Home › Circulars › RBI/2012-13/213

RRBs & Co-op Banks: Start FINnet Test Mode for AML Reports

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/213 · issued 18 Sep 2012 · ~2 min read
Quick answerFIU-IND has directed all RRBs and cooperative banks to begin uploading AML/CFT reports in test mode on the FINnet Gateway from August 31, 2012, while continuing existing CD-based submissions until further notice.
The rule, in the simplest words
How it plays out — a real example

A KYC & compliance officer in Indore, Mr. Kumar, is responsible for uploading AML/CFT reports on the FINnet Gateway in test mode. He ensures that the bank's IT team tests the XML format and upload functionality on FINnet Gateway, while continuing to submit existing reports in CD format until FIU-IND announces the go-live of the project.

What changed

FIU-IND has mandated that all banks, including RRBs and cooperative banks, start submitting reports under Rule 3 of PML Rules, 2005, in test mode on the FINnet Gateway from August 31, 2012. This is a preparatory step before the full go-live of the single XML reporting format. Existing CD-based submissions must continue in parallel until FIU-IND announces the go-live.

What it means for you

Banks must now test their electronic upload capability on FINnet Gateway while maintaining legacy CD reporting. This dual requirement increases operational load but is essential for transitioning to a unified digital reporting system. Non-compliance could lead to regulatory scrutiny, so banks should prioritize setting up the test upload process.

What you must do

Who it affects

All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), All State and Central Co-operative Banks, Compliance Officers and Principal Officers of these banks

❓ Common questions

What is the FINnet Gateway test mode?

It is a trial environment provided by FIU-IND for banks to test their ability to upload AML/CFT reports electronically in the new single XML format, before the system goes live.

Do we need to stop CD submissions now?

No, CD submissions must continue as before until FIU-IND officially announces the go-live of the FINnet project.

Who should acknowledge this circular?

The Compliance Officer or Principal Officer of the bank must send an acknowledgment to the concerned RBI Regional Office.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2012-13/213 RPCD.CO RRB.RCB.AML.BC. No. 29/03.05.33 (E)/2012-13 September 18, 2012 The Chairmen / CEOs of all Regional Rural Banks and State and Central Co-operative Banks Dear Sir, Uploading of Reports in ‘Test Mode’ on FINnet Gateway Please refer to our circulars RPCD.CO.RF.AML.Bc.65/07.02.12/2005-06 dated March 3, 2006 and RPCD.CO RRB. BC. 68/03.05.33 (E)/2005-06 dated March 9, 2006 prescribing various reporting formats for banks as required under provisions of PML Rules, 2005. In this connection, your attention is also invited to FIU-IND Office Memorandum F.No.9-29/2011/FIU-IND dated March 31, 2011, enclosed to our letters RRB. AML. No. 2046/ 03.05.33(E) dated August 17, 2011 and RPCD.CO.RCB. AML. No. 2157/07.40.00/2011-12 dated August 23, 2011 regarding introduction of single XML reporting format under Project FINnet for furnishing reports under Rule 3 of PML Rules to FIU-IND. Banks were requested to develop capacity and be in readiness to implement the new format as and when advised by FIU-IND. 2. FIU-IND have now advised vide their letter F.No.9-29/2011-FIU-IND dated August 28, 2012, that all banks should initiate submission of reports on the FINnet Gateway in ‘TEST MODE’ from August 31, 2012 to test their ability to upload the report electronically. Such submission in ‘Test Mode’ would continue till FIU-IND informs the banks about ‘go-live’ of the project. Banks are also required to continue to submit the existing reports in CD as presently required till further notice. 3. All State and Central Co-operative Banks and Regional Rural Banks are accordingly advised to take action as required by FIU-IND. 4. Compliance Officer/Principal Officer should acknowledge receipt of this letter to our Regional Office concerned. Yours faithfully, (C.D.Srinivasan) Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/213 · issued 18 Sep 2012. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Who does what — compliance checklist
💻 IT / Systems
  • Coordinate with your IT team to test the XML format and upload functionality on FINnet Gateway.
📜 Compliance
  • Initiate submission of AML reports in test mode on FINnet Gateway from August 31, 2012, as advised by FIU-IND.
  • Continue submitting existing reports in CD format until FIU-IND announces the go-live of the project.
  • Ensure your Compliance Officer/Principal Officer acknowledges receipt of this circular to the respective RBI Regional Office.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template

Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), All State and Central Co-operative Banks, Compliance Officers and Principal Officers of these banks), your first concrete step on “RRBs & Co-op Banks: Start FINnet Test Mode for AML Reports” is: “Initiate submission of AML reports in test mode on FINnet Gateway from August 31, 2012, as advised by FIU-IND.” (RBI issued this 18 Sep 2012).

  1. Circular: RBI/2012-13/213 -- RRBs & Co-op Banks: Start FINnet Test Mode for AML Reports
  2. Issued: 18 Sep 2012
  3. Action required: Initiate submission of AML reports in test mode on FINnet Gateway from August 31, 2012, as advised by FIU-IND.
  4. Action required: Continue submitting existing reports in CD format until FIU-IND announces the go-live of the project.
  5. Action required: Ensure your Compliance Officer/Principal Officer acknowledges receipt of this circular to the respective RBI Regional Office.
  6. Action required: Coordinate with your IT team to test the XML format and upload functionality on FINnet Gateway.
  7. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  8. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  9. 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=7575&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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