Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2024-25/08 · issued 01 Apr 2024 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI issued a consolidated Master Circular on Basel III capital regulations for scheduled commercial banks (excluding SFBs, PBs, RRBs), updating and incorporating all relevant guidelines issued up to April 1, 2024.
What changed
RBI replaced the previous Master Circular dated May 12, 2023 with a new consolidated version as of April 1, 2024. The new circular incorporates all relevant prudential guidelines on Basel III capital adequacy issued up to that date. A list of consolidated circulars is provided in Annex 26.
What it means for you
Banks must now refer to this updated Master Circular for the latest Basel III capital adequacy requirements. The circular ensures all prior guidelines are consolidated into a single reference document, reducing ambiguity. Small Finance Banks and Payments Banks should continue to follow their separate licensing and operating guidelines.
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
Replace the previous May 2023 Master Circular with this updated version for compliance.
Review Annex 26 to identify any newly consolidated circulars affecting your bank.
Ensure your capital adequacy frameworks align with the latest Basel III guidelines as of April 1, 2024.
If you are an SFB or PB, continue to follow your specific licensing and operating guidelines for capital adequacy.
Who it affects
All Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding Small Finance Banks, Payments Banks, and Regional Rural Banks), Compliance and risk management teams, Capital planning and treasury departments
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).
Does this Master Circular apply to Small Finance Banks?
No, Small Finance Banks and Payments Banks must refer to their respective licensing and operating guidelines issued by RBI for prudential guidelines on capital adequacy.
What is the effective date of this updated Master Circular?
The circular is dated April 1, 2024, and consolidates guidelines issued up to that date.
Where can I find the list of circulars consolidated in this Master Circular?
The list is provided in Annex 26 of the Master Circular.
📜 This document’s life story (2 recorded events, each backed by RBI’s own words)
RBI’s words: “Please refer to the Master Circular No. DOR.CAP.REC.4/21.06.201/2024-25 dated April 01, 2024”
Repealed byRBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #127: DOR.CAP.REC.4/21.06.201/2024-25 — "Master Circular - Basel III Capital Regulations" dated April 1, 2024”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2024-25/08
DOR.CAP.REC.4/21.06.201/2024-25
April 01, 2024
All Scheduled Commercial Banks
(Excluding Small Finance Banks, Payments Banks
and Regional Rural Banks)
Madam / Dear Sir,
Master Circular – Basel III Capital Regulations
Please refer to the Master Circular No. DOR.CAP.REC.15/21.06.201/2023-24 dated May 12, 2023 , consolidating therein the prudential guidelines on Basel III capital adequacy issued to banks till that date.
2. The instructions contained in the aforesaid Master Circular have been suitably updated / amended by incorporating relevant guidelines, issued as on date. A list of circulars consolidated in this Master Circular is contained in Annex 26.
3. Small Finance Banks and Payments Banks may refer to their respective licensing guidelines and operating guidelines issued by Reserve Bank, for prudential guidelines on capital adequacy.
Yours faithfully,
(Usha Janakiraman)
Chief General Manager
Encl.: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2024-25/08 · issued 01 Apr 2024. 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=12652&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.
Help us keep this accurate
Found an inaccuracy or have an improvement? Tell us. Every report is reviewed by our team before any change is made — nothing goes live unverified.
Public beta — plain-English informational summaries. Always verify against the official RBI source (circular number cited on every page) before making compliance, credit, treasury, audit, or operational decisions. · Join our WhatsApp channel ↗
BANKPULSE · FREE DAILY BRIEF
Get RBI updates for your role
Every important RBI update, decoded in plain English — for your career, exams & financial awareness.
We collect only your email, name and role, used solely to send your brief — never sold or shared. Withdraw anytime via the unsubscribe link in any email. Independent platform, not affiliated with the RBI. Information, not legal advice.
REPORT AN ERROR · BETA
Spotted an error? Earn 500 BankPulse Credits
Help us stay accurate. If your correction is verified true and approved by our founder, you earn 500 BankPulse Credits — redeemable when the platform monetises.
Reviewed by a human before any credit is awarded. We never change the site from crowd input without verification.
WANT A NEW FEATURE · BETA
What would make BankPulse more useful for you?
Tell us what to build next — a tool, a data view, a role page, anything. We read every suggestion.
Thank you — your ideas directly shape what we build.