There are 22,000 posts lying vacant in public sector banks despite a recruitment drive carried out by these banks in the last one year thereby adding around 15,000 people.

As per the data compiled by finance ministry, 11 public sector banks with major names like Punjab National Bank (PNB), Oriental Bank of Commerce (OBC), Bank of Baroda (BoB) and Central Bank of India are currently facing shortage of staff.

"Banks have full operational and managerial autonomy regarding manpower planning and recruitment. The filling up of the vacancies is an ongoing exercise and banks make their recruitment as per their own needs," a finance ministry official said.

The banking sector of the country is undergoing major expansion due to the growing nature of the economy and also the drive to bring financial inclusion in all unbanked areas of the country. Out of 65,000 villages in India, only 30,000 are covered by the commercial bank branches. SBI this year is planning to hire around 2000 officers for its rural branches.

In spite of facing acute manpower shortage mainly due to superannuation, the banks show no intention to expedite the process. "There is a need for specialist officers, clerks and probationary officers. We'll be soon hiring around 1,250 clerks, but you need to get eligible candidates for other posts," said a senior official with PNB.

Banks are planning for recruitment in agriculture, economist, Planning, Research, Legal, Security and Information Technology sectors.

"We are looking to hire around 400 specialist officers. But you need to get the right candidates," said a senior official with the OBC. The bank plans to hire 1,600 people this year when it has already recruited 1,290 people this year.