HomeCirculars › RBI/2012-13/401

CRR Reduced by 25 bps to 4.00% for Scheduled Commercial Banks

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/401 · issued 29 Jan 2013 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI cuts CRR by 25 bps from 4.25% to 4.00% of NDTL for scheduled commercial banks, effective fortnight beginning February 9, 2013. Local area banks must also maintain 4.00% from that date, up from 3.00%.

What changed

The Cash Reserve Ratio for scheduled commercial banks was reduced by 25 basis points, from 4.25% to 4.00% of net demand and time liabilities, effective the fortnight starting February 9, 2013. For local area banks, the CRR was set at 3.00% until February 8, 2013, and then raised to 4.00% from the same fortnight.

What it means for you

This CRR cut releases primary liquidity into the banking system, potentially lowering short-term interest rates and easing funding costs for banks. Banks will have more funds available for lending and investment, which could support credit growth and economic activity.

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 scheduled commercial banks, Local area banks, Treasury departments, Compliance and risk management teams

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

When does the new CRR rate take effect?

The reduced CRR of 4.00% applies from the fortnight beginning February 9, 2013.

Does this apply to local area banks?

Yes, local area banks must maintain 3.00% CRR until February 8, 2013, and 4.00% from the fortnight starting February 9, 2013.

What is the basis for calculating CRR?

CRR is calculated as a percentage of net demand and time liabilities (NDTL).

📜 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Repealed by RBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)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 #1175: DBOD.No.Ret.BC.75/12.01.001/2012-13 — "Notification on Maintenance of Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR)" dated January 29, 2013”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2012-13/401 Ref: DBOD.No.Ret. BC.76/12.01.001/2012-13 January 29, 2013 All Scheduled Commercial Banks & Local Area Banks (Excluding Regional Rural Banks) Dear Sir, Maintenance of Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) Please refer to our Circular DBOD.No.Ret.BC.52/12.01.001/2012-13 dated October 30, 2012 on the captioned subject. 2. As set out in the Reserve Bank's Press Release 2012-2013/1267 dated  January 29, 2013 , it has been decided to reduce the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) of Scheduled Commercial Banks by 25 basis points from 4.25 per cent to 4.00 per cent of their Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) with effect from the fortnight beginning  February 09, 2013. The Local Area Banks shall also maintain CRR at 3.00 per cent of its net demand and time liabilities upto February 08, 2013 and 4.00 per cent of its net demand and time liabilities from the fortnight beginning from February 09, 2013. 3. The copies of the relative notifications DBOD.No.Ret.BC.75 /12.01.001/2012-13 and DBOD.No.Ret.BC.79 /12.01.001/2012-13 dated January 29, 2013 are enclosed. 4. Please acknowledge receipt. Yours faithfully (Murli Radhakrishnan) Chief General Manager Encls: as above DBOD.No.Ret.BC.75/12.01.001/2012-13 January 29, 2013 Notification In exercise of the powers conferred under the sub-section (1) of Section 42 of the Reserve Bank Act, 1934 and in partial modification of the earlier notification DBOD.No. Ret.BC.51/12.01.001/2012-13 dated October 30, 2012 , the Reserve Bank of India hereby notifies that the average Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) required to be maintained by every Scheduled Commercial Bank shall be 4.00 per cent of its net demand and time liabilities from the fortnight beginning February 09, 2013. (B. Mahapatra) Executive Director DBOD.No.Ret.BC.79/12.01.001/2012-13 January 29, 2013 Notification In exercise of the powers conferred under sub-section (1) of Section 18 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of 1949), the Reserve Bank of India hereby notifies that the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) required to be maintained by every banking company, not being a scheduled bank, shall be 3.00 per cent of its net demand and time liabilities upto February 08, 2013 and 4.00 per cent of its net demand and time liabilities from the fortnight beginning from February 09, 2013. (B. Mahapatra) Executive Director
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/401 · issued 29 Jan 2013. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
🧰 Tools — save, print, templates & related

💬 Banker Discussion

Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.

Loading comments…
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=7837&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.
Public beta — plain-English informational summaries. Always verify against the official RBI source (circular number cited on every page) before making compliance, credit, treasury, audit, or operational decisions. · Join our WhatsApp channel ↗