Exam 1
IBPS CLERK
Exam 2
IBPS PO
Salary · Eligibility · Exam Pattern · Syllabus · Which is Better
| Conducting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) |
| Exam Category | Banking | Banking |
| Min. Qualification | — | — |
| Age Limit | — | — |
| Exam Stages | — | — |
| Gross Salary | — | — |
| Interview Round | No | Yes |
| Educational Qualification | IBPS CLERK eligibility → | IBPS PO eligibility → |
| Age Limit | — | — |
| Nationality | Indian Citizen | Indian Citizen |
| Max Attempts | — | — |
| Total Questions | — | — |
| Total Marks | — | — |
| Duration | — | — |
| Negative Marking | Yes (–0.25) | Yes (–0.25) |
| Interview | No | Yes |
| Basic Pay | — | — |
| Gross Monthly Salary | — | — |
| Pay Level/Band | — | — |
| Key Allowances | — | — |
IBPS CLERK Subjects
IBPS PO Subjects
Winner: IBPS PO
IBPS PO salary (₹7.5–8L CTC) is roughly double IBPS Clerk (₹3.5L CTC). The officer grade pay structure is fundamentally different.
Winner: IBPS PO
IBPS PO enters as a Probationary Officer (Scale I), with a defined progression to AGM/DGM level. IBPS Clerk promotions require clearing the internal JAIIB exam first.
Winner: IBPS Clerk
IBPS Clerk is noticeably easier, especially at Mains. IBPS PO Mains includes Data Analysis, Reasoning Puzzles at higher complexity, and a more demanding GA section.
Winner: IBPS Clerk
IBPS Clerk is the recommended starting point for candidates new to banking exams. It builds familiarity with the exam pattern before attempting the more challenging IBPS PO.
Bottom Line
IBPS PO is the clear winner for salary and career trajectory. IBPS Clerk is the accessible entry point. Prepare for both simultaneously — the shared syllabus means almost no extra effort to target both.
Yes. IBPS PO and IBPS Clerk share the same Prelims syllabus. The Mains have some differences in difficulty, but the subject list is the same. Most serious banking aspirants attempt both every cycle. Accept whichever selection comes first.
Expert Tip
IBPS releases PO and Clerk notifications within months of each other. Many candidates clear IBPS Clerk in one notification cycle and IBPS PO in the next — a common and respected progression path.
IBPS PO is the clear winner for salary and career trajectory. IBPS Clerk is the accessible entry point. Prepare for both simultaneously — the shared syllabus means almost no extra effort to target both.
Yes. IBPS PO and IBPS Clerk share the same Prelims syllabus. The Mains have some differences in difficulty, but the subject list is the same. Most serious banking aspirants attempt both every cycle. Accept whichever selection comes first.
IBPS Clerk: IBPS Clerk is noticeably easier, especially at Mains. IBPS PO Mains includes Data Analysis, Reasoning Puzzles at higher complexity, and a more demanding GA section.
IBPS PO: IBPS PO salary (₹7.5–8L CTC) is roughly double IBPS Clerk (₹3.5L CTC). The officer grade pay structure is fundamentally different.
Explore IBPS CLERK
Explore IBPS PO
Can't Decide? Practice Both
Try actual exam-pattern tests for IBPS CLERK and IBPS PO — first test free.