No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet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
Accept account openings with introduction from an existing account holder or basic ID like voter card, driving licence, or office/school ID plus address proof.
Allow two neighbours with valid documents to introduce the applicant if no other ID is available.
Use any other evidence satisfactory to the bank if none of the above options are feasible.
Acknowledge receipt of this circular to the concerned RBI Regional Office.
Who it affects
Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks in Maharashtra, Flood-affected persons needing to open accounts quickly, State Government agencies disbursing relief cheques
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)
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.
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=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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