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RBI Directions for Rural Co-operative Banks Governance

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Quick answerRBI issues directions for rural co-operative banks to enhance governance and ensure high integrity among directors.

What changed

RBI has introduced new directions for rural co-operative banks, focusing on board composition, director eligibility, and cooling-off periods after a continuous tenure of ten years. The directions aim to improve governance and ensure high integrity among directors.

What it means for you

These directions will impact rural co-operative banks, requiring them to review their board composition and ensure that directors meet the eligibility criteria. Banks must also implement a minimum cooling-off period of three years for directors after a continuous tenure of ten years to prevent conflicts of interest.

What you must do

Who it affects

Rural Co-operative Banks, State Co-operative Banks, Central Co-operative Banks

What is the purpose of RBI's new directions for rural co-operative banks?

The directions aim to enhance governance and ensure high integrity among directors.

What are the eligibility criteria for directors of rural co-operative banks?

Directors must be knowledgeable, of high integrity, and not engaged in money lending, financing, or investment activities.

What is the cooling-off period for directors of rural co-operative banks?

A director on the Board of an RCB, after completing a continuous tenure of ten years in office, shall be eligible to be re-appointed only after undergoing a minimum cooling-off period of three years.

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Official source: RBI/DOR/2025-26/298 on rbi.org.in ↗
AI-drafted · 3-model AI consensus fact-check · under the editorial review of Vikram Jain · published · 19 Jun 2026, 03:38 IST