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IBPS PO vs SBI PO: What’s Actually Different

Both lead to the same job title — Probationary Officer at a public sector bank — which is exactly why the two get confused. They’re run by different organisations, for different outcomes, and they’re separate applications with separate forms and fees. Here’s what actually distinguishes them.

IBPS PO

SBI PO

Conducted by

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS), on behalf of a group of participating public sector banks.

State Bank of India itself — SBI runs its own recruitment, using IBPS’s testing platform as a service provider.

Who you join

Not decided when you apply. Selected candidates are allotted to one of the participating banks based on merit and the preferences you submit.

State Bank of India, specifically. You know which bank you’re joining before you even apply.

Selection stages

Preliminary exam, Main exam, then an interview.

Preliminary exam, Main exam, then a Group Exercise and Interview.

Can I apply to both?

Yes — they’re separate recruitment cycles with separate notifications, forms and fees, so applying to one has no bearing on your eligibility for the other.

Exact section-wise marks, number of questions and interview weightage can change from one notification to the next for either exam. Treat the structure above as the stable shape, and check that cycle’s official notification for the exact current pattern — linked below for each.

What Pariksha Saathi offers for each

The same practice content either way: Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude and English for Prelims and Mains, plus dated current-affairs capsules for Banking Awareness — free, with no paywalled mock tests. Select whichever one (or both) you’re preparing for from the exam picker.

Official notifications

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