SCSS 2004: Banks Must Serve Retired Army Personnel
No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/562 · issued 09 Jun 2011 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has directed agency banks to strictly implement the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme 2004 for retired army personnel, following reports of non-compliance. Banks must extend the scheme to eligible retired army personnel and ensure all branches adhere to the instructions.
What changed
RBI issued a circular on June 9, 2011, reiterating that agency banks must follow the Government of India's Office Memorandum of October 29, 2004, and RBI's earlier circular of October 30, 2004, regarding the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme 2004. This was prompted by reports that some banks were denying the scheme to retired army personnel, violating the instructions.
What it means for you
Banks acting as agents for government schemes must ensure uniform application of the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme 2004 to all eligible individuals, including retired army personnel. Non-compliance could lead to regulatory scrutiny and reputational risk. This reinforces the need for strict adherence to government directives and earlier RBI circulars.
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 and strictly implement the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme 2004 instructions for retired army personnel as per the Government of India's Office Memorandum and RBI circulars.
Communicate the contents of this circular and earlier ones to all branches dealing with the scheme.
Ensure that no eligible retired army personnel are denied the scheme benefits; verify eligibility as per guidelines.
Monitor branch-level compliance and address any instances of denial promptly.
Who it affects
Agency banks handling government savings schemes, State Bank of India and its associate banks, Public sector banks listed in the circular, IDBI Bank and ICICI Bank, Retired army personnel seeking SCSS benefits
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-19 01:15 IST
Status change: withdrawn03 Aug 2026, 04:00 IST
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What is the Senior Citizens Savings Scheme 2004?
It is a government savings scheme for senior citizens, offering regular income and tax benefits. The scheme is administered by designated banks acting as agents.
Why did RBI issue this circular?
RBI issued this circular because some agency banks were denying the scheme to retired army personnel, violating earlier instructions. The circular reiterates that all eligible retired army personnel must be served.
What should banks do to comply?
Banks must strictly follow the Government of India's Office Memorandum and RBI's earlier circulars, ensure all branches are informed, and extend the scheme to eligible retired army personnel without discrimination.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2010-11/562
DGBA. CDD. No. H-8545/15.15.001/2010-11
June 09, 2011
The Managing Director/ Chief General Manager
Government Accounts Department
Government Business Department/Head Office
State Bank of India//State Bank of Patiala/
State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur/State Bank of Travancore/
State Bank of Hyderabad/State Bank of Mysore/
Allahabad Bank/Bank of Baroda/Bank of India/
Bank of Maharashtra/Canara Bank/Central Bank of India/
Corporation Bank/Dena Bank/Indian Bank/
Indian Overseas Bank/Punjab National Bank/
Syndicate Bank/UCO Bank/Union Bank of India/
United Bank of India/Vijaya Bank/IDBI Bank/
ICICI Bank
Dear Sir/Madam,
Non-implementation of Senior Citizens Savings Scheme- 2004(SCSS)
by certain banks on deposit by Army Personnel
It has been brought to our notice that some of the agency banks do not implement the instructions given in Government of India’s Office Memorandum F. No. 2-8/2004-NS-II dated October 29, 2004 and circulated to agency banks vide our circular RBI/2004-05/259 Ref. CO. DT. No. 15.05.001/H-3999-4021/2004-05 dated October 30, 2004 ( copy enclosed ), particularly in case of retired army personnel and have denied the facility of this Scheme to some of them in contravention of the instructions ibid.
2. We, therefore, reiterate that you may strictly adhere to the instructions issued vide our above circular and ensure extending the benefits of the scheme to retired army personnel also, if otherwise found in order.
3. You may bring the contents of this and the earlier circulars to all your branches dealing with this scheme.
Yours faithfully
(P. S. Ranga Rao)
Assistant General Manager
Encls: As above
RBI/2004-05/ 259
CO. DT. No. 15.15.001/H – 3999-4021/2004-05
October 30, 2004
Kartika 9, 1926 (S)
The Chairman & Managing Director
State Bank of India/ Associate Banks &
15 Public Sector Banks
Dear Sir,
Senior Citizens Savings Scheme, 2004 (SCSS) - Clarifications
In continuation of our circular letter CO.DT.No. 15.15.001/H – 3917-3939/2004-05 dated October 28, 2004, we now forward herewith a copy of Office Memorandum F.No.2-8/2004 - NS-II dated October 29, 2004 on the captioned subject, the contents of which are self-explicit. Accordingly, you may advise immediately your designated branches in the matter.
2. Please acknowledge the receipt.
Yours faithfully
(P. Loganathan)
Assistant General Manager
Encls: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/562 · issued 09 Jun 2011. 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 03 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=6456&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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