New Delhi: In a significant push toward greater gender diversity, the State Bank of India (SBI) has unveiled a strategy to increase the share of women in its workforce to 30 percent over the next five years. The initiative is part of the bank’s long-term vision to build a more inclusive and equitable work environment, especially for women employees across roles and regions.
Speaking in an interview with PTI, Kishore Kumar Poludasu, SBI’s Deputy Managing Director (HR) & Chief Development Officer (CDO), said that women already make up 33% of frontline staff, while their share in the overall workforce stands at 27%. “We will be working towards improving this percentage so that the diversity gets further enhanced,” he added.
Empowering Women Through Targeted Initiatives
Poludasu emphasized SBI’s commitment to creating a workplace where women thrive at all levels. Through targeted programmes, the bank is fostering leadership, promoting work-life balance, and ensuring dignity and safety at work.
Key initiatives include:
- Creche Allowance for working mothers
- Family Connect Programme to support work-life balance
- Return-to-Work Training for women resuming duties after maternity leave, sabbaticals, or long-term illness
- ‘Empower Her’ Leadership Programme designed to identify, mentor, and coach women for senior leadership roles through structured labs and coaching sessions
Focus on Women’s Health and Well-being
Recognising the unique health needs of its women employees, SBI has launched several healthcare-focused initiatives, including:
- Breast and Cervical Cancer Screenings
- Nutrition Allowance for pregnant employees
- Cervical Cancer Vaccination Drives
“These initiatives are crafted keeping in mind the well-being of women and girls employed in the bank,” Poludasu noted.
All-Women Branches Reflect Commitment to Inclusion
As a strong testament to its inclusivity efforts, SBI currently operates over 340 branches across India that are exclusively staffed by women — a number that is expected to grow in the coming years.
“Women employees are well represented across all geographies and hierarchical levels, showcasing our dedication to balanced representation,” said Poludasu.
SBI: Leading from the Front in Innovation and Inclusivity
With a staff strength exceeding 2.4 lakh, SBI is not only the largest employer in the Indian banking sector but also one of the largest across all sectors in the country. It ranks among the top 50 global banks by asset size and has received accolades for being an employer of choice.
Poludasu highlighted SBI’s transformation journey, stating that the bank is leveraging technology, innovation, and customer-centric approaches to stay ahead in the evolving financial ecosystem. Its robust pool of IT specialist officers plays a key role in maintaining security, efficiency, and innovation in banking operations.
Towards an Inclusive Future
By setting clear diversity goals, investing in women’s professional development, and creating a supportive work environment, SBI is setting a benchmark for gender inclusivity in India’s banking and corporate landscape.
“With a dynamic vision for the future and a strong foundation of values, SBI is building a workplace where every woman can reach her full potential,” Poludasu concluded.
About SBI
State Bank of India (SBI) is India’s largest public sector bank. With a strong domestic and international presence, SBI provides a wide range of banking and financial services, playing a critical role in India’s economic growth and financial inclusion initiatives.
