The Reserve Bank of India issued the Commercial Banks (Responsible Business Conduct) Amendment Directions, 2026 to ensure continuity of banking services and customer support during natural calamities. The amendment introduces provisions requiring banks to operate from temporary premises, deploy mobile or satellite banking services, and promptly restore ATM operations in affected areas. It also permits opening of small accounts for displaced persons who lack identification documents, ensuring financial inclusion during emergencies. Additionally, banks are allowed to waive or reduce fees and charges for customers in calamity-hit regions for up to one year. These measures aim to maintain access to essential financial services, address immediate cash and transaction needs, and support affected individuals during crises. Effective from July 1, 2026, the directions strengthen customer-centric banking practices and reinforce the role of banks in disaster response and recovery.
Reserve Bank of India
RBI/2026-27/46
DOR.STR.REC.35/21-04-048/2026-27 | Dated: April 29, 2026
Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Responsible Business Conduct) Amendment Directions, 2026
Please refer to Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Resolution of Stressed Assets) Second Amendment Directions, 2026 dated April 29, 2026.
2. Consequent to the aforesaid Amendment Directions, in exercise of the powers conferred by the sections 21 and 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and all other laws enabling the Reserve Bank of India (hereinafter called 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. These Amendment Directions modify the Directions as under:
i. In Chapter V – Financial Inclusion and Accessibility, part E shall be inserted as under:
E. Banking services in case of declaration of calamity
121A. A bank may operate their calamity affected branches from temporary premises under advice to the concerned Regional Office of RBI. For continuing the temporary premise beyond 30 days, banks may obtain specific approval from the respective Regional Office of RBI. A bank shall also make arrangements to render banking services in the affected areas by setting up satellite offices, extension counters or mobile banking facilities etc. under intimation to Reserve Bank.
121B. A bank shall take immediate action for restoration of ATM services at the earliest. During the period, it shall provide alternative arrangements to address the immediate cash requirements of the affected areas.
121C. Persons displaced or adversely affected by a calamity may not have access to their identification and personal records. In such cases, small accounts as stipulated in the Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks– Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025, may be opened by banks.
121D. A bank at its discretion, may provide relief measures such as waiver / reduction of various fees and charges in respect of customers in the areas where a calamity has been declared, for a period not exceeding one year.
4. The above amendment shall come into force with effect from July 1, 2026.
(Vaibhav Chaturvedi)
Chief General Manager
