A government bank is a financial institution that is owned and operated by a government, either at the national or local level. These banks are established to serve the public interest and are typically involved in providing a range of banking services, including accepting deposits, offering loans, and facilitating various financial transactions. There are many government banks that India homes.
What is a Government bank in India ?
In India, a government bank, also known as a public sector bank (PSB), is a commercial bank where the government holds a majority stake (typically more than 50%). These banks are established to serve the financial needs of the public and to promote economic development in the country. The government banks in India are essential for the country’s banking infrastructure, contributing to economic growth and development while ensuring that financial services are accessible to all segments of society.
List of Government Banks in India 2025
There are many government banks in India that have acquired excellence in providing services to the people. Some of these banks are:-
- State Bank of India (SBI)
- Punjab National Bank (PNB)
- Bank of Baroda
- Union Bank of India
- Canara Bank
- Bank of India
- Indian Bank
- Central Bank of India
- Bank of Maharashtra
- UCO Bank
- Indian Overseas Bank
- Punjab & Sind Bank
- Oriental Bank of Commerce (merged with PNB, but still recognized in some contexts)
- Allahabad Bank (merged with Indian Bank, but still recognized in some contexts)
- Dena Bank (merged with Bank of Baroda, but still recognized in some contexts)
- Vijaya Bank (merged with Bank of Baroda, but still recognized in some contexts)
- Syndicate Bank (merged with Canara Bank, but still recognized in some contexts)
- Corporation Bank (merged with Union Bank of India, but still recognized in some contexts)
- Andhra Bank (merged with Union Bank of India, but still recognized in some contexts)
- United Bank of India (merged with Punjab National Bank, but still recognized in some contexts)
Top 10 Government Banks in India 2025
Government banks of India have been serving people eversince the concept of banks and have been a trustworthy organisation. Listed below are some banks that are considered to be the best government bank of India.
1. State Bank of India (SBI)
2. Punjab National Bank
3. Bank of Baroda
4. Ujjivan Small Finance Bank
5. Equitas Small Finance Bank
6. Union Bank of India
7. Canara Bank
8. Jana Small Finance Bank
9. Central Bank of India
10. Fincare Small Finance Bank
1. State Bank of India (SBI)
State Bank of India was established in the year 1955 with an extensive support focusing on innovation and is considered as one of the best government bank of India. Currently its CEO is Dinesh Kumar Khara and the bank s headquartered at Mumbai. It offers services related to retail banking, corporate banking, investment banking, and more. It is an abode for 22,500 branches and 63,580 ATMs. Reason for its continued popularity are its recent developments which include expansion of digital services and customer outreach programs. Currently. The market capitalization of SBI is ₹5,00,000 Cr (approx.)
Year of Establishment : 1955
CEO : Dinesh Kumar Khara
Services Offered : Retail banking, corporate banking, investment banking, and more.
Customer Service : Extensive support with a focus on innovation.
Market Cap : ₹5,00,000 Cr (approx.)
Branches : 22,500
ATMs : 63,580
Recent Developments : Expansion of digital services and customer outreach programs.
2. Punjab National Bank (PNB)
Punjab National Bank (PNB) is quite opposite to a small finance bank; it’s a large public sector bank owned by the Government of India. It was established in the year 1894 and is headquartered at New Delhi . It’s current CEO is Atul Kumar Goel. It renders services like personal banking, corporate banking, and international banking as well as provide comprehensive support with dedicated SME services. Currently PNB has 9,693 branches and 10,033+ ATMs. Among it’s recent developments, it mainly focuses on improving digital banking infrastructure. The market capitalization of PNB is ₹1,14,608 Cr.
Year of Establishment : 1894
CEO : Atul Kumar Goel
Services Offered : Personal banking, corporate banking, and international banking.
Customer Service : Comprehensive support with dedicated SME services.
Market Cap : ₹1,14,608 Cr
Branches : 9,693
ATMs : 10,033+
Recent Developments : Focus on improving digital banking infrastructure.
3. Bank of Baroda
Bank of Baroda was established in the year 1908 and is headquartered at Alkapuri, Vadodara. It is a very famous bank all over India and offers services like retail banking, corporate banking, wealth management, and provides customer service like good financial literacy programs and regional banking support. Currently, it has 9,693 branches and 10,033+ ATMs in India. Introduction of AI-driven support and forex facilities, along with new ATMs for events like Maha Kumbh 2025 can be considered as its recent development. The market capitalization of Bank Of Baroda is ₹73,800 Cr.
