SBI Plans to Hire 12,000 Employees in 2026-27 Financial Year

The State Bank of India (SBI) is set to recruit between 11,000 and 12,000 new employees in the 2026-27 financial year, focusing on clerical and officer positions. SBI's workforce currently exceeds 2.45 lakh employees, and the bank plans to expand its branch network by adding 200 to 2,500 new branches. Additionally, SBI and its subsidiary will sell a stake in the upcoming National Stock Exchange IPO, which is expected to be one of the largest in India's history. This article delves into the details of SBI's recruitment strategy and expansion plans.

By Ambika Singh Sep 7, 2026, 15:34 IST

SBI Recruitment Plans

The Chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI), CS Setty, announced that the bank is set to recruit between 11,000 and 12,000 new staff members this year, focusing on both clerical and officer positions. The exact number of hires may fluctuate based on the bank's evolving needs.

As the largest public sector bank in India, SBI is gearing up to onboard around 12,000 employees for the financial year 2026-27. Setty mentioned that while the anticipated recruitment is substantial, the final count will depend on factors such as retirements and operational demands. The bank aims to finalize these appointments by the end of the financial year. In the previous year, SBI had a significant hiring spree, bringing in about 1,500 specialist IT officers, but this year does not require a similar influx of IT personnel.

Current Workforce and Recruitment Focus

As of March 2026, SBI's workforce has surpassed 2.45 lakh employees. The bank's annual report for the 2026 financial year revealed that during 2025-26, SBI hired a total of 25,633 individuals, which included 4,640 officers, 19,340 associates, and 1,653 contractual workers. This year's recruitment will primarily target clerical and officer roles, although specific vacancy details have yet to be released.

Expansion of Branch Network

In addition to hiring, SBI is also planning to expand its branch network. The bank intends to establish approximately 200 to 2,500 new branches on a net basis during the 2026-27 financial year. CS Setty noted that despite having a vast network, there are opportunities for growth in certain regions, particularly in districts experiencing new residential developments and increased commercial activities. Concurrently, efforts are being made to streamline some existing branches.

Stake Sale in NSE IPO

Furthermore, Setty shared insights regarding the upcoming IPO of the National Stock Exchange (NSE). SBI, along with its subsidiary SBI Capital Markets Limited, plans to sell around 1 percent of its stake in the NSE. SBI is expected to offload approximately 0.65 percent, while SBI Capital Markets may sell about 0.35 percent, although these figures could be adjusted if other shareholders join the sale. Currently, SBI holds a 3.23 percent stake in the NSE, while SBI Capital Markets owns 4.33 percent. The NSE has received regulatory approval for a ₹30,000 crore IPO, which could potentially become the largest in India, surpassing previous records set by companies like Hyundai Motor India and LIC.