Home › Circulars › RBI/2012-13/540

RBI Grants One-Time Extension for Card Security Deadlines

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/540 · issued 24 Jun 2013 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has extended deadlines for card security compliance: acquirers must complete tasks by Sept 30, 2013, and issuers by Nov 30, 2013. Fallback without PIN for domestic cards is allowed until Nov 30, 2013; international cards continue current system. No further extensions will be granted.
The rule, in the simplest words
How it plays out — a real example

Rahul, a branch operations officer in Indore, is helping a customer with a card security issue. He explains to the customer that the bank has extra time to fix technical issues, but after the deadline, they must ensure the card is secure to avoid any losses from misuse.

What changed

RBI granted a one-time extension for banks and card networks to implement security measures for card present and electronic payment transactions. Acquirers now have until September 30, 2013, and issuers until November 30, 2013, to complete their respective tasks. The fallback option without PIN for domestic cards is permitted until November 30, 2013, while international cards used in India continue with the existing system.

What it means for you

Banks and card networks get additional time to resolve technical issues like field visits, certification delays, and re-carding problems, ensuring smoother transition without service disruption. However, after the new deadlines, any non-compliance will make the issuer or acquirer liable for losses from card misuse. This is a final extension, so banks must prioritize compliance to avoid financial penalties.

What you must do

Who it affects

All Scheduled Commercial Banks including RRBs, Urban Co-operative Banks, State Co-operative Banks, District Central Co-operative Banks, Authorised Card Payment Networks

❓ Common questions

What is the new deadline for acquirers to complete security tasks?

Acquirers must complete all tasks from the September 22, 2011 and February 28, 2013 circulars by September 30, 2013.

What happens if a bank fails to meet the extended deadlines?

If a customer reports card misuse after the deadline, the issuer or acquirer that did not comply will bear the loss.

Is the fallback option without PIN allowed for international cards in India?

