Mumbai: State Bank of India (SBI), the largest bank in the country, has launched a special skill development program for women, aimed at empowering 5,200 candidates across its 153 Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs). The program was virtually inaugurated on Republic Day by Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh, Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), and Shri C. S. Setty, Chairman of SBI. The inauguration ceremony also featured SBI’s Managing Director, Shri Vinay Tonse.
The training initiative offers 27 diverse modules including tailoring, food processing, beauty services, vermiculture, agarbatti/candle making, bee-keeping, jute product manufacturing, soft toy creation, and the “One GP, One BC” program. Along with these skills, participants will receive guidance on securing financial assistance and establishing market linkages, ensuring long-term success for their ventures. To inspire the candidates, local dignitaries and successful entrepreneurs will share their insights and experiences.
SBI’s RSETIs have been instrumental in promoting self-employment across India. Since their establishment, they have trained over 12.74 lakh candidates through nearly 46,818 programs, with 74% of participants achieving self-employment.
Women’s contribution to India’s GDP is about 18%, underlining the need for continued efforts in empowering women. SBI has been a key player in supporting women entrepreneurs, with a self-help group (SHG) loan portfolio of over ₹50,000 crores, benefiting over 1 crore women. The bank also leads in female participation in social security schemes, with women accounting for more than 50% of total enrollments.
Shri Shailesh Kumar Singh emphasized the importance of this initiative in furthering the government’s vision for inclusive development and commended SBI’s role in promoting financial literacy, skill-building, and entrepreneurship among women.
SBI Chairman, Shri C. S. Setty, remarked, “This training program reflects SBI’s commitment to empowering women and fostering financial inclusion. It not only makes rural women self-reliant but also contributes to the broader goal of ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). By equipping women with skills, we support their journey toward economic independence and nation-building.”
This initiative underscores SBI’s dedication to enabling women to build sustainable livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to their communities, reinforcing the bank’s leadership in women’s empowerment through skill development.