Year of Establishment : 1908
CEO : Debadatta Chand
Services Offered : Retail banking, corporate banking, wealth management, and more.
Customer Service : Good financial literacy programs and regional banking support.
Market Cap : ₹73,800 Cr.
Number of Branches : 9,693
Number of ATMs : 10,033+
Recent Developments : Introduction of AI-driven support and forex facilities, along with new ATMs for events like Maha Kumbh 2025.
4. Ujjivan Small Finance Bank:
It is one of the best small finance bank and tops the small finance bank list. It was established in the year 2017 and is headquartered at Mumbai, Maharashtra. Its current CEO is Nitin Chugh. It offers services like savings accounts, loans, insurance, and investment products and also focuses on customer-centric services with digital banking options. Curently, this small finance bank has 600 + branches and 1,000+ ATMs in India. Expansion of digital services and introduction of new loan products is among its major recent developments. It has a market capital of ₹12,000 Cr. (approx.)
Year of Establishment : 2017
CEO : Nitin Chugh
Services Offered : Savings accounts, loans, insurance, and investment products.
Customer Service : Focus on customer-centric services with digital banking options.
Market Cap : ₹12,000 Cr. (approx.)
Number of Branches : 600+
Number of ATMs : 1,000+
Recent Developments : Expansion of digital services and introduction of new loan products.
5. Equitas Small Finance Bank
This is another best small finance bank in India, established in the year 2016 and headquartered at Chennai. Currently, Vasudevan PN is Equita’ CEO. It offers services like savings accounts, fixed deposits, loans, and insurance and emphasize on customer satisfaction and financial literacy. It has 400+ branches and 1,000+ ATMs. Among its recent developments, launch of new digital banking features and partnerships for enhanced services is provided. It has a market capital of ₹10,000 Cr. (approx.)
Year of Establishment : 2016
CEO : Vasudevan PN
Services Offered : Savings accounts, fixed deposits, loans, and insurance.
Customer Service : Emphasis on customer satisfaction and financial literacy.
Market Cap : ₹10,000 Cr. (approx.)
Number of Branches : 400+
Number of ATMs : 1,000+
Recent Developments : Launch of new digital banking features and partnerships for enhanced services.
6. Union Bank of India
This bank was established in the year 1919 and is headquartered at Mumbai. Currently, A. Manimekhalai is the CEO of Union bank. The services it offers include retail banking, corporate banking, agricultural banking, investment banking, and insurance services as well as customer service offering a range of customer support services, including online banking, mobile banking, and dedicated customer service centers.
It has over 9,500 branches and approximately 13,000 ATMs. It focuses on digital transformation, including the launch of new digital banking features and enhancements in customer service platforms which can be considered as one of its recent development. Its market capital is approximately ₹60,000 Cr. (as of 2025).
Year of Establishment : 1919
CEO : A Manimekhalai
Services Offered : Retail banking, corporate banking, agricultural banking, investment banking, and insurance services.
Customer Service : Offers a range of customer support services, including online banking, mobile banking, and dedicated customer service centers.
Market Cap : Approximately ₹60,000 Cr. (as of 2025)
Number of Branches : Over 9,500
Number of ATMs : Approximately 13,000
Recent Developments : Focus on digital transformation, including the launch of new digital banking features and enhancements in customer service platforms.
7. Canara Bank
It was established in the year 1906 and is headquartered in Bangalore. Currently, it’s CEO is R.A. Sankara Narayanan. It offers services like retail banking, corporate banking, wealth management, and various financial products including loans, deposits, and insurance and strongly emphasize on customer satisfaction with multiple channels for support, including online and mobile banking. It has over 10,000 branches and approximately 13,000 ATMs. Initiatives to enhance digital banking services, including the introduction of new mobile banking features and partnerships for better customer engagement is one of it’s recent development. The market capital of this bank is Approximately ₹50,000 Cr. (as of 2025).
Year of Establishment : 1906
CEO : R.A. Sankara Narayanan
Services Offered : Retail banking, corporate banking, wealth management, and various financial products including loans, deposits, and insurance.
