Summary: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), through RBI/2026-27/242, DOR.RET.REC.209/12.01.001/2026-27 dated August 25, 2026, issued the Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks – Cash Reserve Ratio and Statutory Liquidity Ratio) Fourth Amendment Directions, 2026. The amendment revises the period during which specified fresh FCNR(B) and NRE deposits of Rural Co-operative Banks receive exemption from maintenance of Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) and Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR). Under the earlier provisions of the Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks – Cash Reserve Ratio and Statutory Liquidity Ratio) Directions, 2025, the exemption covered fresh FCNR(B) deposits of minimum tenor of three years and maximum tenor of five years mobilized, including deposits renewed upon maturity, between June 8, 2026 and September 30, 2026, and fresh Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) term deposits of tenor of three years or more mobilized, including deposits renewed upon maturity, between June 19, 2026 and September 30, 2026. The RBI has now amended both end dates to August 31, 2026. Accordingly, paragraph 21(5) of the 2025 Directions is amended by replacing “between June 8, 2026 and September 30, 2026” with “between June 8, 2026 and August 31, 2026”, while paragraph 21(6) is amended by replacing “between June 19, 2026 and September 30, 2026” with “between June 19, 2026 and August 31, 2026”. The Directions are issued under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, pursuant to Section 42 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and Sections 18 and 24 read with Section 56 (AACS) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. The Fourth Amendment Directions come into force with immediate effect.
Reserve Bank of India
RBI/2026-27/242
DOR.RET.REC.209/12.01.001/2026-27 | Dated: August 25, 2026
Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks – Cash Reserve Ratio and Statutory Liquidity Ratio) Fourth Amendment Directions, 2026
Please refer to the Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks – Cash Reserve Ratio and Statutory Liquidity Ratio) Directions, 2025 (updated as on June 19, 2026) wherein exemption from CRR and SLR maintenance have been provided to fresh FCNR(B) deposits of minimum tenor of three years and maximum tenor of five years and fresh Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) term deposits of tenor of three years or more mobilized (including deposits that are renewed upon maturity) by the banks between June 8, 2026 to September 30, 2026 and June 19, 2026 to September 30, 2026 respectively. On review, it has been decided to amend the date “September 30, 2026” to the date “August 31, 2026” for the aforesaid exemptions.
2. Accordingly, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and pursuant to Section 42 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and Sections 18 and 24, read with section 56 (AACS), of Banking Regulation Act, 1949, as amended from time to time, and all other provisions / laws enabling the Reserve Bank of India 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 Directions shall be called the Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks – Cash Reserve Ratio and Statutory Liquidity Ratio) Fourth Amendment Directions, 2026.
4. The provisions shall come into force with immediate effect.
5. These Amendment Directions modify the Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks – Cash Reserve Ratio and Statutory Liquidity Ratio) Directions, 2025 as under:
i. In paragraph 21(5), the words “between June 8, 2026 and September 30, 2026” shall be substituted with “between June 8, 2026 and August 31, 2026”.
ii. In paragraph 21(6), the words “between June 19, 2026 and September 30, 2026” shall be substituted with “between June 19, 2026 and August 31, 2026”.
Yours faithfully,
(Manoranjan Padhy)
Chief General Manager
