HomeCirculars › RBI/2008-09/376

Basel II Advanced Approaches: RBI Draft Timeline for Indian Banks

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/376 · issued 05 Feb 2009 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI proposes a phased timeline for banks to adopt advanced Basel II approaches: IMA for market risk (earliest application April 1, 2010, approval by March 31, 2011), TSA for operational risk (earliest application April 1, 2010, approval by September 30, 2010), AMA for operational risk (earliest application April 1, 2011, approval by March 31, 2013), and IRB for credit risk (earliest application April 1, 2012, approval by March 31, 2014). Banks can choose approaches per risk category with prior RBI approval.

What changed

RBI issued a draft timeline for implementing advanced Basel II approaches in India, building on the simpler approaches already in place since March 2008 for foreign and internationally active Indian banks, and from March 2009 for other commercial banks. The circular sets earliest application and likely approval dates for IMA, TSA, AMA, and IRB approaches, allowing banks to adopt them selectively per risk category.

What it means for you

Banks need to upgrade risk management, technology, databases, and skills to meet advanced approach criteria, which can improve capital efficiency. The phased timeline gives banks time to prepare, but those opting for advanced approaches must seek RBI approval and demonstrate readiness. This aligns India with global trends in risk-sensitive capital measurement.

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

All scheduled commercial banks (excluding RRBs and LABs), Foreign banks operating in India, Indian banks with operational presence outside India

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

Can banks adopt advanced approaches for only some risk categories?

Yes, banks can choose to adopt advanced approaches for one or more risk categories while continuing with simpler approaches for others, but must obtain prior RBI approval for each.

What is the deadline for banks to apply for the Internal Ratings-Based (IRB) approach?

The earliest date for banks to apply for IRB approaches (Foundation or Advanced) is April 1, 2012, with RBI approval likely by March 31, 2014.

What should banks do if they are not ready for advanced approaches by the proposed timeline?

Banks can continue using simpler approaches (Standardised for credit risk, Basic Indicator for operational risk, Standardised Duration for market risk) and migrate later when prepared, after board approval and RBI clearance.

