Syndicate Bank PO

Syndicate Bank PO: Understanding the Merger with Canara Bank

Historically, the Syndicate Bank Probationary Officer (PO) exam was a popular gateway for aspirants seeking a career in public sector banking. However, it is crucial for candidates to know that Syndicate Bank was merged with Canara Bank on April 1, 2020. [10, 8] As a result, Syndicate Bank no longer exists as a separate entity, and it does not conduct its own PO recruitment. Aspirants looking for a PO career in the merged entity should now focus on the recruitment processes of Canara Bank and the common IBPS PO exam.

Career as a PO in Canara Bank

Joining Canara Bank, now the fourth-largest public sector bank, offers a promising career path. [22]

Salary and Benefits: A Probationary Officer in Canara Bank receives a salary based on the industry-standard scale, with a basic pay of approximately ₹36,000. The gross salary, including Dearness Allowance (DA), House Rent Allowance (HRA), and other perks, is highly competitive. [51]

Career Growth: Canara Bank offers excellent career progression opportunities. A PO (Scale I) can advance through various scales: Manager (Scale II), Senior Manager (Scale III), Chief Manager (Scale IV), and so on, up to the top executive levels based on performance and promotional exams. [51]

Job Profile: The role of a PO is diverse, involving general banking, operational management, customer service, and business development. It provides comprehensive exposure to all facets of banking.

Historical Syndicate Bank PO Exam Pattern

To provide context, the erstwhile Syndicate Bank PO exam followed a pattern similar to other public sector bank exams, typically conducted by IBPS.

• Online Written Examination: This was an objective test comprising four sections.
• Reasoning Ability: 50 Questions, 50 Marks
• Quantitative Aptitude: 50 Questions, 50 Marks
• English Language: 50 Questions, 50 Marks
• General Awareness: 50 Questions, 50 Marks
• The total duration was usually 120 minutes for 200 questions. [6] There was also a negative marking of 0.25 for wrong answers.
• Group Discussion & Interview: Candidates who cleared the online test were called for a Group Discussion (GD) and Personal Interview (PI) to assess their communication and interpersonal skills. The final selection was based on the combined scores of the online test and interview. [6]

Current Recruitment Scenario (Post-Merger)

Since the merger, recruitment for Probationary Officers in what was formerly Syndicate Bank is now handled by Canara Bank. Canara Bank primarily recruits POs through two main channels:

1. IBPS PO Exam: Canara Bank participates in the annual Common Recruitment Process (CRP) for Probationary Officers conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS).
2. Direct Recruitment: Occasionally, Canara Bank releases its own notification for specialist officers or for a Post Graduate Diploma in Banking and Finance (PGDBF) program, which leads to a PO appointment.

How to Become a PO in Canara Bank

To pursue a PO career in the merged entity of Canara Bank, aspirants should follow these steps:

1. Monitor IBPS Notifications: Regularly check the official IBPS website (ibps.in) for the annual IBPS PO notification. This is the primary channel for PO recruitment in most public sector banks, including Canara Bank.
2. Check Canara Bank's Website: Visit the official Canara Bank website (canarabank.com) under the "Careers" section for any specific recruitment notifications for POs or PGDBF programs.
3. Prepare for the Exam: Prepare diligently for the IBPS PO or Canara Bank specific exam, which typically includes Preliminary and Main exams covering Reasoning, Quantitative Aptitude, English, and General/Banking Awareness.
4. Application Process: Once a notification is released, apply online through the respective official portal (IBPS or Canara Bank) by filling out the form, uploading documents, and paying the fee.