UCBs: New XML Reporting Format for PMLA Reports to FIU-India
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-2012/254 · issued 09 Nov 2011 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI directs Urban Co-operative Banks to adopt a new single XML file format for filing CTR, STR, CCR, and NTR reports to FIU-India under PMLA, replacing the earlier multiple data files format. Banks must build capacity to generate XML-compliant reports.
The rule, in the simplest words
Urban Co-operative Banks must now send all PMLA reports (like Cash Transaction Reports, Suspicious Transaction Reports, etc.) to FIU-India using one single XML file instead of many separate files.
The new format has three parts: Account Based Reporting Format (ARF) for reports linked to accounts, Transaction Based Reporting Format (TRF) for reports linked to single transactions, and CCR Reporting Format (CRF) for fake currency reports.
Banks can either build their own system to create XML reports or use free tools (Report Generation Utility and Report Validation Utility) from the FIU-India website to help make and check the reports.
Banks must start preparing now to switch to the new XML format, even though the exact change-over date will be told later.
How it plays out — a real example
A compliance officer at a UCB in Surat, while preparing the monthly Cash Transaction Report, used to send multiple data files. Now she downloads the Reporting Format Guide and XML schemas from the FIU-India website, then uses the Report Generation Utility to create a single XML file that includes all account and transaction details, making her reporting simpler and error-free.
What changed
FIU-India has replaced the earlier multiple data files reporting format with a single XML file format for all PMLA reports. The new format includes Account Based Reporting Format (ARF), Transaction Based Reporting Format (TRF), and CCR Reporting Format (CRF). Fixed width text file specifications have also been revised to version 2.0 to aid migration.
What it means for you
UCBs must upgrade their reporting systems to generate XML-based reports as per the new schema, or use the provided Report Generation and Validation Utilities. The transition date will be announced separately, but banks should start capacity building immediately to ensure compliance.
What you must do
Download the Reporting Format Guide and XML schemas from the FIU-India website.
Assess your bank's technical capability to generate XML reports directly or use the FIU-India utilities.
Initiate urgent steps to build capacity for XML-compliant report generation.
Acknowledge receipt of this circular to the concerned Regional Office of Urban Banks Department.
Who it affects
All Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, Compliance and IT departments of UCBs, FIU-India reporting teams
❓ Common questions
What reports are covered under the new XML format?
The new format covers Cash Transaction Reports (CTRs), Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs), Counterfeit Currency Reports (CCRs), and Non Profit Organization Transaction Reports (NTRs).
Do we need to stop using the old format immediately?
No, the transition date will be communicated separately. However, banks should start preparing for the new XML format now.
Can we generate XML reports without the FIU-India utilities?
Yes, if your bank has the necessary technical capabilities, you can generate XML reports directly from your systems. Otherwise, use the Report Generation Utility and Report Validation Utility provided by FIU-India.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-2012/254
UBD. CO. BPD. No.10/12.05.001 / 2011-12
November 9, 2011
The Chief Executive Officers of
All Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks
Dear Sir,
Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 (PMLA) and Rules thereunder -Reporting of CTR,STR etc to FIU-India– Reporting Format under Project FINnet
Please refer to para 3 of our circular UBD. CO. BPD (PCB) No. 1/12.05.001/2008-09 dated July 2, 2008 advising banks to file the various reports such as CTR / STR with the help of editable electronic utilities made available by FIU-India on their website http://fiuindia.gov.in.
2. The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the Rules thereunder require every reporting entity to furnish to FIU-IND Cash Transaction Reports (CTRs), Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs), Counterfeit Currency Reports (CCRs) and Non Profit Organization Transaction Reports (NTRs). FIU-India has advised that the earlier prescribed multiple data files reporting format is being replaced by a new single XML file format and prepared a comprehensive reporting format guide giving the specifications of the prescribed reports to be furnished to FIU-India.
The reporting formats specified in the reporting format guide are:
(i) Account based reporting format (ARF) for reporting of account based CTRs, STRs and NTRs
(ii) Transactions based reporting format (TRF) for reporting of transaction based CTRs, STRs and NTRs
(iii) CCR reporting format (CRF) for reporting of counterfeit currency reports (CCRs)
3. The reporting guide presents details of the XML schema and provides implementation guidance to the reporting entities in preparation and submission of reports. In addition, fixed width text file format specifications specified earlier are also revised as version 2.0 to assist reporting entities in migration to the XML format specifications.
4. FIU-IND has developed a Report Generation Utility and Report Validation Utility to assist reporting entities in the preparation of the prescribed reports. Reporting entities, which have necessary technical capabilities, may generate XML reports directly from their systems. Reporting entities are encouraged to shift to the fixed width data structure version 2.0 before generating XML reports at their end.
The following documents have been placed in the ‘Downloads’ section of the FIU-IND website ( http://fiuindia.gov.in ).
(i) Reporting Format Guide
(ii) XML Schemas: AccountBasedReport.xsd, TransactionBasedReport.xsd,
CCRBasedReport.xsd, FIU-INDSchemaLibrary.xsd and DataQualityReport.xsd
(iii) User Guides: Report Generation Utility User Guide and Report Validation Utility User Guide
5. UCBs are advised to carefully go through the reporting formats and initiate urgent steps to build capacity to generate reports, which are compliant with the XML format specifications. The date of transition from the old reporting format to the new reporting format will be communicated to the reporting entities separately.
6. Please acknowledge receipt of this circular to the Regional Office of Urban Banks Department concerned.
Yours faithfully
(A.Udgata)
Chief General Manager-in-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-2012/254 · issued 09 Nov 2011. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (All Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, Compliance and IT departments of UCBs, FIU-India reporting teams), your first concrete step on “UCBs: New XML Reporting Format for PMLA Reports to FIU-India” is: “Download the Reporting Format Guide and XML schemas from the FIU-India website.” (RBI issued this 09 Nov 2011).
Circular: RBI/2011-2012/254 -- UCBs: New XML Reporting Format for PMLA Reports to FIU-India
Issued: 09 Nov 2011
Action required: Download the Reporting Format Guide and XML schemas from the FIU-India website.
Action required: Assess your bank's technical capability to generate XML reports directly or use the FIU-India utilities.
Action required: Initiate urgent steps to build capacity for XML-compliant report generation.
Action required: Acknowledge receipt of this circular to the concerned Regional Office of Urban Banks Department.
Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.
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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=6809&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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