RBI Updates Local Area Bank Directions: Inclusion of AgriSURE Fund

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Local Area Banks – Miscellaneous (Amendment) Directions, 2026, updating the existing Local Area Banks – Miscellaneous Directions, 2025.

Exercising powers under Sections 26A and 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the amendment introduces a revision to Annex XII of the Directions.

As part of this update, the following has been added to Annex XII:

• AgriSURE – Agri Fund for Start Ups & Rural Enterprises

This amendment is effective immediately from the date of issuance.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13377

RBI Amends AIFI Directions: Addition of AgriSURE Fund

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the All India Financial Institutions – Undertaking of Financial Services (Amendment) Directions, 2026, updating the existing Directions, 2025.

Exercising powers under Section 45L of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, the amendment introduces a revision to Annex I of the Directions.

As part of this update, the following has been added to Annex I:

• AgriSURE – Agri Fund for Start Ups & Rural Enterprises

This amendment is effective immediately from the date of issuance.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13378

RBI Updates NBFC Directions: Inclusion of AgriSURE Fund

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Non-Banking Financial Companies – Undertaking of Financial Services (Amendment) Directions, 2026, updating the existing Directions, 2025.

Exercising powers under Sections 45JA, 45K, 45L, and 45M of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, along with relevant provisions of the Factoring Regulation Act, 2011 and the National Housing Bank Act, the amendment introduces a revision to Annex I of the Directions.

As part of this update, the following has been added to Annex I:

• AgriSURE – Agri Fund for Start Ups & Rural Enterprises

This amendment is effective immediately from the date of issuance.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13379

RBI Amends Rural Co-operative Bank Directions: Addition of AgriSURE Fund

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Rural Co-operative Banks – Undertaking of Financial Services (Amendment) Directions, 2026, updating the existing Directions, 2025.

Exercising powers under Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the amendment introduces a revision to Annex I of the Directions.

As part of this update, the following has been added to Annex I:

• AgriSURE – Agri Fund for Start Ups & Rural Enterprises

This amendment is effective immediately from the date of issuance.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13381

RBI Updates RRB Directions: Inclusion of AgriSURE Fund

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Regional Rural Banks – Undertaking of Financial Services (Amendment) Directions, 2026, updating the existing Directions, 2025.

Exercising powers under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the amendment introduces a revision to Annex I of the Directions.

As part of this update, the following has been added to Annex I:

• AgriSURE – Agri Fund for Start Ups & Rural Enterprises

This amendment is effective immediately from the date of issuance.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13386

RBI Updates Small Finance Bank Directions: Inclusion of AgriSURE Fund

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Small Finance Banks – Undertaking of Financial Services (Amendment) Directions, 2026, updating the existing Directions, 2025.

Exercising powers under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the amendment introduces a revision to Annex I of the Directions.

As part of this update, the following has been added to Annex I:

• AgriSURE – Agri Fund for Start Ups & Rural Enterprises

This amendment is effective immediately from the date of issuance.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13389

RBI Updates Urban Co-operative Bank Directions: Inclusion of AgriSURE Fund

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Urban Co-operative Banks – Undertaking of Financial Services (Amendment) Directions, 2026, updating the existing Directions, 2025.

Exercising powers under Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the amendment introduces a revision to Annex I of the Directions.

As part of this update, the following has been added to Annex I:

• AgriSURE – Agri Fund for Start Ups & Rural Enterprises

This amendment is effective immediately from the date of issuance.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13394

Expansion of Permitted Financial Services Under RBI Directions, 2026

The Reserve Bank of India has amended the Commercial Banks – Undertaking of Financial Services Directions, 2025.

Under this amendment, “AgriSURE – Agri Fund for Start Ups & Rural Enterprises” has been added to Annex I as a permitted financial service.

This inclusion allows eligible commercial banks to undertake activities related to the AgriSURE fund in line with the specified regulatory framework.

The amendment is effective immediately.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13398

RBI Updates Stressed Asset Resolution Norms for Commercial Banks

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Commercial Banks – Resolution of Stressed Assets (Amendment) Directions, 2026, revising the existing Directions, 2025.

Issued under Sections 21 and 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the amendments align the framework with the Asset Classification, Provisioning and Income Recognition (IRACP) Directions, 2026.

Key Changes:

• Introduction of additional early warning indicators for stress identification, including rating downgrades, collateral value changes, payment delays, and loan covenant modifications.
• Alignment of asset classification, provisioning, and income recognition norms with the updated IRACP Directions, 2026 across multiple provisions.
• Updates to provisions relating to restructured accounts, insolvency processes, project loans, and farm credit.
• Deletion of Paragraph 162.

