
Arundhati Bhattacharya is a highly respected figure in Indian banking, having served as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the State Bank of India from 2013 to 2017.
She was the first woman to hold this position in the bank's history.
Arundhati Bhattacharya's tenure at the State Bank of India was marked by significant achievements, including the bank's efforts to expand its digital presence and improve customer services.
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Early Life and Education
Arundhati Bhattacharya was born into a well-educated family, with her father working as an engineer at Bhilai Steel Plant and her mother as a Homeopathic doctor.
She was raised in Bhilai and completed her schooling at Bokaro Steel City's St Xavier's School.
Arundhati was driven towards journalism from a young age, and her education reflected this interest in literature.
She studied English Literature at Kolkata's Lady Brabourne College and then at Jadavpur University, laying the groundwork for her future career.
Childhood and Personal Life

Arundhati Bhattacharya was born into a well-educated family. Her father, Prodyut Kumar Mukherjee, was an engineer working at the Bhilai Steel Plant.
She was raised in Bhilai by her parents. Her mother, Kalyani Mukherjee, was a Homeopathic doctor.
Arundhati was driven towards journalism from a very young age. She completed her schooling at Bokaro Steel City's St Xavier's School.
She went on to pursue English literature and graduated from Kolkata's Lady Brabourne College.
Education
Arundhati Bhattacharya's educational journey began at St. Xavier's School in Bokaro, where she laid the foundation for her future academic pursuits.
She went on to study English Literature at Calcutta's Lady Brabourne College.
Arundhati's academic curiosity led her to Jadavpur University, where she further honed her knowledge in English Literature.
Career in Banking
Arundhati Bhattacharya's career in banking spans an impressive 36 years, starting at the age of 22 when she passed the SBI probationary officer exam.
She held various positions, including working in foreign exchange, treasury, retail operations, human resources, and investment banking. She was also the chief executive of the bank's merchant banking arm, State Bank of India Capital Markets, and chief general manager in charge of new projects.
Arundhati Bhattacharya has served at the bank's New York office and was involved with the launch of several new businesses, such as SBI General Insurance, SBI Custodial Services, SBI Pension Funds Pvt. Ltd., and the SBI Macquarie Infrastructure Fund.
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Career

Arundhati Bhattacharya's career in banking is a shining example of what can be achieved with hard work and determination. She was just 22 years old when she nailed the SBI probationary officer exam in 1977.
She went on to hold various positions, including working in foreign exchange, treasury, retail operations, human resources, and investment banking. This breadth of experience helped her develop a deep understanding of the bank's operations.
Arundhati Bhattacharya has also been involved in launching several new businesses, such as SBI General Insurance, SBI Custodial Services, SBI Pension Funds Pvt. Ltd., and the SBI Macquarie Infrastructure Fund. Her ability to think innovatively and take calculated risks has been a key factor in her success.
She spent time at the bank's New York office, gaining valuable international experience and exposure to global markets. This experience helped her develop a unique perspective on the banking industry.
Arundhati Bhattacharya's tenure as the first female chairperson of SBI was a remarkable four years, during which she transformed the bank into a customer-friendly and competitive entity.
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Swift India
SWIFT India is a significant player in the country's financial sector, and its growth can be attributed to the leadership of Arundhati Bhattacharya, who was appointed as the new Chairman of the SWIFT India board in 2018.
Arundhati Bhattacharya's contributions to SWIFT India have been instrumental in its success, making a lasting impact on the Indian financial sector.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the CEO of Salesforce India?
Arundhati Bhattacharya is the CEO and Chairperson of Salesforce India. She is a key figure in driving Salesforce's growth in the Indian market.
Sources
- https://www.forbesindia.com/article/leadership/ive-matured-more-as-a-leader-arundhati-bhattacharya/85259/1
- https://startuptalky.com/arundhati-bhattacharya-success-story/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arundhati_Bhattacharya
- https://www.linkedin.com/posts/arundhati-bhattacharya-salesforce_shape-the-future-of-technology-at-salesforce-activity-7183487236389105664-drxc
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/arundhati-bhattacharya
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