Which is a Better Job, IBPS SO or IBPS PO?

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.

IBPS SO vs IBPS PO, Overview

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

IBPS SO vs IBPS PO, Eligibility Criteria

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

IBPS SO vs IBPS PO, Exam Pattern

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)

IBPS SO vs IBPS PO, Selection Process

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

IBPS SO vs IBPS PO, Cut Off

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

IBPS SO vs IBPS PO, Salary & Perks

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

IBPS SO vs IBPS PO, Career Growth

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

IBPS SO vs IBPS PO, Work Profile

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.

Conclusion

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.

Also Read

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 SO or IBPS PO FAQs