BCs Allowed to Distribute Banknotes and Coins (Circular dated Sep 2, 2013)
No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-2014/212 · issued 02 Sep 2013 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has permitted scheduled commercial banks to include distribution of banknotes and coins in the scope of activities of Business Correspondents (BCs), effective from the date of the circular (September 2, 2013), to improve last-mile currency delivery.
What changed
Previously, BCs could handle tasks like loan processing, deposit collection, and micro-insurance sales, but not currency distribution. This circular, issued on September 2, 2013, explicitly adds distribution of banknotes and coins to the list of permissible BC activities, following the May 2013 Monetary Policy Statement which suggested exploring this avenue.
What it means for you
Banks can now leverage their BC networks to physically deliver cash to underserved areas, addressing last-mile connectivity gaps and meeting growing demand for banknotes and coins, especially in rural and remote regions. Lenders should update their BC agreements and operational guidelines to include cash handling and ensure compliance with cash management norms.
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
Update BC engagement contracts to include distribution of banknotes and coins as a permissible activity.
Train BCs on cash handling, security protocols, and reporting requirements for currency distribution.
Review and strengthen cash management processes to monitor BC-led currency distribution and prevent misuse.
Consider engaging Cash-in-Transit (CIT) entities for cash logistics support, as suggested in the Monetary Policy Statement.
Who it affects
All scheduled commercial banks including RRBs and LABs, Business Correspondents (BCs) and their networks, Cash-in-Transit (CIT) entities, Rural and remote customers relying on BCs for banking services
repealed_by — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
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).
Can BCs now distribute any amount of banknotes and coins?
The circular does not specify limits; banks should set internal caps based on risk assessment and BC capacity, ensuring compliance with existing cash management guidelines.
Do BCs need separate approval from RBI for this activity?
No separate RBI approval is required; banks can include this activity in the BC scope as per the circular, but must update their board-approved BC policy.
What about security and liability for cash handled by BCs?
Banks remain responsible for all BC actions. They must ensure BCs have adequate insurance, security arrangements, and clear accountability for cash shortages or theft.
📜 This document’s life story (2 recorded events, each backed by RBI’s own words)
RBI’s words: “Attention is invited to circulars DBOD.No.BAPD.BC.46/22.01.009/2013-14 dated September 2, 2013”
Repealed byRBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #1039: DBOD.NO.BAPD.BC.46/22.01.009/2013-14 — "Financial Inclusion by Extension of Banking Services - Use of Business Correspondents for Distribution of Banknotes an”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2013-2014/212
DBOD.NO. BAPD.BC.46 /22.01.009/2013-14
September 02, 2013
The Chairmen and CEOs
(All Scheduled Commercial Banks including
Regional Rural Banks and Local Area Banks)
Dear Sir,
Financial Inclusion by Extension of banking Services- Use of Business Correspondents for distribution of Banknotes and Coins- Alternative Avenues
Please refer to Para 110 of the Monetary Policy Statement 2013-14 announced on May 03, 2013 ( extract enclosed ).
2. In terms of Para 4 of our Circular DBOD.NO.BL.BC.43/22.01.009/2010-11 dated September 28, 2010 the scope of activities of Business Correspondents (BCs) may include (i) identification of borrowers; (ii) collection and preliminary processing of loan applications including verification of primary information/data; (iii) creating awareness about savings and other products and education and advice on managing money and debt counselling; (iv) processing and submission of applications to banks; (v) promoting, nurturing and monitoring of Self Help Groups/ Joint Liability Groups/Credit Groups/others; (vi) post-sanction monitoring; (vii) follow-up for recovery, (viii) disbursal of small value credit; (ix) recovery of principal/collection of interest; (x) collection of small value deposits; (xi) sale of micro insurance/ mutual fund products/ pension products/ other third party products and (xii) receipt and delivery of small value remittances/ other payment instruments.
3. With a view to effectively meeting the growing demand of banknotes and coins in the country there is a need for identification of alternative avenues for their distribution by banks. It has therefore, been decided to allow banks to include distribution of banknotes and coins also in the scope of activities which may be undertaken by BCs.
Yours faithfully
(Prakash Chander Sahoo)
Chief General Manager
Encl. As above ( Extract of Monetary Policy Satement-2013-14 announced on May 03, 2013 )
Distribution of Banknotes and Coins – Alternative Avenues
110. With a view to effectively meeting the growing demand for banknotes and coins in the country, there is a need for identification of alternative avenues for their distribution by banks. For this purpose, banks may explore the possibility of offering these services through Business Correspondents (BC) and consider engaging the services of Cash in Transit (CIT) entities for the purpose of distribution of banknotes and coins, thereby addressing the last mile connectivity issues.
Detailed guidelines will be issued by end-June 2013.
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-2014/212 · issued 02 Sep 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=8361&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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