India’s largest bank is on an AI hiring spree. The State Bank of India has opened applications for six senior Specialist Cadre Officer posts, all in artificial intelligence and data, with the headline role being a brand-new General Manager and Chief AI Officer carrying a pay package of up to Rs 1.6 crore a year. Applications opened on October 19, 2026, and the window closes on November 9.
The recruitment drive, advertised as CRPD/SCO/2026-27/30 by SBI’s Central Recruitment and Promotion Department, is one of the clearest signs yet of how seriously the country’s biggest public-sector lender now takes AI. From credit appraisal and fraud detection to customer service, the bank wants experienced professionals to lead its technology transformation.
The six posts on offer
Each post has exactly one vacancy, and all six are listed as Unreserved. The roles:
- GM and Chief AI Officer: will head SBI’s bank-wide artificial intelligence strategy
- DGM, Risk and Operational Analytics: analytics-driven credit risk and operational risk management
- DGM, AI Governance and Compliance: making sure the bank’s AI systems meet regulatory and ethical standards
- DGM, Data Engineering, Model Application Development and AI Ops: building and running the data platforms behind the models
- AI Solution Architect: designing AI solutions for banking products and services
- Enterprise AI Architect: shaping the bank’s overall AI technology architecture
Put together, the list reads like the org chart of a technology company rather than a traditional bank, and that is exactly the point. SBI is building a dedicated AI leadership bench at the top of the bank.
Pay, tenure and who can apply
The money is the part that has got everyone talking. The annual CTC is negotiable, with the upper range running from Rs 90 lakh to Rs 1.6 crore a year, depending on the post. The GM and Chief AI Officer role sits at the top of that band, while the architect roles are at the lower end. These are among the highest advertised pay packages ever offered by an Indian public-sector bank.
The posts are on fixed-term employment, not permanent appointments: an initial tenure of three years, renewable for up to two more years, so the total engagement cannot exceed five years. The posting is at Mumbai, or anywhere else in India as the bank’s administration requires.
The age bands vary by post, with the cut-off date taken as September 30, 2026: roughly 40 to 55 years for the GM and Chief AI Officer, 35 to 50 years for the DGM roles, and 30 to 45 years for the architect posts. Candidates need the relevant engineering or computer science degree plus solid professional experience, which runs from eight to over fifteen years depending on the post. The application fee is Rs 750 for General, EWS and OBC candidates, and there is no fee for SC, ST and PwBD applicants.
How the selection will work
There is no written examination for this recruitment. The selection has three stages: shortlisting on the basis of qualifications and experience, an interview carrying 100 marks, and then a CTC negotiation. The final merit list will be prepared on interview marks alone, so the interview is the entire ball game.
Since every post has just one vacancy and all are unreserved, the competition is expected to be sharp. Reserved-category candidates can apply, but they will need to meet the same conditions as everyone else.
How to apply
Applications are open from October 19 to November 9, 2026, and must be submitted online through the SBI careers page. Candidates should keep their documents ready before starting: degree certificates, experience letters, a recent photograph and a scanned signature. The application fee also has to be paid within the same window. Before applying, read the detailed advertisement CRPD/SCO/2026-27/30 carefully, because the eligibility conditions differ from post to post.
Why this recruitment matters
Public-sector banks have traditionally hired technology talent through the regular officer pipeline. SBI advertising a Chief AI Officer with a Rs 1.6 crore package is a different play altogether: the bank is going head to head with fintechs, private banks and big technology firms for the same talent pool, and whoever lands the top role will become the most visible AI executive in Indian banking.
FAQs
What is the last date to apply for SBI Specialist Cadre Officer recruitment 2026?
The online application window runs from October 19 to November 9, 2026. The fee must also be paid within this period.
What is the salary for the SBI Chief AI Officer post?
The annual CTC is negotiable, with the upper range going up to Rs 1.6 crore a year for the top post. The other posts range down to Rs 90 lakh.
Is there a written exam in this recruitment?
No. Selection is through shortlisting, an interview of 100 marks, and a CTC negotiation. The merit list is based on interview marks alone.
Are the posts permanent?
No. They are on fixed-term employment for three years, renewable for up to two more years, with the total engagement capped at five years.
What is the application fee?
Rs 750 for General, EWS and OBC candidates. There is no fee for SC, ST and PwBD candidates.
Interested candidates should verify every detail in the official notification on SBI’s careers page before applying.
