The Reserve Bank of India has repealed the 2018 Directions on Relief Measures by Banks in Areas Affected by Natural Calamities applicable to Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), replacing them with a comprehensive and updated regulatory framework effective July 1, 2026. The repeal introduces four new and amended directions covering resolution of stressed assets, income recognition and asset classification norms, responsible business conduct, and credit risk management for RRBs. This shift reflects a move from standalone disaster-relief guidelines to an integrated prudential and risk-based framework for managing calamity-related financial stress. Importantly, the RBI has clarified that actions already taken under the repealed directions will remain valid, and any existing rights, obligations, liabilities, penalties, or legal proceedings will continue unaffected. The transition ensures regulatory continuity while modernizing the approach to financial relief and risk management in disaster-affected regions.
Reserve Bank of India
RBI/2026-27/77
DOR.STR.REC.66/21-04-048/2026-27 | Dated: April 29, 2026
Reserve Bank of India (Relief Measures by Banks in Areas affected by Natural Calamities) Directions 2018 — RRBs Repeal Directions, 2026
The Reserve Bank of India being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest to do so, hereby repeals Master Direction — Reserve Bank of India (Relief Measures by Banks in Areas affected by Natural Calamities) Directions 2018 — RRBs dated October 17, 2018 (FIDD.CO.FSD.BC No.10/05.10.001/2018-19) issued. The Directions shall be replaced with the following Directions issued on April 29, 2026, with effect from July 01, 2026.
i. Reserve Bank of India (Regional Rural Banks — Resolution of Stressed Assets) Amendment Directions, 2026
ii. Reserve Bank of India (Regional Rural Banks — Income Recognition, Asset Classification and Provisioning) Amendment Directions, 2026
iii. Reserve Bank of India (Regional Rural Banks — Responsible Business Conduct) Directions, Amendment Directions, 2026
iv. Reserve Bank of India (Regional Rural Banks — Credit Risk Management) Second Amendment Directions, 2026
2. Notwithstanding such repeal, any action taken or purported to have been taken, or initiated under the repealed Directions shall continue to be governed by the provisions thereof. All approvals or acknowledgments granted under these repealed Directions shall be deemed as governed by these Directions. Further, the repeal of these Directions shall not in any way prejudicially affect:
(1) any right, obligation or liability acquired, accrued, or incurred thereunder;
(2) any, penalty, forfeiture, or punishment incurred in respect of any contravention committed thereunder; and
(3) any investigation, legal proceeding, or remedy in respect of any such right, privilege, obligation, liability, penalty, forfeiture, or punishment as aforesaid; and any such investigation, legal proceedings or remedy may be instituted, continued, or enforced and any such penalty, forfeiture, or punishment may be imposed as if those directions, instructions, or guidelines had not been repealed.
(Vaibhav Chaturvedi)
Chief General Manager
