Private sector lender State Bank of India has decided to bring down its recruitment numbers this fiscal. The banking major has said that it will be hiring around 11000 officers and clerks this year.

"We will be recruiting about 6,000 clerks soon. The process for filling up 5,193 officer posts has just begun," the Chairman of SBI, Mr Pratip Chaudhuri said.

The bank has come out with a notification of recruitment for 4987 officers for the associate banks and 206 officers for itself.

On questions regarding the reduction in hiring this year being a cost cutting drive, Chaudhuri said, "The recruitment will depend on many factors such as retirements and number of branches to be opened."

"The bulk recruitment in public sector banks for the last two-three years was primarily driven by State Bank of India. Any slowdown in its hiring plans will adversely impact the overall employment prospects in the banking sector," said the Director of a leading coaching institute for bank jobs.