SBI PO vs IBPS PO 2026: Which Banking Job Should You Go For?

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• By Naveen Singh, Recruitment Researcher · Updated 25 Oct 2026 · Editorial policy
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• Hey, wanna be a bank officer? Good! In India, SBI PO and IBPS PO are the big names to get into Banking officer profile. Both mean a steady job, decent pay, and a chance to feel important helping people with their cash. But they’re not the same deal. So, let’s explain about what’s exam patterns, cutoffs, difficulty, and Salary and all. Which one’s your thing in 2026.

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Exam Pattern: What’s on the Paper?

• Both exams have three rounds, but they’re not identical. Here’s their exam pattern:

SBI PO Exam Pattern

• Prelims (1 hour, 100 marks)English (30 questions)Maths (35 questions)Reasoning (35 questions)In Total : It’s fast-paced and tricky.
• Mains (3 hours + 30 min, 200 + 50 marks)Objective: Reasoning, Data, English, General Knowledge (200 marks)Descriptive: Write an essay or letter (50 marks, 30 min)Real Issues: You might write about “Why Banking Rocks.”
• InterviewFace to Face with Senior Officers —30–50 marks. Look confident!

IBPS PO Exam Pattern

• Prelims (1 hour, 100 marks)English (30 questions)Math stuff (35 questions)Reasoning (35 questions)In Total : Same vibe as SBI, just a bit lighter.
• Mains (3 hours, 200 marks)Reasoning, Data, English, General Knowledge, ComputersNo writing here—all tick-the-box questions.
• InterviewSame deal—30–50 marks. Smile and sell yourself!

How Tough Are SBI PO and IBPS PO?

• SBI PO: Like a puzzle marathon—hard questions, lots of people fighting for it. That essay part? Extra pressure! IBPS PO: Relatively easy but it takes work, but you won’t feel as hard. No essay to worry over.

Cutoffs: What Score Gets You In?

• Cutoffs shift every year depending on how many seats there are and how tough the paper is. Here’s a rough idea from 2023 (for General category): SBI PO: - Prelims: Around 60 out of 100 - Mains: Around 90 out of 200 - Final (with interview): Around 50/100 (adjusted score) IBPS PO: - Prelims: Around 55 out of 100 - Mains: Around 80 out of 200 - Final: Around 45/100 (adjusted) Note: Lower for SC/ST/OBC—check the websites for the real numbers.

How to Crack SBI PO and IBPS PO

• Math & Reasoning: Play with numbers and logic—like a detective game.
• English: Read the paper or a fun book. For SBI, practice writing a quick note.
• General Stuff: Know what’s up—new bank rules or RBI news.
• Practice: Do mock tests online—beat your last score!
• Interview: Wear something nice, say, “I’m ready to roll!”