Home › Circulars › RBI/2011-12/100

Master Circular on Branch Authorisation 2011

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet

Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/100 · issued 01 Jul 2011 · ~1 min read

Quick answerRBI consolidated branch authorisation rules for commercial banks (excluding RRBs) under Section 23 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. The circular updates previous guidelines with instructions issued up to June 30, 2011, covering branch opening, shifting, closure, ATMs, and foreign bank norms.

What changed

This master circular updates the July 2010 version by incorporating all branch authorisation instructions issued up to June 30, 2011. It consolidates the regulatory framework for opening, shifting, merging, and closing branches, including provisions for ATMs, business correspondents, and doorstep banking.

What it means for you

Banks must follow the updated consolidated guidelines for all branch-related activities to ensure compliance with Section 23 of the Banking Regulation Act. The circular provides a single reference document, reducing ambiguity and streamlining approval processes for branch expansion and rationalisation.

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 2010 version in your compliance manuals.
Ensure all branch opening, shifting, and closure proposals align with the new guidelines, especially for rural and underbanked areas.
Update internal processes for reporting branch and ATM operationalisation using the prescribed annex formats.
Foreign banks must specifically adhere to paragraph 20 of the circular for their operations.

Who it affects

All commercial banks (excluding RRBs), Local Area Banks, Foreign banks operating in India

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

Decoded by BankPulse 2026-06-19 00:20 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Status change: withdrawn 03 Aug 2026, 04:00 IST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).

What is the purpose of this master circular?

It provides a consolidated framework of rules and procedures for banks to follow when opening, shifting, or closing branches in India, as per Section 23 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

Does this circular apply to Regional Rural Banks?

No, it explicitly excludes RRBs. It applies to all other commercial banks, including Local Area Banks.

What should foreign banks note in this circular?

Foreign banks are specifically guided by paragraph 20 of the master circular, which contains additional instructions relevant to their operations.

📜 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 #1460: DBOD.No.BL.BC.33/22.01.001/2011-12 — "Section 23 of Banking Regulation Act, 1949 - Master Circular on Branch Authorisation" dated July 1, 2011”

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

RBI/2011-12/100
 DBOD.No. BL.BC. 33/22.01.001/2011-12 
 July 1, 2011
 Ashadha 10, 1933(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.8/22.01.001/2010-11 dated July 1, 2010 consolidating instructions / guidelines issued to banks on Branch Authorisation till June 30, 2010. The Master Circular has been suitably updated by incorporating the instructions issued upto June 30, 2011.  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/2011-12/100 · issued 01 Jul 2011. 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=6568&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.