SBI Targets 30% Female Workforce by 2030 in Major Diversity Push
State Bank of India has announced an ambitious plan to increase its women workforce to 30% within five years, marking a significant step toward gender diversity in India’s banking sector.
Key Takeaways
- SBI aims to increase female workforce from current 27% to 30% by 2030
- Bank employs over 2.4 lakh staff, highest in Indian banking
- 340+ all-women branches already operational across India
- Multiple women-centric initiatives driving the diversity push
Current Workforce Status
“If we talk about frontline staff, women are almost 33 per cent, but as a total if you see, they account for 27 per cent of the total workforce. So, we will be working towards improving this percentage so that the diversity gets further improved,” SBI Deputy Managing Director (HR) & Chief Development Officer (CDO) Kishore Kumar Poludasu told PTI in an interview.
Comprehensive Support Programs
SBI has implemented several women-centric initiatives including:
- Creche allowance for working mothers
- Family connect programmes
- Special training for women returning from maternity or sabbatical
- Health programs including breast and cervical cancer screenings
- Nutrition allowances for pregnant staff
- Cervical Cancer Vaccination Drive
Leadership Development Focus
The bank’s flagship ‘Empower Her’ program identifies, mentors and grooms women for leadership roles through structured leadership labs and coaching sessions. This initiative aims to build a strong pipeline of future women executives and increase female representation in leadership positions.
Inclusive Work Environment
SBI is committed to creating an inclusive, secure workplace where women can thrive at all levels. The bank currently operates more than 340 branches exclusively managed by women staff, with plans to increase this number. Women employees are well-represented across all geographies and hierarchical levels, reflecting the bank’s commitment to inclusivity.
As one of the top 50 global banks by asset size, SBI continues to leverage its versatile framework to drive innovation while maintaining its position as a preferred employer in the banking sector.
