India’s public sector banks are preparing to launch one of the largest recruitment drives in recent years, with plans to hire nearly 50,000 employees during the financial year 2025–26. The vacancies include both officer-level posts and clerical positions, aiming to support growing operational needs and digital expansion efforts across the banking sector.
SBI, PNB, and Central Bank of India Lead the Charge
The State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest public sector lender, is expected to lead this recruitment push with approximately 20,000 new hires. These will include Probationary Officers (POs), Junior Associates (Clerks), and Specialist Officers. The bank has already inducted thousands of employees in the current hiring cycle and continues to scale up recruitment across its branches.
Other major lenders following suit include:
Punjab National Bank (PNB), which plans to recruit around 5,500 personnel, and Central Bank of India, with hiring targets close to 4,000 roles.
Collectively, these institutions are expected to fill around 21,000 officer-level positions, with the remaining roles focused on customer service, operations, and clerical duties across India.
Why This Recruitment Wave Matters
This surge in hiring reflects the government’s emphasis on expanding financial inclusion and modernizing banking infrastructure. With an increasing push for branch expansion in semi-urban and rural regions, as well as rising demand for digital banking services, public sector banks are facing a greater need for trained professionals at every level.
The hiring initiative also aligns with broader government goals, including monetizing bank subsidiaries and improving service delivery standards across public financial institutions.
Who Can Apply?
The recruitment process will be conducted through standard examination bodies such as IBPS (Institute of Banking Personnel Selection) and SBI’s own recruitment channel. Candidates applying for these roles must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Educational Qualification: A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university. Age Limit: Generally between 20 and 30 years (with age relaxations for reserved categories). Selection Method: Tiered exams including prelims, mains, and interviews for officer-level roles.
Candidates are advised to refer to official notifications released by SBI, IBPS, and individual banks for detailed eligibility and application dates.
A Timely Opportunity
For lakhs of aspirants preparing for a secure career in banking, this announcement comes as a major opportunity. With positions spread across multiple states and union territories, including branch-level appointments in underserved regions, this recruitment wave is expected to contribute significantly to employment generation in the financial services sector.
As India’s public banking system expands its operational footprint and customer outreach, these 50,000 roles are not only about manpower—they are about shaping the future of public finance in a digitally evolving economy.
