Patna: The State Bank of India (SBI) is planning to recruit around 11,000 to 12,000 employees during the current financial year, offering a major employment opportunity for candidates preparing for banking sector jobs.
SBI Chairman C.S. Setty said the recruitment target could vary depending on the number of employees retiring and the bank’s staffing requirements. The proposed hiring will primarily focus on clerical and officer-level positions.
Clerk and Officer Posts to Get Priority
SBI is expected to focus more on general banking roles in its latest recruitment drive. New appointments will be made at both the clerical and officer levels.
According to the SBI chairman, the final recruitment figure will depend on workforce requirements and retirements during the year. However, the bank is targeting around 12,000 appointments by the end of the financial year.
Fewer IT Recruitments Expected This Year
SBI had recruited around 1,500 specialist IT officers during the previous financial year. However, the bank’s current requirement for IT professionals is comparatively lower.
As a result, general banking positions are expected to account for a larger share of recruitment this year, while hiring for specialised IT roles may remain relatively limited.
SBI Plans 200–250 New Branches
Alongside recruitment, SBI is also preparing to expand its physical branch network. The bank plans to add approximately 200 to 250 new branches every year on a net basis.
The expansion will particularly focus on newly developed residential areas, emerging urban neighbourhoods and rapidly growing commercial zones where demand for banking services is increasing.
SBI is also reviewing its existing branch network to identify areas where services can be rationalised and new branches can be established according to local requirements.
SBI Has More Than 2.45 Lakh Employees
SBI remains one of India’s largest employers in the banking sector. As of March 2026, the bank had more than 2.45 lakh employees.
According to its latest annual report, SBI recruited 25,633 people during the previous financial year, underlining its significant role in employment generation within the banking industry.
SBI May Reduce Stake in NSE IPO
Apart from recruitment and branch expansion, SBI is also preparing for a possible reduction in its stake in the proposed National Stock Exchange (NSE) IPO.
SBI and its subsidiary, SBI Capital Markets Limited, are reportedly planning to collectively sell up to 1% of their stake in the exchange through the proposed IPO, which is estimated to be worth around Rs 30,000 crore.
SBI is reportedly considering selling around 0.65% of its direct stake as part of the transaction.
