HomeCirculars › RBI/2020-2021/55

Co-op banks get Dec 31 deadline for FY20 returns

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2020-2021/55 · issued 13 Oct 2020 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI extends deadline for co-operative banks to submit annual returns under Section 31 of BR Act to December 31, 2020, due to COVID-19 disruptions. Urban co-ops get a government exemption till that date; state and central co-ops get a three-month extension.

What changed

For Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, the government issued a Gazette Notification exempting them from Section 31 requirements until December 31, 2020, replacing the earlier September 30 deadline. For State Co-operative Banks and Central Co-operative Banks, RBI used its power under the first proviso to Section 31 to extend the filing deadline by three months to December 31, 2020, since the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2020 hasn't been notified for them yet.

What it means for you

Co-operative banks now have until end-December 2020 to finalize and submit their audited financial statements for FY 2019-20, easing pandemic-related compliance pressure. Urban co-ops benefit from a statutory exemption, while state and central co-ops get a regulatory extension. Banks must still ensure timely submission to avoid non-compliance under the BR Act.

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 Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, All State Co-operative Banks, All Central Co-operative Banks

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

Why was the deadline extended only for co-operative banks?

RBI cited difficulties faced by these banks in finalizing financial statements due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The government issued a specific exemption for urban co-ops, and RBI used its powers for state and central co-ops.

What happens if a co-operative bank misses the December 31, 2020 deadline?

The circular does not specify penalties, but non-submission would violate Section 31 of the BR Act, potentially attracting regulatory action. Banks should treat the deadline as final.

Does this extension apply to other types of banks?

No. This circular is specific to Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, State Co-operative Banks, and Central Co-operative Banks. Commercial banks and other entities are not covered.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2020-2021/55 DoR(PCB). BPD.Cir No.4/12.05.001/2020-21 October 13, 2020 The Chairman / Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer All Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, All State Co-operative Banks and Central Co-operative Banks Madam / Dear Sir, Submission of returns under Section 31 (read with section 56) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 - Extension of time Please refer to our circular DoR (PCB).BPD.Cir.No.2/12.05.001/2020-21 dated August 26, 2020 issued to all Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (UCBs) extending the period prescribed for submission of returns under Section 31 (read with Section 56) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 [as amended by the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020] for the financial year ended on March 31, 2020 by another three months, till September 30, 2020. 2. In view of the difficulties faced by UCBs in finalizing the financial statements amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, Government of India, on the recommendation of the Reserve Bank, has issued a Gazette Notification No. S.O. 3377(E) dated September 29, 2020 ( copy enclosed ) declaring that the provisions of Section 31 read with clause (t) of Section 56 of the Act shall not apply to Primary Co-operative Banks till December 31, 2020. Accordingly, all UCBs shall ensure submission of the aforesaid returns to the Reserve Bank on or before December 31, 2020. 3. Since the Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act, 2020 has not been notified for the State Co-operative Banks and Central Co-operative Banks as yet, they are required to furnish three copies of accounts and balance sheet together with auditor’s report as returns to the Reserve Bank and the National Bank (NABARD), in terms of Section 31 read with Section 56 (t) of BR Act, within six months from the end of the period to which they refer, i.e., by September 30, 2020 for the financial year 2019-20. However, taking into account the difficulties being faced by the State Co-operative Banks and Central Co-operative Banks due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Reserve Bank hereby extends the period for furnishing of the returns under Section 31 of the Act for the financial year ended on March 31, 2020 by a further period of three months in terms of the first proviso to the above section. Accordingly, all State Co-operative Banks and Central Co-operative Banks shall ensure submission of the aforesaid returns to the Reserve Bank and NABARD on or before December 31, 2020. Yours faithfully, (Neeraj Nigam) Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2020-2021/55 · issued 13 Oct 2020. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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