SBI to recruit 3,500 officers as part of expansion and digital growth strategy

SBI Deputy MD and CDO Kishore Kumar Poludasu said the bank recently inducted 505 Probationary Officers, opened 541 new vacancies, and recruited 1,300 specialists in IT and cybersecurity to strengthen its digital and operational capabilities

State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest public sector lender, is undertaking a large-scale recruitment drive to boost its workforce and improve customer service across its extensive branch and digital network. As part of its ongoing expansion and transformation strategy, the bank plans to hire around 3,500 officers this year.

Kishore Kumar Poludasu, Deputy Managing Director (HR) and Chief Development Officer (CDO), has revealed that SBI recently inducted 505 Probationary Officers (POs) in June, while another 541 vacancies are currently open for recruitment. “The selection process follows our standard three-tier structure — preliminary and main examinations, followed by a psychometric test and interviews,” he said.

The lender is also investing heavily in technology-related talent. “Nearly 1,300 officers have already been recruited for IT and cybersecurity roles,” Poludasu added, highlighting SBI’s focus on strengthening its digital backbone to meet growing online banking demand.

Boosting gender diversity and leadership development

In addition to general hiring, SBI is also conducting recruitment for approximately 3,000 circle-based officers, expected to be completed within this financial year. Earlier this year, SBI Chairman C.S. Setty had announced plans to hire nearly 18,000 employees across categories, including clerical staff, probationary officers, and circle-based officers — a move aimed at improving operational efficiency and customer experience.

Beyond expansion, the bank is working to enhance gender diversity within its ranks. Women currently make up about 27% of SBI’s total workforce and 33% of its frontline staff. The goal, according to Poludasu, is to raise women’s representation to 30% in the next five years.

To support this, SBI has rolled out several women-focused initiatives such as creche allowances, family connect programmes, and special training for employees returning from maternity or extended leave. The bank’s flagship ‘Empower Her’ initiative also aims to identify and mentor women for leadership roles, fostering an inclusive and balanced work culture.

With over 2.4 lakh employees, SBI’s latest recruitment push underscores its commitment to blending human capital with digital innovation for long-term growth and improved customer engagement.