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| Complete Guide to Banks in India 2025-26 |
We present the most comprehensive, structured, and authoritative guide to banks in India, covering public sector banks, private sector banks, cooperative banks, regional rural banks (RRBs), small finance banks, payments banks, and foreign banks operating in India. This guide consolidates official classifications, head office details, and regulatory categories to deliver unmatched clarity and search relevance.
India’s banking system operates under the supervision of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and forms the backbone of economic growth, financial inclusion, trade, agriculture, MSMEs, and digital payments.'
Public Sector Banks in India (Nationalised Banks + SBI)
Public sector banks are government-owned banks playing a critical role in priority sector lending and national financial stability.
List of Public Sector Banks
- State Bank of India (SBI)
- Bank of Baroda
- Punjab National Bank
- Canara Bank
- Union Bank of India
- Bank of India
- Indian Bank
- Central Bank of India
- Indian Overseas Bank
- Punjab & Sind Bank
- UCO Bank
- Bank of Maharashtra
SBI – India’s Largest Bank
Corporate Centre:
State Bank Bhavan, Madame Cama Road, Nariman Point, Mumbai – 400021
SBI dominates retail banking, corporate finance, global remittances, and digital banking platforms.
Private Sector Banks in India
Private sector banks are technology-driven institutions with strong retail, corporate, and digital banking penetration.
Major Private Sector Banks
- Axis Bank
- HDFC Bank
- ICICI Bank
- Kotak Mahindra Bank
- IndusInd Bank
- YES Bank
- IDFC FIRST Bank
- Federal Bank
- South Indian Bank
- RBL Bank
- Karnataka Bank
- Karur Vysya Bank
- City Union Bank
- DCB Bank
- Bandhan Bank
- CSB Bank
- Tamilnad Mercantile Bank
- Jammu & Kashmir Bank
- Nainital Bank
- IDBI Bank
These banks lead in credit cards, digital lending, wealth management, and fintech integration.
Small Finance Banks (SFBs) in India
Small Finance Banks promote financial inclusion by serving MSMEs, small businesses, farmers, and unbanked populations.
List of Small Finance Banks
- AU Small Finance Bank
- Capital Small Finance Bank
- Equitas Small Finance Bank
- ESAF Small Finance Bank
- Suryoday Small Finance Bank
- Ujjivan Small Finance Bank
- Utkarsh Small Finance Bank
- Jana Small Finance Bank
- Shivalik Small Finance Bank
- Unity Small Finance Bank
- slice Small Finance Bank
Payments Banks in India
Payments banks focus on digital payments, remittances, and savings accounts without lending functions.
List of Payments Banks
- Airtel Payments Bank
- India Post Payments Bank
- Paytm Payments Bank
- FINO Payments Bank
- Jio Payments Bank
- NSDL Payments Bank
Cooperative Banks in India
Cooperative banks operate on cooperative principles and are vital for agriculture, rural credit, and local economies.
Types of Cooperative Banks
- State Cooperative Banks
- District Central Cooperative Banks
- Urban Cooperative Banks (Scheduled & Non-Scheduled)
Examples of State Cooperative Banks
- Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank
- Gujarat State Cooperative Bank
- Rajasthan State Cooperative Bank
- Kerala State Cooperative Bank
- Tamil Nadu State Apex Cooperative Bank
- West Bengal State Cooperative Bank
Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) in India
RRBs combine local familiarity with banking expertise to serve rural India.
List of Major Regional Rural Banks
- Andhra Pradesh Grameena Bank
- Assam Gramin Bank
- Bihar Gramin Bank
- Chhattisgarh Gramin Bank
- Gujarat Gramin Bank
- Haryana Gramin Bank
- Karnataka Grameena Bank
- Kerala Grameena Bank
- Maharashtra Gramin Bank
- Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank
- West Bengal Gramin Bank
- Telangana Grameena Bank
- Rajasthan Gramin Bank
- Tamil Nadu Grama Bank
Foreign Banks Operating in India
Foreign banks facilitate international trade, forex, investment banking, and corporate finance.
Major Foreign Banks in India
- Standard Chartered Bank
- HSBC
- Citibank N.A.
- Bank of America
- BNP Paribas
- Deutsche Bank
- DBS Bank India
- Barclays Bank Plc
- J.P. Morgan Chase Bank
- MUFG Bank
- Mizuho Bank
- UBS AG
- Societe Generale
- Credit Agricole CIB
- Mashreq Bank
- Shinhan Bank
- Woori Bank
- Qatar National Bank
- Emirates NBD
Financial Institutions in India
These institutions support long-term development finance.
Key Financial Institutions
- NABARD – Agriculture & Rural Development
- SIDBI – MSME financing
- National Housing Bank (NHB) – Housing finance regulation
- EXIM Bank of India – Export-import financing
Why India’s Banking Structure Is Globally Significant
- Strong regulatory framework under RBI
- Balanced mix of public, private, and cooperative banks
- Rapid digital banking adoption
- Deep rural and financial inclusion network
- Robust foreign banking presence
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Banks in India
1. How many types of banks are there in India?
Banks in India are broadly classified into Public Sector Banks, Private Sector Banks, Cooperative Banks, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Small Finance Banks, Payments Banks, and Foreign Banks, as regulated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
2. Which is the largest bank in India?
State Bank of India (SBI) is the largest bank in India in terms of assets, customer base, branch network, and market presence.
3. What is the difference between public sector and private sector banks?
Public sector banks are majority-owned by the Government of India, while private sector banks are owned by private entities. Public banks focus on financial inclusion and priority sector lending, whereas private banks emphasize technology, efficiency, and customer-centric services.
4. How many public sector banks are there in India?
There are 12 public sector banks in India, including the State Bank of India and 11 nationalised banks.
5. What are Small Finance Banks in India?
Small Finance Banks are RBI-licensed banks that primarily serve small businesses, MSMEs, farmers, and unorganized sector workers, promoting financial inclusion with basic banking and lending services.
6. What services do Payments Banks provide?
Payments banks offer savings accounts, remittances, bill payments, UPI services, and digital wallets, but they are not permitted to provide loans or issue credit cards.
7. What are Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)?
Regional Rural Banks are government-backed banks that operate at the regional level to support agriculture, rural development, and small entrepreneurs in specific states.
8. Are foreign banks allowed to operate in India?
Yes, foreign banks are allowed to operate in India under RBI regulations through branches, representative offices, or wholly owned subsidiaries.
9. What is the role of cooperative banks in India?
Cooperative banks support local communities, farmers, and small traders by providing affordable credit and deposit facilities, especially in rural and semi-urban areas.
10. Which authority regulates banks in India?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the primary regulatory authority responsible for licensing, supervision, and regulation of banks in India.
11. What is the difference between scheduled and non-scheduled banks?
Scheduled banks are listed under the Second Schedule of the RBI Act, 1934, making them eligible for RBI facilities, while non-scheduled banks are not listed and have limited privileges.
12. Which banks are best for rural and agricultural loans?
Public sector banks, Regional Rural Banks, and cooperative banks are most suitable for agricultural loans and rural credit schemes.
13. Can foreign banks open savings accounts for Indian residents?
Yes, foreign banks operating in India can open savings, current, and fixed deposit accounts for eligible Indian residents as per RBI norms.
14. What is the importance of NABARD in Indian banking?
NABARD plays a vital role in refinancing, supervising cooperative banks and RRBs, and supporting rural development and agricultural financing.
15. Where can one find the official list of banks in India?
The official and updated list of banks in India is published by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and relevant government financial authorities.
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