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Branch Authorisation Master Circular 2010: Key Updates

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet

Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/58 · issued 01 Jul 2010 · ~2 min read

Quick answerRBI updated its Master Circular on Branch Authorisation under Section 23 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, consolidating all instructions issued up to June 30, 2010. This replaces the July 2009 circular and covers rules for opening, shifting, merging, and closing branches, including ATMs and business correspondent models.

What changed

The Master Circular was updated to incorporate all branch authorisation instructions issued between July 1, 2009, and June 30, 2010. It supersedes the previous circular dated July 1, 2009, and now includes updated annexures and procedures for underbanked districts, off-site ATMs, and foreign bank guidelines.

What it means for you

Banks must follow the updated framework for all branch-related actions, ensuring compliance with Section 23 of the Banking Regulation Act. The circular provides clarity on general permissions for ATMs, shifting rules, and reporting formats, which streamlines branch expansion planning. Lenders should align their annual branch expansion plans with the revised underbanked district lists and tier-wise classification.

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 2009 version in your compliance manuals.
Align your annual branch expansion plan with the revised underbanked district lists and tier-wise classification.
Ensure all branch opening, shifting, merger, and closure proposals follow the new procedures and reporting formats.
Update internal training materials for branch operations teams on the latest guidelines.

Who it affects

All commercial banks (excluding RRBs), Local Area Banks, Foreign banks operating in India, Branch operations and compliance teams

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

Decoded by BankPulse 2026-06-19 05:37 IST
repealed_by — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
Status change: withdrawn 03 Aug 2026, 04:00 IST

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

Does this circular apply to Regional Rural Banks?

No, the circular explicitly excludes RRBs from its scope. It applies to all other commercial banks, including Local Area Banks.

What is the key change from the 2009 Master Circular?

The circular consolidates all branch authorisation instructions issued up to June 30, 2010, updating the previous July 2009 version. It includes revised annexures for underbanked districts and off-site ATM permissions.

Are foreign banks subject to different rules?

Yes, foreign banks are guided by paragraph 20 of this Master Circular, which contains specific provisions for them.

📜 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 #1647: DBOD.No.BL.BC.8/22.01.001/2010-11 — "Section 23 of Banking Regulation Act, 1949 - Master Circular on Branch Authorisation" dated July 1, 2010”

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI

RBI/2010-11/58
 DBOD.No. BL.BC. 8 /22.01.001/2010-11
 July 1, 2010
 Ashadha 10, 1932(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.20/22.01.001/2009-10 dated July 1, 2009 consolidating instructions/ guidelines issued to banks on Branch Authorisation till June 30, 2009. The Master Circular has been suitably updated by incorporating the instructions issued upto June 30, 2010. 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 20 of this Master Circular.
 Yours faithfully,
 ( A.K. Khound)
 Chief General Manager 
 Encls. : as above
 TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 Paragraph No

Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/58 · issued 01 Jul 2010. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.

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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=5778&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.