SBI Launches ‘SBI-STAR’ Awards to Honour Employee Talents

The State Bank of India (SBI) has launched a unique initiative—SBI-STAR (Staff Talent Acknowledgement & Recognition)—to celebrate its employees not just as professionals, but as artists, athletes, volunteers, and changemakers. Announced on 2 November 2025, the annual award aims to honour personal excellence beyond the workplace, reinforcing SBI’s commitment to holistic employee well-being and recognition.

With a workforce exceeding 2.45 lakh employees, SBI becomes one of the first major financial institutions in India to implement such a structured programme for acknowledging non-professional achievements.

What is SBI-STAR?

SBI-STAR is an annual employee excellence award introduced by India’s largest lender to recognize the diverse personal accomplishments of its staff in various spheres, including,

• Arts & Literature
• Games & Sports
• Culture & Creativity
• Social Work
• Environmental Initiatives

The initiative aligns with SBI’s broader philosophy of human-centric leadership and seeks to promote a culture where employees are valued in their entirety—as professionals, creators, and citizens.

Selection Process and Framework

The SBI-STAR award framework is designed to be transparent and inclusive, with a multi-stage process,

• Self-nomination by employees
• Evaluation by respective Circles or Verticals based on defined criteria
• Final selection by the Corporate Centre in Mumbai

This structured approach ensures fairness and visibility, encouraging participation across all levels and geographies of SBI.

Broader Impact and Exam Relevance

• Reinforces employee-centric HR practices in India’s public sector banks
• Promotes non-monetary motivation, a crucial component in long-term employee satisfaction
• Serves as a model for corporate empathy and inclusive recognition