Public Sector Banks Set to Hire 50,000 Employees in FY25: SBI Leads India’s Largest Banking Recruitment Drive

New Delhi, India – India’s banking sector is gearing up for a massive recruitment drive in FY2024-25. Public Sector Banks (PSBs) across the country are set to hire around 50,000 employees this fiscal year, marking one of the largest hiring waves in recent times.

With a growing customer base, expanding digital infrastructure, and increasing retirements, PSBs are under pressure to fill critical roles across departments. From probationary officers to clerks, this hiring spree is expected to strengthen the workforce and enhance the overall service delivery in the public banking system.

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Why Public Sector Banks Are Hiring in FY25

The Indian banking sector, especially public sector banks, has witnessed a rapid transformation in the last few years. As the government pushes for greater financial inclusion, digital banking, and rural penetration, the demand for trained manpower has increased.

There are three key drivers behind this large-scale recruitment in FY25:

1. Business Expansion: With rising credit demand, increasing deposits, and an expanding network of branches and digital services, banks require more employees to manage operations efficiently.

2. Upcoming Retirements: A significant number of employees in public sector banks are set to retire in the next few years, creating urgent vacancies.

3. Customer Experience & Digital Push: PSBs are focusing on improving customer experience and strengthening digital services. This means hiring more tech-savvy professionals, especially at the officer level.

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Breakdown of 50,000 Public Sector Bank Jobs in FY25

According to data sourced from various public sector banks, out of the total 50,000 planned hires:

• Around 21,000 will be officer-level positions

• The remaining will be clerical and support staff, including customer service associates and junior assistants

These new hires will be placed across India, especially in semi-urban and rural areas where banks are focusing on boosting penetration and improving last-mile connectivity.

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State Bank of India (SBI) to Hire Nearly 20,000 Employees

The State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest lender, will account for a major share of the recruitment, hiring close to 20,000 employees in FY25 alone. This includes both general and specialised officer roles.

✅ SBI’s Recruitment Highlights for FY25:

• 505 Probationary Officers (POs) already hired

• 13,455 Junior Associates (Clerks) recruited for branch-level roles

• Vacancies spread across 35 states and Union Territories

• Total employee strength at SBI as of March 2025: 2,36,226

• Officers alone account for 1,15,066 of SBI’s staff

• Average hiring cost per full-time employee: ₹40,440.59

This hiring drive is part of SBI’s strategy to enhance branch-level operations, improve customer service, and support the rollout of new banking products and technologies.

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PNB and Central Bank of India Also Planning Major Hiring

Other public sector banks are not far behind in their hiring goals.

🔹 Punjab National Bank (PNB)

• Second-largest public sector lender in India

• Aims to add over 5,500 employees in FY25

• Total staff strength (as of March 2025): 1,02,746

• Focus areas: Credit operations, customer services, branch support, and digital banking

🔹 Central Bank of India

• Plans to hire approximately 4,000 new employees this fiscal year

• Recruitment aimed at upgrading service capabilities and expanding into newer markets

Both banks are focusing on fresh graduates as well as experienced professionals with domain expertise in banking, IT, risk, audit, and compliance.

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Government Push for Subsidiary Monetisation

In addition to strengthening their workforce, the Finance Ministry of India has urged PSBs to explore the monetisation of their investments in subsidiaries and joint ventures.

🔍 Key Points:

• Nearly 15 subsidiaries/joint ventures of PSBs are in line for Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) or strategic divestments

• Monetisation will happen over the medium to long term

• Banks have been advised to first:

  • Improve governance standards

  • Strengthen operational efficiency

  • Invest in scaling up these entities

  • Adopt professional management practices

The objective is to unlock maximum value from these entities at the right time, thereby improving the capital position of parent banks.

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SBI Sets Benchmark with Low Attrition and Strong HR Practices

One of the highlights of SBI’s employee management strategy is its exceptionally low attrition rate, which has consistently remained below 2% over the years.

💼 Reasons for High Retention:

• Competitive salaries and timely promotions

• Employee welfare programs and medical benefits

• Opportunities for career advancement and skill development

• Best-in-class training and mentorship programs

SBI’s people-first approach has become a model for other PSBs, which are now looking to replicate similar HR strategies to improve staff retention and engagement.

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What This Means for Job Seekers

The public sector bank recruitment drive in FY25 presents a golden opportunity for job seekers across India, especially those looking to build a stable career in banking.

✨ Benefits of a Government Bank Job:

• Job security and pension benefits

• Regular career progression

• Nationwide postings and transfer policies

• Work-life balance compared to private banks

• Opportunities in specialized fields like IT, data analysis, audit, compliance, and HR

Aspiring candidates are encouraged to stay updated with official announcements through respective bank websites, recruitment portals, and public job notification platforms.

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Impact on Indian Economy and Job Market

This surge in public sector hiring is not just about strengthening bank operations — it also gives a positive signal to the job market and boosts economic sentiment.

• The employment of 50,000 individuals across urban and rural India will stimulate consumer spending.

• It strengthens India’s public banking infrastructure to handle rising volumes in credit, digital payments, and financial services.

• It promotes financial inclusion, especially in underserved regions where new recruits will be stationed.

Moreover, hiring at this scale helps bridge the urban-rural service gap and encourages the adoption of digital banking solutions.

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Conclusion: A Promising Year for Government Bank Job Aspirants

The announcement that public sector banks will hire 50,000 new employees in FY25 marks a turning point in India’s post-pandemic employment scenario. With SBI, PNB, Central Bank of India, and others leading the way, the public banking sector is clearly investing in both people and performance.

This move also highlights the government’s broader push to strengthen PSBs, improve financial governance, and unlock the value of subsidiary investments. For job seekers, especially young graduates and professionals looking for stable careers, this year presents a golden opportunity to step into India’s growing financial ecosystem.

Source: PTI

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