State Bank of India (SBI), the nation’s largest public sector bank, experienced a significant disruption in its digital services on April 1, 2025. Customers nationwide reported difficulties accessing mobile banking, conducting fund transfers, and utilizing ATM services. This interruption coincided with SBI’s annual financial closing activities, a routine process undertaken at the end of each fiscal year.
Extent of the Disruption
SBI’s digital services, including Internet Banking, YONO, YONO Lite, Corporate Internet Banking (CINB), YONO Business Web & Mobile App, and UPI services, were unavailable from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM IST on April 1, 2025. This scheduled downtime was essential for finalizing financial records and ensuring a seamless transition into the new fiscal year.
SBI’s Official Statement
In response to the widespread service issues, SBI issued an official statement addressing the situation. The bank informed customers that due to annual closing activities, digital services would be unavailable from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM IST on April 1, 2025. SBI recommended utilizing UPI Lite and ATM channels during this period for uninterrupted services and apologized for any inconvenience caused.
Impact on Customers
The service disruption led to significant inconvenience for customers, especially those relying on digital platforms for their banking needs. Many users took to social media to express frustration over failed transactions and difficulties accessing their accounts. The timing of the outage, coinciding with the financial year’s end, further compounded the challenges faced by customers managing year-end financial matters.
NPCI’s Acknowledgment
The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) acknowledged that multiple banks were experiencing transaction issues due to the financial year closing. NPCI assured users that the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) system was operational and that efforts were underway with concerned banks to address the issues.
Previous Incidents
This incident marks the second time in recent months that SBI customers have faced such challenges. On March 11, 2025, users encountered similar difficulties accessing UPI and mobile banking services for over four hours.
While the annual closing activities are a routine and necessary process for banks like SBI, the resultant service disruptions underscore the importance of effective communication and contingency planning. Ensuring that customers are well-informed and have access to alternative banking channels can mitigate inconvenience during such periods. As digital banking becomes increasingly integral to daily life, maintaining the reliability and availability of these services is paramount for customer satisfaction and trust.
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