The Reserve Bank of India issued the Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks — Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy) Sixth Amendment Directions, 2026 on May 18, 2026, amending the existing 2025 Directions on capital adequacy for commercial banks. The amendment was introduced following a review undertaken after the issuance of the Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Classification, Valuation, and Operation of Investment Portfolio) Second Amendment Directions, 2026. Exercising powers under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the RBI stated that the amendment was necessary and expedient in the public interest. The amendment came into effect immediately from the date of issue. Under the revised framework, sub-paragraph 21(i)(b) of the 2025 Capital Adequacy Directions has been deleted. The notification reflects RBI’s continued efforts to align prudential capital adequacy norms with changes made in the investment portfolio classification, valuation, and operational framework applicable to commercial banks.
Reserve Bank of India
RBI/2026-27/90
DOR.MRG.REC.No.78/21-01-002/2026-27 | Dated: May 18, 2026
Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks — Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy) Sixth Amendment Directions, 2026
Please refer to Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks — Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy) Directions, 2025, dated November 28, 2025.
2. On a review, consequent to the issuance of Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Classification, Valuation, and Operation of Investment Portfolio) Second Amendment Directions, 2026, and in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (hereinafter called the Act) and all other laws enabling the Reserve Bank in this regard, the Reserve Bank, being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby, issues the Amendment Directions hereinafter specified.
3. (i) These Directions shall be called the Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks — Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy) Sixth Amendment Directions, 2026.
(ii) These Amendment Directions shall come into effect from the date of issue.
4. The Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy) Directions, 2025, are amended as provided below.
(i) Sub-paragraph 21(i)(b) shall be deleted.
(Sunil T S Nair)
Chief General Manager