Yes, the current system for international cards used in India continues until further notice, based on service codes and jurisdiction mandates.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
Notifications - Reserve Bank of India Skip to main content Selected Selected Change Language हिंदी Search the Website Search Home About Us ▼ About Us Organisation & Functions ▶ Organisation Structure Departments Offices Training Establishment ▶ College of Agricultural Banking Reserve Bank Staff College College of Supervisors RBI's Functions and Working Governors Deputy Governors Executive Directors Communication Policy of RBI Sources of Information ▶ Annual Publications Half-yearly Publications Quarterly Publications Monthly Publications Weekly Publications Occasional Publications SDDS NSDP Data Releases Publications available on Subscription General Information RBI History Museum ▶ The RBI Museum RBI Monetary Museum Notification ▼ Notifications Master Directions Master Circulars Amendment Directions Draft Notifications/Guidelines ▶ Draft Notifications/Guidelines Draft Directions (RE-wise) Index To RBI Circulars Standalone Circulars Circulars Withdrawn Press Releases Speeches & Media Interactions ▼ Speeches Media Interactions Memorial Lectures Podcasts Publications ▼ Biennial Annual Half-Yearly Quarterly Bi-monthly Monthly Weekly Occasional Reports Working Papers Legal Framework ▼ Act Rules Regulations Schemes Research ▼ External Research Schemes RBI Occasional Papers Working Papers RBI Bulletin History DRG Studies KLEMS State Statistics and Finances Statistics ▼ Data Releases Database on Indian Economy Public Debt Statistics Regulatory Reporting ▼ List of Returns Data Definition Validation rules/ Taxonomy List of RBI Reporting Portals FAQs of RBI Reporting Portals Home Notifications Notifications ( 21 kb ) Security and Risk Mitigation Measures for Card Present and Electronic Payment Transactions RBI/2012-13/540 DPSS (CO) PD No.2377/02.14.003/2012-13 June 24, 2013 The Chairman and Managing Director / Chief Executive Officers All Scheduled Commercial Banks including RRBs / Urban Co-operative Banks / State Co-operative Banks / District Central Co-operative Banks/ Authorised Card Payment Networks Madam / Dear Sir, Security and Risk Mitigation Measures for Card Present and Electronic Payment Transactions A reference is invited to our circular dated September 22, 2011 on security issues and risk mitigation measures related to Card Present (CP) transactions and circular dated February 28, 2013 on security and risk mitigation measures for electronic payment transactions wherein various timelines were indicated for accomplishment of tasks for securing card and electronic payment transactions. 2. In this regard, representations have been received from the stakeholders for extending the timelines indicated in the above circulars. A review of banks’ preparedness for securing card as well electronic transactions indicated that technical glitches like field visits to all the ATM and POS locations, certification delays, re-carding /fall back related issues, non-preparedness of the acquirers leading to rejections, issuers concerns, etc. were hampering the smooth & timely transition to the desired environment for such transactions. 3. With a view to providing uninterrupted services to the customers, it has been decided to grant a onetime extension of time as indicated below: No. Task To be completed by i. Acquirers to be ready with the respective tasks stated under circular dated September 22, 2011 and February 28, 2013 respectively September 30, 2013 ii. Issuers to be ready with the respective tasks/tests stated under circular dated September 22, 2011 and February 28, 2013 respectively November 30, 2013 iii. a) Fall back option/bypass (without PIN requirement) to be enabled for all cards issued in India b) Fall back option/bypass (without PIN requirement) to be enabled for all international cards used in India (cards issued abroad) based on the service codes and jurisdiction mandates Till November 30, 2013 Present system to be continued iv. All other tasks stipulated vide our circular dated September 22, 2011 and February 28, 2013 September 30, 2013 4. Every issuer and acquirer will honour the transactions based on the above mandates and liabilities fixed accordingly. It may please be noted that in the event of a customer complaining of misuse of the card after the date stipulated in this circular, the issuer or the acquirer who has not adhered to the time lines should bear the loss. 5. Banks are advised to strictly adhere to the above mandates and ensure compliance. It is emphasized that no further extensions would be granted. 6. The directive is issued under section 18 of Payment and Settlement Systems Act 2007, (Act 51 of 2007). 7. Please acknowledge the receipt of this circular. Yours faithfully, (Vijay Chugh) Chief General Manager 2026 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2025 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2024 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2023 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2022 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2021 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2020 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2019 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2018 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2017 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December Archives 2016 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2015 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2014 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2013 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2012 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2011 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2010 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2009 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2008 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2007 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2006 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2005 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2004 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2003 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2002 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2001 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2000 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1999 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1998 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1997 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1996 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1995 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1994 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1993 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1992 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1991 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December Top Back to previous page More Links Bank Holidays Banking Glossary Citizen's Charter Complaints Contact Us COVID-19 Measures E-LMS Events FAQs Financial Education Forms IFSC/MICR Codes Important Websites Opportunities @ RBI RBI Clarifications RBI Kehta Hai RBI’s Vision and Values (1257 kb)--> Right to Information Act Tenders Follow RBI RSS Twitter YouTube Instagram Facebook LinkedIn © Reserve Bank of India. All Rights Reserved. Sitemap | Disclaimer Website owned and managed by Reserve Bank of India. Contact us on helpdoc[at]rbi[dot]org[dot]in Website last updated date: Jul 27, 2026 Supports: Google Chrome 147+ | Firefox 150+ | Microsoft Edge Version 147+ | Safari 17+ Accessibility Statement | Screen Reader and Accessibility Help
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/540 · issued 24 Jun 2013. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
🧰 Tools — save, print, templates & related
Most relevant forIT & Cyber SecurityCompliance TeamProduct Manager (Digital & Lending)Internal AuditSenior Management / BoardBusiness Head / Vertical Head
🛠 Banker’s toolkit — checklists & reply templates →
Related circulars · Payment & Settlement Systems
RBI mandates settlement accounts for payment intermediariesRBI Revises Cheque Collection Charges from April 2011NECS Expansion: Banks Must Onboard All NEFT BranchesMandatory electronic payments for large-value transactionsStandardised RTGS Return Process and Customer Alerts
Browse all departments →
Who does what — compliance checklist
💻 IT / Systems
  • Ensure acquirer systems are fully compliant with September 22, 2011 and February 28, 2013 circulars by September 30, 2013.
  • Enable fallback without PIN for domestic cards by November 30, 2013; maintain current system for international cards.
📜 Compliance
  • Complete issuer-side tasks and testing by November 30, 2013, including fallback option readiness.
  • Document all compliance steps to fix liability in case of customer complaints after deadlines.
  • Communicate internally to avoid any further delays, as no extensions will be granted beyond these dates.
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template

Example: if you are an IT/Systems lead at a bank this circular applies to (All Scheduled Commercial Banks including RRBs, Urban Co-operative Banks, State Co-operative Banks, District Central Co-operative Banks, Authorised Card Payment Networks), your first concrete step on “RBI Grants One-Time Extension for Card Security Deadlines” is: “Ensure acquirer systems are fully compliant with September 22, 2011 and February 28, 2013 circulars by September 30, 2013.” (RBI issued this 24 Jun 2013).

  1. Circular: RBI/2012-13/540 -- RBI Grants One-Time Extension for Card Security Deadlines
  2. Issued: 24 Jun 2013
  3. Action required: Ensure acquirer systems are fully compliant with September 22, 2011 and February 28, 2013 circulars by September 30, 2013.
  4. Action required: Complete issuer-side tasks and testing by November 30, 2013, including fallback option readiness.
  5. Action required: Enable fallback without PIN for domestic cards by November 30, 2013; maintain current system for international cards.
  6. Action required: Document all compliance steps to fix liability in case of customer complaints after deadlines.
  7. Action required: Communicate internally to avoid any further delays, as no extensions will be granted beyond these dates.
  8. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  9. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  10. 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.

💬 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=8054&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 ↗
—