🏦 SBI Clerk vs IBPS Clerk – Complete Comparison 2026 πŸ’ΌπŸ”₯

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SBI Clerk vs IBPS Clerk 2026 comparison guide covering salary, exam pattern, job profile, promotion, difficulty level, and career growth. Find out which banking job is better for you and make the right choice.

Last update: 13-02-2026 05:35 PM

Government banking jobs are among the most popular career options in India. Two of the most searched exams are SBI Clerk and IBPS Clerk. But students often get confused πŸ€” β€” which one is better?

In this detailed comparison, we’ll cover salary, job profile, promotion, work pressure, exam difficulty, and career growth so you can choose wisely. πŸš€


🏒 Conducting Body

FeatureSBI ClerkIBPS Clerk
Conducting AuthorityState Bank of India (SBI)Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS)
Bank TypePublic Sector Bank (Single – SBI)Multiple Public Sector Banks

πŸ‘‰ SBI Clerk recruitment is only for SBI branches, while IBPS Clerk recruits for multiple banks like PNB, Canara Bank, Union Bank, etc.


πŸ“ Exam Pattern

πŸ”Ή SBI Clerk Exam Pattern

  • Prelims (100 marks)
  • Mains (200 marks)
  • No Interview ❌

πŸ”Ή IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern

  • Prelims (100 marks)
  • Mains (200 marks)
  • No Interview ❌

πŸ“Œ Both exams have similar sections:

  • Reasoning
  • Quantitative Aptitude
  • English Language
  • General/Financial Awareness

πŸ’° Salary Comparison

ComponentSBI ClerkIBPS Clerk
Starting Basic Payβ‚Ή19,900β‚Ή19,900
In-hand Salaryβ‚Ή28,000 – β‚Ή32,000β‚Ή26,000 – β‚Ή30,000
AllowancesHigherSlightly Lower

πŸ”₯ Winner in Salary: SBI Clerk

SBI provides better perks, allowances, and growth benefits.


πŸ“ˆ Promotion & Career Growth

🏦 SBI Clerk Promotion

  • Junior Associate
  • Officer Cadre (Internal exam)
  • Fast-track promotions available

🏦 IBPS Clerk Promotion

  • Clerk
  • Officer Scale I (through internal exams)

πŸ“Œ SBI offers slightly better and faster promotion opportunities.


🎯 Work Pressure

  • SBI Clerk πŸ‘‰ High customer load, more work pressure πŸ˜“
  • IBPS Clerk πŸ‘‰ Moderate workload (depends on bank & branch)

If you want less stress, IBPS Clerk may feel more comfortable.


πŸ“ Transfer Policy

  • SBI Clerk πŸ‘‰ Transfers within SBI network (after certain years)
  • IBPS Clerk πŸ‘‰ Transfers depend on allotted bank

Generally, clerks get limited transfers compared to officers.


πŸ“Š Difficulty Level

ExamDifficulty
SBI ClerkSlightly Tough
IBPS ClerkModerate

SBI generally has a slightly tougher competition due to brand value.


πŸ‘©β€πŸ’Ό Job Profile (Common Duties)

  • Customer handling
  • Cash management
  • Account opening
  • Cheque clearance
  • Data entry work

Clerks are front-desk employees of banks.


πŸ† Which is Better in 2026?

βœ… Choose SBI Clerk if you want:

  • Higher salary
  • Better brand value
  • Faster promotion

βœ… Choose IBPS Clerk if you want:

  • Slightly lower competition
  • Moderate workload
  • Multiple bank options

🎯 Final Verdict

Both SBI Clerk and IBPS Clerk are excellent government banking jobs πŸ’Όβœ¨. If you clear both, most aspirants prefer SBI Clerk due to salary and reputation. However, IBPS Clerk also offers stable career growth and job security.

πŸ‘‰ Best Strategy: Prepare for both exams together because syllabus is almost same! πŸ”₯


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