The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Regional Rural Banks – Miscellaneous Directions, 2025 under Sections 26A and 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, with immediate effect. These Directions apply not only to all Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) but also, to a specified extent, to banks sponsoring RRBs, reflecting a broader supervisory framework over the rural banking ecosystem. Issued in public interest, the Directions consolidate and regulate miscellaneous operational, supervisory, and governance-related matters that are not specifically covered under other thematic RBI Directions. By extending certain obligations to sponsor banks, the RBI reinforces shared responsibility and oversight in the functioning and stability of RRBs. The Directions strengthen regulatory clarity and uniformity, ensuring that both RRBs and their sponsor banks operate within a clearly defined compliance structure. Mandatory adherence underscores RBI’s intent to enhance governance, accountability, and effective supervision across the regional rural banking sector.
RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
RBI/DOR/2025-26/268
DoR.SOG(SPE).REC.No.187/13-04-001/2025-26 | Dated: November 28, 2025
Reserve Bank of India (Regional Rural Banks – Miscellaneous) Directions, 2025
In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 26A and Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, and all other provisions / laws enabling the Reserve Bank of India (‘RBI’) in this regard, RBI being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby issues the Directions hereinafter specified.
Chapter I – Preliminary
A. Short Title and Commencement
1. These Directions shall be called the Reserve Bank of India (Regional Rural Banks – Miscellaneous) Directions, 2025.
2. These Directions shall come into force with immediate effect.
B. Applicability
3. These Directions shall be applicable to
i. Banks that have sponsored Regional Rural Banks (hereinafter collectively referred to as ‘sponsor banks’ and individually as a ‘sponsor bank’), which shall be governed by paragraph 46 of these Directions; and
ii. Regional Rural Banks (hereinafter collectively referred to as ‘banks’ and individually as a ‘bank’).
Read Full text of the Notification: https://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/notification/PDFs/268MD4759833478EF4A88898144BF91E4EE1B.PDF
