The Reserve Bank of India issued the Rural Co-operative Banks (Undertaking of Financial Services) Amendment Directions, 2026 under Sections 35A and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. The amendment updates the 2025 Directions by adding “AgriSURE – Agri Fund for Start Ups & Rural Enterprises” to Annex I. This enables Rural Co-operative Banks to finance agricultural startups and rural enterprises as part of their permitted activities. Effective immediately, the change strengthens grassroots credit delivery, promotes rural innovation, and aligns cooperative banking operations with national financial inclusion and agricultural development objectives.
Reserve Bank of India
RBI/2026-27/18
DOR.STR.REC.27/21-04-048/2026-27 | Dated: April 27, 2026
Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks– Undertaking of Financial Services) – Amendment Directions, 2026
Please refer to Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks – Undertaking of Financial Services) Directions, 2025 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Directions’).
2. On a review, and in exercise of the powers conferred by the section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, 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. The Amendment Directions modifies the Directions as under:
(1) Following shall be added to Annex I:
“2. AgriSURE – Agri Fund for Start Ups & Rural Enterprises”
4. The above amendment shall come into force with immediate effect.
(Vaibhav Chaturvedi)
Chief General Manager
