RBI directs co-op banks to migrate to IPv6 by Dec 2012
No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/306 · issued 23 Nov 2012 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has asked all State and District Central Co-operative Banks to migrate their websites, payment gateways, and IT systems from IPv4 to IPv6 by December 2012, in line with the National Telecom Policy 2012. A special team must be formed to ensure timely completion.
The rule, in the simplest words
All co-op banks (banks owned by their members) must switch their websites, payment systems, and computers from IPv4 (old internet address system) to IPv6 (new internet address system) by December 2012.
IPv4 addresses (like old house numbers) are almost all used up, so IPv6 gives more addresses so the internet can keep growing.
Banks must make a special team right away to finish the switch on time.
If banks need help, they can call Shri R.M. Agarwal at the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) at 9868133440.
How it plays out — a real example
A co-operative bank branch officer in Indore, Priya, gets a call from her IT team saying their bank's website might stop working because IPv4 addresses are running out. She remembers the RBI rule and quickly forms a special team with her IT staff and a vendor to upgrade all systems to IPv6 by December 2012, ensuring customers can still apply for gold loans online without any disruption.
What changed
RBI issued a circular on November 23, 2012, directing co-operative banks to complete migration from IPv4 to IPv6 by December 2012. This follows the government's National Telecom Policy 2012, which aims for broadband on demand by 2015 and recognizes IPv6 as essential for future internet growth. The Department of Telecommunications is leading this migration initiative.
What it means for you
Co-operative banks must urgently upgrade their internet infrastructure to IPv6 to avoid service disruptions, as IPv4 addresses are nearly exhausted. This ensures continued access to payment gateways and online services. Banks that delay may face connectivity issues and non-compliance with government directives.
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 special team immediately to oversee the migration from IPv4 to IPv6.
Complete migration of all websites, payment gateways, and IT systems by December 2012.
Contact Shri R.M. Agarwal at DoT (mobile 9868133440) for any clarifications or support on IPv6 implementation.
Who it affects
All State Co-operative Banks (StCBs), All District Central Co-operative Banks (DCCBs), IT and network teams within these banks, Payment gateway and website vendors for co-operative banks
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-18 17:07 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 the migration to IPv6 necessary for co-operative banks?
The current IPv4 addresses are nearly exhausted, and the government's National Telecom Policy 2012 aims for broadband on demand by 2015. IPv6 is essential to support future internet growth and ensure uninterrupted services for payment gateways and websites.
What is the deadline for completing the IPv6 migration?
The government has expressed that migration should be completed preferably by December 2012. Banks must act proactively to meet this timeline.
Who can we contact for help with IPv6 implementation?
Shri R.M. Agarwal, DDG(NT), DoT, is heading the support team. He can be reached at mobile number 9868133440 for clarifications or assistance.
📜 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 #92: RPCD.CO.RCB.BC.No.47/07.38.003/2012-13 — "National Telecom Policy, 2012 - Migration of current version of Internet Protocol IPv4 to IPv6" dated November 23, 201”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2012-13/306
RPCD.CO.RCB.BC.No. 47/07.38.003/2012-13
November 23, 2012
All State Co-operative Banks / District Central Co-operative 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 providng relevant support to all stakeholders.
Yours faithfully,
(I.S. Negi)
General Manager Officer-in-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/306 · issued 23 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=7714&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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