SBI PO Group Discussion (GD) Topics 2026, with Points For and Against

Last updated: 2026-11-08 · MockMentor

In recent SBI PO cycles, Phase III has had a Group Exercise of 20 marks and an interview of 30 marks, after a psychometric test. Check the current notification for the exact pattern. The group exercise is usually a discussion on a current topic, and the panel watches how you think, how you speak and how you treat others in the group.

Below are 30 topics we think are likely, grouped by theme. For each one there is a line on why it matters now and points you can use on both sides.

How to do well in the group exercise

Speak early if you have a clear point, but you don't have to be first. A good second or third entry with a fact or example works just as well.
Give both sides before you take a stand. Panels mark balance higher than strong opinions.
Use one or two facts, not a list of numbers.
Bring quiet members in ("Rohan, you were saying something about rural customers?"). It shows leadership.
Never interrupt rudely or argue personally. Disagree with the point, not the person.
If asked, sum up in three or four sentences that cover what the group said, not just your own view.

Banking topics

1. AI in banking: will it replace bankers?

RBI's Governor said in August 2026 that AI will define this decade of Indian banking.

For: faster loans, better fraud detection, lending to people with no credit history using alternative data, voice banking in Indian languages.
Against: biased models, decisions banks can't explain, data privacy risk, jobs in routine roles.
Balanced line: AI should handle routine work while people keep the judgment and the customer relationship.

2. Privatisation of public sector banks

The Cabinet approved the sale of a controlling stake in IDBI Bank in October 2026.

For: better efficiency and governance, less burden on taxpayers, government can focus on regulation.
Against: rural branches and priority lending may suffer, job worries, risk of too much concentration.

3. Bank mergers: are bigger banks better?

PSBs came down from 27 in 2017 to 12 by 2020, and a second round is being discussed.

For: larger balance sheets to fund infrastructure, lower costs, global scale.
Against: years of IT and culture integration problems, less competition, "too big to fail".

4. Five-day banking

Unions want all Saturdays off. The Government has not yet notified the change.

For: RBI and most government offices already work five days, less burnout, digital banking runs 24×7.
Against: weekday workers, pensioners and rural customers depend on Saturday branches, delays around long weekends.

5. Digital frauds: who should bear the loss, the bank or the customer?

For bank responsibility: banks control the systems and should invest in protection.
For shared responsibility: customers who share OTPs or click on unknown links must also take care.
Point to make: awareness campaigns and faster reporting both reduce losses.

6. Deposit crunch: why savers are moving from banks to markets

Causes: higher returns from mutual funds and SIPs, low real interest on deposits.
Concerns: banks need deposits to lend; credit growth can outpace deposit growth.
Solutions: better deposit products, digital convenience, financial literacy on risk.

7. Should UPI stay free (zero MDR)?

Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) is the fee a merchant pays per digital payment. It is zero for UPI.

For a fee: banks and payment apps bear costs and need a business model to invest in security.
Against: a fee could push small shopkeepers back to cash and slow digital adoption.

8. Fintech and banks: competition or partnership?

Competition: fintechs are faster and better at user experience.
Partnership: banks have deposits, trust and a licence; fintechs have technology. Together they can reach more people.

9. Mis-selling of insurance and investment products by banks

Why it happens: cross-selling targets, commissions.
Harm: customers lose trust, and older and rural customers are hit hardest.
Fix: suitability checks, recorded consent, targets that don't push staff to mis-sell.

10. Work pressure in public sector banks

Issues: staff shortages, targets, long hours, transfers.
Effects: poor service, errors, mental health.
Solutions: timely recruitment, technology for routine work, realistic targets.

11. Financial inclusion: from opening accounts to using them

Achievement: Jan Dhan brought most households into banking.
Gap: many accounts see little use; credit and insurance reach is still low.
Next step: small loans, micro-insurance, Business Correspondents, digital literacy.

12. Green finance: should banks lend less to polluting industries?

For: climate risk is also a credit risk; RBI has asked banks to assess climate risk.
Against: coal, steel and cement still drive jobs and growth; a sudden cut-off would hurt.
Middle path: finance the transition, with clear timelines.

Economy topics

13. Is a weak rupee good or bad for India?

Good: exporters earn more, remittances are worth more.
Bad: oil, electronics and gold get costlier, inflation rises, dollar loans cost more.
Read more: why the rupee is falling.

14. Should India worry about foreign investors leaving?

Worry: pressure on the rupee and the stock market.
Don't panic: domestic investors and SIPs have absorbed the selling, and FDI is still coming in.
Read more: why FPIs are pulling money out.

15. Internationalisation of the rupee

For: less dependence on the dollar, lower costs for trade settlement.
Against: needs full capital account convertibility and deep markets; India is not there yet.

16. CBDC (e-rupee): will it replace cash and UPI?

For: programmable money, cheaper cross-border payments, a record of every transaction.
Against: privacy concerns, UPI already works well, low public demand so far.

17. Freebies versus welfare: where is the line?

Welfare: food security, health and education build human capital.
Freebies: unfunded handouts can strain state finances and crowd out investment.

18. Can India become a developed country by 2047?

Yes: young population, fast growth, digital public infrastructure.
Challenges: jobs for the young, women's workforce participation, skills, ease of doing business.

19. India's dependence on imported oil

Risk: every oil shock widens the trade gap and pushes inflation.
Options: electric vehicles, ethanol blending, renewables, strategic reserves.

Technology topics

20. Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI): India's model for the world?

Aadhaar, UPI, DigiLocker and Account Aggregators make up India's "stack".

For: low-cost, open systems that reached hundreds of millions.
Concerns: data protection, exclusion of people without phones or connectivity.

21. Should social media be regulated more strictly?

For: fake news, online fraud and harm to young users.
Against: free speech, risk of misuse of regulation.

22. Cashless economy: is India ready?

For: transparency, convenience, lower cost of handling cash.
Against: the digital divide, cyber fraud, older and rural people.

23. Work from home versus work from office

For WFH: saves commuting time, wider talent pool, more women in work.
For office: teamwork, learning from seniors, company culture.

24. Should a bank officer's job be transferable across India?

For: exposure, fairness, avoids local pressure.
Against: family disruption, language barriers, staff turnover.

25. Is coaching culture good for students?

For: structure and guidance for competitive exams.
Against: cost, pressure, focus on scoring over understanding.

26. Women in the workforce: what is holding them back?

Barriers: safety, unpaid care work, lack of flexible jobs.
Solutions: childcare, flexible hours, safe transport.

27. Government jobs versus private jobs

Government: security, social purpose, work-life balance.
Private: faster growth, higher pay at the top, performance culture.

28. Brain drain: should India worry?

Worry: loss of skilled people.
Other side: remittances, diaspora networks, many return with experience.

29. "Customer is king": does it still hold in banking?

Discuss service quality, grievance redressal and the RBI Ombudsman.

30. Abstract topic: "Change is the only constant"

Link it to banking: from ledgers to UPI, from branches to apps, and now AI.
Make the point that adapting to change is a skill banks look for in officers.

Prepare for the SBI PO interview too

The interview carries more marks than the group exercise. Our SBI PO Interview Guidance Programme covers these themes in depth with likely questions. See our courses.