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RBI Updates Basel III Capital Master Circular for SCBs

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2025-26/08 · issued 01 Apr 2025 · ~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 as of April 1, 2025.

What changed

RBI replaced the previous Master Circular dated April 1, 2024, with a new consolidated version as of April 1, 2025. The new circular incorporates all relevant prudential guidelines on Basel III capital adequacy issued up to the date of this circular. A list of consolidated circulars is provided in Annex 26.

What it means for you

Banks must align their capital adequacy frameworks with the updated Basel III guidelines as captured in this Master Circular. This ensures consistency in regulatory capital treatment across all applicable banks. Small Finance Banks and Payments Banks should continue to follow their separate licensing and operating guidelines for capital adequacy.

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 Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding Small Finance Banks, Payments Banks, and Regional Rural Banks), Risk management and compliance departments, Capital planning and treasury teams

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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 should refer to their respective licensing and operating guidelines for prudential guidelines on capital adequacy.

What is the effective date of this Master Circular?

The circular is dated April 1, 2025, and replaces the previous Master Circular of April 1, 2024.

Where can I find the list of circulars consolidated in this Master Circular?

The list of consolidated circulars is provided in Annex 26 of the Master Circular.

📜 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 #57: DOR.CAP.REC.2/21.06.201/2025-26 — "Master Circular - Basel III Capital Regulations" dated April 1, 2025”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2025-26/08 DOR.CAP.REC.2/21.06.201/2025-26 April 01, 2025 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.4/21.06.201/2024-25 dated April 01, 2024 , 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-in-Charge Encl.: As above
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2025-26/08 · issued 01 Apr 2025. 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=12815&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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