CPI(M) leader John Brittas has written to SBI Chairman Challa Sreenivasulu Setty questioning the decision to allocate zero Junior Associate posts to Kerala despite a national increase in vacancies.
- SBI notified 7,680 Junior Associate vacancies nationwide for 2026, but zero for Kerala.
- MP John Brittas claims this is a disproportionate reduction compared to previous cycles.
- Previous cycles saw 426 and 247 vacancies for Kerala respectively.
- Deadline for applications is August 31, 2026.
In a strongly worded letter to Challa Sreenivasulu Setty, Chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI), CPI(M) Rajya Sabha leader John Brittas has demanded an immediate review of the bank's recruitment notification. The controversy stems from the bank's decision to notify zero vacancies for the post of Junior Associate (Customer Support and Sales) in the state of Kerala for the 2026 cycle.
Referring to the notification dated August 11, 2026, Brittas pointed out the stark contrast between the national recruitment drive and the state-specific allocation. While the bank is looking to fill 7,680 regular positions across India, the total allotment for Kerala stands at zero, a move that has sparked outrage among the state's youth.
Historical Background and Data Analysis
The decline in vacancies for Kerala is not a sudden dip but a steep downward trend. In the 2024 recruitment cycle, Kerala had 426 vacancies. This number dropped to 247 in the subsequent cycle, and has now plummeted to nil. This is particularly alarming because the total national vacancy pool has actually expanded from 5,180 in the previous cycle to 7,680 this year.
| Recruitment Cycle | Kerala Vacancies | National Vacancies (Approx) |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Cycle | 426 | - |
| Previous Cycle | 247 | 5,180 |
| 2026 Cycle | 0 | 7,680 |
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this trend extends beyond SBI. The concurrent IBPS Customer Service Associate recruitment has notified 11,403 vacancies nationwide, yet only 108 are available for Kerala across 11 public-sector banks. This suggests a systemic contraction of clerical opportunities in the state, potentially hindering the career prospects of thousands of graduates.
"The sudden disappearance of vacancies in a state with high literacy and qualification rates suggests either a massive data error or a worrying shift in regional hiring strategies."
Brittas has urged the SBI Chairman to act before the application window closes on August 31, 2026. He suggested that if the vacancies were omitted or inadequately assessed, the bank should issue a corrigendum or a supplementary notification to ensure fairness.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the deadline for the SBI Junior Associate application?
The application window closes on August 31, 2026.
2. What specific remedy has John Brittas proposed?
He has requested the SBI Chairman to issue a corrigendum or a supplementary notification to include vacancies for Kerala.
