Authors: Dr. Sahil Nazir, Natasha
Abstract: The banking sector plays a vital role in the economic development of India by mobilizing savings and channelizing funds into productive investments. The present study aims to compare the financial performance of public and private sector banks operating in India. The study evaluates the performance of five public sector banks and five private sector banks using financial indicators such as profitability, asset quality, liquidity, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency. Primary data were collected from 200 respondents comprising customers of selected banks through a structured questionnaire. Secondary financial indicators were used to support the comparative analysis. Statistical tools such as percentage analysis, mean score analysis, and independent sample t-test were employed for data interpretation. The findings reveal that private sector banks outperform public sector banks in terms of customer satisfaction, service quality, digital banking facilities, and profitability. Public sector banks, however, enjoy higher customer trust, wider geographical coverage, and greater government support. The study concludes that while private banks exhibit superior financial efficiency, public sector banks continue to maintain a significant presence due to their reliability and extensive branch network. The research provides valuable insights for policymakers, banking professionals, and investors.