HomeCirculars › RBI/2007-2008/190

StCBs/DCCBs: Accept guardianship certificates for disabled persons' accounts

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2007-2008/190 · issued 20 Nov 2007 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI directs StCBs/DCCBs to accept guardianship certificates issued by District Courts under Mental Health Act, 1987 or Local Level Committees under National Trust Act, 1999 for opening/operating bank accounts of persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, or multiple disabilities.

What changed

RBI clarified that banks must accept guardianship certificates from Local Level Committees under the National Trust Act, 1999, in addition to those from District Courts under the Mental Health Act, 1987. This ensures disabled persons covered by the Act can have their legal guardians open and operate bank accounts without hindrance.

What it means for you

For StCBs/DCCBs, this removes ambiguity about accepting guardianship certificates from Local Level Committees, reducing compliance risk. Banks must update their account opening procedures to recognize these certificates and train staff to guide parents/relatives smoothly. Non-compliance could lead to customer grievances and regulatory scrutiny.

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

State Co-operative Banks (StCBs), District Central Co-operative Banks (DCCBs), Branch staff handling account openings, Disabled persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, or multiple disabilities and their guardians

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

What types of guardianship certificates are now acceptable for opening bank accounts?

Banks must accept certificates issued by District Courts under the Mental Health Act, 1987, or by Local Level Committees under the National Trust Act, 1999, for persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, or multiple disabilities.

Do we need to verify the list of Local Level Committees?

Yes, RBI has provided a list of Local Level Committees formed in 499 districts (as of February 2007). Branches should use this list to verify the issuing authority.

What if a guardian's certificate is from a district not on the list?

The list is as of February 2007; committees may have been formed later. If in doubt, consult your regional office or the National Trust for guidance.

📜 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 #2313: RPCD.CO.RF.BC.No.37/07.40.06/2007-08 — "Legal Guardianship Certificate Issued Under the National Trust Act, 1999 Empowering the Disabled Persons with Autism, ”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2007-2008/190 RPCD.CO.RF.BC.No.37/07.40.06/2007-08 November 20, 2007 The Chief Executive Officers, All State / Central Co-operative Banks (StCBs/DCCBs) Dear Sir/Madam, Legal Guardianship Certificate issued under the National Trust Act, 1999 empowering the disabled persons with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities We have been advised by the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities (the Trust) that a question has been raised as to whether the banks and the banking sector can accept the guardianship certificates in regard to persons with disabilities issued by the Local Level Committees set up under the National Trust for the Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999. 2. The Trust has mentioned that the above Act was specifically passed by the Parliament in order to provide for appointment of legal guardians for persons with disability that is covered under the said Act. The above Act provides for appointment of legal guardians for persons with disability by the  Local Level Committees  set up under the Act. The Trust has opined that a legal guardian so appointed can  open and operate the bank account  as long as he remains the legal guardian. It may also be noted that the provisions of Mental Health Act, 1987 also allows appointment of Guardian by District Courts. 3. Banks are therefore advised to rely upon the Guardianship Certificate issued either by the District Court under Mental Health Act or by the Local Level Committees under the above Act for the purposes of opening / operating bank accounts . A  list of Local Level Committees  received from the above Trust is enclosed. 4. Banks may also ensure that their branches give proper guidance so that the parents / relatives of the disabled persons do not face any difficultiy in this regard. 5. Please acknowledge receipt to our Regional Office concerned. Yours faithfully (C.S.Murthy) Chief General Manager in-Charge SUMMARISED LIST OF LOCAL LEVEL COMMITTEES FORMED TILL 26 FEBRUARY, 2007 At present LOCAL LEVEL COMMITTEES have been constituted in  499  districts out of the total of 591 districts in the country except J&K. State and UTS wise list are as follows: - STATES - 27 Sr. No.
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2007-2008/190 · issued 20 Nov 2007. 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=3950&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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