Are you aspiring for a prestigious banking career but confused about which exam to target? You’re not alone. With multiple banking officer exams conducted throughout the year, choosing the right one can be overwhelming.
In this blog, we’ll compare three of India’s most sought-after banking officer exams SBI PO, IBPS PO, and RBI Grade B. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which exam is best suited to your career goals and preparation strategy.
SBI PO vs IBPS PO vs RBI Grade B
The basic details related to the SBI PO, IBPS PO, and the RBI Grade B exam are as follows:
| Parameter | SBI PO | IBPS PO | RBI Grade B |
| Conducting Body | State Bank of India | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection | Reserve Bank of India |
| Frequency | Annual | Annual | Annual |
| Exam Levels | Prelims, Mains, GE & Interview | Prelims, Mains, Interview | Phase I, Phase II, Interview |
| Starting Salary | Approx. ₹70,000-75,000 | Approx. ₹70,000-75,000 | Approx. ₹85,000-95,000 |
| Selection Ratio | 1:80+ | 1:50+ | 1:100+ |
| Job Profile | Branch Banking, Credit, Operations | Varies by Bank Allocation | Monetary Policy, Banking Regulation |
Eligibility Criteria: Who Can Apply?
To apply for this examination, candidates must fulfill the eligibility criteria as per the official notification. The details of the eligibility, including age limit, qualification, and nationality, are as follows:
SBI PO
- Age: 21-30 years (relaxation for reserved categories)
- Education: Graduation in any discipline
- Nationality: Indian
IBPS PO
- Age: 20-30 years (relaxation for reserved categories)
- Education: Graduation in any discipline
- Nationality: Indian
RBI Grade B
- Age: 21-30 years (relaxation for reserved categories)
- Education:
- General: Graduation with 60% marks (50% for SC/ST/PwBD)
- DEPR: Master’s in Economics/Econometrics with 55% marks
- DSIM: Master’s in Statistics/Mathematical Statistics with 55% marks
- Nationality: Indian
While SBI PO and IBPS PO have similar eligibility requirements, RBI Grade B demands higher academic credentials, especially for specialized streams.
Exam Pattern: Breaking Down the Structure
The exam pattern for each of the exams varies. The details of the exam pattern are as follows:
SBI PO
The SBI PO examination follows a three-tier selection process:
Prelims (100 marks)
- English Language: 40 questions, 40 marks
- Quantitative Aptitude: 30 questions, 30 marks
- Reasoning Ability: 30 questions, 30 marks
- Duration: 1 hour
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks
Mains (200 objective + 50 descriptive marks)
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude: 40 questions, 60 marks
- Data Analysis & Interpretation: 30 questions, 60 marks
- General/Economy/Banking Awareness: 60 questions, 60 marks
- English Language: 40 questions, 20 marks
- Descriptive Test: 2 questions, 50 marks
- Duration: 3 hours
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks
Group Exercise & Interview (50 marks)
Final Selection: Mains (75%) + Interview (25%)
IBPS PO
The IBPS PO exam structure is quite similar to SBI PO:
Prelims (100 marks)
- English Language: 30 questions, 30 marks
- Quantitative Aptitude: 35 questions, 30 marks
- Reasoning Ability: 35 questions, 40 marks
- Duration: 1 hour
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks
Mains (200 objective + 25 descriptive marks)
- Reasoning: 40 questions, 60 marks
- Data Analysis & Interpretation: 35 questions, 50 marks
- General/Economy/Banking Awareness: 35 questions, 50 marks
- English Language: 35 questions, 40 marks
- Descriptive Test: 2 questions, 25 marks
- Duration: 160 minutes
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks
Interview (100 marks)
Final Selection: Mains (80%) + Interview (20%)
RBI Grade B
RBI Grade B has a distinctly different pattern:
Phase I (200 marks)
- General Awareness: 80 questions, 80 marks
- English Language: 30 questions, 30 marks
- Quantitative Aptitude: 30 questions, 30 marks
- Reasoning: 60 questions, 60 marks
- Duration: 2 hours
- Negative marking: 0.25 marks
Phase II (300 marks)
- Paper I: Economic & Social Issues (100 marks 30 (Objective), 6 (Descriptive; attempt 4))
- Paper II: English Writing Skills (100 marks 3 (Precis, Essay, Comprehension))
- Paper III: Finance & Management (100 marks 30 (Objective), 6 (Descriptive; attempt 4))
- Duration: 3 hours (Paper I, II, III – 90 minutes each)
- No negative marking
Interview (50 marks)
Final Selection: Phase II + Interview
The key difference is that RBI Grade B focuses more on economic and financial knowledge, requiring deeper conceptual understanding compared to the more calculation-intensive SBI and IBPS exams.
