- First-ever STAR Awards celebrate employees’ talents beyond the workplace
- Arts, culture, sports, literature and social impact take centre stage
- 2,100+ nominations underline a bank-wide culture of recognition
- Chairman C S Setty calls it a push towards holistic employee development
NE BUSINESS BUREAU
MUMBAI, JAN 31
State Bank of India (SBI), the country’s largest bank, has taken a decisive step towards celebrating the whole person behind the professional with the launch of its inaugural SBI STAR Awards, a first-of-its-kind initiative that recognises employees for excellence beyond their official roles.
Introduced in September 2025, the STAR Awards honour outstanding achievements across five diverse categories — Arts (Visual and Performing), Culture, Games & Sports, Literature, and Social & Environmental initiatives. The awards were presented by SBI Chairman Shri Challa Sreenivasulu Setty at a ceremony held at State Bank Bhavan, Mumbai, marking a new chapter in the bank’s people-first culture.
The maiden edition witnessed an enthusiastic response, drawing over 2,100 nominations from employees across SBI’s vast national network. Winners were selected through a structured and transparent evaluation process, underscoring the credibility and inclusiveness of the initiative.
Congratulating the awardees, Chairman of the Bank, C S Setty, said the STAR Awards reflect SBI’s sustained focus on recognising excellence beyond professional responsibilities and nurturing holistic development. He noted that the initiative would inspire employees by acknowledging their diverse talents, achievements and societal contributions.
“At State Bank of India, we value our people in their entirety, as professionals, creators, and citizens making a difference. The STAR Awards further reinforce our commitment to honouring Bank’s multi-talented employees and broadening our collective perspective,” C S Setty said.
With a workforce of over 2.46 lakh employees, SBI continues to foster an inclusive and empowering workplace that celebrates individuality and purpose alongside professional excellence. The bank’s long-standing emphasis on leadership development, continuous learning, digital upskilling and employee well-being has distinguished it in Indian banking — a legacy now further strengthened by the SBI STAR Awards, which recognise people beyond performance metrics.
