SBI: Good news for SBI customers. The largest public sector bank, the State Bank of India (SBI), is preparing for a massive hiring spree. Chairman C.S. Shetty has made it clear that the bank’s focus is on massive expansion. This will directly benefit millions of young people who aspire to a career in the banking sector. The bank is not only hiring, but is also opening hundreds of new branches to expand its reach across the country.
According to the SBI Chairman, the bank will hire approximately 11,000 to 12,000 employees in the current financial year, ranging from clerk to officer levels. This number may fluctuate slightly depending on retirement data. However, management expects to employ 12,000 people by the end of the financial year. Last year, the bank also made record recruitments. According to the annual report, in the financial year 2025-26, SBI hired a total of 25,633 people. These included 4,640 officers, 19,340 associate-level employees, and 1,653 contractual staff.
IT professionals face challenges
Last year, the bank hired 1,500 specialized information technology (IT) officers. However, there are currently no specific plans for such large-scale IT recruitments this year. It’s important to highlight that SBI’s total workforce is expected to surpass 245,000 by March 2026. The bank is now prioritizing clerical level hiring to enhance general banking operations.
Ambitious plan to establish new branches
SBI’s network is already quite extensive throughout the country, but management believes there is still considerable potential for growth in various regions. The bank is particularly focusing on new areas where colonies are being developed. Additionally, it will quickly expand its footprint in commercially vibrant districts. As part of this initiative, the goal is to open 200 to 250 new branches in the current financial year. The establishment of new branches will offer greater convenience to customers.
Regarding the proposed divestment of its stake in the National Stock Exchange (NSE), Shetty said that SBI and its subsidiary SBI Capital Markets together plan to sell approximately 1 percent of their stake in the National Stock Exchange.
SBI may sell 0.65 percent and SBI Capital Markets 0.35 percent. However, if other shareholders also sell their stake, the SBI Group’s divestment could be less than 1 percent.