About R.K. Talwar Memorial Lecture
The R.K. Talwar Memorial Lecture is an annual event organized
by the Indian Institute of Banking & Finance (IIBF), with the
first lecture held on 31 July 2007 in Mumbai. It was
instituted by the State Bank of India (SBI) to honor the
memory of Late R.K. Talwar, who served as Chairman of the Bank
for over six years and left a lasting imprint on India’s
banking landscape.
This memorial lecture was created through contributions from
admirers, pensioners, and staff of SBI, along with support
from outsiders who respected Talwar’s contributions. To
strengthen the initiative, SBI contributed a matching amount
to the endowment fund, ensuring the lecture series continues
as a tribute to his enduring legacy.
Purpose & Legacy
Honors Late
R.K. Talwar – his vision, leadership, and role in shaping
SBI post-1969.
Annual
knowledge platform – invites thought leaders to share
insights in banking and finance.
Endowment-based initiative – funded by admirers and matched
by SBI.
Tribute to a
visionary – keeps alive his contributions to growth and
professional banking culture.
Association with IIBF
Apart from his role at SBI, Talwar also had a strong
association with IIBF:
The lecture series thus serves not only as a memorial but also
as a reflection of his close ties with the institute and the
banking fraternity.
About Late Raj Kumar Talwar
Raj Kumar Talwar (1922–2002) was one of India’s most respected
and visionary bankers. He began his career in 1943 with the
Imperial Bank of India at Lahore as a Probationary Assistant
after completing his M.A. in Mathematics. Over the years, he
rose through multiple senior roles across different SBI
circles, ultimately becoming the youngest Managing Director in
1968 and the youngest Chairman of SBI in 1969.
This memorial lecture was created through contributions from
admirers, pensioners, and staff of SBI, along with support
from outsiders who respected Talwar’s contributions. To
strengthen the initiative, SBI contributed a matching amount
to the endowment fund, ensuring the lecture series continues
as a tribute to his enduring legacy.
Career Journey
Started as
Probationary Assistant, Imperial Bank of India (1943).
Held senior
posts in Bengal, Madras, Hyderabad, and Bombay Circles.
Became
Secretary & Treasurer of newly formed Hyderabad Circle
(1965).
Elevated as
Managing Director (1968) and Chairman of SBI (1969).
As Chairman, Talwar gave SBI a new direction and orientation.
He pioneered organizational restructuring in 1971, introduced
simplified procedures for small industries, and launched rural
development and sick unit rehabilitation initiatives. His
leadership era is often described as the golden era of SBI.
Contributions & Vision
Expanded
SBI’s reach and modernized its operations.
Ensured
transparency in lending and corporate balance sheet
analysis.
Pushed
for innovative banking and financial discipline.
schemes
benefiting small entrepreneurs, businessmen, and
agriculturists.
Beyond professional success, Talwar was admired for his
values, integrity, and uncompromising principles. He fostered
openness and transparency, and strongly opposed arbitrary
decisions.
Legacy
Chaired the
Talwar Committee on Customer Service (1975) – its
recommendations are still widely quoted.
Retired in
1976 at just 54, remembered for integrity and dynamism.
Lived a
simple life in Pondicherry, cycling around town and focusing
on spiritual pursuits.
Passed away
on 23 April 2002 at the age of 80, leaving behind a legacy
of professionalism, vision, and service.
R.K. Talwar Memorial Lectures
2025 – Fourteenth
- Shri M. Nagaraju, IAS
-
Indian Banking System for Viksit Bharat
2022 – Twelfth
- Mr. M. Rajeshwar Rao, RBI
-
Policy in Indian Financial System
2021 – Eleventh
- Dr. K.V. Subramanian, CEA
-
India’s Covid Response
2019 – Tenth
- Mr. Sanjeev Sanyal, MoF
-
Policy for an Uncertain World
2018 – Ninth
- Dr. Bibek Debroy, NITI Aayog
-
The Reform Agenda
2017 – Eighth
- Dr. Viral Acharya, RBI
-
Restoring Public Sector Bank Health
2016 – Seventh
- Dr. Ashish Nanda
-
India and Globalization
2015 – Sixth
- Dr. Arvind Panagariya, NITI Aayog
-
Growth & Transformation
2011 – Fifth
- Shri N. Vaghul, ICICI Bank
-
Future of Finance in India
2010 – Fourth
- Dr. Rakesh Mohan
-
Future of Financial Regulations
2009 – Third
- Smt. Elaben Bhatt, SEWA
-
Capital & Citizenship
2008 – Second
- Shri Vinod Rai, IAS
-
Human Resource in Banking
2007 – First
- Dr. C. Rangarajan
-
Banking System – Challenges Ahead
Sir P.T. Memorial Lecture
The Sir Purshotamdas Thakurdas Memorial Lecture is an annual
event organized by IIBF in honor of Sir Purshotamdas Thakurdas
(1879–1961), a distinguished businessman, economic thinker,
and one of the founders of the Institute. He made significant
contributions to India’s economic policy and banking sector.
Purpose & Legacy
Tribute to
Sir P.T.’s role in shaping India’s economy and banking.
A platform
for eminent leaders to share insights on finance & policy.
Endowment-based initiative supported by admirers &
institutions.
Keeps alive
his vision of balanced growth, enterprise, and social
responsibility.
Association with IIBF
Sir P.T. was deeply associated with IIBF (then The Indian
Institute of Bankers) since its inception.
His close ties with the Institute make this lecture series a
reflection of his lasting contribution to Indian banking and
finance.
About Sir Purshotamdas Thakurdas
Played a
central role in committees & commissions of the Govt. of
India.
Co-authored
the landmark Bombay Plan (1944) advocating free enterprise
with state partnership.
Served on
the Boards of the Imperial Bank of India and Reserve Bank of
India.
Remembered
for foresight, constructive criticism, and nation-building
vision.
Contributions & Vision
Advocated industrial growth with social balance.
Strengthened institutions through pragmatic reforms.
Promoted
sound banking & financial discipline.
Inspired
generations of policymakers, economists, and bankers.
Sir P.T. Memorial Lectures
2024 Thirty-Ninth Lecture
- Dr. Rabi Narayan Mishra
-
Immune & Future-Ready Financial
2023 – Thirty-Eighth Lecture
- Shri Injeti Srinivas
-
Longevity & Pension Innovation
2021 – Thirty-Seventh Lecture
- Shri Supratim Bandyopadhyay
-
Role of IFSC in India
2020 – Thirty-Sixth Lecture
- Justice S. J. Mukhopadhaya
-
Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code
2017 – Thirty-Fifth Lecture
- Dr. Tarun Khanna
-
Trust in Finance
2015 – Thirty-Fourth Lecture
- Dr. M. S. Sahoo
-
Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board
2013 – Thirty-Third Lecture
- Mr. R. Gandhi
-
Pioneering Best Practices in Banking
2010 – Thirty-Second Lecture
- Shri Nandan Nilekani
-
Financial Inclusion
2009 – Thirty-First Lecture
- Dr. Chip Cleary
-
Mental Models and Bottom-Line Results
2006 – Thirtieth Lecture
- Subir Gokarn
-
Finance and Sustainability
2013 – Twenty-Nine Lecture
- Saumitra Chaudhuri
-
social & economic inclusion and stability
2006 – Twenty-Seven Lecture
- Shri Nandan Nilekani
-
Have We Reached The Tipping Point?
2010 – Twenty-Six Lecture
- Dr.Vijay Kelkar
-
On Strategies for Disinvestment and
Privatisation
