11:10 AM IST – The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the 2025 list of Domestic Systemically Important Banks (D-SIBs). The trio remains unchanged. As per the RBI list, State Bank of India (SBI), HDFC Bank, and ICICI Bank continue to be considered the banks that hold the backbone of India’s financial system.
In simple words, these three are the “too-big-to-fail” banks of India. If anything goes wrong with them, the entire economy can feel the shock. So, RBI makes sure they keep a little extra savings of their own — called a capital buffer — just in case the financial weather turns rough.
2025 D-SIB Positions (No Changes from Last Year)
| Bank | Bucket | Extra Capital Buffer (CET1 %) |
|---|---|---|
| SBI | 4 | 0.80% |
| HDFC Bank | 2 | 0.40% |
| ICICI Bank | 1 | 0.20% |
Higher bucket = bigger responsibility + more safety cushion
No new bank was added. No one moved up. No bank entered the highest risk Bucket-5 either. That’s basically RBI saying: “We see stability. Keep going.” Concepts like D-SIB designations exist so banks maintain safety even during big shocks — as explained nicely by Testbook.
Why should you care as a normal bank customer?
- Your deposits and money in these banks sit under a stronger safety umbrella
- These banks are less likely to stop lending in tough times
- Your loans and EMIs remain more stable because these banks handle crises better
- Fintechs, UPI apps, NBFCs, they all depend on such banks to run smoothly
Even a small safety buffer can prevent a big panic. We have seen globally in recent years, when a large bank shakes, the whole system trembles.
A small flashback
- SBI & ICICI Bank were first named D-SIBs in 2015-16
- HDFC Bank joined later in 2017
- RBI reviews the list every year using data from banks
- 2025 update again confirms: these 3 are still the core pillars
So yes — India’s banking “spine” is still the same.
Easemoney Bottom Line — The real takeaway
Other websites will simply tell you who is in the list. But what we want you to remember is what it means for your financial life:
- India’s financial system has three super-banks
- Their health keeps your money, loans and digital payments running
- Stability may not feel exciting — but it keeps dreams alive
We love growth stories. But in banking, a calm story is sometimes the biggest win. For 2025, RBI is telling us just that — “Relax. The foundation is strong.”
