Difference between Banking and SSC Exams

SSC Combined Graduate Level examination: is a gateway for those who have completed their bachelor’s and wish to work in the government sector. The exam is conducted in 3-Tiers namely, Tier I(Preliminary) Tier II (Mains) Tier-III( Descriptive test), and Tier IV (Data Entry Skill Test / Computer Proficiency Test).

The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection [IBPS] conducts recruitments for major governments banks for a range of positions such as Bank PO, etc. Out of this, the IBPS PO is rated as one of the most popular Bank exams in India. Its popularity ranks alongside that of the NDA exam, RRB exams and even UPSC exams. It consists of three stages, namely, IBPS PO Preliminary, IBPS PO Mains and the final Interview.

Syllabus: The syllabus of both Bank and SSC is similar in terms of subjects that includes (Quantitative Aptitude, Reasoning Ability, English, and General Awareness) in common, but if compared topic-wise, the syllabus for both the exams differs.

• The reasoning part of bank exams is tougher than the SSC exam as it more concept based.
• Though the Quantitative Aptitude Section is almost the same for both exams, candidates preparing for SSC CGL need to focus more on conceptual topics like trigonometry, Algebra, etc.
• Bank exams, especially for PO posts, give more importance to computer aptitude section, which is not the case with SSC.
• The English section of both Bank and SSC are of the same level. SSC focuses more on the usage of language and cover topics like idioms, spotting the error, synonyms and antonyms, etc. Whereas, Bank throes more questions on vocab and grammar. Topics like syllogism and reading comprehension are given more weightage in banking exams. Candidates can check English for competitive exams for assistance.
• Knowledge of Current Affairs and General awareness is important in every competitive exam. However, coverage of topics may differ. Bank exam focusses more on Banking awareness, current affairs on Economy and finance, trending issues related to banking. In contrast, the SSC general Awareness or current affairs section covers questions more on Static GK.

Complete Comparison: Bank PO vs SSC Jobs

Bank PO Job Profile:

A bank PO is a slightly more exciting job. The following list displays the duties of a Bank PO job:

• Provide service to the customers.
• Enhancement of business of the Bank.
• Management of accounts of customers.
• Customer service. (Official communication)
• It’s a target-based job.
• Work pressure is high as compared to SSC but more exciting.
• Issue management related to customers.

SSC Job Profile:

As an SSC officer, a candidate starts work from scratch. Hence, the work expectations are as follows:

• Clerical work like answering RTI queries.
• General administration work as a start.
• Make notes and filing work.
• Get to do field jobs that involve travelling.
• Get to put in work in the development of nationwide policies by looking after bank office work.
• Carry out inspections, raids, surveillance etc.

Bank PO work pressure:

• High work pressure as a Bank PO deals with people directly.
• As a starter pack work included for bank PO is administrative tasks, general banking or any other task bestowed by the management.
• As a Bank PO, a candidate has to go through a rigorous training session before performing the regular duties; the sessions include marketing, billing, investment, finance, accounting, human resource, general banking, agricultural banking etc.

SSC work pressure:

• The SSC job is more relaxed in comparison to a Bank PO job.
• An SSC staff gets to work on different tasks such as Administrative Task, supervision or any other tasks as asked by the senior official.
• SSC jobs ensure an excellent work-life balance.
• Sometimes in SSC, there may be situations that demand employees to work during elections etc.
• There is no customer interaction in an SSC job.

Bank PO transfer:

• A transfer is likely to take place once every 2-3 years.
• Transfer happens on the basis of seniority or promotion.

SSC transfer:

• A transfer takes place once every 4-5 years.
• Transfers as per the requirement of different government departments.

Bank PO Salary:

• As a Bank PO job is a transferable job so most of the time a Bank PO has to incur additional expenses in relocation and covering other expenses.
• The Bank PO salary is about 38,000-42,000/- per month.
• A Bank PO receives extra perks in addition to his/her Bank PO salary.

SSC Salary:

• SSC salary is subject to revision under the 7th pay commission.
• The salary of an SSC employee is roughly between 39,000-45000/- in hand.

Bank PO future growth:

• Promotions happen once every 2-3 years, which gives better growth aspects to a Bank PO.

SSC future growth:

• Promotions of an SSC employee happen once in 4-5 years. For instance, An Auditor becomes a Senior Auditor in 3-4 years.

Some more basic comparison:

Nature of Job: You will end up in a Government job after CGL whereas banks are PSU’s. Clearing SSC CGL generally provides jobs with no public dealing involved, lesser pressure, and in turn, decent work-life balance whereas banks will overwhelm you with work. There are frequent transfers in banks, low salary in clerical cadre, high pressure from management, a constant fear that the banks may get privatized in the future, the financial risk associated with the job. The work-life balance isn't up to the mark. (This is what I have seen happening with people I know who work with Banks, heard, and formed an opinion of). If you want to remain in the public and serve them then bank should be the choice.

Level of Competition: No doubt there is cutthroat competition these days (Thanks to the ever-rising unemployment in the nation). Bank exams have a lesser competition since there are numerous exams coming up each year,( bank PO and clerk and insurance sector exams) whereas the CGL exam is a hard nut to crack these days. Either you get to write the exam after years or you just don't get results for years. Hardcore SSC aspirants thus remain in the loop of consecutive exams leading to higher competition. Banks have an edge here with time-bound completion of processes, numerous opportunities, and faster joinings.

Job Location: Except for a few job profiles most of the jobs after SSC CGL provide you a posting in city areas whereas there is a high probability of home posting/rural posting as a bank employee. You might struggle for home posting with CGL or you may end up spending years in a rural area while in a bank.

Power and respect- as far as power is concerned SSC has an edge over banking. While , in banking you don't have enough power untill you reach at management posts. Both are reputed jobs and have fair share of respect in the society.

Work timing- work timing is fixed for SSC posts and bank clerks. But, it is not fixed for a bank po. So , again SSC has an edge over this.

Joining and selection process- banking is way ahead of SSC in this regard. Banking exam is smooth , free from any protest, cheating, normalisation issue, court case and joining process is very quick too. But, SSC process is lethargic, full of faults in question papers, surrounded by cheaters, protests, court cases and full of student’s grievances. It tests the patience of a student to the fullest and every year from filling of exam form to final allotment, it is highly time taking, adds to frustration and yet SSC remains adamant throughout the process. So, if you want to test your patience, family support and relatives level of questions regarding your job, then go for SSC.

Vacancies- this is a cause of concern for banking aspirants. Every year vacancies are getting reduced while SSC has atleast 10k vacancies every year.