Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/130 · issued 11 Jul 2013 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has assigned lead bank responsibilities for 16 districts in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad, bringing all metro areas under the lead bank scheme as per the 2013-14 Monetary Policy.
The rule, in the simplest words
Banks in metro areas have been assigned as lead banks to coordinate credit planning and financial inclusion.
Lead banks must work with district authorities and other banks to set up the lead bank mechanism.
Banks must update their reporting with new district working codes for assigned districts.
How it plays out — a real example
Rahul, a lead bank officer in New Delhi, is working with the district authorities to set up a new credit planning system. He is coordinating with other banks, including Canara Bank, to ensure a smooth implementation of the scheme. Rahul is also updating the BSR reporting with the newly allotted district working codes for the assigned districts.
What changed
RBI has assigned specific lead banks for 16 districts across five metropolitan areas—Delhi (11 districts), Mumbai (2), Chennai (1), Kolkata (1), and Hyderabad (1). The earlier lead bank responsibility for Delhi (Rural) assigned to SBI has been withdrawn, with SBI asked to support a smooth transition.
What it means for you
Banks designated as lead banks in these metro districts must now coordinate credit planning, financial inclusion, and government scheme implementation in those areas. This brings uniformity to the lead bank scheme across all districts, including urban metros, and may increase reporting and coordination demands for the assigned banks.
What you must do
Verify your bank's lead bank assignment for the specific metro district and ensure immediate implementation of the scheme.
Coordinate with district authorities and other banks to set up the lead bank mechanism as per RBI guidelines.
Update BSR reporting with the newly allotted district working codes for the assigned districts.
For SBI, facilitate a smooth handover of lead bank responsibilities in Delhi districts where the role has been withdrawn.
Who it affects
Canara Bank (New Delhi, Central Delhi, West Delhi), Oriental Bank of Commerce (North Delhi), Punjab National Bank (North West Delhi, North East Delhi, East Delhi), State Bank of India (South West Delhi, South Delhi, South East Delhi, Kolkata), Bank of Baroda (Shahdara), Bank of India (Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburb), Indian Overseas Bank (Chennai), State Bank of Hyderabad (Hyderabad), All lead banks in metropolitan districts
❓ Common questions
What is the lead bank scheme?
It is a RBI scheme where a designated bank in each district coordinates credit planning, financial inclusion, and government scheme implementation among all banks in that district.
Why were metro districts brought under this scheme now?
The 2013-14 Monetary Policy Statement decided to extend the lead bank scheme to all districts in metropolitan areas to ensure uniform coverage and better credit planning.
What should banks do with the new district working codes?
Banks must use these codes for BSR (Basic Statistical Returns) reporting to RBI for the respective districts.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2013-14/130
RPCD.CO.LBS.BC.No.12/02.08.001/2013-14
July 11, 2013
The Chairmen & Managing Directors
All Lead Banks
Dear Sir/Madam,
Assignment of Lead Bank Responsibility in districts of Metropolitan Areas
Please refer to paragraph 70 of Monetary Policy Statement 2013-14, in terms of which it was decided to bring all districts in metropolitan areas under the fold of the lead bank scheme.
2. Accordingly, it has been decided to assign the lead bank responsibility in districts of Metropolitan areas of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Hyderabad as detailed below:-
SR
No.
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/130 · issued 11 Jul 2013. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (Canara Bank (New Delhi, Central Delhi, West Delhi), Oriental Bank of Commerce (North Delhi), Punjab National Bank (North West Delhi, North East Delhi, East Delhi), State Bank of India (South West Delhi, South Delhi, South East Delhi, Kolkata), Bank of Baroda (Shahdara), Bank of India (Mumbai City, Mumbai Suburb), Indian Overseas Bank (Chennai), State Bank of Hyderabad (Hyderabad), All lead banks in metropolitan districts), your first concrete step on “Lead Bank Scheme Extended to Metro Districts” is: “Verify your bank's lead bank assignment for the specific metro district and ensure immediate implementation of the scheme.” (RBI issued this 11 Jul 2013).
Circular: RBI/2013-14/130 -- Lead Bank Scheme Extended to Metro Districts
Issued: 11 Jul 2013
Action required: Verify your bank's lead bank assignment for the specific metro district and ensure immediate implementation of the scheme.
Action required: Coordinate with district authorities and other banks to set up the lead bank mechanism as per RBI guidelines.
Action required: Update BSR reporting with the newly allotted district working codes for the assigned districts.
Action required: For SBI, facilitate a smooth handover of lead bank responsibilities in Delhi districts where the role has been withdrawn.
Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
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.
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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=8228&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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