HomeCirculars › RBI/2010-11/562

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No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet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

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

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.
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