The amendments will come into effect from April 1, 2027.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13383

RBI Updates Credit Risk Transfer Framework for Commercial Banks

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Commercial Banks – Transfer and Distribution of Credit Risk (Amendment) Directions, 2026, revising the existing framework.

Issued under Sections 21 and 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the amendments align loan transfer norms with the IRACP Directions, 2026.

Key Changes:

• Acquired loans to follow IRACP norms for recognition and measurement.
• Stressed loans to be classified as POCI assets with prescribed provisioning and disclosure requirements.
• Paragraphs 53 and 73 deleted.
• Loss on transfer of stressed loans to ARCs below book value to be recognized in the profit and loss account.

Effective from April 1, 2027.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13390

RBI Updates Credit Facility Norms for Commercial Banks

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Commercial Banks – Credit Facilities (Second Amendment) Directions, 2026, revising the existing Directions, 2025.

Issued under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the amendments align credit facility norms with the Asset Classification, Provisioning and Income Recognition (IRACP) Directions, 2026 and related regulatory frameworks.

Key Changes:

• Asset Classification & Provisioning: To be governed by the IRACP Directions, 2026.
• Project Finance Accounts: May be classified as NPA before the Date of Commencement of Commercial Operations (DCCO) based on recovery status, as per IRACP norms.
• Risk Weight & Provisioning: Certain exposures to follow requirements under the Capital Charge for Credit Risk – Standardised Approach Directions, 2026 and IRACP Directions, 2026.
• Deletion of Provision: Paragraph 172(3)(ii) has been removed.

These amendments will come into effect from April 1, 2027.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13395

RBI Revises Credit Risk Management Norms for Commercial Banks

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Commercial Banks – Credit Risk Management (Second Amendment) Directions, 2026, updating the existing framework.

Issued under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the amendments align credit risk practices with updated regulatory norms.

Key Changes:

• Use of ECGC country risk classification until internal rating systems are adopted.
• Strengthened framework for Unhedged Foreign Currency Exposure (UFCE), including additional capital requirements.
• Quarterly computation of incremental capital, with conservative treatment where data is unavailable.
• Deletion of select provisions (Paragraphs 58(7) and 58(8)).
• Flexibility in working capital loan repayment, subject to applicable RBI directions.

Effective from April 1, 2027.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13397

RBI Updates Concentration Risk Norms for Commercial Banks

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Commercial Banks – Concentration Risk Management (Second Amendment) Directions, 2026, revising the existing Directions, 2025.

Issued under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the amendment aligns the framework with updated regulatory directions.

Key Change:

• Banks are required to refer to country risk classifications published by the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation of India Limited (ECGC) for the purpose specified under the Directions.

This amendment will come into effect from April 1, 2027.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13380

RBI Updates Framework for Identification of Wilful Defaulters

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Commercial Banks – Treatment of Wilful Defaulters and Large Defaulters (Amendment) Directions, 2026, revising the existing Directions, 2025.

Issued under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the amendment aligns the framework with the Asset Classification, Provisioning and Income Recognition (IRACP) Directions, 2026.

Key Change:

• Banks are required to complete the process of classifying a borrower as a wilful defaulter within six months from the date the account is classified as a Non-Performing Asset (NPA), following the prescribed internal mechanism.

This amendment will come into effect from April 1, 2027.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13384

RBI Updates Credit Card Reporting and Charge Norms

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Commercial Banks – Credit Cards and Debit Cards: Issuance and Conduct (Amendment) Directions, 2026, revising the existing Directions, 2025.

Issued under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the amendment aligns credit card practices with the Asset Classification, Provisioning and Income Recognition (IRACP) Directions, 2026.

Key Change:

• Credit card accounts will be reported as ‘past due’ to Credit Information Companies (CICs) or attract penal charges only after remaining overdue for more than three days.
• The calculation of days past due will begin from the payment due date mentioned in the statement.
• Late payment and related charges will be applied only on the outstanding amount after the due date, and not on the total amount due.

This amendment will come into effect from April 1, 2027.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13388

RBI Updates Asset Liability Management Norms for Commercial Banks

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Commercial Banks – Asset Liability Management (Amendment) Directions, 2026, revising the existing Directions, 2025.

Issued under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the amendment aligns loan classification norms with the Asset Classification, Provisioning and Income Recognition (IRACP) Directions, 2026.

Key Change:

• Classification of loans for Asset Liability Management purposes shall be carried out in accordance with the IRACP Directions, 2026.

This amendment will come into effect from April 1, 2027.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13392

RBI Updates NOFHC Norms: Alignment with IRACP Framework

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Non-Operative Financial Holding Companies (Amendment) Directions, 2026, revising the existing Directions, 2025.

Issued under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the amendment aligns prudential norms with the Asset Classification, Provisioning and Income Recognition (IRACP) Directions, 2026.

