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SBI Clerk Vs SBI PO, know Difference and Difficulty Level

SBI Clerk vs SBI PO, Difficulty Level, Explore the key differences, exam difficulty levels, and preparation tips to help you decide and succeed.
authorImagePriyanka Dahima6 Sept, 2025
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SBI Clerk Vs SBI PO, Difficulty Level

SBI Clerk Vs SBI PO, Difficulty Level: Candidates can find more similarities in the syllabus and exams of the SBI Clerk Exam and SBI PO Exam. So who is harder to break? To get the answer, the candidate first do the exam comparison and must understand the difference between SBI Clerk and SBI PO exams.

This banking sector offers lucrative opportunities to all streams of candidates, so banking exams are the most sought-after among candidates. One of the main reasons why candidates find the banking sector more attractive is the handsome salary offered by banks. Every Year SBI conducts two main Exams for SBI Clerk and SBI PO.

SBI Clerk Vs SBI PO Difficulty Level

State Bank of India (SBI) is India's largest public sector bank and also a major employer in the banking sector. SBI conducts recruitment tests to select suitable candidates for Clerk and Probationary Officer (PO) vacancies. The number of vacancies is limited and the number of candidates applying every year is constantly increasing which makes SBI Clerk and SBI PO qualification process difficult. Constant practice and understanding of the basic concepts is the key to do difficulty level analysis and clear these exams. But which of the two exams is easier to pass?

SBI Clerk Vs SBI PO Differences

The main SBI PO vs Clerk differences can be easily seen in their job duties, job hierarchy, and salary and syllabus in the mains vs prelims. It has been established that the position of PO is better than that of a clerk and is known as a supervisor position. However, let’s look at some important differences between a SBI clerk and a SBI PO.

Books for Banking Exams Preparation

Selection Process

Then there is the difference between SBI PO and SBI Clerk in their selection process. The selection process is a filtering process after which the bank recruits deserving candidates for the post. A detailed analysis of SBI PO vs SBI Clerk selection process is given below:
  • The selection process for SBI Clerk recruitment consists of three different stages: Prelims Exam, Mains Exam, Official and/or Local Language Test
  • SBI PO selection process has three. stages - Prelims, Mains, and GD/ PI.

Salary

The main difference between SBI PO and SBI Clerk is their pay scale. The salary scale is one of the most important criteria to pay attention to when applying for a certain position. State Bank of India offers good job profiles and salaries for both SBI PO and SBI Clerk. A detailed analysis of SBI PO – SBI Clerk Pay Scale can be found below:
Pay scale level SBI PO SBI Clerk
Basic Pay
  • Starting basic pay Rs. 27,620/-, with 4 increments in the scale of: Rs.23,700-980/7-30,560-1145/2-32,850-1310/7-42,020
  • Starting basic pay Rs. 13075/- with possible increments in the scale of:11765-655/3-13730-815/3-16175-980/4-20095-1145/7-28110- 2120/1- 30230-1310/1-31450
  • Rs. 11765 plus two advance increments admissible to graduates.
Additional Allowances and Perquisites
  • D.A,
  • H.R.A/Lease rental,
  • C.C.A,
  • Medical
  • other allowances & perquisites as per rules in force from time to time.
  • Furniture Allowance
  • House Maintenance Allowance
  • Books & Magazine Allowance
  • Briefcase Allowance
  • Reimbursement of Telephone Bills etc.
Other Compensations and perks
  • Total compensation per annum would be a minimum of ₹ 8.20 lacs and maximum of ₹ 13.08 lacs depending on the place of posting and other factors.
  • SBI plans to offer, subject to necessary approvals, a SMART Compensation Package which would enable candidates a choice to monetize specific elements of the salary package.
  • Encash privilege leaves.

Job Profile

Candidates must know that one of the main differences between SBI PO and SBI Clerk is in terms of the job profile offered. Job profile is a very important element that candidates must know before applying for the recruitment test. Below is a detailed description of the roles and responsibilities of SBI PO and SBI Officer -

SBI PO Job Profile

  • Probationary Officer has to complete a probationary period of 2 years.
  • PO must work as a Public Relations Officer (PRO). He is responsible for handling customer complaints and customer issues.
  • SBI PO duties include supervisory responsibilities such as managing cash flow, supervising office work, and making decisions that benefit the bank.
  • During the probationary period, the officer should be aware of the latest events and happenings of the bank. All future circulars should be brought to the attention of SBI PO.

SBI Clerk Job Profile

  • The main responsibility of SBI Clerk is to handle customer queries. Clearing these doubts and giving the right instructions is extremely important.
  • SBI officer to work as single window operator and cashier as per requirement. You must also be comfortable handling financial instruments such as cheques, clearing invoices, etc.
  • SBI officer has to deal with the maintenance of records and ledgers, balance calculation, data entry,y and more.
  • You must also examine the completeness, authenticity, and viability of applications and plans. So you have to make sure that the applications are correct and true.

Career Growth

State Bank of India offers promising career growth opportunities. Below is an overview of SBI PO vs SBI Clerk career growth:.
Post Rank
SBI PO
  • Probationary Officer (Starting rank)
  • Promotion 1 – Junior Management Grade Scale I
  • Promotion 2 – Middle Management Grade Scale II
SBI Clerk
  • Clerk (Starting rank)
  • Promotion 1 – Trainee Officer following years of service along with a written test and interview
  • Promotion 2- Middle Management Grade Scale II only on successful completion of the probation period

Eligibility Criteria

SBI Clerk

– Candidates must have at least a Bachelor's Degree in any field to appear in SBI Clerk Exam. - Age limit usually varies between 20 and 28 years, with restrictions in some categories.

SBI PO

- Candidates aspiring for SBI PO exam must have a Bachelor's Degree in any discipline from a recognized university. - The age limit for SBI PO exams is usually 21-30 years but there are savings for reserved classes.

SBI PO Vs SBI Clerk, Which One is Better?

As get into the bank exams preparation, understand SBI Clerk and SBI PO Salary, Scope, Answer Keys, Syllabus, and Eligibility Requirements. It has been observed that the IBPS Clerk exam is more competitive at the regional level as there are no interviews and there are more vacancies. However, IBPS PO question paper would be more difficult as there are fewer vacancies than SBI Clerks. Even SBI Clerk Salary is less than SBI PO Salary. Therefore, it would be best to make the right decision according to your needs.

SBI Clerk Vs SBI PO Which One is Easier to Crack FAQs

Q1. Which is easy, SBI PO or SBI clerk?

Ans. Both SBI PO and SBI Clerk have a Prelims and a mains test which the candidates have to qualify in order to be selected. The syllabus is similar for both the exams and so is the exam pattern. However, the exam for bank PO is considered tougher and it also has an interview round that must be qualified.

Q2. Is SBI PO post permanent?

Ans. The job role of SBI PO is a permanent post, but the candidates need to complete the probation period.

Q3. What are the differences Between SBI Clerk and SBI PO?

Ans. The differences Between SBI Clerk and SBI PO are detailed in the above blog.

Q4. Are the SBI Bank clerk and SBI PO syllabus the same?

Ans. Broadly, the SBI PO and SBI clerk syllabus are considered the same. However, the major difference you find in their topic, pattern, and type of questions asked in the mains exams.
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