Punjab National Bank (PNB) has partnered with Digital India Bhashini Division (DIBD) to make digital banking more accessible through AI-powered multilingual and voice-enabled services. The initiative aims to help customers interact with banking platforms in their preferred Indian language.

Punjab National Bank (PNB) has announced a new step towards enhancing digital banking by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Digital India Bhashini Division (DIBD). The agreement is expected to make banking services more inclusive by enabling customers to use voice and text in multiple Indian languages while accessing digital banking platforms.

The MoU was signed at PNB's Corporate Office in Dwarka, New Delhi, in the presence of senior officials from both organizations.

AI Language Technology to Power Digital Banking

As part of the collaboration, Bhashini's AI-based language technology will be integrated into PNB's digital banking ecosystem.

Once implemented, customers will be able to:

• Access banking services in multiple Indian languages.
• Use voice commands for selected banking functions.
• Interact with digital platforms through speech or text.
• Experience a more user-friendly banking interface.

The initiative is designed to reduce language barriers and improve digital accessibility for customers across different regions of India.

Focus on Inclusive Banking

PNB Executive Director M. Paramasivam said the partnership highlights how Digital Public Infrastructure can improve public services by leveraging artificial intelligence.

According to him, integrating AI-powered language solutions into banking platforms can make digital banking more accessible, secure and convenient for users from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

Bhashini Aims to Remove Language Barriers

Speaking on the collaboration, Amitabh Nag, CEO of the Digital India Bhashini Division, said language should never become an obstacle to accessing essential financial services.

He noted that the partnership supports Bhashini's vision of voice-first digital services, allowing citizens to interact with banking platforms in their preferred Indian language.

Better Experience for PNB Customers

PNB Chief General Manager Atish Kumar Raut said the bank remains committed to providing secure and customer-friendly digital banking services.

He added that integrating Bhashini's AI capabilities will simplify digital banking for customers who prefer regional languages, making the overall banking experience more convenient and inclusive.

What This Means for Customers

The collaboration is expected to offer several benefits, including:

• Easier navigation of banking services in regional languages.
• Improved accessibility for customers who are more comfortable with voice interactions.
• Reduced language barriers in digital banking.
• A more inclusive banking experience across India.

The rollout timeline and specific features will be announced by the bank as the integration progresses.

About Bhashini

Bhashini is a Government of India initiative under the Digital India programme that focuses on developing AI-driven language technologies. Its objective is to make digital services accessible in multiple Indian languages through speech recognition, translation and text-based solutions.

Final Takeaway

PNB's partnership with the Digital India Bhashini Division marks another step toward making banking more inclusive through artificial intelligence. By introducing multilingual and voice-enabled banking capabilities, the bank aims to improve accessibility and make digital financial services easier for customers across the country.