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Source — Source: ET ///Category — GS Paper 3 ///Published — 2026-03-03 ///Exam — Both Prelims and Mains ///Tags — Important Facts For Prelims, Quick Facts For Prelims, GS Paper - 3 ///Source — Source: ET ///Category — GS Paper 3 ///Published — 2026-03-03 ///Exam — Both Prelims and Mains ///Tags — Important Facts For Prelims, Quick Facts For Prelims, GS Paper - 3 ///

Source: ET · GS Paper 3

PSB Reforms under EASE 9.0

The EASE 9.0 agenda seeks to transform Public Sector Banks (PSBs) through technology‑driven reforms, focusing on Global Capability Centres, AI stacks and resilient data‑centre models. Understanding these reforms is crucial for UPSC aspirants as they intersect banking governance, financial sector modernization and India’s role in the global BFSI GCC ecosystem.

2026-03-03

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Source: ET

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Key Reforms under EASE 9.0

Launched in Feb 2026 by the Department of Financial Services (DFS).
Aims to make PSBs globally competitive and align them with the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047.
Built around the R.I.S.E framework (Risk & Resilience, Innovation, Socio‑economic Impact, Excellence).

GCC Strategy and Leadership

Global Capability Centre (GCC) strategy to be rolled out in FY 2026‑27.
State Bank of India (SBI) will lead, having set up the first PSB‑run GCC in Karnataka.
GCCs act as offshore units handling IT, R&D, risk management, compliance, fintech, cybersecurity.

Technology Infrastructure Plans

Adoption of active‑active data‑centre models for business continuity.
Development of core AI stacks – LLM licensing, GPU strategies, private‑cloud deployment.
Enterprise‑wide consent‑management, data tokenisation and anonymisation.

Collaborative Solutions

Joint banking solutions leveraging blockchain, advanced risk‑assessment and fraud‑detection models.

BFSI GCC Landscape in India

185‑190 BFSI GCCs operating, employing ~540,000 professionals (~25% of all GCC staff in India).
Projected market size: USD 125 billion by 2032 (up from ~USD 40‑41 billion in 2023).
Major hubs: Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Gurugram/NCR.
Key players: JPMorgan Chase, HSBC, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, Standard Chartered, Deutsche Bank, Barclays, Bank of America, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley.

R.I.S.E Framework Details

Risk & Resilience: Strengthen credit risk, operational resilience, enterprise‑wide risk oversight.
Innovation: Deep integration of AI, GenAI, ML, cloud, micro‑services.
Socio‑economic Impact: Expand financial inclusion for underserved segments (gig workers, platform workers).
Excellence: Enhance operational efficiency, governance, cost‑effective next‑gen operating models.

Significance for India

Positions PSBs as technology‑enabled lenders, improving productivity and competitiveness.
Supports financial inclusion and aligns banking sector with broader economic goals.
Enhances India’s stature in the global BFSI GCC ecosystem, attracting foreign investment and talent.

Related Legal/Policy Provisions

Banking Regulation Act, 1949 – provides the regulatory framework for PSBs.
National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) – complements the socio‑economic pillar.
Digital India Programme – synergises with AI, cloud and data‑centre initiatives.

Prepared for UPSC CSE – GS Paper 2 & 3