State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest lender, plans to recruit 11,000 to 12,000 employees and add up to 250 branches during FY27, showing continued investment in workforce expansion and customer reach.
In an interview with news agency PTI, SBI Chairman CS Setty said the recruitment programme will cover both clerical and officer-level positions. The final number could change depending on retirements and business requirements.
Recruitment plans reflect evolving workforce needs
SBI is targeting approximately 11,000 to 12,000 recruitments this year across multiple employee categories. Hiring will support operational requirements and address emerging business demands.
The bank employed more than 2.45 lakh people as of March 2026. The FY27 target is lower than the previous year’s hiring exercise.
IT hiring slows after last year’s specialist intake
SBI’s annual report shows that the bank recruited 25,633 employees in FY26. This included 4,640 officers, 19,340 associates and 1,653 contractual employees.
According to PTI, Setty attributed the unusually high recruitment volume last year to the hiring of 1,500 specialist IT officers. Demand for IT-focused recruitment is expected to be lower this year.
The moderated strategy allows SBI to balance employee replacement and operational efficiency.
Branch expansion remains a strategic priority
Alongside workforce growth, SBI plans to expand its physical network across India. The lender sees opportunities in residential clusters and commercially active regions.
Setty said there remains considerable “white space” across several geographies, creating scope for additional branches. At the same time, SBI is reviewing its existing network and rationalising selected locations.
The bank expects a net increase of 200 to 250 branches during FY27, with new outlets focused on underserved residential and commercial areas. Some existing branches may be consolidated as part of network optimisation.
SBI prepares for NSE stake dilution
Setty also outlined SBI’s plans regarding the proposed ₹30,000-crore initial public offering of the National Stock Exchange (NSE). SBI and its subsidiary SBI Capital Markets Ltd intend to dilute up to 1% of their combined holding in NSE through the IPO.
The proposed sale includes a 0.65% stake from SBI and 0.35% from SBI Capital Markets. SBI currently owns 3.23% of NSE, while SBI Capital Markets holds 4.33%.
The final extent of the stake sale could depend on participation by other shareholders in the offering process.
SBI’s FY27 roadmap highlights its focus on workforce renewal, network expansion, operational coverage and long-term business growth. The move will support SBI’s long-term growth strategy.