HomeCirculars › RBI/2012-13/332

UCBs: Register Equitable Mortgages with CERSAI to Curb Loan Frauds

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/332 · issued 14 Dec 2012 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI directs Urban Co-operative Banks to voluntarily register equitable mortgages with CERSAI, a central electronic registry, to prevent frauds involving multiple lending on the same property and enable lenders to search security interests before sanctioning loans.

What changed

RBI has notified UCBs that CERSAI (Central Registry of Securitisation Asset Reconstruction and Security Interest of India) is operational since March 31, 2011, under the SARFAESI Act. UCBs are now encouraged to voluntarily file records of equitable mortgages with CERSAI to access its database and prevent property-related loan frauds.

What it means for you

For UCBs, this is a critical tool to detect and deter frauds where borrowers pledge the same immovable property to multiple lenders. By registering mortgages with CERSAI, banks can search existing security interests before sanctioning loans, reducing credit risk. Non-registration may leave UCBs vulnerable to fraudulent multiple lending on the same asset.

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 (UCBs), Lending officers handling secured loans against immovable property, Risk and compliance teams at UCBs

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

What is CERSAI and why was it set up?

CERSAI is a central electronic registry under the SARFAESI Act, operational since March 31, 2011, to prevent frauds involving multiple lending on the same immovable property by allowing lenders to search and register security interests.

Is registration of equitable mortgages with CERSAI mandatory for UCBs?

As per this circular, registration is voluntary but strongly recommended in the banks' own interest to access CERSAI's database and prevent fraud.

What types of transactions should be registered initially?

Transactions related to securitization and reconstruction of financial assets, and mortgages by deposit of title deeds to secure loans granted by banks and financial institutions.

📜 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 #1193: UBD.BPD.(PCB)Cir.No.27/13.04.002/2012-13 — "Setting up of Central Electronic Registry under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enfo”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2012-13/332 UBD.BPD.(PCB) Cir No. 27/13.04.002/2012-13 December 14, 2012 The Chief Executive Officers All Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks Madam / Dear Sir, Setting up of Central Electronic Registry under the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act 2002 Pursuant to the announcement made by the Finance Minister in the budget speech for 2011-12, Government of India, Ministry of Finance notified the establishment of the Central Registry. The objective of setting up of Central Registry is to prevent frauds in loan cases involving multiple lending from different banks on the same immovable property. This Registry has become operational on March 31, 2011. The Central Registry of Securitisation Asset Reconstruction and Security Interest of India (CERSAI), a Government Company registered under section 25 of the Companies Act 1956, has been incorporated for the purpose of operating and maintaining the Central Registry under the provisions of Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest Act, 2002 (SARFAESI Act) . 2. It may be noted that initially transactions relating to securitization and reconstruction of financial assets and those relating to mortgage by deposit of title deeds to secure any loan or advances granted by banks and financial institutions, as defined under the SARFAESI Act, may be registered in the Central Registry. The records maintained by the Central Registry will be available for search by any lender or any other person desirous of dealing with the property. Availability of such records would prevent frauds involving multiple lending against the security of same property as well as fraudulent sale of property without disclosing the security interest over such property. 3. A copy of the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (Central Registry) Rules , 2011 along with a copy of Notification dated March 31, 2011 issued by the Government in this regard, is enclosed for your information. 4. In this connection, CERSAI has approached us with a request to bring to the notice of all UCBs that they can file records of the equitable mortgages created by them on the Central Registry and gain access to their huge database. In order to avail the benefits of registering with the Central Registry, UCBs may in their own interest, voluntarily file records of equitable mortgages created by them with CERSAI. 5. Please acknowledge receipt of this circular to the Regional Office concerned. Yours faithfully (A. Udgata) Chief General Manager- in – Charge Encl: as above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/332 · issued 14 Dec 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=7750&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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