The Department of Financial Services (DFS) launched EASE 9.0 reforms in February 2026 to modernize Public Sector Banks (PSBs) — a development frequently analysed in UPSC coaching in Hyderabad while studying banking sector reforms and financial governance.
Key Reforms under EASE 9.0
Global Capability Centres (GCCs)
• PSBs will adopt GCC strategies in FY 2026–27.
• SBI has already set up the first GCC in Karnataka.
• GCCs perform strategic functions like IT, R&D, and business support.
Technology Infrastructure
• Adoption of active-active data centres for resilience.
• Development of AI stacks, including Large Language Models (LLMs), GPU strategies, and private cloud deployment.
• Enterprise-wide consent management systems.
• Data tokenisation and anonymisation for secure business continuity.
Collaborative Solutions
• Joint efforts among PSBs to integrate blockchain technology, advanced risk assessment, and fraud detection models.
BFSI Global Capability Centres (GCCs)
• Definition: 100% owned subsidiaries of global financial institutions, centralising high-value functions like risk management, compliance, fintech, and cybersecurity.
• Evolution: From cost-saving hubs to advanced centres for AI, ML, cybersecurity, RegTech, and analytics.
• India’s Position:
• Hosts 185–190 BFSI GCCs employing ~540,000 professionals.
• Projected to grow from USD 40–41 billion (2023) to USD 125 billion by 2032.
• Major hubs: Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Gurugram/NCR.
• Examples: JPMorgan Chase, HSBC, Wells Fargo, Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, Barclays, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley.
These developments are often discussed in IAS coaching in Hyderabad while analysing India’s growing role in the global financial services ecosystem.
R.I.S.E. Framework – Four Pillars of EASE 9.0
• Risk & Resilience: Stronger risk management and operational continuity.
• Innovation: Integration of AI, GenAI, ML, cloud, and microservices.
• Socio-economic Impact: Inclusive banking for underserved groups, including gig and platform workers.
• Excellence: Improved efficiency, governance, customer-centric processes, and cost-effective models.
Conclusion
These reforms are crucial for aligning India’s banking sector with the national vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, ensuring PSBs remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global financial ecosystem — topics regularly explored in UPSC online coaching for GS3 Economy preparation.
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