Lakhs of candidates compete with each other every year to secure a respectable and high-salary role in a bank. Among these, one bank for which aspirants prepare for the entrance test is IBPS. IBPS is an organization that conducts competitive exams for various banking positions across 17 central and state banks. Among these, two posts are PO and SO. For both these posts, the eligibility criteria are almost the same, but there are some differences between them, such as the job role and salary packages. Due to these factors, students sometimes get confused about which post will be better for them: Bank PO or Bank SO. Today, we will discuss some of the most important minor and major comparisons between them, which post may be more suitable for which type of student, and which post candidates should choose.
Before diving into the detailed comparison of the two IBPS SO and IBPS PO exams, let’s have a look at the table below to know some of the most important basic differences between them.
| Which is a Better Job, IBPS SO or IBPS PO? | ||
| Criteria | IBPS PO | IBPS SO |
| Full Form | Probationary Officer (PO) | Specialist Officer (SO) |
| Job Role | General banking duties, management, customer service | Specialized roles based on specific fields (IT, Law, HR, etc.) |
| Eligibility | Graduation (BA, BCom, BSc, B.Tech, etc.) | Varies by post (e.g., IT, Agriculture, Law, HR, etc.) |
| Specialization | No specific specialization | Specific to field (IT, Agriculture, Law, Marketing, HR) |
| Educational Qualification | Any degree from a recognized university | Post-specific qualifications (e.g., B.Tech for IT Officer, LLB for Law Officer) |
| Exam Pattern | Prelims, Mains, Interview | Prelims, Mains, Interview |
| Age Limit | Up to 30 years | Varies by post, typically 30 years |
| Computer Literacy | Required | Depends on the post (e.g., IT Officer requires tech proficiency) |
| Recruitment Cycle | Once a year | Once a year |
| Salary | Similar salary structure for both | Similar salary structure for both |
| Career Growth | General managerial roles | Specialized career path in specific departments |
It is very important to know the eligibility criteria for both exams. Because if you are not eligible for the exam, you cannot take the exam. Therefore, this is the first thing that students should find out. In the table given below, we will compare the eligibility criteria of both IBPS PO and IBPS SO on different parameters. In this, we will also shed light on the different eligibility criteria for the various posts in IBPS SO.
| Criteria | IBPS PO Eligibility | IBPS SO Eligibility (Varies by Post) |
| Educational Qualification | Graduation in any discipline (BA, BCom, BSc, etc.) from a recognized university | Varies by post (IT Officer, Law Officer, etc.) |
| IT Officer Scale 1 | Not applicable | Degree in Computer Science/IT/ECE or DOEACC “B” level |
| Agricultural Field Officer | Not applicable | 4-year degree in Agriculture, Horticulture, etc. |
| Rajbhasha Adhikari | Not applicable | Postgraduate in Hindi (with English) or Sanskrit |
| Law Officer Scale 1 | Not applicable | Bachelor’s in Law, part of Bar Council |
| HR/Personnel Officer | Not applicable | Graduate/Postgraduate in HR/Personnel Management |
| Marketing Officer | Not applicable | Graduate + Full-time MBA/PGDBA in Marketing |
| Age Limit | Up to 30 years | Varies by post (typically up to 30 years) |
| Computer Literacy | Required | Not specified |
| Language Proficiency | Required | Varies by post |
It is also important to know well about what the difference is in the exam pattern of IBPS SO and IBPS PO exams. In the table given below, we have discussed well which sections are in the exam, how many total questions come, what the total time duration is, what the negative marking scheme is, etc. The candidates who want to prepare for either one or both of these exams should first understand the exam pattern well. And only after that should they make an appropriate decision.
| Feature | IBPS PO Exam | IBPS SO Exam |
| Prelims Exam Sections | English, Numerical Ability, Reasoning Ability | Reasoning, English, General Awareness (Banking) |
| Prelims Total Questions | 100 (30 English, 35 Numerical, 35 Reasoning) | 150 (50 per section) |
| Prelims Marks | 100 | 150 |
| Prelims Time Duration | 60 minutes (20 min per section) | 2 hours (40 min per section) |
| Prelims Negative Marking | 0.25 marks per wrong answer | Yes |
| Mains Exam Sections | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude, English, Data Analysis, General Economy | Professional Knowledge (for specific posts) |
| Mains Total Questions | 155 + 2 Descriptive (Letter & Essay) | 60 (Professional Knowledge) |
| Mains Marks | 225 (including Descriptive) | 60 (Professional Knowledge) |
| Mains Time Duration | 3.5 hours (Sectional time limits apply) | 45 minutes for most posts, 60 minutes for Rajbhasha |
| Special Exam | Descriptive (Letter & Essay Writing) | Rajbhasha Adhikari has both Objective & Descriptive papers |
| Mains Language | English | Bilingual (English & Hindi) |
The selection process for IBPS SO and IBPS PO is almost the same. Both have a preliminary exam, mains exam, and interview. And the final result of both is based on the mains exam and interview.
| Selection Process Stages | IBPS PO | IBPS SO |
| Preliminary Exam | Yes | Yes |
| Mains Exam | Yes | Yes |
| Interview | Yes | Yes |
| Final Result | Based on Mains + Interview | Based on Mains + Interview |
| Provisional Allotment | No | Yes |
To understand the differences between IBPS SO and IBPS PO exams, it is also very important to understand their cut-off. Because the cut-off plays a very crucial role in clearing the exam. It informs the candidates in advance how much effort they will need to put in to prepare and clear the exam. In the table given below, candidates can clearly see what the category-wise cut-off marks are for both exams. This will help them understand how much effort they need to put in if they choose one of the exams.
