Many budding banking aspirants often get confused while selecting a post, as they are new to understanding different bank posts, their selection procedure, and preparation. In this article, we will shed some light on the comparison between the IBPS RRB Office Assistant and IBPS RRB Officer.
Let’s discuss all you need to know to help you make a good career selection based on your abilities and interests.
| Basis of Difference | RRB PO or IBPS RRB Scale 1 Officer | IBPS RRB Clerk or Office Assistant |
| Job Role | Given below are the functions that you will have to perform after being selected as an officer: -Management of day-to-day banking operations. -Loan disbursement & credit portfolio rating. -Focus on the agricultural schemes and policies for the rural market. -Often need to take care of single window operations or be a teller. -Preparations of the audit report and NPA recovery also form a major job task. Apart from these tasks, you will also have to take care of the in-house staff and managing of the clerical staff. The running and operations of banks also rely on the Probationary Officer. | IBPS RRB Salary varies depending on the posts. IBPS RRB officers can expect an amount of Rs. 43,000/- to 47,000/- for the PO posts. Below are the details of the salary of the scale 1 IBPS RRB PO: -The starting Basic pay for IBPS RRB Officer Scale 1 is 23,700/- -The In-hand Salary at present varies from Rs.. 43,000 – 47,000 at 100% D.A. -After the selection for the post of Officer Scale-I, you will need to undergo training for 2 years under the probationary period. During the probationary period, you will receive a fixed amount that is usually less than the normal pay scale. -After completion of the probationary period, you will be promoted to the Assistant Manager post. IBPS RRB Officer Scale- I or PO Pay Scale is Rs. 23700 – 980/7 – 30560 – 1145/2 – 32850 – 1310/7 – 42021. Given below are Annual Increments with IBPS RRB PO In-hand Salary: -Starting Pay: Rs. 23700 -Rs. 980 for the first 7 years: Rs. 30650 -Rs. 1145 for the next 2 years: Rs. 32850 -Rs. 1310 for the next 7 years: Rs. 42021 Hurry up & Get Amazing RRB PO Mock Tests! |
| Salary | The IBPS RRB salary varies according to the post and scale. For Officer Scale I (PO), the pay structure has been revised under the 11th Bipartite Settlement, leading to a higher basic and in-hand salary. Starting Basic Pay – ₹36,000/- per month Revised Pay Scale – ₹36,000 – 1,490(7) – 46,430 – 1,740(2) – 49,910 – 1,990(7) – 63,840 In-hand Salary (Approx.) – ₹72,000 – ₹75,000 per month (including allowances such as DA, HRA, and other benefits) Probation Period – 2 years (During probation, officers receive a fixed stipend that is slightly lower than the regular pay scale) Post Probation – After successful completion of probation, candidates are confirmed as Assistant Managers in Regional Rural Banks (RRBs). Annual Increments under the Revised Pay Scale ₹1,490 for the first 7 years → ₹46,430 ₹1,740 for the next 2 years → ₹49,910 ₹1,990 for the next 7 years → ₹63,840 | The IBPS RRB Office Assistant (Multipurpose) or Clerk salary has been revised under the latest wage settlement. The in-hand salary now ranges between ₹35,000 – ₹37,000 per month, depending on the posting location and applicable allowances. Starting Basic Pay – ₹19,900/- per month Revised Pay Scale – ₹19,900 – 1,000(3) – 22,900 – 1,230(3) – 26,590 – 1,490(4) – 32,550 – 1,730(7) – 44,660 – 3,270(1) – 47,930 – 1,990(1) – 49,920 In-hand Salary (Approx.) – ₹35,000 – ₹37,000 per month (after adding DA, HRA, and other allowances) Probation Period – 6 months (extendable up to 1 year based on performance) After Confirmation – Eligible for annual increments and regular promotion opportunities to higher clerical or officer cadres. Annual Increments under the Revised Pay Scale ₹1,000 for the first 3 years → ₹22,900 ₹1,230 for the next 3 years → ₹26,590 ₹1,490 for the next 4 years → ₹32,550 ₹1,730 for the next 7 years → ₹44,660 ₹3,270 for the next 1 year → ₹47,930 ₹1,990 for the next 1 year → ₹49,920 In addition to the basic pay and annual increments, RRB Clerks receive Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), Special Allowance, and other perks, bringing the total monthly pay to around ₹35,000+. |
| Promotion | Career Growth: The career hierarchy of a Probationary Officer is as follows: General Manager To DGM To Assistant General Manager To Chief Manager To Senior Branch Manager to Branch Manager To Deputy Manager To Assistant Manager To Officer Scale I (PO) – Entry | After joining, you as an Office Assistant will have to undergo a training/probation period of 6 months, which may extend up to 1 year. Though an entry-level job in the banking sector, the career growth opportunities for IBPS RRB Clerks or Office Assistants are many. The IBPS RRB Clerk gets promoted in the hierarchy mentioned below: Officer Scale I To Assistant Manager To Deputy Manager To Branch Manager To Chief Manager To Assistant General Manager To DGM To General Manager |
| Selection Procedure | Preliminary- Mains- Interview | Preliminary- Mains |
Note: The main difference between Officer Scale-I and the Office Assistant syllabus is that in RRB PO Exam Quantitative Aptitude is asked whereas it is being replace with Numerical Ability in RRB Clerk. Quantitative Aptitude is an advanced and tougher version of Numerical Ability.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Being an RRB Clerk
The advantages and disadvantages of an RRB Clerk job are relative. For instance, low work pressure might be desirable for some employees, but not so desirable for those who want to succeed by proving their mettle.
