How often must KYC papers be updated?
The periodic updation cycle, by customer risk category.
Short answer. Every two years for a high risk customer, every eight years for a medium risk customer and every ten years for a low risk customer. The gap runs from the account opening date or the last KYC updation, whichever is later.
The rule, lender by lender
| Kind of lender | What the rule says |
|---|---|
| Urban co-operative bank | Papers of a high-risk customer must be refreshed at least once in two years. Read the rule |
| Commercial bank | Papers of a high-risk customer must be refreshed at least once in two years. Read the rule |
| Regional rural bank | Papers of a high-risk customer must be refreshed at least once in two years. Read the rule |
| Local area bank | Papers of a high-risk customer must be refreshed at least once in two years. Read the rule |
| Finance company | Papers of a high-risk customer must be refreshed at least once in two years. Read the rule |
| All India financial institution | Papers of a high-risk customer must be refreshed at least once in two years. Read the rule |
| Asset reconstruction company | Papers of a high-risk customer must be refreshed at least once in two years. Read the rule |
What else the rule says
- For a medium-risk customer the gap may be eight years. · source
- For a low-risk customer the gap may be ten years. · source
- Customer risk categories must be reviewed at least once in every six months. · source
- At least three advance intimations must go out before KYC falls due, one by letter. · source
- At least three reminders must follow, again including one by letter. · source
- A new customer's KYC record goes to the central registry within ten days. · source
- Updated customer information must reach the central registry within seven days. · source
- An account opened by Aadhaar one-time password cannot run past one year without full checks. · source
- The Aadhaar number must be blacked out in the records the bank keeps. · source
Where this comes from
- Reserve Bank of India (Urban Co-operative Banks – Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on December 29, 2025)
- Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on December 29, 2025)
- Reserve Bank of India (Regional Rural Banks – Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025
- Reserve Bank of India (Local Area Banks – Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on December 29, 2025)
- Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025
- Reserve Bank of India (All India Financial Institutions – Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025
- Reserve Bank of India (Asset Reconstruction Companies – Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025
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Plain-language summary, not the official text. Not legal advice. Every line above is a point published on the rule page it links to. · Report a mistake