DFS Hosts PSB Confluence 2026 in New Delhi

The Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, hosted the two-day PSB Confluence 2026 in New Delhi on 17–18 August 2026. The event brought together around 125 senior representatives from Public Sector Banks (PSBs), Public Financial Institutions (PFIs), and the Indian Banks’ Association.

Public Sector Banks and Financial Institutions

Public Sector Banks in India are banks in which the Government of India holds a majority stake. Public Financial Institutions such as NABARD, SIDBI, and NHB are specialised institutions that support agriculture, small industries, and housing finance.

Seven Themes of the Confluence

The deliberations covered seven themes: Deposit Mobilisation, Banking for Youth, Supporting the Investment Cycle, Global Capability Centres, Agriculture and Horticulture Value Chain Infrastructure, Re-imagining the Credit Card Business, and Priority Sector Lending. The first day focused on Deposit Mobilisation, Banking for Youth, Supporting the Investment Cycle, and Global Capability Centres.

Youth, NPAs, and Banking Reforms

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary addressed the participants on the opening day. Sitharaman stated that 29% of India’s population belongs to the 15–29 age group and referred to the Mera Yuva Bharat platform, which has more than 2.6 crore registered users. She also noted that historically low levels of Non-Performing Assets place public sector banks in a position to pursue the next phase of reforms.

Important Facts for Exams

• NABARD stands for National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.
• SIDBI stands for Small Industries Development Bank of India.
• NHB stands for National Housing Bank.
• Priority Sector Lending is a banking policy that directs credit to specified sectors such as agriculture, micro and small enterprises, and weaker sections.

Committee on Banking Reforms

Sitharaman announced that the Central Government will soon set up a high-powered committee on banking reforms for Viksit Bharat. The conclusions of PSB Confluence 2026 will be used as inputs for the committee.

DFS Leadership

Official Ministry of Finance releases identified Sanjay Lohiya as the DFS Secretary who delivered remarks at the conclave. Some media and social media summaries mentioned M. Nagaraju in the same role.