The State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest lender, is preparing to undertake its most ambitious recruitment drive in the past ten years, with plans to hire nearly 18,000 new employees in the financial year 2025–26 (FY26). The bank aims to bolster its workforce across various levels to improve operational efficiency and reinforce its digital infrastructure.
According to a report published by The Economic Times, SBI is planning to induct approximately 13,500 to 14,000 clerical staff, 3,000 probationary officers (POs) and local-based officers, and 1,600 specialized system officers. This extensive hiring spree is being undertaken to meet the demands of a growing banking customer base and to enhance the bank’s digital transformation efforts.
This move marks SBI’s most significant hiring exercise since 2015 and comes amid a broader trend of increased staffing across India’s banking sector to address evolving technological, regulatory, and service-related challenges.
Focus on Technological Transformation
A notable aspect of the upcoming recruitment is the addition of 1,600 system officers, a category that includes IT professionals, cybersecurity experts, and specialists in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, blockchain, and data analytics. These roles are crucial as SBI accelerates its push toward digitization and better service delivery in a highly competitive banking landscape.
“We are looking to strengthen our digital platforms and IT capabilities. Recruitment of skilled system officers is part of a long-term strategy to future-proof SBI,” said a senior official familiar with the matter, as quoted in The Economic Times report.
SBI has been actively investing in digital platforms such as YONO (You Only Need One), and the bank’s top management has indicated a strong interest in enhancing customer experience through technology-driven innovations.
Addressing Operational Needs
Apart from boosting tech capabilities, the hiring of clerical and probationary staff is aimed at meeting the increased demand for banking services across India, especially in rural and semi-urban areas. The clerical staff will help manage daily branch operations, customer service, and transactions, while the new POs will be groomed into future leaders through structured training and postings across departments.
With a network of over 22,000 branches and 62,000 ATMs across the country, SBI requires a robust workforce to ensure seamless banking services. The upcoming recruitment drive is also expected to ease the burden on existing employees and improve overall efficiency.
Industry Experts Applaud the Move
Industry analysts believe this large-scale hiring could positively impact the Indian job market, especially for fresh graduates and young professionals aspiring to build careers in the banking and financial services sector.
“This is a significant move by SBI and a clear indication that public sector banks are actively adapting to the digital future while also strengthening their physical presence,” said Rajeev Mehta, a senior analyst with a leading HR consultancy firm.
The bank’s move is also likely to inspire similar recruitment initiatives by other public sector banks as competition intensifies and customer expectations evolve.
Recruitment Process and Timeline
Although specific recruitment notifications are yet to be issued, SBI is expected to begin releasing official advertisements in the latter half of 2025. The selection process will involve preliminary and main examinations, group exercises, and interviews, following the standard format adopted by the bank in previous recruitment cycles.
Candidates aspiring to join SBI are advised to regularly check the bank’s official careers portal at https://sbi.co.in/web/careers for updates.
Conclusion
With the decision to hire 18,000 personnel in FY26, SBI is not only addressing its operational needs but also reaffirming its commitment to modernization, service expansion, and digital transformation. This recruitment drive underscores the bank’s strategic direction as it continues to lead India’s banking sector into the future.
Source:
The Economic Times, “SBI plans to hire 18,000 staff in FY26”, published May 6, 2025
Link: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com
