Trailblazing banker and corporate leader Smt. Arundhati Bhattacharya has been honoured with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the field of Trade and Industry.
Smt. Bhattacharya made history in 2013 as the first woman to chair the State Bank of India (SBI), the nation’s largest public sector bank. During her tenure, she led SBI through one of its most significant transitions—modernizing operations, promoting digital banking, and introducing several customer-centric reforms. Under her leadership, SBI merged five of its associate banks and the Bharatiya Mahila Bank, a move that streamlined operations and strengthened the institution’s national footprint.
Following her retirement from SBI, she took on the role of Chairperson and CEO of Salesforce India in 2020. In this capacity, she has been instrumental in driving digital transformation across industries, building inclusive leadership frameworks, and expanding India’s presence in the global tech economy.
On receiving the honour, Smt. Bhattacharya said:
“This award is not just a personal recognition but a tribute to every woman who has dared to dream big in the world of finance and technology. I hope it inspires more women to lead with courage and vision.”
Over the years, she has consistently featured in Forbes’ list of the world’s most powerful women and has been widely acknowledged as a role model in both finance and technology sectors.
With this Padma Shri, India celebrates a pioneering leader whose contributions continue to shape the nation’s financial future and inspire a generation of professionals.
