RBI's own words: “A reference is invited to our circulars ... CO.DPSS.POLC.No.S34/02-14-003/2020-2021 dated March 31, 2021” — RBI/2022-23/73
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2020-21/118 · issued 31 Mar 2021 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has extended the deadline for full compliance with the e-mandate framework for recurring online transactions to September 30, 2021, as a one-time measure. New mandates must be compliant from now; non-compliance beyond the new deadline will invite stringent supervisory action.
The rule, in the simplest words
Banks must register new e-mandates for recurring online transactions in a compliant framework.
Existing mandates must be migrated to the compliant framework by September 30, 2021.
Non-compliance beyond the deadline will invite stringent supervisory action.
How it plays out — a real example
A branch operations officer in Indore, Mr. Kumar, ensures that all new recurring e-mandates for gold loans are registered in the compliant framework before September 30, 2021, to avoid any inconvenience to customers and to prevent supervisory action. He also communicates with customers about any changes in mandate processing during the transition.
What changed
The original compliance deadline of March 31, 2021, for the e-mandate framework has been extended to September 30, 2021, as a one-time relief. During this extended period, no new recurring mandates can be registered unless they fully comply with the framework. The RBI noted unsatisfactory progress in onboarding existing and new mandates.
What it means for you
Banks and payment system participants must urgently accelerate their migration to the compliant e-mandate framework for cards, wallets, and UPI. The extension is a final opportunity; any further delay after September 30 will trigger strict supervisory actions. This impacts customer convenience and operational risk management for recurring payments.
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
Ensure all new recurring e-mandates registered from now are fully compliant with the framework.
Accelerate migration of existing mandates to the compliant framework before September 30, 2021.
Review and report progress to senior management to avoid supervisory action.
Communicate with customers about any changes in mandate processing during the transition.
Who it affects
All Scheduled Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks, Urban Co-operative Banks, State Co-operative Banks, District Central Co-operative Banks, Payments Banks, Small Finance Banks, Local Area Banks, Card Payment Networks, Non-bank Prepaid Payment Instrument Issuers, National Payments Corporation of India
RBI’s words: “A reference is invited to our circulars ... CO.DPSS.POLC.No.S34/02-14-003/2020-2021 dated March 31, 2021”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2020-21/118
CO.DPSS.POLC.No.S34/02-14-003/2020-2021
March 31, 2021
The Chairman / Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer
All Scheduled Commercial Banks, including Regional Rural Banks /
Urban Co-operative Banks / State Co-operative Banks /
District Central Co-operative Banks / Payments Banks /
Small Finance Banks / Local Area Banks / Card Payment Networks /
Non-bank Prepaid Payment Instrument Issuers /
National Payments Corporation of India
Madam / Dear Sir,
Framework for processing of e-mandates for recurring online transactions
A reference is invited to our circulars DPSS.CO.PD.No.447/02.14.003/2019-20 dated August 21, 2019 , DPSS.CO.PD.No.1324/02.23.001/2019-20 dated January 10, 2020 and DPSS.CO.PD.No.754/02.14.003/2020-21 dated December 4, 2020 , wherein the framework for registering e-mandates for recurring online transactions using cards / wallets / Unified Payments Interface was put in place. The framework had ensured that changing payment needs of customers were accommodated by adequately balancing safety, security and convenience of such transactions. Stakeholders were given sufficient time to complete the process of migration to the framework by March 31, 2021.
2. It is, however, noted that the progress of onboarding existing as well as new mandates of customers as per the framework is not satisfactory. Keeping in view the requests of some stakeholders and to prevent any inconvenience to customers, it has been decided, as a one-time measure, to extend the timeline for ensuring full compliance to the framework till September 30, 2021. During the extended timeline, no new mandate for recurring online transactions shall be registered by stakeholders, unless such mandates are compliant with the framework.
3. Any further delay in ensuring complete adherence to the framework beyond the extended timeline will attract stringent supervisory action.
4. This directive is issued under Section 10(2) read with Section 18 of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 (Act 51 of 2007).
Yours faithfully,
(P. Vasudevan)
Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2020-21/118 · issued 31 Mar 2021. 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=12051&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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