THE VAULT

Work–life balance in Public Sector Banks (PSBs) in India has largely become a slogan rather than a reality. While the term is frequently mentioned in policy discussions and official communications, the day-to-day experience of PSB employees tells a very different story. The problem is not a lack of intent—it is a deeply entrenched working culture that continues to prioritize control, compliance, and optics over efficiency, trust, and employee well-being.  PSB employees are expected to handle ever-increasing workloads with shrinking manpower. Long working hours have been normalized to the extent that staying late is often seen as a sign of commitment rather than a symptom of poor workload planning. This culture quietly rewards overwork while ignoring its long-term costs: burnout, declining morale, health issues, and disengagement.  One of the most damaging contributors to poor work–life balance is micromanagement. Instead of empowering officers and staff to make decisions, the ...

In today’s world, we often mistake titles for true leadership. A designation, a corner office, or a nameplate on the door can make someone appear to be a leader. But real leadership has never been about the position—it is about the responsibility one carries, whether acknowledged by the world or not. Indian philosophical tradition has always understood this deeply. Leadership, in our scriptures, is inseparable from dharma—the sense of righteous duty that one performs without attachment to power, fame, or reward. The clearest expression of this comes from the Bhagavad Gita, where Krishna instructs Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra. Arjuna, a peerless warrior and prince, is overwhelmed and wants to abandon his role. Krishna does not remind him of his royal status or his command over armies. Instead, He speaks of responsibility: *”Sva-dharme nidhanam shreyah para-dharmo bhayavahah”* (It is better to die doing one’s own duty; the duty of another brings danger.)-Bhagavad Gita 3.35 An...