, resolves customer issues, and provides guidance.
Work Environment	Typically 9 AM to 5 PM, 5-6 days a week, branch operations	Similar to IBPS Clerk, but may involve more customer-facing roles and targets
Career Growth	Opportunities for promotion to Officer Cadre, periodic internal exams	More frequent promotional opportunities, faster career progression compared to IBPS Clerk
Transfers	Transfers are common, usually within the same state or region	Transfers are common, can be across the country, especially for metro and rural postings
Training	Initial training for a few weeks to get acquainted with bank processes	Extensive training program, including product training, customer handling, and sales techniques
Job Security	High, being a government job	High, being a government job
Work Pressure	Moderate, dependent on branch workload	Slightly higher than IBPS Clerk due to sales targets and customer interaction
Additional Benefits	Medical insurance, pension scheme, leave encashment	Additional allowances like furniture allowance, better medical benefits
Posting Locations	Mostly rural and semi-urban areas	More likely to be posted in urban and metropolitan areas, though rural postings are also possible
Technology Exposure	Basic banking software and operations	Exposure to advanced banking software, customer relationship management tools, and sales platforms

SBI Clerk V/s IBPS Clerk- Selection Process

The selection process for both the SBI Clerk and IBPS Clerk is similar. The exam has two stages- Prelims and Mains followed by a Language Proficiency Test, which is a a qualifying test. The Prelims is a qualifying stage held for 100 marks; the second stage is the Mains examination held for 200 marks. Check the selection process details below.

Component	SBI Clerk	IBPS Clerk
Prelims Exam	–	–
Total Marks	100	100
Duration	60 minutes	60 minutes
Sections	English Language, Numerical Ability, Reasoning Ability	English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability
Sectional Time Limit	Yes, 20 minutes per section	Yes, 20 minutes per section
Sectional Cutoff	No	No
Negative Marking	Yes, 1/4th mark deducted for incorrect answers	Yes, 1/4th mark deducted for incorrect answers
Exam Pattern	English Language: 30 questions, 30 marks, 20 minutes; Numerical Ability: 35 questions, 35 marks, 20 minutes; Reasoning Ability: 35 questions, 35 marks, 20 minutes	English Language: 30 questions, 30 marks, 20 minutes; Quantitative Aptitude: 35 questions, 35 marks, 20 minutes; Reasoning Ability: 35 questions, 35 marks, 20 minutes
Mains Exam	–	–
Total Marks	200	200
Duration	2 hours 40 minutes	2 hours 40 minutes
Sections	General/Financial Awareness, English Language, Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude	General/Financial Awareness, English Language, Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude, Quantitative Aptitude
Sectional Time Limit	Yes	Yes
Sectional Cutoff	No	No
Negative Marking	Yes, 1/4th mark deducted for incorrect answers	Yes, 1/4th mark deducted for incorrect answers
Exam Pattern	General/Financial Awareness: 50 questions, 50 marks, 35 minutes; English Language: 40 questions, 40 marks, 35 minutes; Quantitative Aptitude: 50 questions, 50 marks, 45 minutes; Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude: 50 questions, 60 marks, 45 minutes	General/Financial Awareness: 50 questions, 50 marks, 35 minutes; English Language: 40 questions, 40 marks, 35 minutes; Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude: 50 questions, 60 marks, 45 minutes; Quantitative Aptitude: 50 questions, 50 marks, 45 minutes

Which is Better? SBI Clerk or IBPS Clerk

Choosing between the SBI Clerk and IBPS Clerk exams depends on your career goals. SBI Clerk offers higher salaries and places you directly within State Bank of India branches nationwide. IBPS Clerk allows you to select from multiple banks based on your preferences and scores. Both exams open doors to rewarding careers in the banking sector, catering to different career aspirations and preferences.