HomeCirculars › RBI/2021-22/49

RBI extends deadline for co-op banks' annual returns to Sept 30

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2021-22/49 · issued 04 Jun 2021 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI has given co-operative banks an extra three months—until September 30, 2021—to file annual accounts and balance sheets under Section 31 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, due to COVID-19 disruptions.

What changed

The standard three-month window for submitting annual returns (accounts, balance sheet, auditor's report) for the FY ended March 31, 2021 has been extended by another three months. The new deadline for all Primary Urban Co-operative Banks, State Co-operative Banks, and Central Co-operative Banks is September 30, 2021. State and Central co-operative banks must also submit to NABARD by the same date.

What it means for you

Co-operative banks facing pandemic-related delays in finalising FY21 accounts get breathing room without penalty. This extension applies uniformly to all categories of co-operative banks regulated by RBI. Lenders should note that the relief is one-time for the March 2021 financial year only.

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

Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, State Co-operative Banks, 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).

Which financial year does this extension cover?

The extension applies only to the financial year ended March 31, 2021.

Do State and Central co-operative banks need to file separately with NABARD?

Yes, they must submit the same returns to NABARD as well, also by September 30, 2021.

Is this extension automatic for all co-operative banks?

Yes, RBI has granted the extension for all Primary Urban, State, and Central co-operative banks facing COVID-related difficulties.

📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Repealed by RBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #302: DoR.RET.REC.19/12.05.009/2021-22 — "Submission of Returns under Section 31 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (AACS) - Extension of Time" dated June 4, 2021”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2021-22/49 DoR.RET.REC.19/12.05.009/2021-22 June 04, 2021 The Chairman / Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer All Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, All State Co-operative Banks and Central Co-operative Banks Madam/Sir Submission of returns under Section 31 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (AACS) – Extension of time In terms of Section 31 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (“the Act”), read with Section 56 of the Act, accounts and balance sheet referred to in Section 29 of the Act together with the auditor's report shall be published in the prescribed manner and three copies thereof shall be furnished as returns to the Reserve Bank within three months from the end of the period to which they refer. In terms of Section 31 read with Section 56 (t) (ii) of BR Act, State Co-operative Banks and Central Co-operative Banks are also required to submit these statements as returns to the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). 2. As many of the Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (UCBs), State Co-operative Banks and Central Co-operative Banks are facing difficulties in finalising their Annual Accounts due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is considered necessary to allow more time for submission of the aforesaid return during the current period. 3. In view of the above, Reserve Bank hereby extends the said period of three months for the furnishing of the returns under Section 31 of the Act for the financial year ended on March 31, 2021, by a further period of three months. Accordingly, all UCBs, State Co-operative Banks and Central Co-operative Banks shall ensure submission of the aforesaid returns to Reserve Bank on or before September 30, 2021. The State Co-operative Banks and Central Co-operative Banks shall also ensure submission of the aforesaid returns to NABARD on or before September 30, 2021. Yours faithfully (Thomas Mathew) Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2021-22/49 · issued 04 Jun 2021. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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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=12107&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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