One of the biggest developments was the announcement of large-scale recruitment by public sector banks, including State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, and other PSBs. Vacancies were notified for Probationary Officers (PO), Clerks, Specialist Officers (SO), and Local Bank Officers. Banking authorities said recruitment was essential to address staff shortages caused by retirements and branch expansion in semi-urban and rural areas.
The Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) conducted its annual Common Recruitment Process (CRP) for PO, Clerk, and SO posts in 2025, attracting millions of applicants. To improve transparency, IBPS strengthened exam security, increased the use of biometric verification, and tightened norms against impersonation and unfair practices.
In a significant shift, banks in 2025 placed greater emphasis on specialist and technology-driven roles. Recruitment increased for cybersecurity experts, data analysts, digital product managers, and risk professionals as banks expanded online services and digital lending platforms. Officials noted that traditional banking roles were evolving, requiring new skill sets in compliance, analytics, and fintech integration.
Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) also carried out hiring for clerical and officer-level posts to support financial inclusion initiatives, crop insurance schemes, and direct benefit transfer operations. The government reiterated that strengthening RRB manpower was critical for implementing welfare schemes at the grassroots level.
Another key trend in 2025 was the rise in contractual and lateral hiring. Banks recruited professionals from the market for senior and mid-level positions in areas such as treasury, IT, and credit monitoring. While this approach brought expertise, employee unions expressed concern over job security and career progression for contractual staff.
Women’s participation in banking jobs continued to grow, supported by flexible postings, maternity benefits, and leadership development programmes. Several PSBs reported a steady increase in female representation in officer cadres during the year.
On the policy front, discussions on banking reforms and consolidation influenced recruitment planning. As banks focused on efficiency and digital delivery, workforce rationalisation and reskilling became central themes. Training institutes expanded programmes to upskill existing employees in digital banking and compliance.
Despite improvements, aspirants faced challenges such as high competition, limited vacancies relative to applicants, and long recruitment cycles. Banking authorities acknowledged these concerns and stated that efforts were underway to shorten hiring timelines.
Overall, 2025 highlighted banking as a key driver of stable government employment in India, while also signalling a shift toward technology-oriented and skill-based roles in the financial sector
