SBI Recruitment 2025: State Bank of India to Hire 3,500 Officers – Apply Soon for Probationary & Specialist Roles
The State Bank of India (SBI), the nation’s largest public sector lender, has announced a massive recruitment drive for around 3,500 officers across various categories to strengthen its operations and improve customer service throughout India. This upcoming SBI Recruitment 2025 aims to fill vacancies for Probationary Officers (POs), Specialist Officers (SOs), and Circle-Based Officers (CBOs), creating new career opportunities for banking aspirants across the country.
According to Kishore Kumar Poludasu, Deputy Managing Director (HR) and Chief Development Officer (CDO) of SBI, the bank has already recruited 505 Probationary Officers earlier this year, and a new round of applications for additional officer positions is currently underway. The initiative is part of SBI’s ongoing expansion and modernization strategy to enhance customer engagement and digital banking capabilities.
SBI Recruitment 2025 Highlights
| Category | Vacancies (Approx.) | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Probationary Officers (POs) | 500+ | Applications received |
| IT & Cybersecurity Officers | 1,300 | Selection completed |
| Circle-Based Officers (CBOs) | 3,000 | Recruitment ongoing |
| Clerical Staff | 13,500 | Completed earlier this year |
In total, SBI plans to recruit around 18,000 employees in the current financial year, including 13,500 clerical staff and nearly 4,500 officer-level roles.
Probationary Officer (PO) Recruitment Process
The recruitment of SBI Probationary Officers (POs) is one of the most sought-after opportunities in India’s banking sector. The selection process involves three rigorous stages to ensure the highest quality of candidates are chosen for leadership roles within the bank.
1. Preliminary Examination
This is an online objective test that screens candidates for the next stage. It tests aptitude, reasoning, and general awareness.
2. Main Examination
The main exam includes both objective and descriptive sections, focusing on data analysis, financial management, banking awareness, and written communication.
3. Psychometric Test and Interview
Candidates who qualify the main exam are called for a psychometric assessment followed by a personal interview. These stages help assess leadership qualities, decision-making skills, and emotional intelligence.
According to Poludasu, advertisements for 541 PO vacancies have already been released, and the application process is currently active. Interested candidates are advised to keep an eye on the official SBI careers portal for further updates.
Specialist Officer (SO) and IT Recruitment
SBI is also expanding its technological and cybersecurity infrastructure, reflecting the bank’s commitment to digital transformation. Around 1,300 specialist officers have been recruited to strengthen IT operations and safeguard the bank’s massive digital network.
These positions include roles in:
- Cybersecurity & Information Security
- Data Analytics
- IT Infrastructure Management
- Network Engineering
- Digital Banking Platforms
Such specialist roles are essential for maintaining the integrity, performance, and innovation of SBI’s services in an increasingly digital economy.
Circle-Based Officer (CBO) Recruitment
In addition to POs and SOs, the bank is in the process of hiring around 3,000 Circle-Based Officers (CBOs). These officers will handle regional operations, ensuring smooth coordination between branches and headquarters. The recruitment process for CBOs is expected to be completed within the current financial year, according to SBI’s HR department.
SBI’s Recruitment Vision for 2025
Earlier this year, SBI Chairman C. S. Setty announced that the total recruitment across various categories would touch 18,000 positions, marking one of the largest hiring drives by a public sector bank in recent times. The focus areas include frontline banking, digital operations, and customer service enhancement.
The recruitment is not only about filling vacancies — it’s about future-proofing the workforce. SBI’s leadership emphasizes that hiring young, tech-savvy, and customer-oriented professionals will help the bank maintain its competitive edge in a fast-evolving financial landscape.
SBI’s Workforce and Gender Diversity Goals
SBI currently employs over 2.4 lakh people, making it one of the largest employers in India’s financial sector. The bank’s HR head, Poludasu, shared that a major focus going forward will be on improving gender diversity and creating an inclusive work environment.
At present:
- Women make up 27% of the total workforce.
- Among frontline staff, women constitute 33%.
- The bank aims to raise this overall figure to 30% within the next five years.
To achieve this, SBI has rolled out several women-centric initiatives designed to support female employees in balancing career aspirations with personal responsibilities.
Women-Centric Initiatives at SBI
SBI has launched multiple programs to empower women in the organization and help them advance into leadership roles. These initiatives include:
1. Creche Allowances for Working Mothers
To support young mothers, SBI provides financial assistance for child care, making it easier for them to return to work post-maternity.
2. Family Connect Programme
This initiative allows employees to maintain strong family ties while pursuing professional growth. It’s aimed at improving work-life balance and emotional well-being.
3. Returnship Support
Women returning from maternity, sabbatical, or extended sick leave are provided with training, upskilling sessions, and mentorship to reintegrate smoothly into the workplace.
4. Empower Her Leadership Programme
One of SBI’s flagship diversity initiatives, “Empower Her”, is a structured leadership development program designed exclusively for women. It includes:
- Mentorship and Coaching Sessions
- Leadership Labs
- Career Development Workshops
The program identifies and grooms talented women for future leadership roles, ensuring better representation of women at senior management levels.
Why SBI Recruitment 2025 Matters
SBI’s large-scale recruitment comes at a crucial time when the Indian banking sector is witnessing rapid transformation through AI, fintech integration, and digital banking. The fresh intake of officers will not only address existing manpower shortages but also drive innovation and customer experience across the bank’s vast network of over 22,000 branches.
Additionally, this recruitment drive demonstrates SBI’s commitment to:
- Strengthening public sector employment opportunities
- Enhancing digital and cybersecurity capacity
- Promoting gender equality and inclusion
- Supporting economic growth through job creation
How to Apply for SBI Recruitment 2025
Candidates aspiring to join SBI should regularly visit the official career website:
👉 https://sbi.co.in/careers
Here’s what applicants should do:
- Visit the official SBI Careers Portal.
- Check for “Current Openings” under the Recruitment tab.
- Read the detailed notification for the desired post.
- Fill out the online application form carefully.
- Upload necessary documents, photographs, and signatures.
- Pay the application fee (if applicable).
- Keep a printout of the completed form for future reference.
Tip: Always verify eligibility criteria, age limits, educational qualifications, and exam dates before applying.
The SBI Recruitment 2025 initiative stands as a major opportunity for aspiring bankers across India. With more than 3,500 officer-level posts on offer, including POs, SOs, and CBOs, this recruitment drive represents a golden chance to be part of India’s most trusted banking institution.
Beyond hiring, SBI’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, and employee development reflects its vision of becoming a future-ready organization. By combining technological advancement with people-centric policies, the bank continues to set benchmarks for excellence in the Indian banking industry.