Salary Structures and Benefits
The details of the salary structure and the financial benefits enjoyed by the aspirants after clearing these examinations are as follows:
SBI PO
- Pay Scale: Basic Pay of an SBI PO is ₹48,480
- Gross Salary: Approximately ₹70,000-75,000 per month
- Perks: Accommodation/HRA, medical benefits, concessional loans, pension
IBPS PO
- Pay Scale: Basic Pay of an IBPS PO is ₹48,480
- Gross Salary: Approximately ₹70,000-75,000 per month
- Perks: Accommodation/HRA, medical benefits, concessional loans, pension
RBI Grade B
- Pay Scale: Basic pay of ₹55,200/-p.m
- Gross Salary: Approximately ₹85,000-95,000 per month
- Perks: Accommodation/HRA, medical benefits, concessional loans, pension
RBI Grade B officers receive significantly higher compensation than their counterparts in commercial banks, reflecting the central bank’s prestigious status and the specialized expertise the role demands.
Career Growth: Long-term Prospects
Understanding the long-term career prospects is essential before choosing a role, as each exam provides different opportunities for growth, promotions, and responsibilities over time.
SBI PO
Career path: Assistant Manager → Deputy Manager → Manager → Chief Manager → AGM → DGM → GM → CGM → Executive Director → Managing Director
SBI, being India’s largest bank, offers excellent growth opportunities with exposure to diverse banking operations and the possibility of international postings.
IBPS PO
Career path: Probationary Officer → Assistant Manager → Manager → Senior Manager → Chief Manager → AGM → DGM → GM
Career growth in IBPS-recruited banks depends significantly on which bank you’re allocated to. Some banks offer faster promotions, while others might have more diverse role opportunities.
RBI Grade B
Career path: Assistant Manager → Manager → Assistant General Manager → Deputy General Manager → General Manager → Chief General Manager → Executive Director → Deputy Governor
RBI offers one of the most prestigious career paths, with opportunities to take part in policy-making, regulatory frameworks, and international banking standards.
Job Profile: What Will You Actually Do?
The details of the responsibilities and the work assigned to candidates after being selected for SBI PO, IBPS PO, and RBI Grade B are as follows:
SBI PO
- Branch banking operations
- Credit assessment and loan processing
- Customer relationship management
- Sales and marketing of banking products
- Staff supervision and branch management
IBPS PO
- Similar to SBI PO, but varies by bank allocation
- May include specialized roles in rural/semi-urban branches
- Focus areas depend on the specific public sector bank
RBI Grade B
- Monetary policy formulation and implementation
- Banking sector regulation and supervision
- Foreign exchange management
- Government debt management
- Economic research and analysis
- Payment and settlement systems oversight
RBI Grade B offers more policy-oriented and specialized work compared to the commercial banking focus of SBI and IBPS PO.
Difficulty Level and Competition: How Hard Is It?
