HomeCirculars › RBI/2012-13/289

RBI advises NBFCs to migrate to IPv6 preferably by December 2012

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/289 · issued 08 Nov 2012 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI has advised all NBFCs to complete migration from IPv4 to IPv6 preferably by December 2012, aligning with the National Telecom Policy 2012. Form a special team to manage the transition.
The rule, in the simplest words
How it plays out — a real example

Rohit, a gold‑loan officer in Indore, notices the NBFC’s online loan portal still uses IPv4. He forms a small team, reaches out to Shri R. M. Agarwal for guidance, and by November they upgrade the portal and the payment gateway to IPv6, so customers can apply for loans and pay online without any hiccups.

What changed

RBI issued a circular on November 8, 2012, advising NBFCs to migrate from IPv4 to IPv6. The government prefers completion by December 2012, as IPv4 addresses are nearly exhausted. This follows the National Telecom Policy 2012's goal of broadband on demand by 2015.

What it means for you

NBFCs must upgrade their internet infrastructure to IPv6 to support future broadband growth and avoid service disruptions. Failure to migrate could affect online services, payment gateways, and customer access. Proactive planning is essential to meet the deadline.

What you must do

Who it affects

All Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), Residuary Non-Banking Companies (RNBCs), IT and operations teams within these entities

❓ Common questions

Why is IPv6 migration necessary for NBFCs?

IPv4 addresses are nearly exhausted, and the National Telecom Policy 2012 aims for broadband on demand by 2015. IPv6 ensures continued internet growth and service availability.

What is the deadline for migration?

The government prefers completion by December 2012, as stated in the RBI circular.

Who can help with IPv6 implementation?

Shri R. M. Agarwal, DDG (NT) at DoT, is leading the support team and can be reached at 9868133440.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2012-13/289 DNBS(Inf.).CC. No 309/24.01.022/2012-13 November 08, 2012 All Non Banking Financial Companies / Residuary Non Banking Companies Dear Sir/Madam, Readiness of major service providers to migrate from IPv4 to IPv6 As you may be aware, the Government 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 a country and serves 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. Department of Telecommunication under the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, Government of India has undertaken the initiative of migration from IPv4 to IPv6. Since migration to IPv6 is an eventuality that has to be accepted and manage 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 web sites should be completed preferable by December 2012. You may initiate necessary action by constituting a special team to complete the migration within the stipulated time. 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, (Uma Subramaniam) Chief General Manager-in-charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/289 · issued 08 Nov 2012. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
🧰 Tools — save, print, templates & related
Who does what — compliance checklist
💻 IT / Systems
  • Ensure all websites, payment gateways, and online systems are IPv6-compatible preferably by December 2012.
📜 Compliance
  • Form a dedicated team to oversee IPv6 migration.
  • Contact Shri R. M. Agarwal at DoT (9868133440) for technical assistance if needed.
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 Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), Residuary Non-Banking Companies (RNBCs), IT and operations teams within these entities), your first concrete step on “RBI advises NBFCs to migrate to IPv6 preferably by December 2012” is: “Form a dedicated team to oversee IPv6 migration.” (RBI issued this 08 Nov 2012).

  1. Circular: RBI/2012-13/289 -- RBI advises NBFCs to migrate to IPv6 preferably by December 2012
  2. Issued: 08 Nov 2012
  3. Action required: Form a dedicated team to oversee IPv6 migration.
  4. Action required: Ensure all websites, payment gateways, and online systems are IPv6-compatible preferably by December 2012.
  5. Action required: Contact Shri R. M. Agarwal at DoT (9868133440) for technical assistance if needed.
  6. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  7. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  8. 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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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=7684&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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