HomeCirculars › RBI/2011-12/395

FCRA 2010 Guidelines for RRBs and Cooperative Banks

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/395 · issued 09 Feb 2012 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI issued guidelines under Section 36(1)(a) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, directing RRBs, StCBs, and DCCBs to comply with the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, which replaces the 1976 Act. Banks must follow the attached rules and seek legal advice if needed.

What changed

RBI issued new guidelines under Section 36(1)(a) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, mandating compliance with the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 and its Rules, 2011. The earlier Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976 stands repealed. The circular includes an annex with salient features of the new Act.

What it means for you

RRBs, StCBs, and DCCBs must now align their operations with the updated FCRA 2010 framework, which governs foreign contributions. This may require changes in reporting, documentation, and due diligence processes. Banks should treat the circular as a guide and refer to the full Act and Rules for detailed compliance, seeking legal advice when uncertain.

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

Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), State Co-operative Banks (StCBs), District Central Co-operative Banks (DCCBs)

❓ 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 key change introduced by this circular?

RBI has issued guidelines under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, requiring RRBs, StCBs, and DCCBs to comply with the new Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, which replaces the 1976 Act.

Do we need to follow the old FCRA 1976 now?

No, the circular states that the 1976 Act stands repealed with the coming into force of the 2010 Act. You must comply with the new Act and its Rules.

What should we do if we are unsure about any provision?

The circular advises banks to refer to the full text of the Act and Rules, and if necessary, seek proper legal advice.

📜 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 #1374: RPCD.CO.RRB.RCB.AML.BC.No.59/03.05.33(E)/2011-12 — "Guidelines issued under Section 36(1) (a) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 - Banking Regulation Act, 19”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/395 RPCD.CO.RRB.RCB.AML.BC.No. 59 /03.05.33(E) /2011-12 February 9, 2012 All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs)/ State Co-operative Banks (StCBs) / District Central Co-operative Banks (DCCBs) Dear Sir, Guidelines issued under Section 36(1) (a) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 - Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (As Applicable to Co-operative Societies) Implementation of the provisions of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 The Reserve Bank, considering the public interest and on being satisfied that it is necessary so to do, in exercise of the powers conferred by Clause (a) of sub-section (1) of Section 36 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (Act 10 of 1949)/36(1) (a) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (As Applicable to Co-operative Societies) and of all the powers enabling it in this behalf, hereby issue the guidelines on Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 and Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Rules, 2011  enclosed herewith, for compliance of all  RRBs/ StCBs/DCCBs. With the coming into force of the Act, Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 1976 stands repealed. 2. The salient features of the new Act are given in the Annex to this circular. This circular is intended only to serve as a guide to RRBs/ StCBs/DCCBs for carrying out their obligations under the Act and the Rules made thereunder. In case of doubt, RRBs/ StCBs/DCCBs should make it a point to refer to the text of the Act and the Rules, and if found necessary, proper legal advice should be taken. 3. Please acknowledge receipt of this circular to our Regional Office concerned. Yours faithfully (C.D.Srinivasan) Chief General Manager Encls: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/395 · issued 09 Feb 2012. 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=7000&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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