After hiring plans in the banking sector has seen a slowdown amid technological advancement wherein newer technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and chatbots are being roped in, erstwhile instruction by the central banker with mandate for doorstep banking for elderly customers over 70 years age and differently-abled category is likely to spur hiring sentiment.

Issuing a notification concerning this, RBI in a communication to banks that include small finance and payments banks said, " it has been observed " that there are occasions when banks discourage or turn away senior citizens and differently-abled persons from availing banking facilities in branches.

"... in view of the difficulties faced by senior citizens of more than 70 years of age and differently-abled or infirm persons (having medically certified chronic illness or disability) including those who are visually impaired, banks are advised to make concerted effort to provide basic banking facilities".

The facilities to be offered through doorstep banking would include basic banking services such as cash delivery in case of withdrawal request and pick up for deposits, delivery of life certificates to pensioners, collecting proofs for completing KYC of customers and such others.

With this mandate in place several bankers are reviving their recruitment outlook to meet the requirements of the new provisions which came in November this year.

Bandhan bank has plans to hire 5000 individuals in the FY18 for meeting its human resource requirement at bank branches and dedicated doorstep service outlets. Also, the bank has scaled up its doorstep service centres to 2547 from the earlier 2022 facilities. IDFC Bank which also runs on the doorstep banking being one of the main pillars of its retail functionality is also likely to ramp up its hiring plans.

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