Customer Service : Strong emphasis on customer satisfaction with multiple channels for support, including online and mobile banking.
Market Cap : Approximately ₹50,000 Cr. (as of 2025)
Number of Branches : Over 10,000
Number of ATMs : Approximately 13,000
Recent Developments: Initiatives to enhance digital banking services, including the introduction of new mobile banking features and partnerships for better customer engagement.
8. Jana Small Finance Bank
It is considered one of the best small finance bank in India. It was established in the year 2018 and is headquarted in Bangalore. Currently, its CEO is Ajay Kanwal. It offers services like savings accounts, loans, and insurance products and strongly focuses on customer engagement and support. Within such a short time, it has managed to be an abode of 300+ branches and 600+ ATMs. One of its recent develop includes expansion of service offerings and digital banking initiatives. The market capital of this bank is ₹6,000 Cr. (approx.)
Year of Establishment : 2018
CEO : Ajay Kanwal
Services Offered : Savings accounts, loans, and insurance products.
Customer Service : Strong focus on customer engagement and support.
Market Cap : ₹6,000 Cr. (approx.)
Number of Branches : 300+
Number of ATMs : 600+
Recent Developments : Expansion of service offerings and digital banking initiatives.
9. Central Bank of India
Central Bank of India is a public sector bank and it focuses on serving unserved and underserved sections of the country through basic banking activities, including deposits and loans, but not non-banking financial services. It was established in the year 1911 and is headquartered at Mumbai. Central Bank of India provides customer support through multiple channels, including online banking, mobile banking, and dedicated customer service centers. It has over 4,600 branches and approximately 5,000+ ATMs. The bank has been focusing on digital transformation, enhancing its online banking services, and introducing new financial products to improve customer experience and financial inclusion which is its recent development. Its market capital is approximately ₹12,000 Cr. (as of 2025).
Year of Establishment : 1911
CEO : Prashant Kumar
Services Offered : Retail banking, corporate banking, agricultural banking, and various financial products including loans, deposits, and insurance.
Customer Service : Central Bank of India provides customer support through multiple channels, including online banking, mobile banking, and dedicated customer service centers.
Market Cap : Approximately ₹12,000 Cr. (as of 2025)
Number of Branches : Over 4,600
Number of ATMs : Approximately 5,000Recent Developments: The bank has been focusing on digital transformation, enhancing its online banking services, and introducing new financial products to improve customer experience and financial inclusion.
10. Fincare Small Finance Bank:
This bank is one of the best small finance bank in India which was established in the year 2017 and headquartered at Bengaluru. Its current CEO is Rajeev Yadav. The service it offers include savings accounts, loans, and microfinance and focus on personalized banking experiences as a customer service. It has 300+ branches and 500+ ATMs. Its recent develop include introduction of new financial products and digital banking enhancements. Its market capital is ₹5,000 Cr. (approx).
Year of Establishment : 2017
CEO : Rajeev Yadav
Services Offered : Savings accounts, loans, and microfinance.
Customer Service : Focus on personalized banking experiences.
Market Cap : ₹5,000 Cr. (approx.)
Number of Branches : 300+
Number of ATMs : 500+
Recent Developments : Introduction of new financial products and digital banking enhancements.
Criteria for Choosing the Best Public Sector Bank in India
1. Interest Rates – Compare interest rates on savings accounts and fixed deposits to maximize your returns and check the interest rates on loans, as they can significantly impact your repayment amounts.
2. Customer Service – Assess the availability of customer support through various channels (phone, email, chat, in-branch) and look for banks with a reputation for quick and effective customer service.
3. Check the reputation and Trustworthiness of the bank
4. Loan Processing Time- Evaluate how quickly the bank processes loan applications and disburses funds, especially if you need financing urgently.
5. Check for special Offers and Schemes like promotional offers or Government Schemes
6. Technological Advancements– Look for banks that invest in technology to enhance customer experience, such as AI-driven chatbots, mobile apps, and online account management.
