Public Sector Banks Post Record ₹1.98 Lakh Crore Profit in FY26

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Ziraat Times
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Ziraat Times News Desk

New Delhi, May 12: Public Sector Banks (PSBs) recorded an all-time high net profit of ₹1.98 lakh crore during the financial year 2025-26, marking the fourth consecutive year of profitability amid improved asset quality, robust credit growth and stronger balance sheets.

According to data released by the Finance Ministry on Tuesday, the combined business of PSBs rose to ₹283.3 lakh crore as of March 31, 2026, registering a year-on-year growth of 12.8 per cent.

Aggregate deposits increased by 10.6 per cent to ₹156.3 lakh crore, while gross advances grew by 15.7 per cent to ₹127 lakh crore, reflecting sustained credit demand across sectors of the economy.

Officials said lending growth remained strong in the Retail, Agriculture and MSME segments. Retail advances grew by 18.1 per cent, agriculture lending by 15.5 per cent and MSME credit by 18.2 per cent during the year.

The banking sector also recorded a significant improvement in asset quality, with the Gross Non-Performing Asset (NPA) ratio declining to 1.93 per cent and the Net NPA ratio falling to 0.39 per cent as of March 31, 2026 — the lowest levels recorded historically for PSBs.

The government said all public sector banks maintained provisioning coverage ratios above 90 per cent, indicating stronger risk management, prudent provisioning practices and healthier balance sheets.

Fresh slippages also declined during the year, with the slippage ratio reducing to 0.7 per cent. Total recoveries, including those from written-off accounts, stood at ₹86,971 crore.

Improved asset quality, higher income and steady credit expansion contributed to stronger profitability, with aggregate operating profit of PSBs reaching ₹3.21 lakh crore during FY26.

The capital position of PSBs remained strong, with the aggregate Capital to Risk (Weighted) Assets Ratio (CRAR) improving to 16.6 per cent, well above the regulatory requirement of 11.5 per cent. Officials said the improvement was supported by retained earnings, internal accruals and capital raising of ₹50,551 crore during the year.

Operational efficiency also improved, with the cost-to-income ratio declining to 49.67 per cent, aided by technology adoption and digital transformation initiatives across banks.

The Finance Ministry said the continued improvement in the performance of public sector banks reflected the impact of reforms aimed at strengthening governance, improving credit discipline, reducing stressed assets and expanding access to formal credit.

Officials said PSBs are now better capitalised, more profitable and institutionally stronger, enabling them to play a larger role in supporting India’s economic growth and the vision of a developed India by 2047.

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