These exams are highly competitive and require thorough preparation due to their challenging nature and the large number of aspirants. The details related to the exam pattern and difficulty level are as follows:
SBI PO
- Very competitive (1:80+ selection ratio)
- Moderate to high difficulty level
- Comprehensive testing across multiple stages
- Group exercise adds a unique dimension
IBPS PO
- Competitive (1:50+ selection ratio)
- Moderate difficulty level
- Similar to SBI PO but slightly easier
- Multiple banks increase selection chances
RBI Grade B
- Extremely competitive (1:100+ selection ratio)
- Highest difficulty level among the three
- Requires in-depth knowledge of economics, finance
- More conceptual questions compared to calculation-based problems
At Oliveboard, our analysis of previous years’ cutoffs and selection ratios indicates that RBI Grade B is the most challenging, followed by SBI PO and then IBPS PO.
Which Exam Should You Choose?
Choosing the right exam depends on your career goals, interests, and eligibility. The details related to the exams are provided below.
Choose SBI PO if:
- You aspire to work in India’s largest and most prestigious commercial bank
- You want a balance of good compensation and career growth
- You’re comfortable with a competitive selection process
- You prefer branch banking and customer-facing roles
Choose IBPS PO if:
- You want multiple opportunities through a single exam
- You’re open to working in different public sector banks
- You prefer slightly less competition than SBI PO
- You’re looking for wider geographical posting options
Choose RBI Grade B if:
- You’re interested in policy-making and regulatory aspects
- You have strong conceptual knowledge in economics and finance
- You prioritize higher compensation and work-life balance
- You aspire for the most prestigious banking career
Preparation Strategy: How to Approach These Exams
While these exams have different patterns and focus areas, a strategic preparation approach can help you tackle all three:
- Build a strong foundation: Focus on common topics like quantitative aptitude, reasoning, English, and general awareness.
- Understand the differences: For RBI Grade B, dive deeper into economics, finance, and current affairs.
- Practice with mock tests: Regular mock tests help you understand the exam pattern and improve time management.
- Analyze your performance: Identify weak areas and work on them systematically.
- Stay updated: Banking and economic current affairs are crucial for all three exams.
Our students at Oliveboard have consistently reported that regular mock tests with detailed analysis significantly improved their performance across all banking exams.
Key Takeaways for Making the Right Decision
Choosing between SBI PO, IBPS PO, and RBI Grade B ultimately depends on your career aspirations, academic background, and personal preferences.
If you’re still undecided, consider preparing for all three initially. The overlapping syllabus makes it possible to keep your options open. As you progress in your preparation and gain more clarity about your strengths and interests, you can narrow down your focus.
Remember, success in any of these exams opens the door to a rewarding career in the banking sector. The key is to make an informed choice aligned with your long-term goals and then commit to thorough preparation.
Have you decided which banking officer exam aligns best with your career goals? Whichever path you choose, consistent preparation and strategic planning will be your strongest allies in this journey.
FAQs
Ans. RBI Grade B offers the highest salary among the three, with gross pay around ₹85,000–95,000 per month.
Ans. Yes, as the syllabus overlaps, especially in prelims and general sections, a common preparation strategy works well initially.
Ans. A graduation degree is required for all three exams, with RBI Grade B requiring 60% in graduation and higher qualifications for some specific posts.
Ans. All three exams SBI PO, IBPS PO, and RBI Grade B are conducted annually.
Ans. Yes, RBI Grade B is considered the toughest due to its conceptual depth and higher competition.
Hello, I’m Aditi the creative mind behind the words at Oliveboard. As a content writer specializing in state-level exams, my mission is to simplify complex exam information and help aspirants navigate their journey with clarity and confidence.
Having walked the path of an aspirant myself, I bring a unique, relatable perspective to my work. I focus on crafting accessible and accurate content on Exam Notifications, Admit Cards, and Results, ensuring candidates have the right information at the right time.
At Oliveboard, I play a key role in empowering students by breaking down the exam process into understandable and actionable insights. My aim is to make preparation less daunting and more rewarding, one well-informed step at a time.