Question

Which among the following is not a Public Sector Bank of India?

• A. South Indian Bank
• B. Bank of India
• C. Bank of Baroda
• D. Punjab National Bank

Hint:

Recall which banks were nationalised in 1969; the one left out of that list is the answer.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

This question tests knowledge of which Indian banks are government owned, called public sector banks, and which are privately owned. A bank is called a public sector bank when the majority of its shares are held by the Government of India.

1. South Indian Bank: This is an old private sector bank headquartered in Thrissur, Kerala. It was never nationalised and remains owned mainly by private shareholders, so it is not a public sector bank.
2. Bank of India: This bank was nationalised in 1969 along with 13 other major banks. It is fully a public sector bank owned by the Government of India.
3. Bank of Baroda: Also nationalised in 1969, Bank of Baroda has been a public sector bank ever since, with the government holding majority stake.
4. Punjab National Bank: Nationalised in 1969 as well, Punjab National Bank is one of the largest public sector banks in India.

The correct option is South Indian Bank because it is the only bank among the four that has always been in the private sector and was never taken over by the government.

Let's summarize:

• Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, and Punjab National Bank were all nationalised in 1969 and remain public sector banks.
• South Indian Bank has stayed a private sector bank throughout its history.

So South Indian Bank is the one that is not a public sector bank.