Key Change:

• Prudential norms relating to income recognition, asset classification, and provisioning for advances shall be governed by the IRACP Directions, 2026.

This amendment will come into effect from April 1, 2027.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13382

RBI Updates Stressed Asset Resolution Norms for Urban Co-operative Banks

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Urban Co-operative Banks – Resolution of Stressed Assets (Amendment) Directions, 2026, revising the existing Directions, 2025.

Issued under Sections 21 and 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the amendment aligns the definition of financial difficulty with related regulatory frameworks.

Key Change:

• The definition of “financial difficulty” for stressed asset resolution will be aligned with the definition provided in the Small Finance Banks – Resolution of Stressed Assets Directions, 2025.

This amendment will come into effect from April 1, 2027.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13385

RBI Revises Capital Adequacy Norms for Commercial Banks

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Commercial Banks – Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy (Third Amendment) Directions, 2026, updating the existing framework.

Issued under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the amendments align capital norms with the IRACP Directions, 2026.

Key Changes:

• Introduction of Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3 classifications as per IRACP.
• General provisions on standard assets eligible for Tier 2 capital, subject to a 1.25% cap of RWAs.
• Specific provisions on stressed assets excluded from Tier 2 capital.
• Deletion of select provisions (Paragraph 130(2) and note to Paragraph 223).

Effective from April 1, 2027.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13387

RBI Revises Investment Portfolio Norms for Commercial Banks

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Commercial Banks – Investment Portfolio (Amendment) Directions, 2026, updating the existing framework.

Issued under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the amendments align investment norms with the IRACP Directions, 2026.

Key Highlights:

• Introduction of concepts such as EIR, ECL, amortised cost, and Stage 1/2/3 classification.
• HTM securities measured at amortised cost; AFS securities marked to market.
• Loss recognition and provisioning aligned with IRACP framework.
• Income on stressed investments recognised only on realisation.
• Updated rules for valuation, reclassification, and accounting treatment.
• Transition based on fair value as on March 31, 2027.

Effective from April 1, 2027.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13391

RBI Strengthens Financial Disclosure Norms for Commercial Banks

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Financial Statements: Presentation and Disclosures (Seventh Amendment) Directions, 2026, updating existing norms.

Issued under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the amendments align disclosures with the IRACP Directions, 2026.

Key Changes:

• Separate reporting of Stage 1 and Stage 2 provisions in financial statements
• Income recognition aligned with IRACP framework
• Expanded disclosures on credit quality, staging, and loss allowance movements
• Additional reporting on capital impact, frauds, country risk, and foreign currency exposure

Effective from April 1, 2027.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13393

RBI Replaces 2025 IRACP Framework with Updated 2026 Directions

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Commercial Banks – Income Recognition, Asset Classification and Provisioning (Repeal) Directions, 2026, repealing the IRACP Directions, 2025.

Issued in public interest, the 2025 framework will be replaced by the IRACP Directions, 2026, effective from April 1, 2027.

Key provisions:

• The 2025 IRACP Directions stand repealed from April 1, 2027.
• The updated framework under the 2026 Directions will apply from the same date.
• Actions taken, approvals granted, and obligations arising under the repealed 2025 Directions will continue to remain valid and governed by those provisions.
• Ongoing or past investigations, proceedings, penalties, or liabilities under the 2025 Directions will continue as applicable under the repealed framework.

Effective transition date: April 1, 2027.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13396

RBI Updates Access Framework for NDS-OM Platform

The Reserve Bank of India has issued the Master Direction – Access Criteria for NDS-OM Directions, 2025, prescribing eligibility and procedures for access to the Negotiated Dealing System – Order Matching (NDS-OM) platform.

The framework sets out criteria for direct access, indirect access, and access through Stock Broker Connect for eligible participants. Application forms for access have been rationalised and are now made available through the PRAVAAH portal, replacing earlier formats within the Directions.

The update aligns regulatory application processing with the PRAVAAH system to streamline submission and authorisation processes.

These Directions are issued under Section 45W read with Section 45U of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and are effective immediately.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13401

Expanded Reporting of INR OTC Derivatives to CCIL

The Reserve Bank of India has updated reporting requirements for Authorised Dealer Category-I banks for OTC foreign exchange derivatives involving the Indian Rupee (INR).

Banks must report INR-linked OTC derivative transactions undertaken globally by their related parties to the CCIL Trade Repository. Reporting includes key trade details and applies to both deliverable and non-deliverable contracts.

Certain exclusions apply, including back-to-back trades, transactions already reported with other AD banks, and small contracts up to USD 1 million. Reporting will be phased in, reaching full coverage of related-party transactions by July 1, 2028.

Transactions must be reported within two working days, preferably on the trade date.

https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_CircularIndexDisplay.aspx?Id=13402