Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/85 · issued 01 Jul 2008 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI issued an updated Master Circular on Branch Authorisation under Section 23 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, consolidating all instructions issued up to June 30, 2008. This replaces the July 2007 circular and applies to all commercial banks except RRBs.
What changed
The previous Master Circular from July 2, 2007 was updated to include instructions issued between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008. The new circular is dated July 1, 2008 and has been placed on the RBI website. Foreign banks are specifically directed to follow paragraph 19 of this circular.
What it means for you
Banks must align their branch expansion plans with the latest consolidated guidelines, ensuring compliance with updated norms. The circular serves as a single reference for all branch authorisation requirements, reducing ambiguity. Foreign banks have a specific provision in paragraph 19 that they must adhere to separately.
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 the updated Master Circular and replace the July 2007 version with this one for all branch authorisation processes.
Ensure your bank's branch expansion proposals comply with instructions issued up to June 30, 2008 as consolidated in this circular.
Foreign banks must specifically study and implement the guidance in paragraph 19 of the circular.
Communicate the circular to relevant branch planning and compliance teams for immediate action.
Who it affects
All commercial banks excluding Regional Rural Banks, Foreign banks operating in India, Branch planning and compliance departments
RBI’s words: “Please refer to the Master Circular DBOD.No.BL.BC.21/22.01.001 / 2008-09 dated July 1, 2008 consolidating instructions”
Repealed byRBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #2176: DBOD.No.BL.BC.21/22.01.001/2008-09 — "Section 23 of Banking Regulation Act, 1949 - Master Circular on Branch Authorisation" dated July 1, 2008”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2008-09/85
DBOD.No. BL.BC. 21 /22.01.001/2008-09
July 1, 2008
Ashadha 10, 1930(Saka)
All Commercial Banks
(excluding RRBs)
Dear Sir,
Section 23 of Banking Regulation Act, 1949 – Master Circular on Branch Authorisation
Please refer to the Master Circular DBOD.No. BL.BC.16/22.01.001/2007-08 dated July 2, 2007 consolidating instructions / guidelines issued to banks on Branch Authorisation till June 30, 2007. The Master Circular has been suitably updated by incorporating the instructions issued upto June 30, 2008. A copy of the updated Master Circular is enclosed . The Master Circular has also been placed on the RBI website ( http://www.rbi.org.in ).
2. Foreign banks may be guided by paragraph 19 of this Master Circular.
Yours faithfully,
( P. Vijaya Bhaskar)
Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/85 · issued 01 Jul 2008. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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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=4326&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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