No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/59 · issued 01 Jul 2013 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI consolidated all branch authorisation rules into a single master circular effective July 1, 2013. It covers opening, shifting, merging, and closing branches, including ATMs and specialised branches. Foreign banks must follow paragraph 24. This replaces the July 2012 circular.
What changed
RBI issued a new master circular on branch authorisation under Section 23 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, updating the previous July 2012 circular. It incorporates all instructions issued up to June 30, 2013, into one consolidated document. The circular is now available on the RBI website.
What it means for you
Banks must refer to this updated master circular for all branch-related approvals and reporting. The consolidation simplifies compliance by providing a single reference for rules on branch expansion, shifting, and closure. Foreign banks have specific guidance in paragraph 24, which may differ from domestic bank rules.
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
Review the full master circular on RBI's website to understand updated procedures for branch authorisation.
Ensure all branch expansion plans align with the new guidelines, especially for underbanked districts.
Foreign banks must strictly follow paragraph 24 of this circular for compliance.
Update internal policies and training materials to reflect the consolidated instructions.
Who it affects
All commercial banks excluding Regional Rural Banks, Foreign banks operating in India, Bank branch expansion and compliance teams
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Stated effective dateeffective July 1, 2013
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-18 14:35 IST
Status change: withdrawn03 Aug 2026, 04:00 IST
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
Does this circular change the branch opening process?
It consolidates existing instructions up to June 30, 2013, so no new policy changes are introduced. However, banks should use this as the single reference for all branch authorisation procedures.
Are foreign banks treated differently under this circular?
Yes, foreign banks are specifically guided by paragraph 24 of the master circular, which may have separate provisions from those for domestic banks.
Where can I find the full list of underbanked districts?
The circular includes Annex-5 and Annex-6 listing underbanked districts and underbanked states, which are critical for branch expansion planning.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2013-14/59
DBOD No. BAPD.BC. 18/22.01.001/2013-14
July 1, 2013
All Commercial Banks
(excluding RRBs)
Madam / Dear Sir,
Section 23 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 – Master Circular on Branch Authorisation
Please refer to the Master Circular DBOD No. BL.BC. 26/22.01.001/2012-13 dated July 2, 2012 consolidating instructions / guidelines issued to banks on Branch Authorisation till June 30, 2013. The Master Circular has been suitably updated by incorporating the instructions issued upto June 30, 2013. The Master Circular has been placed on the RBI website ( http://www.rbi.org.in ).
2. Foreign banks may be guided by paragraph 24 of this Master Circular.
Yours faithfully,
(Prakash Chandra Sahoo)
Chief General Manager
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Para No.
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/59 · issued 01 Jul 2013. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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.
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=8136&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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