Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2026-27/18 · issued 27 Apr 2026 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI has amended the 2025 Directions for Rural Co-operative Banks, adding 'AgriSURE - Agri Fund for Start Ups & Rural Enterprises' to the list of permissible financial services. This takes effect immediately.
The rule, in the simplest words
Rural Co-operative Banks (local banks in villages) can now offer a new service called 'AgriSURE' (a fund that gives money to new farming businesses and village companies).
This rule change happened on April 27, 2026, and banks must start following it right away.
Banks need to update their paperwork and train their staff so they know how to use this new fund.
How it plays out — a real example
A co-operative bank branch officer in Indore, Priya, reads the new RBI rule and updates her bank's list of services to include AgriSURE. She then tells a local farmer who wants to start a solar-powered irrigation business that the bank can now help him apply for money from this fund.
What changed
The Reserve Bank of India has updated its 2025 Directions for Rural Co-operative Banks by inserting a new entry into Annex I. The addition is 'AgriSURE - Agri Fund for Start Ups & Rural Enterprises', expanding the list of financial services these banks can undertake. The amendment is effective from the date of the circular, April 27, 2026.
What it means for you
Rural Co-operative Banks can now formally offer or facilitate the AgriSURE fund, which supports startups and rural enterprises. This opens a new avenue for these banks to engage with agri-tech and rural innovation financing. Lenders should update their product and service documentation to reflect this addition.
What you must do
Update internal policy documents and Annex I references to include AgriSURE as a permissible service.
Train relationship managers and credit officers on the scope of AgriSURE fund services.
Review existing product offerings to identify opportunities for collaboration with AgriSURE.
Ensure compliance with any separate RBI guidelines on fund-based services for RCBs.
Who it affects
Rural Co-operative Banks
❓ Common questions
What is AgriSURE?
AgriSURE stands for 'Agri Fund for Start Ups & Rural Enterprises'. It is a fund that supports agricultural startups and rural enterprises, now added to the list of financial services Rural Co-operative Banks can undertake.
When does this amendment take effect?
The amendment comes into force with immediate effect from April 27, 2026, the date of the RBI circular.
Do RCBs need to seek separate approval to offer AgriSURE services?
The amendment adds AgriSURE to Annex I of the existing Directions, so it is now a permitted activity. However, banks should ensure they meet any general eligibility conditions under the Directions.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2026-27/18
DOR.STR.REC.27/21-04-048/2026-27
April 27, 2026
Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks– Undertaking of Financial Services) – Amendment Directions, 2026
Please refer to Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks – Undertaking of Financial Services) Directions, 2025 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Directions’).
2. On a review, and in exercise of the powers conferred by the section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, 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. The Amendment Directions modifies the Directions as under:
(1) Following shall be added to Annex I:
“2. AgriSURE - Agri Fund for Start Ups & Rural Enterprises”
4. The above amendment shall come into force with immediate effect.
(Vaibhav Chaturvedi)
Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2026-27/18 · issued 27 Apr 2026. 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), your first concrete step on “RCBs can now offer AgriSURE fund services” is: “Update internal policy documents and Annex I references to include AgriSURE as a permissible service.” (RBI issued this 27 Apr 2026).
Circular: RBI/2026-27/18 -- RCBs can now offer AgriSURE fund services
Issued: 27 Apr 2026
Action required: Update internal policy documents and Annex I references to include AgriSURE as a permissible service.
Action required: Train relationship managers and credit officers on the scope of AgriSURE fund services.
Action required: Review existing product offerings to identify opportunities for collaboration with AgriSURE.
Action required: Ensure compliance with any separate RBI guidelines on fund-based services for RCBs.
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
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 02 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=13381&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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