Appraising Public Sector Bank Performance since Liberalization

Since the liberalization of the Indian economy in the 1990s, the performance of public sector banks (PSBs) in India has been a subject of evaluation. PSBs have played a crucial role in promoting financial inclusion and extending banking services to underserved populations, particularly in rural and remote areas. They have maintained a dominant market share in the Indian banking sector, despite increasing competition from private and foreign banks. However, PSBs have faced challenges related to non-performing assets (NPAs) or bad loans, which have affected their profitability and capital adequacy. The government has implemented measures such as recapitalization to address these issues and strengthen PSBs' balance sheets. Governance issues, including political interference and bureaucratic processes, have also impacted their performance. Efforts have been made to improve the governance structure and autonomy of PSBs, including the introduction of measures like the Bank Board Bureau and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code. These initiatives aim to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability in PSB operations. Overall, while PSBs have made significant contributions to financial inclusion and played a crucial role in the Indian banking sector, their performance since liberalization has been affected by challenges related to NPAs and governance.