**Executive Summary**
Bank of Baroda launched ‘bob SAMVAD’, an in-house AI-powered multilingual conversational platform, on March 28, 2026, in Mumbai. The initiative aims to eliminate language barriers in banking by facilitating real-time communication in 22 languages between customers and branch staff. The initial rollout covers 250 branches in five states, with a phased large-scale deployment to follow across the bank's network.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Platform Capabilities**
* **Multilingual Support:** Enables two-way, real-time communication across 22 languages to address India’s linguistic diversity.
* **In-house Technology:** Developed entirely in-house using AI-driven speech and language technologies for low-latency and contextual accuracy.
* **Accessibility Features:** Interactions are displayed as text on screens, with an optional voice mode (text-to-speech) for those who prefer audio over reading.
**Operational Benefits**
* **Seamless Communication:** Allows customers and staff to speak or input queries in their preferred language, which is then instantly translated for the recipient.
* **Inclusive Banking:** Aims to bridge language barriers and promote accessible service delivery at branch service counters.
* **Industry Benchmarking:** Described by the Department of Financial Services (DFS) as a step toward strengthening customer service through innovative technology.
**Deployment Plan**
* **Phase 1:** Rollout across 250 branches located in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra.
* **Expansion:** Following the first phase, the bank plans a phased, large-scale deployment across its entire branch network.
**Sustainability Initiatives**
* **ESG Commitment:** The bank continues its focus on environmental goals through ‘bob Forest’, a 6,000 sq. ft. green oasis in Mumbai promoting biodiversity, alongside other initiatives like bob Earth and Green Bonds.
**Impact Analysis**
**Bank Customers**
**Impact**
Customers can access banking services in their preferred local language, ensuring their queries are accurately understood regardless of the staff's linguistic background.
**Action Required**
Utilize the bob SAMVAD application at service counters to speak or input queries in their preferred language.
**Branch Staff**
**Impact**
Staff can communicate effectively with a diverse customer base, receiving instant translations of queries which facilitates smoother and more efficient service delivery.
**Action Required**
Engage with the platform to translate and respond to customer inquiries during in-branch interactions.
**Bank of Baroda (The Bank)**
**Impact**
The bank enhances its operational excellence and positions itself as a leader in inclusive banking technology and customer-centric design.
**Action Required**
Execute the phased rollout starting with the designated 250 branches and manage the subsequent large-scale deployment across the national network.
Key Entities Referenced
bob SAMVAD: An AI-powered multilingual conversational platform developed to enable real-time, two-way communication across 22 languages at bank branches to eliminate language barriers.
Bank of Baroda: The Indian public sector bank that developed the bob SAMVAD platform in-house as part of its digital transformation and customer service initiatives.
Department of Financial Services (DFS): The department under the Ministry of Finance responsible for the formal launch and oversight of banking initiatives like bob SAMVAD to promote inclusive banking.
M. Nagaraju: The Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) who formally launched the platform and highlighted its role in strengthening customer service through technology.
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra: The specific Indian states identified for the first phase of the bob SAMVAD rollout across 250 bank branches.
Ministry of Finance
‘bob SAMVAD’, an AI-powered multilingual
conversational platform of Bank of Baroda to
transform in-branch customer interactions
launched in Mumbai
In-house AI platform enables real-time, low-latency two-way
communication across 22 languages, embracing India’s
linguistic diversity
DFS Secretary terms bob SAMVAD a step towards inclusive
banking, strengthening customer service through technology
Posted On: 07 APR 2026 2:43PM by PIB Delhi
Bank of Baroda (Bank) unveiled its bob SAMVAD, which was formally launched by Shri M. Nagaraju,
Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance in Mumbai on March 28th 2026.
The platform is an industry-first AI-powered multilingual conversational platform aimed at transforming
customer interactions at its branches. Designed to eliminate language barriers, the platform enables
customers and branch staff to communicate seamlessly with each other in their preferred language.
Shri M. Nagaraju, Secretary, Department of Financial Services, congratulated Bank of Baroda on the
launch. Secretary, DFS commended Bank of Baroda for the innovative use of technology to bridge the
language barrier in banking and enhance customer experience.
Sh. Nagaraju said that bob SAMVAD will promote more inclusive & accessible service delivery and help
improve customer service at branches. Th initiative has set a new benchmark for the sector, he added.
Shri Nagaraju also visited bob Forest, another green initiative by the Bank after bob Earth, Green Deposits
and Green Bonds, reflecting the Bank’s commitment towards sustainability and overall ESG goals. bob
Forest is a 6,000 sq. ft. green oasis built at Bank of Baroda’s BKC office in Mumbai that promotes
biodiversity and cleaner air.
Commenting on the launch, Dr. Debadatta Chand, Managing Director & CEO, Bank of Baroda said,
“With bob SAMVAD, Bank of Baroda is leveraging AI to make our branches more inclusive and
customer-friendly by enabling seamless real-time conversations in local languages. This initiative reflects
our commitment to operational excellence by combining technology with customer-centric design.”
Developed entirely in-house, bob SAMVAD leverages AI-driven speech and language technologies to
enable real-time, low-latency, two-way communication across 22 languages, ensuring contextual accuracy
and natural fluency, while embracing India’s linguistic diversity.At the service counter, the application enables seamless communication between customers and branch
staff, even if they speak different languages. Customers can speak or input their queries in their preferred
language, which are instantly translated into the staff member’s chosen language, and vice versa,
facilitating smooth, real-time conversations, ensuring accurate understanding and efficient service
delivery. The interaction is displayed as text on the screen, with an optional voice mode that converts text
into speech, for customers who prefer audio over reading - making it fully accessible for everyone.
In the first phase, bob SAMVAD will be rolled out across 250 branches in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka,
Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. This will be followed by a phased, large-scale deployment
across the Bank’s branch network.
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