Which is Better IBPS PO vs IBPS Clerk: What’s the Difference?
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection conducts IBPS PO and IBPS Clerk exams to recruit eligible candidates. There is always confusion in the minds of banking aspirants between these two job opportunities for getting into the sector.
Many students prepare for both simultaneously, but you can focus on one by deciding the right one. This article will discuss the detailed information on IBPS PO Vs IBPS Clerk.
Checkout : Difference Between IBPS SO VS IBPS PO
IBPS PO Vs IBPS Clerk
IBPS PO and Clerk are golden opportunities for aspirants. The dilemma between these two can be solved by comparing them on the basis of eligibility criteria, exam pattern, salary, etc. Let’s discuss them all in detail.
| Particulars | IBPS PO | IBPS Clerk |
| Age Limit | The minimum age to apply for IBPS PO is 20 years. The maximum age limit to apply for IBPS PO is 30 years. |
The minimum age to apply for IBPS Clerk is 20 years. The maximum age to apply for IBPS Clerk is 28 years. |
| Educational Qualification |
Candidate should have a graduation degree in any stream. | Candidate should have a bachelor’s degree to apply for IBPS clerk exam.Some salient features of educational qualification for IBP clerk –Computer literacy is a mandatory requirement.Candidate should be able read and write in the official language they preferred.Ex-servicemen (not graduated) should have a matriculation certificate along with 15 years of service. A special Army certificate of Education or its equivalent in Air Force or Navy is compulsory. |
Exam Pattern of IBPS PO
Prelims Exam Pattern
- The prelims exam of IBPS PO is constant. The exam consists of one paper with 100 objective questions from three sections. Those sections are as follows-
- Quantitative Aptitude
- Reasoning Ability
- English Language
- Candidates get 60 minutes to solve the paper, with twenty minutes as the sectional time for each section.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
| English Language | 30 | 30 |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
Mains Exam
The IBPS PO mains exam has two papers and is online. One is an objective paper, and the other is a Descriptive test. The objective paper has four sections-
- Reasoning & Computer Aptitude
- English Language
- Data Analysis & Interpretation
- General Awareness, Economy & Banking Awareness
The descriptive paper asks you to write an essay and letter in English. The time to solve the paper is 30 minutes. The detailed information is below in tabular form-
| S. No. | Name of test | No. of Questions | Max. Marks | Medium of Examination | Time Allotted |
| 1 | Reasoning & Computer Aptitude (Section A and Section B) |
45 | 60 | English & Hindi | 60 minutes |
| 2 | English Language (Section A and Section B) |
35 | 40 | English only | 40 minutes |
| 3 | Data Analysis and Interpretation (Section A and Section B) |
35 | 60 | English & Hindi | 45 minutes |
| 4 | General, Economy/Banking Awareness | 40 | 40 | English & Hindi | 35 minutes |
| Total | 155 | 200 | 180 minutes | ||
| English Language (Letter Writing & Essay) | 02 | 25 | English | 30 minutes | |
| Total | 157 | 225 | 3 hours 30 minutes |
IBPS Clerk Exam Pattern
The institute of Banking Personnel Selection conducts IBPS Clerk exam to recruit eligible candidate. The exam pattern of IBPS Clerk exam has two stages –
- IBPS Clerk Prelims
- IBPS Clerk Mains
Let’s discuss them in detail below.
Prelims Exam
There are four sections in IBPS Clerk Prelims exam –
- English Language
- Numerical Ability
- Reasoning Ability
The detailed information is in the table below.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
| English Language | 30 | 30 |
| Numerical Ability | 35 | 35 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 35 |
| Total | 100 | 100 |
IBPS Clerk Mains Exam
The second phase of the exam is the IBPS Clerk Mains Exam. Unlike the IBPS mains exam, there is only an objective paper in the IBPS Clerk Mains exam. Here are the detail information on the same.
| Subject | Questions | Marks |
| General/Financial Awareness | 50 | 50 |
| General English | 40 | 40 |
| Reasoning Ability & Computer Aptitude | 50 | 60 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 50 | 50 |
| Total | 190 | 200 |
IBPS PO vs IBPS Clerk – Job Profile
Two crucial aspects of a job are salary and job profile. The amount of work and accountability of the work with salary helps you decide on your career. IBPS PO and Clerk have different job profiles. Let’s compare them to know the differences.
IBPS Clerk –Job Profile
IBPS Clerk’s responsibilities are high and require multi-tasking. The important task of an IBPS Clerk is to deal with the customers and help them solve their issues. They need to make customers aware of different documentation and formalities. Here are some of the responsibilities of IBPS Clerk-
- They have to manage the receipts, inquiry corners, withdrawals, etc.
- The clerk is responsible for opening new accounts, issuing bank statements, cash collection, mail, delivery, etc.
- The clerk is responsible for the verification of documents and proofs submitted by the customers.
- Updating the passbooks of the account holders.
- You are responsible for handling bank cash, documents, keys, etc.
- The clerks have to issue the Demand Drafts (DDs), cash receipts, and Sanctioning withdrawals by the customers.
- Maintaining balance sheets, documents, and ledger.
- Resolving the issues of customers.
IBPS PO -Job Profile
IBPS PO is a respected job and provides many benefits to the employees.
An IBPS PO is a multitasker to perform operations like finance, billing, collection, accounting, revenue, investment, etc. Here are some of the responsibilities of an IBPS PO –
- An IBPS PO is responsible for resolving customer queries.
- They need to maintain and supervise the other bank activities.
- You have to look out for public relations, address their issues, and resolve the complaints of the customers.
- Daily transactions of customers
- You are responsible for processing loan(s) detail