| Category/Post | IBPS PO 2018-19 Cut-off Marks (Max – Min) | IBPS SO Final Cut-off Marks (General – OBC – SC – ST – Others) |
| SC | 55.34 – 35.78 | Varies by post (e.g., IT Officer: 53.55, Law Officer: 44.95, etc.) |
| ST | 47.33 – 31.60 | Varies by post (e.g., IT Officer: 46.50, Agriculture Officer: 30.00, etc.) |
| OBC | 53.02 – 40.29 | Varies by post (e.g., IT Officer: 57.75, Marketing Officer: 51.90, etc.) |
| Unreserved (General) | 63.91 – 43.87 | IT Officer: 61.50, Law Officer: 52.95, HR Officer: 60.75, Marketing Officer: 53.30 |
| HI | 34.69 – 25.16 | IT Officer: 40.60, Marketing Officer: 33.70 |
| OC | 50.69 – 31.36 | IT Officer: 50.15, Law Officer: 39.65 |
| VI | 56.11 – 40.09 | Rajbhasha Adhikari: 69.05, IT Officer: 60.10 |
| ID | 43.69 – 20.36 | NA |
The salary of IBPS SO and IBPS PO, along with the perks that come with it, attract lakhs of students to compete with each other. That’s why any candidates who are interested in both these exams should first thoroughly study the basic pay, total salary, perks and allowances, workload, and all the related factors. Through this, they can also decide which exam they should choose between the two. Or, if they are preparing for both exams, which exam they should give more preference to.
| Feature | IBPS PO Salary & Perks | IBPS SO Salary & Perks |
| Basic Pay | INR 23,000 – INR 27,000 | INR 23,700 |
| Total Salary | INR 39,000 – INR 42,000 (including perks) | INR 29,927 – INR 30,758 (depending on location) |
| Perks & Allowances | HRA, Dearness Allowance, Travel Allowance | HRA, Dearness Allowance, Travel Allowance |
| Location Impact | Salary varies based on allowances and posting location | Varies by location: higher in metros, lower in rural areas |
| Workload | Higher workload | Comparatively simpler job description |
It is also important for candidates to know how much career growth they will have in each post. That is, if they clear the IBPS PO exam and become an IBPS PO, what will their career progression be. And if they clear the IBPS SO exam and become an IBPS SO, what profile they can be promoted to. In the table given below, we have compared the career progression of both posts.
| Feature | IBPS PO Growth Opportunities | IBPS SO Growth Opportunities |
| Career Progression | Can be promoted to Branch Manager, Assistant Manager, and eventually MD | Promotions within specific departments (IT, HR, etc.) |
| Promotion Exams | Opportunities to fast-track promotions through internal exams | Department-based promotions with fewer chances for senior managerial roles |
| Scope for Seniority | High potential for reaching top managerial positions | Limited opportunities for senior bank-wide roles |
The work profile of IBPS PO and IBPS SO is very different from each other. And this difference is what makes these two posts distinct. That’s why you need to thoroughly understand the job description of both profiles.
| Basis of Difference | IBPS PO | IBPS SO |
| Work Profile | -Wide-ranging responsibilities. -Handles customer and admin tasks. | -Department-specific tasks. -Limited customer interaction. |
| Job Stress | -High, diverse duties. -Pressure to increase business. | -Low stress, departmental focus. -Less overall pressure. |
| Interaction | -Frequent with customers and employees. | -Primarily internal communication. |
| -Interacts at all levels. | Limited to other departments. | |
| Work Locations | -Can be rural, semi-urban, or urban. -Location varies. | -Typically, urban or metro locations. -Generally stable locations. |
| Transfers | -Frequent, based on performance. -Depends on bank policies. | -Fewer transfers, 4-5 over a career. -Less frequent relocations. |
| Promotions | -Quick growth potential. -Through internal exams and experience. | -Limited to departmental promotions. -Fewer opportunities for rapid advancement. |
| Learning Opportunities | -Fast-paced, new policies and schemes. -Constant learning. | -Specific to your field. -Limited to specialized knowledge. |
| Workload | -Diverse and demanding. -Handles a variety of banking functions. | -Lighter, specialized tasks. -Focused on a specific domain. |
| Salary Growth | -Higher potential with promotions. -Opportunities for increased earnings. | -Steady but slower growth. -Slower salary increases compared to PO. |
| Job Security | High, with growth and learning. Ample growth opportunities. | Equally high, fewer rapid advancements. Stable job security. |
| Lifestyle | -Demanding, possible rural postings. -Frequent relocations. | -More stable, urban postings. -Fewer relocations. |
When you compare all the features mentioned above for both exams, you will realize that both exams offer different growth and career opportunities. For most candidates, IBPS PO will suit them more. However, this job may involve more effort and stress than IBPS SO. But no matter which exam you choose between the two, you will have to work hard to clear both exams. That’s why you should start preparing for the exam right away and attempt a free mock test. Only after taking a mock test should you create a good study plan, focusing on your weaknesses and strengths. So, what are you waiting for? Start your preparation with the free mock test given above.
| IBPS PO Exam Pattern 2024 | IBPS PO Salary 2024 |
| IBPS PO Previous Year Question Paper | IBPS PO Syllabus 2024 |
| IBPS PO Cut Off 2024 | IBPS PO Study Plan 2024 |
IBPS PO offers better chances for career growth within the banking industry. IBPS SO has a specialized role that matches your field of study. If you value career advancement, IBPS PO might be better. If you prefer working in your area of expertise, IBPS SO could be a better fit.
The IBPS SO and PO Prelims syllabi are similar. Their Mains syllabi are different. If your degree matches the IBPS SO syllabus, you might find it easier.
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