HomeCirculars › RBI/2012-13/292

RBI Advises Urban Co-op Banks to Migrate to IPv6 Preferably by Dec 2012

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/292 · issued 09 Nov 2012 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI has instructed all Primary Urban Co-operative Banks to migrate their payment gateways, websites, and IT systems from IPv4 to IPv6 preferably by December 2012, in line with the National Telecom Policy 2012.
The rule, in the simplest words
How it plays out — a real example

A co-operative bank branch officer in Indore notices that customers are having trouble logging into the bank's website. She remembers the RBI rule about switching to IPv6 and calls the IT team to form a special group. They work with the payment gateway provider to make sure everything is updated by December 2012, so customers can keep using online services without problems.

What changed

RBI issued a circular on November 9, 2012, advising urban co-operative banks to transition from IPv4 to IPv6. The government's NTP-2012 aims for broadband on demand by 2015, and IPv4 addresses are nearly exhausted. Banks are advised to form special teams to complete migration preferably by December 2012.

What it means for you

Banks must urgently upgrade their internet infrastructure to IPv6 to avoid service disruptions as IPv4 addresses run out. This affects all online banking, payment gateways, and websites. Non-compliance could lead to connectivity issues and regulatory scrutiny.

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 Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, IT and network teams of these banks, Payment gateway providers and vendors serving these banks

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).

Why is IPv6 migration necessary for banks?

IPv4 addresses are nearly exhausted, and the government's NTP-2012 mandates transition to IPv6 to support broadband growth. Banks must migrate to ensure uninterrupted online services.

What is the deadline for migration?

The government prefers completion by December 2012. RBI advises banks to act proactively and form special teams to meet this timeline.

Who can I contact for help with IPv6 implementation?

Shri R. M. Agarwal, DDG (NT), DoT, at mobile number 9868133440, leads the support team for all stakeholders.

📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Repealed by RBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #93: UBD.BPD.(PCB)Cir.No.24/09.18.300/2012-13 — "National Telecom Policy, 2012 Migration of current version of Internet Protocol IPv4 to IPv6" dated November 09, 201”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2012-13/292 UBD.BPD.(PCB) Cir No.24 /09.18.300/2012-13 November 9, 2012 The Chief Executive Officers All Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks Madam / Dear Sir, 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 (A. Udgata) Chief General Manager- in – Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/292 · issued 09 Nov 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=7687&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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