Here are some major Pros and Cons of working in an RRB as a Clerk:
Pros of working in RRB as an Officer or Clerk
1. Job Satisfaction
Most of the customers of Regional Rural Banks earn their livelihood as farmers and workers, involved in the Agrarian economy. They require a bank account for various purposes, such as receiving MNREGA Wages, Government grants, and to purchase products for agricultural purposes, like, tractors, machinery, etc.) or start a new business. The employees of RRB (Regional Rural Banks) help these people by providing them loans, assist them in agricultural finance and other necessary facilities. Therefore, they help in the development of rural or backward areas. By working and interacting with rural people the employees get a lot of experience, which could prove to be really helpful for any related work they want to pursue in the future.
They get job satisfaction in various ways:
Interaction with the rural populace
In addition, RRB Employees also get the chance of attending workshops or training conducted by the Government to learn more about farming and breeding techniques, optimal usage of water resources, and much more. This helps the officers to discover ways in which they can reach people easily, communicate effectively with the rural populace, and make a channel to engage them with the banks to get the necessary finances for their future activities.
NGOs & seminars
Some officers also join Non-Government Organizations (NGOs), attend seminars, and other events to gain an edge over other employees to grow in their careers.
Posting in hometown
RRB requires you to know the local language of the place you will be posted to. Therefore, you have a high chance of getting posted in your own home state.
2. Job security
An RRB Clerical Job is less stressful and involves less work pressure due to a limited workload when compared to clerical jobs in commercial banks. The bank timings are mostly fixed. Therefore, you can get a good amount of time to spend with your family. In addition, RRBs also offer great job security like private sector banks.
3. Less expense
As you know, unlike Metro Cities, the rural towns or areas are less expensive and therefore are much cheaper to live in. This will make you spend less money and save more.
Cons of working in RRB as an Officer or Clerk
1. Limited scope of work
As we have discussed above, RRB Clerk has limited work. Apart from their routine work, their work mostly includes:
-Interacting with the rural populace
-Helping them open bank accounts
-Providing them with loans
-Assisting in agricultural financing
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2. Limited growth options
The main purpose of RRBs is to help provide credit and banking facilities to the rural populace, like farmers, entrepreneurs, and rural co-operative societies. RRBs have limited options in the products and services they offer compared to commercial banks. Therefore, as the scope of work for RRB Clerks is relatively less, many clerks get experience and then give CAIIB and JAIIB Exams to join other PSUs to explore greater career options.
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3. Boring job
Many times, an IBPS RRB Clerk gets posted in an urban or, most probably, a rural branch, where you may find minimal scope for variety in the tasks. A rural bank mostly caters to the demands of a specific type of customer base. It offers facilities or schemes useful for the rural population. Hence, you may be posted in remote villages and your life may get boring. Then, you may also find it hard to get accommodation. Promotional avenues are fewer, and the work gets monotonous, with no authority.
Conclusion
Every Bank job has its own pros and cons, its own responsibilities and powers. Your choice to choose one depends upon your interest and capability for fulfilling its duties and responsibilities, whether you are capable of performing them or not. By analysing the above-mentioned comparisons and the pros and cons, you can decide your path and choose your career.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on IBPS RRB PO/Clerk
Every year, around 1000+ vacancies are released for multiple posts under RRB (Regional Rural Banks). So, the competition is also tough. However, if a candidate has done his/her preparation well, he/she can easily crack the exam.
The interview is conducted only for IBPS RRB Officer Scale I, II and III posts. There is no interview for the clerical cadre (RRB Clerk) or the Office Assistant post.
The in-hand salary of an IBPS RRB Officer Scale I is approximately ₹72,000 – ₹75,000 per month, including allowances such as DA, HRA, and Special Pay.
The starting in-hand salary of an IBPS RRB Clerk is around ₹35,000 – ₹37,000 per month, depending on the posting location and applicable allowances.
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