Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2025-26/163 · issued 29 Dec 2025 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI clarifies that the rural co-operative bank which last uploaded or updated a customer's KYC records in CKYCR is responsible for verifying identity/address. Other banks downloading and relying on those records need not re-verify, but remain liable for all other CDD aspects.
The rule, in the simplest words
The bank that last uploaded or updated a customer's KYC (know your customer) records in CKYCR (central KYC registry) must check the customer's identity and address.
If another bank downloads those records from CKYCR, it does NOT have to re-check identity and address, as long as the records are current and follow PML (anti-money laundering) rules.
The bank that downloads the records is still responsible for all other customer checks, like risk profiling and watching for suspicious activity.
Banks must only use CKYCR records that are up-to-date and follow the law.
How it plays out — a real example
A KYC & compliance officer in Indore downloads a customer's KYC records from CKYCR to open a new account. She knows she doesn't need to re-verify the customer's identity or address because the uploading bank already did that. But she still checks the customer's risk profile and monitors transactions, because that part is her job.
What changed
RBI inserted a new Explanation in paragraph 64 of the Rural Co-operative Banks – KYC Directions, 2025. It specifies that the bank which last uploaded or updated KYC records in CKYCR is responsible for verifying the customer's identity/address. Banks downloading and relying on such records are exempt from re-verifying identity/address, provided the records are current and compliant with PML Act/Rules.
What it means for you
This amendment reduces duplication of KYC verification for rural co-operative banks that rely on CKYCR records, lowering operational costs and customer friction. However, the downloading bank remains fully responsible for all other aspects of Customer Due Diligence (CDD), including risk profiling and ongoing monitoring. Banks must ensure they only rely on records that are current and compliant.
What you must do
Update internal KYC policies to reflect that the bank last uploading/updating CKYCR records bears identity/address verification responsibility.
Ensure your bank's KYC uploads to CKYCR are accurate and compliant, as you become the verifying entity for those records.
When downloading KYC records from CKYCR, verify that they are current and PML-compliant before relying on them for CDD.
Train staff on the distinction between identity/address verification (now exempt for downloaders) and other CDD responsibilities that remain.
Review existing CKYCR upload and download processes to align with the new responsibility framework.
Who it affects
Rural Co-operative Banks, Banks using CKYCR for KYC records, Compliance and KYC operations teams, Internal audit and risk management functions
❓ Common questions
When did this amendment take effect?
The amendment came into force with immediate effect from the date of the RBI notification, which is December 29, 2025.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2025-26/163
DOR.AML.REC.367/14.01.005/2025-26
December 29, 2025
Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks – Know Your Customer) Amendment Directions, 2025
Reserve Bank had issued Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks – Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025 dated November 28, 2025 (hereinafter referred to as the Directions) in compliance of the provisions of the PML Act, 2002 and the Rules made thereunder. There is a need to amend the Directions to clarify the responsibility of entities uploading customer records to and downloading the same from CKYCR, based on the office memorandum (OM) titled “CKYCR and the ultimate responsibility of REs – reg.” issued by the Department of Revenue, Govt of India, dated September 18, 2025.
2. Accordingly, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the Banking Regulation Act (AACS), 1949, read with section 56 of the Act ibid., section 10(2) read with section 18 of Payment and Settlement Systems Act 2007 (Act 51 of 2007), section 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, Rule 9(14) of the Prevention of Money-Laundering (Maintenance of Records) Rules, 2005, and all other enabling laws in this regard, the Reserve Bank being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby issues the Amendment Directions hereinafter specified.
3. Short Title and Commencement
(1) These Directions shall be called the Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks – Know Your Customer) Amendment Directions, 2025.
(2) These Directions shall come into force with immediate effect.
4. These Amendment Directions modify the Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks – Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025 as under:
(1) In paragraph 64, the following “Explanation” is being inserted after sub-paragraph (10):
“ Explanation: The RE that has last uploaded or updated the customer’s KYC records in the CKYCR shall be responsible for verifying the identity and / or address of the customer, as applicable. Accordingly, any bank downloading and relying on such records from the CKCYR shall not be required to re-verify the authenticity of the customer’s identity and / or address, provided the KYC records downloaded from CKYCR are current and compliant with the PML Act, 2002 / PML Rules, 2005. The bank downloading and relying on KYC records downloaded from the CKCYR shall remain responsible for all aspects of CDD procedure and provisions of these Directions, except verification of identity and / or address of the customer.”
(Veena Srivastava)
Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2025-26/163 · issued 29 Dec 2025. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (Rural Co-operative Banks, Banks using CKYCR for KYC records, Compliance and KYC operations teams, Internal audit and risk management functions), your first concrete step on “RCB KYC Amendment: CKYCR Uploader Bears Verification Responsibility” is: “Update internal KYC policies to reflect that the bank last uploading/updating CKYCR records bears identity/address verification responsibility.” (RBI issued this 29 Dec 2025).
Action required: Update internal KYC policies to reflect that the bank last uploading/updating CKYCR records bears identity/address verification responsibility.
Action required: Ensure your bank's KYC uploads to CKYCR are accurate and compliant, as you become the verifying entity for those records.
Action required: When downloading KYC records from CKYCR, verify that they are current and PML-compliant before relying on them for CDD.
Action required: Train staff on the distinction between identity/address verification (now exempt for downloaders) and other CDD responsibilities that remain.
Action required: Review existing CKYCR upload and download processes to align with the new responsibility framework.
Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.
💬 Banker Discussion
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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=13239&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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