NationalSaturday, 17 October 2026·The Hindu - National
SBI software issue on ST option for Christians raises constitutional and banking compliance questions
An Arunachal Pradesh Christian forum alleged that SBI’s digital system blocks the Scheduled Tribe option for Christian applicants during account opening and KYC updates.
Key highlights
Direct fact
In October 2026, the Arunachal Christian Forum alleged in Itanagar that State Bank of India’s digital banking software automatically classifies Christian applicants as ‘General’ and blocks the Scheduled Tribe (ST) option during account opening and KYC updates.
Key specifics
- The forum said SBI’s regional office in Itanagar received its letter on 5 October 2026.
- ACF president James Techi Tara and secretary general Yomrik Lombi warned of agitations if the issue was not fixed within 15 days.
- The forum cited the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order of 1950 to argue that tribal status in Arunachal Pradesh is not tied to religion.
- The complaint said SBI is not the competent authority to de-list a tribal Christian customer with a valid ST certificate.
- The forum asked whether any RBI directive permits religion-based classification in onboarding logic.
Exam lens
Question type: Polity and banking compliance, ST status, Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Order, 1950, KYC, RBI linkage. TNPSC may ask why the forum called the software potentially discriminatory and which constitutional order was cited.