State Bank of India Recruitment Drive and Computerization

SBI has announced to recruit 20,000 clerical staff across India (here is the link http://www.statebankofindia.com/viewdetail.jsp?lang=0&id=0,15,110&dcd=1554&did=12095387224165EDAEEBEA6E967765193AECF3857CAE9). Well, this may not be the news. The news is, the entire application process is made online except for the part where you need to pay the application fee. This exception is alright, because not everyone might have access to online payment facilities in India. The application process is very very simple. Just go to any SBI Branch that is Computerised and centrally networked, (SBI calls such branches as CBS branches) and pay the application fee (which is Rs. 250) and get a journal number from them. This number has to be updated in the application while filling it online. The minimum qualification required to apply is 12th plus communication skills plus basic computer knowledge. So, this makes a lot of sense to automate the application process and make it online. Not everyone might have access to online payment facilities but almost every mandal (taluk) or a small town has atleast one cyber cafe and internet is widely available.

I would say this is a welcome step from such a large public sector enterprise and I see more such initiatives from other big public enterprises such as Indian Railways or State owned RTCs or UPSC or respective state Public Service Commissions. Such a process ensures no application is lost in post, no application is delayed, no application went un-noticed. More-over it saves paper, reduces cutting trees, saves planet earth.