Public Sector Banks Which Got Merged After 2021
After 2021, there were no major public sector bank mergers in India, as the previous round of consolidation, which saw 10 banks merge into 4, was completed by April 2020. The two major banks that merged together are:-
Merged Banks | Merged into |
1. Allahabad Bank | Indian Bank |
2. HDFC lmtd. | HDFC Bank |
Impact of Bank Merger on Customers
Bank mergers in India have significant impacts on customers, including disruptions in services like deposits, loans, and money transfers. While mergers can enhance bank efficiency and profitability, they may also lead to branch closures and changes in service delivery, affecting customer satisfaction and access to banking services.
Customer Perceptions
- Trust and Confidence: Mergers can impact customer trust, as clients may feel uncertain about the stability and reliability of the new entity.
- Adaptation to New Systems: Customers may need to adapt to new banking systems and processes, which can be a learning curve and may initially lead to dissatisfaction.
- Potential for Better Rates: In some cases, the consolidation of resources can lead to more competitive interest rates on loans and deposits, benefiting customers financially.
Other factors include:-
- Changes in Banking Products: Mergers may result in the discontinuation or alteration of certain banking products and services, which can affect customers who rely on specific offerings.
- Branch Closures: To streamline operations, merging banks may close overlapping branches, which can inconvenience customers who may have to travel further for banking services.
- Customer Support Challenges: During the merger process, customer service may be strained, leading to longer wait times and reduced support for customer inquiries and issues.
Types of Government Banks in India
In India, government banks can be broadly categorized into several types based on their functions and ownership
1. Public Sector Banks (PSBs)
These are commercial banks where the government holds a majority stake (more than 50%).
For example- State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), Bank of Baroda, etc.
2. Small Finance Banks
These banks are aimed at providing financial inclusion to underserved sections of society, including small businesses and low-income households.Examples- Ujjivan Small Finance Bank, Equitas Small Finance Bank, Fincare Small Finance Bank, etc.
3. Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)
These banks are established to provide banking services in rural areas and are jointly owned by the central government, state government, and sponsor banks (usually public sector banks). Examples- Prathama Bank, Andhra Pradesh Grameena Vikas Bank.
4. Cooperative Banks
These banks are owned and operated by their members and are established to provide financial services to a specific community or group. Examples- The Saraswat Cooperative Bank, The Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank, The Kerala State Cooperative Bank.
5. Development Banks
These banks are established to provide long-term financial assistance for the development of specific sectors of the economy, such as agriculture, industry, and infrastructure.
Examples- National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI)
6. Export-Import Banks
These banks are specialized financial institutions that provide financial assistance to promote international trade and support exporters and importers. Example- Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank).
Faq :
How many government bank in india?
As of 2025, there are 12 major public sector banks in India. This includes banks like State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, and Bank of Baroda, among others. Additionally, there are regional rural banks and small finance banks that are also considered government banks.
Which is India’s no. 1 government bank?
The State Bank of India (SBI) is considered India’s number one government bank. It is the largest public sector bank in terms of assets, branches, and customer base.
Which are the government banks in india?
Major public sector banks in India include:
State Bank of India (SBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), Bank of Baroda, Union Bank of India, Canara Bank, Bank of India,etc.
Do government banks offer better interest rates on loans?
Government banks often offer competitive interest rates on loans, which can be lower than those offered by private banks. However, the rates can vary based on the type of loan, the borrower’s credit profile, and prevailing market conditions.
What is the difference between government banks and private banks in India?
- Ownership: Government banks are owned by the government, while private banks are owned by private entities or individuals.
- Regulation: Government banks are often subject to more stringent regulations and policies set by the government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
- Focus: Government banks typically focus on financial inclusion and serving priority sectors, while private banks may prioritize profitability and customer service.
- Interest Rates: Government banks may offer lower interest rates on loans and higher rates on deposits compared to private banks.
What are the benefits of banking with public sector banks?
- Stability: Government banks are generally perceived as more stable and secure due to government backing.
- Financial Inclusion: They often focus on serving underbanked and rural populations, promoting financial inclusion.
- Lower Fees: Public sector banks may have lower fees and charges compared to private banks.
- Wide Range of Services: They offer a comprehensive range of banking products and services.
- Government Schemes: They are often involved in implementing government schemes related to subsidies, loans, and financial assistance.
Conclusion
Overall, government banks in India are essential for the country’s banking infrastructure, contributing to economic growth and development while ensuring that financial services are accessible to all segments of society. India provides good banking services to its customers, keeping the trust of its 1.45 billion people.
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