From Survival to Leadership: PSB Manthan 2025 Charts Viksit Bharat Roadmap

PSB Manthan 2025 charts roadmap for innovation, global competitiveness, and Viksit Bharat 2047

India’s public sector banks (PSBs) have entered a new era. Once preoccupied with survival and systemic stability, they are now positioned to lead innovation, finance sunrise sectors, and stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s largest banks.

This transformation was the central theme of PSB Manthan 2025, the flagship programme of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, held in Gurugram. The two-day event brought together policymakers, regulators, bankers, and industry veterans to chart the future of Indian banking in the journey toward Viksit Bharat 2047.

From Stabilisation to Global Competitiveness

In his keynote, Nagaraju Maddirala, Secretary, Financial Services, acknowledged PSBs’ turnaround over the past decade.

“Public Sector Banks are no longer in the business of survival alone. They have stabilised, strengthened, and now stand positioned to lead India’s growth story. Their role must evolve from being national anchors of inclusion to becoming globally competitive institutions,” he said.

This transition—from crisis managers to growth leaders—set the tone for the event. 

Innovation as the Cornerstone

Seven panels, three expert sessions, and multiple open houses echoed a single message: innovation must define the next phase of Indian banking.

Speakers, including RBI Deputy Governor Swaminathan J., Chief Economic Adviser Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran, and former SEBI and IRDAI chairmen, stressed that PSBs must:

• Replace legacy systems with agile, interoperable, cloud-ready platforms.
• Embed ethical AI and robust data governance in credit, fraud, and customer processes.
• Build strategic partnerships with fintechs and academia to co-create solutions.
• Redefine customer-centricity through multilingual apps, faster grievance redressal, and hyper-personalised products.

Financing Sunrise Sectors

Experts highlighted that India’s growth will depend on PSBs extending their traditional focus on MSMEs, agriculture, and infrastructure to sunrise industries such as renewable energy, electric mobility, semiconductors, and green hydrogen.

“India cannot aspire to global leadership in green hydrogen or semiconductors without a banking system that understands and supports these industries. PSBs must be both financiers and thought partners,” observed one panellist.

Workforce and Culture Transformation

Sessions also underscored the need for digital skilling, leadership development, and cultural agility within PSBs.

“Technology will not replace people, but people empowered with technology will replace those who are not,” remarked an industry expert, underlining the importance of workforce transformation.

One of the boldest ambitions articulated was for PSBs to become globally competitive institutions. Panelists emphasised that PSBs must expand internationally, strengthen treasury management, and support Indian enterprises abroad to reduce dependence on foreign banks.

A Roadmap for Viksit Bharat 2047

The shared roadmap emerging from Gurugram outlined:

Near-Term Priorities

• Stronger governance and risk frameworks
• Modernised digital platforms
• Enhanced credit delivery
• Customer trust-building

Long-Term Goals

• Establish PSBs as globally competitive banks
• Finance India’s sunrise sectors
• Support Indian enterprises overseas
• Align with sustainable and inclusive growth models

Defining the Future of Banking

PSB Manthan 2025 reaffirmed that India’s public sector banks are no longer bound by survival strategies. With their wide reach, credibility, and renewed digital focus, PSBs are poised to transform into globally competitive leaders of growth, innovation, and resilience.

The clear message from Gurugram: Indian PSBs must not just adapt to the future—they must define it.