HomeCirculars › RBI/2012-13/269

CRR Cut by 25 bps to 4.25% from Nov 3, 2012

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/269 · issued 30 Oct 2012 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI reduced CRR by 25 bps to 4.25% of NDTL effective fortnight starting Nov 3, 2012. This frees up liquidity for banks, easing pressure on lending capacity and supporting credit growth.

What changed

The Cash Reserve Ratio for Scheduled Commercial Banks was reduced from 4.50% to 4.25% of Net Demand and Time Liabilities. This change takes effect from the fortnight beginning November 3, 2012, as per the notification dated October 30, 2012.

What it means for you

Banks will now need to hold less cash with RBI, releasing additional funds for lending or investment. This move aims to ease liquidity conditions and support economic activity by enabling banks to extend more credit. Lenders can expect improved net interest margins if they deploy the freed funds effectively.

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

All Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding Regional Rural Banks), Treasury departments, Compliance and risk management teams

❓ 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 effective date for the new CRR rate?

The reduced CRR of 4.25% applies from the fortnight beginning November 3, 2012.

Does this circular apply to Regional Rural Banks?

No, the circular explicitly excludes Regional Rural Banks from its scope.

How much liquidity will be released due to this CRR cut?

The circular does not specify the exact amount, but a 25 bps reduction typically frees up significant funds for the banking system.

📜 This document’s life story (2 recorded events, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Partially modified by CRR Reduced by 25 bps to 4.00% for Scheduled Commercial Banks
RBI’s words: “in partial modification of the earlier notification DBOD.No. Ret.BC.51/12.01.001/2012-13 dated October 30, 2012”
Repealed by RBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #1210: DBOD.No.Ret.BC.51/12.01.001/2012-13 — "Notification on Section 42(1) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 Maintenance of Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR)" dated Oct”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2012-13/269 Ref: DBOD.No.Ret.BC.52/12.01.001/2012-13 October 30, 2012 All Scheduled Commercial Banks (Excluding Regional Rural Banks) Dear Sir, Section 42(1) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 - Maintenance of Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) Please refer to our Circular DBOD.No.Ret.BC.44/12.01.001/2012-13 dated September 17, 2012 on the captioned subject. 2. As set out in the Reserve Bank's Press Release 2012-2013/ 713 dated October 30, 2012 , it has been decided to reduce the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) of Scheduled Commercial Banks by 25 basis points from 4.50 per cent to 4.25 per cent of their Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) with effect from the fortnight beginning November 03, 2012. 3. A copy of the relative notification DBOD.No.Ret.BC.51/12.01.001/2012-13 dated October 30, 2012 is enclosed . 4. Please acknowledge receipt. Yours faithfully (Murli Radhakrishnan) Chief General Manager Encls: one DBOD.No.Ret.BC. 51/12.01.001/2012-13 October 30, 2012 Notification In exercise of the powers conferred under the sub-section (1) of Section 42 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and in partial modification of the earlier notification DBOD.No. Ret.BC.43/12.01.001/2012-13 dated September 17, 2012 , the Reserve Bank hereby notifies that the average Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) required to be maintained by every Scheduled Commercial Bank shall be 4.25 per cent of its net demand and time liabilities from the fortnight beginning November 03, 2012. (B. Mahapatra) Executive Director
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/269 · issued 30 Oct 2012. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=7653&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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