📜 This document’s life story (4 recorded events, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Partially modified by RBI Cuts Risk Weight on Educational Loans
RBI’s words: “Please refer to our circulars DBOD.No.BP.BC.90/20.06.001/2006-07 dated April 27, 2007”
Amended by NCAF Amendments: Parallel Run Clarifications Addressed
RBI’s words: “it has been decided to effect certain amendments as detailed in the Annex”
Consolidated into Master Circular on New Capital Adequacy Framework (NCAF) 2008
RBI’s words: “This Master Circular consolidates the modifications / clarifications issued vide circulars /mailbox clarifications listed in Annex - 16”
Repealed by RBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #1983: DBOD.BP.BC.No.109/21.06.001/2008-09 — "Introduction of Advanced Approaches of Basel II Framework in India - Draft Time Schedule" dated February 5, 2009”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
Notifications - Reserve Bank of India Skip to main content Selected Selected Change Language हिंदी Search the Website Search Home About Us ▼ About Us Organisation & Functions ▶ Organisation Structure Departments Offices Training Establishment ▶ College of Agricultural Banking Reserve Bank Staff College College of Supervisors RBI's Functions and Working Governors Deputy Governors Executive Directors Communication Policy of RBI Sources of Information ▶ Annual Publications Half-yearly Publications Quarterly Publications Monthly Publications Weekly Publications Occasional Publications SDDS NSDP Data Releases Publications available on Subscription General Information RBI History Museum ▶ The RBI Museum RBI Monetary Museum Notification ▼ Notifications Master Directions Master Circulars Amendment Directions Draft Notifications/Guidelines ▶ Draft Notifications/Guidelines Draft Directions (RE-wise) Index To RBI Circulars Standalone Circulars Circulars Withdrawn Press Releases Speeches & Media Interactions ▼ Speeches Media Interactions Memorial Lectures Podcasts Publications ▼ Biennial Annual Half-Yearly Quarterly Bi-monthly Monthly Weekly Occasional Reports Working Papers Legal Framework ▼ Act Rules Regulations Schemes Research ▼ External Research Schemes RBI Occasional Papers Working Papers RBI Bulletin History DRG Studies KLEMS State Statistics and Finances Statistics ▼ Data Releases Database on Indian Economy Public Debt Statistics Regulatory Reporting ▼ List of Returns Data Definition Validation rules/ Taxonomy List of RBI Reporting Portals FAQs of RBI Reporting Portals Home Notifications Notifications ( 488 kb ) Introduction of Advanced Approaches of Basel II Framework in India –Draft Time Schedule RBI/2008-09/376 DBOD.BP.BC.No.109/21.06.001/2008-09 February 5, 2009 The Chairman and Managing Directors/ Chief Executive Officers of All Scheduled Commercial Banks (Excluding RRBs and LABs) Dear Sir, I ntroduction of Advanced Approaches of Basel II Framework in India – Draft Time Schedule Please refer to our circular DBOD.No.BP.BC.90/20.06.001/2006-07 dated April 27, 2007 on the New Capital Adequacy Framework in terms of which the foreign banks operating in India and the Indian banks having operational presence outside India have migrated to the simpler approaches available under the Basel II Framework since March 31, 2008. Other commercial banks are required to migrate to these approaches from March 31, 2009. Thus, the Standardised Approach for credit risk, Basic Indicator Approach for operational risk and the Standardised Duration Approach for market risk (as slightly amended under Basel II framework) have been implemented for the banks in India. 2. Having regard to the necessary up-gradation of risk management framework as also capital efficiency likely to accrue to the banks by adoption of the advanced approaches envisaged under the Basel II Framework and the emerging international trend in this regard, it is considered desirable to lay down a timeframe for implementation of the advanced approaches in India. This would enable the banks to plan and prepare for their migration to the advanced approaches for credit risk and operational risk, as also for the Internal Models Approach (IMA) for market risk. 3. Keeping in view the likely lead time that may be needed by the banks for creating the requisite technological and the risk management infrastructure, including the required databases, the MIS and the skill up-gradation, etc., it is proposed to lay down the following time schedule for implementation of the advanced approaches for the regulatory capital measurement: S. No. Approach The earliest date of making application by banks to the RBI Likely date of approval by the RBI a. Internal Models Approach (IMA) for Market Risk April 1, 2010 March 31, 2011 b. The Standardised Approach (TSA) for Operational Risk April 1, 2010 September 30, 2010 c. Advanced Measurement Approach (AMA) for Operational Risk April 1, 2011 March 31, 2013 d. Internal Ratings-Based (IRB) Approaches for Credit Risk (Foundation- as well as Advanced IRB) April 1, 2012 March 31, 2014 4. The banks are advised to undertake an internal assessment of their preparedness for migration to advanced approaches, in the light of the criteria envisaged in the Basel II document, as per the aforesaid time schedule, and take a decision, with the approval of their Boards, whether they would like to migrate to any of the advanced approaches. The banks deciding to migrate to the advanced approaches may approach us for necessary approvals, in due course, as per the stipulated time schedule. 5. It may please be noted that the banks, at their discretion, would have the option of adopting the advanced approaches for one or more of the risk categories, as per their preparedness, while continuing with the simpler approaches for other risk categories, and it would not be necessary to adopt the advanced approaches for all the risk categories simultaneously. However, the banks should invariably obtain prior approval of the RBI for adopting any of the advanced approaches. 6. We shall be glad to have your comments on the proposed time schedule. The comments may be forwarded to The Chief General Manager-in-Charge, Department of Banking Operations and Development, Reserve Bank of India, Central Office, Fort, Mumbai – 400001, before February 27, 2009. The comments can also be sent by e-mail . Yours faithfully, (Prashant Saran) Chief General Manager-in-Charge 2026 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2025 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2024 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2023 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2022 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2021 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2020 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2019 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2018 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2017 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December Archives 2016 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2015 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2014 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2013 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2012 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2011 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2010 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2009 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2008 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2007 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2006 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2005 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2004 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2003 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2002 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2001 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2000 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1999 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1998 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1997 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1996 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1995 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1994 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1993 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1992 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1991 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December Top Back to previous page More Links : Bank Holidays Banking Glossary Citizen's Charter Complaints Contact Us COVID-19 Measures E-LMS Events FAQs Financial Education Forms IFSC/MICR Codes Important Websites Opportunities @ RBI RBI Clarifications RBI Kehta Hai RBI’s Vision and Values (1257 kb)--> Right to Information Act Tenders Follow RBI RSS Twitter YouTube Instagram Facebook LinkedIn © Reserve Bank of India. All Rights Reserved. Sitemap | Disclaimer Website owned and managed by Reserve Bank of India. Contact us on helpdoc[at]rbi[dot]org[dot]in Website last updated date: Jul 27, 2026 Supports: Google Chrome 147+ | Firefox 150+ | Microsoft Edge Version 147+ | Safari 17+ Accessibility Statement | Screen Reader and Accessibility Help
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/376 · issued 05 Feb 2009. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
🧰 Tools — save, print, templates & related

💬 Banker Discussion

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.

Loading comments…
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=4824&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.
Public beta — plain-English informational summaries. Always verify against the official RBI source (circular number cited on every page) before making compliance, credit, treasury, audit, or operational decisions. · Join our WhatsApp channel ↗