HomeCirculars › RBI/2004-05/299

UCB Housing Loan Priority Sector Ceiling Raised to Rs 15 Lakh

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2004-05/299 · issued 14 Dec 2004 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI raised the priority sector housing loan ceiling for Primary Urban Co-operative Banks from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh per dwelling unit, irrespective of location, effective December 14, 2004, subject to board approval.

What changed

The ceiling for direct housing loans eligible under priority sector lending was increased from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 15 lakh per beneficiary. This applies to all locations—urban, metropolitan, rural, and semi-urban—removing the earlier location-based distinction.

What it means for you

UCBs can now offer larger housing loans under priority sector, boosting credit flow to housing. The higher limit gives banks more flexibility to serve homebuyers while meeting priority sector targets. Other terms from the August 2004 Master Circular remain unchanged.

Historical instruction — do not use for current compliance. This is what was required at the time; it no longer reflects current RBI requirements. If no replacement rule is linked above, that only means none is recorded on our register yet — it does not prove no later applicable rule exists. Confirm on the official RBI source below.

What banks were required to do at the time

Who it affects

Primary Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs), Borrowers seeking housing loans under priority sector, RBI regional offices monitoring priority sector compliance

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).

Does the Rs 15 lakh limit apply to all locations?

Yes, the enhanced ceiling applies irrespective of location—urban, metropolitan, rural, and semi-urban areas.

Do we need board approval to use the new limit?

Yes, banks must obtain board approval before extending housing loans up to Rs 15 lakh as priority sector advances.

Are other conditions from the earlier Master Circular changed?

No, only the loan ceiling is revised. All other terms and conditions from the August 16, 2004 Master Circular remain unchanged.

📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Repealed by RBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #2881: UBD.BPD.(PCB).Cir.29/09.09.01/04-05 — "Priority Sector Lending - Housing Loan - Enhancement of Ceiling for UCBs" dated December 14, 2004”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2004-05/299 UBD. BPD (PCB).Cir.29/09.09.01/04-05 December 14, 2004 The Chief Executive Officers All Primary (Urban) Co-operative banks Dear Sir/Madam, Priority Sector Lending: - Housing Loan -Enhancement of Ceiling for UCBs Please refer to para 1.8.1.1 of Annexure I to our Master Circular UBD.BPD. (PCB) MC.No.1 /09.09.01/2004-05 dated July 2, 2004 on Priority Sector lending in terms of which direct housing loans to individuals by banks up to Rs.10 lakh for construction of houses in urban and metropolitan areas are eligible for inclusion under priority sector. Further, in terms of para 4.1.1(ii) of our Master Circular UBD.BPD.PCB.MC.No.7 /09.22.01/2004-05 dated August 16, 2004 on Finance for Housing Schemes, banks have been permitted to extend direct housing loans up to Rs.10 lakh in the rural and semi urban areas as well and treat the same as part of priority sector advances. 2.      In this connection please refer to para No. 83 of the Mid Term Review of Annual Policy Statement for the year 2004-05 dated October 26, 2004 ( Copy of the paragraph enclosed ). In order to further improve flow of credit to the housing sector, it has been decided that banks with the approval of their Boards, may extend direct finance to housing sector up to Rs.15 lakh, irrespective of location, as part of their priority sector lending. 3.      In view of the above, banks are now permitted to grant housing loans up to a maximum of Rs 15.00 lakh per beneficiary of a dwelling unit as against the existing limit of Rs 10.00 lakh contained in paragraph para 4.1.1(ii) of the Master Circular UBD.No.BPD.PCB.MC.7/09.22.01/2004-05 dated August 16, 2004 on Finance for Housing Schemes and treat the same as part of priority sector advances. The other terms and conditions contained in paragraph 4 of the Master Circular dated August 16, 2004 remain unchanged. 4.      We shall be glad if you please issue necessary instructions to your controlling offices/branches in the matter for appropriate action. 5.      Please acknowledge receipt to the concerned Regional Office of RBI. Yours faithfully, (N.S.Vishwanathan) Chief General Manager Housing Loan: Enhancement of Ceiling 83: At present bank’s direct finance for housing up to Rs 10.00 lakh in rural and semi urban areas is treated as priority sector lending. In order to further improve flow of credit to the housing sector, it is proposed that: Banks, with the approval of their Boards, may extend direct finance to housing sector up to Rs.15 lakh, irrespective of location, as part of their priority sector lending.
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2004-05/299 · issued 14 Dec 2004. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=2049&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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