No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/288 · issued 08 Nov 2012 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI advises all Regional Rural Banks to migrate from IPv4 to IPv6 preferably by December 2012, aligning with the National Telecom Policy 2012. Form a special team to complete the transition promptly.
The rule, in the simplest words
All Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) must switch their computer systems from the old internet address system (IPv4) to the new one (IPv6) by December 2012.
The government wants this change to happen on time so that the internet can keep growing and people can use online services without problems.
Banks need to form a special team right away to make sure their payment gateways (online payment systems), websites, and other computer systems work with the new internet addresses.
If a bank needs help with the switch, they can call Shri R. M. Agarwal at the Department of Telecom (DoT) on 9868133440.
How it plays out — a real example
A branch operations officer in Indore, Priya, gets a memo from her RRB's head office saying all IT systems must move to IPv6 by December 2012. She quickly forms a small team with her IT colleague and a vendor, and they start testing the bank's website and loan payment gateway to make sure they work with the new internet addresses, calling the DoT helpline when they get stuck on a technical issue.
What changed
RBI has issued a circular advising RRBs to migrate their payment gateways, websites, and IT systems from IPv4 to IPv6. The preferred deadline is December 2012, as per the government's National Telecom Policy 2012.
What it means for you
Banks should act proactively to avoid potential issues as IPv4 addresses are exhausted. This migration is critical for supporting broadband growth and citizen services.
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
Form a dedicated team to oversee IPv6 migration immediately.
Ensure all payment gateways, websites, and financial systems are IPv6-compatible by December 2012.
Contact Shri R. M. Agarwal at DoT (9868133440) for technical support if needed.
Who it affects
All Regional Rural Banks, IT and operations teams at RRBs, Payment gateway providers and vendors
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-18 17:16 IST
repealed_by — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
Why is IPv6 migration necessary for RRBs?
IPv4 addresses are nearly exhausted, and the National Telecom Policy 2012 mandates a shift to IPv6 to support broadband expansion and digital services. Banks are advised to comply to ensure uninterrupted online operations.
What is the deadline for completing the migration?
The government prefers all banks, including RRBs, to complete migration preferably by December 2012. RBI urges proactive action to meet this timeline.
📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Repealed byRBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #94: RPCD.CO.RRB.BC.No.44/03.05.33/2012-13 — "National Telecom Policy, 2012 - Migration of current version of Internet Protocol IPv4 to IPv6" dated November 08, 2012”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2012-13/288
RPCD.CO.RRB.BC No. 44/03.05.33/2012-13
November 08, 2012
All Regional Rural Banks
Dear Sir / Madam,
National Telecom Policy, 2012 -
Migration of current version of Internet Protocol IPv4 to IPv6
As you may be aware, the Government of India has envisaged providing ”Broadband on Demand” by 2015 in the recently unveiled National Telecom Policy (NTP) - 2012 emphasizing the role of Internet as catalyst for socio-economic development of the country and also as an effective medium of various citizen centric services in today’s information economy. Since the current version of Internet Protocol (IPv4) has almost run out of addresses, the broadband revolution is sure to ride on next generation Internet Protocol (IPv6). The NTP - 2012 recognizes the futuristic role of IPv6 and aims to achieve substantial transition to IPv6 in the country.
2. Department of Telecommunication under the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Government of India has undertaken the initiative of migration from IPv4 to IPv6.
3. Since migration to IPv6 is an eventuality that has to be accepted and managed proactively, government wants it to be done in a planned way rather than against time. They have expressed that the migration of all payment gateways, banks, financial institutions, insurance companies, etc. including their websites should be completed preferably by December 2012. You may initiate necessary action by constituting a special team to complete the migration within the stipulated time.
4. In case you need any clarifications/assistance on IPv6 implementation kindly contact Shri R. M. Agarwal, DDG (NT), DoT (Mobile number 9868133440) who is heading the team which is providing relevant support to all stakeholders.
Yours faithfully,
(C. D. Srinivasan)
Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/288 · issued 08 Nov 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=7683&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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