HomeCirculars › RBI/2005-06/92

Relaxed KYC for flood victims: Aug 2005 circular

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2005-06/92 · issued 03 Aug 2005 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI directed urban co-op banks to open accounts for Maharashtra flood victims with minimal formalities—introduction from an existing account holder, basic ID, or two neighbours’ attestation—to enable quick disbursal of state relief cheques of Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh.

What changed

RBI relaxed standard KYC norms for persons affected by the 2005 Maharashtra floods. Banks were told to accept accounts opened with just an introduction, basic identity documents, or two neighbours’ attestation, overriding the usual customer acceptance policy.

What it means for you

Urban co-operative banks must prioritise speed over full KYC documentation for disaster-affected individuals. This allows immediate crediting of government relief cheques without the usual delays, reducing operational friction during emergencies.

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 in Maharashtra, Flood-affected persons needing to open accounts quickly, State Government agencies disbursing relief cheques

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

What documents are acceptable for identity under this relaxation?

Voter's Identity Card, driving licence, or identity card issued by an office, company, school, or college, along with an address document like electricity bill or ration card.

Can an account be opened if the person has no documents at all?

Yes, if two neighbours who themselves have valid documents introduce the applicant, or any other evidence satisfactory to the bank is provided.

Does this circular apply to all banks or only urban co-operative banks?

It is addressed specifically to all Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks.

📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Extended by UCBs - KYC Guidelines - Anti-Money Laundering Standards
RBI’s words: “In terms of our circular UBD.PCB.Cir.No.6/09.161.00/2005-06 dated August 3, 2005”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2005-06/92 UBD.PCB.Cir. No. 6 / 09.161.00/2005-06 August 3, 2005 The Chief Executives Officers of All Primary (urban) Co-operative Banks Dear Sir/Madam Facilitating opening of bank accounts for flood affected persons Please refer to our circular UBD.PCB.Cir.30/09.161.00/2004-05 dated 15.12.2004 on Know Your Customer Guidelines (KYC) – Anti Money Laundering Standards. In terms of the above circular, banks were advised to formulate a customer acceptance policy and customer identification procedure to be followed while opening an account. 2. As you are aware, a large number of persons have been affected by unprecedented floods in Maharashtra. The State Government is arranging to issue cheques ranging from Rs.50,000/- to Rs.2.00 lakh to affected persons who may or may not be having bank accounts and would need to quickly open bank accounts. In view of the calamity and the need to provide immediate succour, banks are advised to observe minimum formalities for enabling such persons to open a bank account quickly. The accounts may be opened with – a. introduction from another account holder or b. documents of identity such as Voter's Identity Card or a driving licence, identity card issued by an office, company, school, college, etc. along with a document indicating the address such as Electricity Bill, Ration Card etc. or c. introduction by two neighbours who have the documents as indicated in para 2 (b ) above or d. in the absence of the above any other evidence to the satisfaction of the bank. 3. Please acknowledge receipt to the concerned Regional Office of the Reserve Bank. Yours faithfully (N.S.Vishwanathan) Chief General Manager-in-charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2005-06/92 · issued 03 Aug 2005. 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=2409&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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