By: Anurag Tiwari
With 2,36,221 workers overall, the State Bank of India is the largest public sector bank in terms of workforce size. Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, and Union Bank of India are next in line. Look through the list of the ten public sector banks with the most staff.
Who Employs the Most? Top 10 PSU Banks with the Largest Workforces in India
In India’s economy, public sector banks are quite important. Millions of people in cities and countryside depend on them for financial services. Numerous people can find employment at these government-owned institutions. The size and activity of a bank is indicated by the number of its employees. Let’s examine the ten public sector banks in India with the most staff.
Public Sector Banks: What Are They?
Along with Indian railroads, public sector banks are one of the largest employers in India. These banks employ thousands of individuals annually for various roles. There are now 12 public sector banks in India, and they are vital to the national economy.
List of All Public Sector Banks in India 2025
The 12 Public Sector Banks in India 2025 are:
- State Bank of India
- Punjab National Bank
- Bank of Baroda
- Bank of India
- Bank of Maharashtra
- Canara Bank
- Central Bank of India
- Indian Bank
- Indian Overseas Bank
- Union Bank of India
- UCO Bank
- Punjab & Sind Bank
How Do Banks in the Public Sector Hire Staff?
The number of employees any bank need is up to them. This is dependent upon:
- Number of branches required by the business
- Employees departing or retiring
- New initiatives or expansion
The banks then base their hiring decisions on these requirements. There have been 1,48,687 new hires in the last five years (2020–2025). An additional 48,570 workers will be hired during 2025–2026.
By 2025, the Top 10 Public Sector Banks with the Most Employees
With 2,36,221 workers overall, the State Bank of India is the largest public sector bank in terms of workforce size. Punjab National Bank, Canara Bank, and Union Bank of India are next in line.
The top ten public sector banks in India with the most staff are shown below:
| Rank | Bank | Employees (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Bank of India | 2,36,221 |
| 2 | Punjab National Bank | 1,02,746 |
| 3 | Canara Bank | 81,260 |
| 4 | Union Bank of India | 73,945 |
| 5 | Bank of Baroda | 73,742 |
| 6 | Bank of India | 50,564 |
| 7 | Indian Bank | 39,778 |
| 8 | Central Bank of India | 33,081 |
| 9 | UCO Bank | 21,049 |
| 10 | Indian Overseas Bank | 20,966 |
Staffing Trends Over a Five-Year Period
Let’s examine how these banks’ workforces evolved between 2020 and 2025:
- After a little decline, SBI’s workforce grew to 2.36 lakh.
- Canara Bank gradually cut employees as a result of retirements and digital services.
- PNB maintained a steady workforce of about 1 lakh workers.
- Smaller banks like IOB and UCO Bank also made minor personnel reductions.
Why Is Employee Strength Important?
The number of workers indicates:
- The bank’s size and scope
- How frequently the bank provides services
- Its function in financial growth in both rural and urban areas
- Its capacity to manage massive government initiatives
FAQs: Top Public Sector Banks with the Most Employees in India (2025)
1. Which public sector bank has the highest number of employees in India in 2025?
The State Bank of India (SBI) tops the list with 2,36,221 employees, making it the largest public sector bank by workforce size.
2. How many public sector banks are there in India in 2025?
There are 12 public sector banks in India in 2025. These include SBI, PNB, Bank of Baroda, Canara Bank, Union Bank, and others.
3. What does employee strength in a bank signify?
Employee strength reflects the size, reach, and operational capacity of a bank. It indicates how well a bank can handle customer services, government schemes, and expansion efforts.
4. Which banks follow SBI in terms of employee numbers?
After SBI, the top PSU banks by workforce in 2025 are:
Punjab National Bank (1,02,746 employees)
Canara Bank (81,260 employees)
Union Bank of India (73,945 employees)
5. Why do public sector banks hire so many employees?
Public sector banks serve millions of customers across India, including rural areas. To support vast operations, manage branches, and implement government schemes, they require a large workforce.
6. How do PSU banks recruit new employees?
Recruitment depends on:
Branch expansions
Retirements or resignations
New government schemes
Banks conduct hiring drives through exams like IBPS and SBI PO/Clerk for various roles.
7. What has been the hiring trend in PSU banks between 2020 and 2025?
Over the past five years, 1,48,687 new employees were hired. An additional 48,570 hires are expected during 2025–2026.
8. Are employee numbers reducing due to digitization?
Yes, some banks have seen slight reductions in staff due to:
Retirement
Digitization of services
Consolidation of branches
9. Do smaller PSU banks have fewer employees?
Yes. For example, Indian Overseas Bank and UCO Bank employ around 21,000 staff each, significantly fewer than larger banks like SBI or PNB.
10. Why is this information important for job aspirants?
Knowing which banks have large workforces helps aspirants target institutions with more opportunities and better recruitment chances in upcoming bank exams.
