What changed
The Banking Laws (Amendment) Act, 2025 redefines 'fortnight' for CRR and SLR maintenance from the period from Saturday to the second following Friday to the 1st-15th and 16th-last day of each calendar month. Consequently, all references to 'Friday' in the Directions are replaced with 'day' or 'last day of the fortnight' as applicable, and reporting timelines are adjusted: Form B becomes a single fortnightly return (no provisional/final/special), and Form I is revised with new return codes. The new reporting structure takes effect from December 15, 2025 (except paragraph 7(viii)(3) effective Dec 12, 2025), with updated return codes on the CIMS portal. Transitional provisions apply for December 13-15, 2025 and the first two fortnights.
What it means for you
Rural co-operative banks must align their CRR/SLR maintenance and reporting cycles to calendar-based fortnights, which may shift liquidity planning and compliance deadlines. The elimination of provisional and final Form B returns simplifies reporting but requires banks to submit accurate data in a single submission. Banks need to update their internal systems and processes to handle the new fortnight definition and revised return formats from mid-December 2025.
What you must do
- Update internal systems to reflect the new fortnight definition (1st-15th and 16th-last day of each month) for CRR/SLR maintenance and reporting.
- Replace all references to 'Friday' in compliance workflows with 'day' or 'last day of the fortnight' as per the amended Directions.
- Transition to the single Form B return (no provisional/final/special) and use the new return codes on the CIMS portal from December 15, 2025.
- Ensure monthly Form I returns are submitted using the updated version from December 2025 onwards, with both old and new return codes for December 2025.
- Train staff on the revised reporting timelines and the deletion of paragraph 34 (special returns) to avoid non-compliance.
- Note the transition period December 13-15, 2025: maintain CRR/SLR based on NDTL as on November 28, 2025, with minimum CRR of 100% of required CRR, and submit Form B for December 12, 2025 under old structure.
Who it affects
Rural co-operative banks, Compliance and treasury teams of rural co-op banks, RBI's supervisory and reporting divisions
When does the new fortnight definition take effect?
The amended definition of 'fortnight' comes into effect from December 15, 2025, as notified in the Gazette of India on December 8, 2025, except paragraph 7(viii)(3) which is effective from December 12, 2025.
What happens to the old Form B returns?
The provisional, final, and special Form B returns are replaced by a single fortnightly Form B return, effective from December 15, 2025. The new return codes are available on the CIMS portal.
Are there any transitional arrangements for the first few fortnights?
Yes, the RBI specifies that CRR/SLR maintenance for the fortnight December 16-31, 2025 and the first fortnight of January 2026 (January 1-15, 2026) must follow the new rules, with NDTL based on November 28, 2025 and December 15, 2025 respectively. Additionally, a transition period from December 13-15, 2025 applies with specific maintenance requirements.