UCBs advised to consider aligning loan policies with National Building Code of India 2005
No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2005-06/418 · issued 19 Jun 2006 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI advises Urban Co-operative Banks to consider adopting National Building Code of India 2005 guidelines in their lending policies to enhance building safety, especially against natural disasters. Boards may review and consider incorporating NBC specifications into loan decisions.
What changed
RBI has advised that adherence to the National Building Code of India 2005, formulated by the Bureau of Indian Standards, will be advisable for UCBs. Banks' boards may consider this aspect for incorporation in their loan policies.
What it means for you
UCBs may now consider factoring in NBC compliance when sanctioning loans for construction or property development. This could reduce risk of structural failures and disaster losses, aligning lending with national safety standards.
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
Review current loan policies and consider referencing NBC of India 2005 specifications for building construction projects.
Train credit officers to consider NBC compliance during loan appraisal for construction or property loans.
Consider updating board-approved lending guidelines to reference NBC norms for safety against natural disasters.
Communicate the consideration to borrowers and seek NBC compliance declarations where applicable.
Who it affects
All Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, Borrowers seeking construction or property development loans from UCBs, Board of Directors of UCBs responsible for loan policy formulation
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-19 18:25 IST
repealed_by — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
Status change: withdrawn05 Aug 2026, 04:00 IST
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What is the National Building Code of India 2005?
It is a comprehensive code by the Bureau of Indian Standards covering administrative regulations, fire safety, structural design, materials, and construction safety to ensure safe building development across India.
Is adherence to NBC mandatory for UCBs?
RBI has advised that adherence to NBC will be advisable, making it a recommended practice rather than a statutory mandate. Boards may consider incorporating it for safety and risk management.
Where can I get more details on NBC?
Further information is available on the Bureau of Indian Standards website at www.bis.org.in.
📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Repealed byRBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #2641: UBD.PCB.Cir.No.58/09.09.01/2005-06 — "Adherence to National Building Code (NBC) Specifications Necessary for Lending Institutions - UCBs" dated June 19, 2006”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2005-06/418
UBD.PCB.Cir.No. 58/ 09.09.01/2005-06
June 19, 2006
The Chief Executive Officers
of all Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks
Dear Sir/Madam,
Adherence to National Building Code (NBC) specifications necessary for lending Institutions-UCBs
Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has formulated a comprehensive building Code namely National Building Code (NBC) of India 2005, providing guidelines for regulating the building construction activities across the country. The Code contains all the important aspects relevant to safe and orderly building development such as administrative regulations, development control rules and general building requirements; fire safety requirements; stipulations regarding materials, structural design and construction (including safety); and building and plumbing services.
2. Adherence to NBC will be advisable in view of the importance of safety of buildings especially against natural disasters. Banks' boards may consider this aspect for incorporation in their loan policies.
3. Further information regarding the NBC can be accessed from the website of Bureau of Indian Standards ( www.bis.org.in ) .
4. Please acknowledge receipt to the Regional Office concerned.
Yours faithfully,
(N.S Vishwanathan)
Chief General Manager-in-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2005-06/418 · issued 19 Jun 2006. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.
BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 05 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=2916&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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