Business Today has officially announced a high-powered jury for the landmark 30th edition of the BT-KPMG Best Banks study. Chaired by Dinesh Kumar Khara, former Chairman of the State Bank of India (SBI), the distinguished panel is set to meet today to evaluate and select the top-performing leaders and institutions in India’s banking sector for 2026.
The BT-KPMG study is widely regarded as the gold standard for banking excellence in India. This year’s evaluation comes at a time when the industry is navigating a high-stakes digital transformation, balancing traditional risk management with the rapid adoption of AI and fintech solutions.
The 30th edition jury features a “who’s who” of the Indian financial landscape, bringing together decades of expertise in regulation, capital markets, and corporate governance:
- Dinesh Kumar Khara (Chair): Former Chairman, SBI.
- G.N. Bajpai: Former Chairman of SEBI and LIC; Founder and Chairman of GovEva.
- Gunit Chadha: Former CEO of Deutsche Bank (Asia-Pacific); Founder of APAC Financial Services.
- Zarin Daruwala: Group CEO of PL Capital; former CEO of Standard Chartered Bank (India & South Asia).
- Ashima Goyal: Professor Emeritus at IGIDR and prominent economist.
- Ashish Chauhan: Managing Director and CEO of the National Stock Exchange (NSE).
- Surojit Shome: Former MD and CEO of DBS Bank India Limited.
While financial growth and profitability remain core metrics, the BT-KPMG Best Banks Awards have evolved to prioritize qualitative factors. The jury will specifically scrutinize how CEOs have steered their institutions through complex lending environments while driving financial inclusion.
Key evaluation parameters for the 2026 awards include:
- Digital Innovation: The scale and success of technology-led banking initiatives.
- Strategic Resilience: The ability to manage risk in a volatile global economy.
- Accessibility: Efforts to expand banking services to underserved regions across India.
- Leadership Excellence: Identifying CEOs who have balanced shareholder value with broader social objectives.
As the jury concludes its deliberations, the industry awaits the final results, which serve as a vital benchmark for institutional strength and leadership in the Indian economy.
Key Highlights:
- Jury Chair: Dinesh Kumar Khara, former SBI Chairman, heads the panel for the 30th edition of the BT-KPMG Best Banks awards.
- Eminent Panel: The jury includes top leaders from NSE, SEBI, and global banking giants to evaluate the best CEOs in the Indian banking sector.
- Core Focus: The awards emphasize digital transformation, strategy, and financial inclusion beyond traditional growth and profit metrics.
- Key Event: The jury is scheduled to meet on January 16, 2026, to finalize the winners for this prestigious milestone edition.