The Reserve Bank of India, through its Amendment Directions, 2026 on Responsible Business Conduct for Rural Cooperative Banks, has introduced new provisions to ensure uninterrupted banking services during calamities. Exercising its powers under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the RBI has inserted Part D in Chapter V on Financial Inclusion and Accessibility, specifically addressing banking operations in disaster-affected areas. The amendment allows banks to operate branches from temporary premises with regulatory intimation, establish satellite offices or mobile banking services, and ensure rapid restoration of ATM facilities or alternative cash arrangements. Recognizing documentation challenges faced by displaced individuals, banks are permitted to open small accounts under relaxed KYC norms. Additionally, banks may provide customer relief through waiver or reduction of charges for up to one year in notified calamity areas. These measures aim to enhance financial inclusion, ensure service continuity, and support affected populations. The directions will take effect from July 1, 2026.
Reserve Bank of India
RBI/2026-27/66
DOR.STR.REC.55/21-04-048/2026-27 | April 29, 2026
Reserve Bank of India (Rural Cooperative Banks – Responsible Business Conduct) Amendment Directions, 2026
Please refer to Reserve Bank of India (Rural Cooperative Banks – Resolution of Stressed Assets) Amendment Directions, 2026 dated April 29, 2026.
2. Consequent to the aforesaid Amendment Directions, in exercise of the powers conferred by the sections 20, 21 and 35A read with the section 56 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 D shall be inserted as under:
D. Banking services in case of declaration of calamity
102A. 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.
102B. 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.
102C. 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 (Rural Cooperative Banks– Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025, may be opened by banks.
102D. 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
