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Directions · Reserve Bank of India

Reserve Bank of India (Regional Rural Banks – Interest Rates on Advances) Directions, 2025

UR

The four dates on this rule

At a glanceBeyond a level a rate is usurious, and that is not normal banking. These rules apply to every regional rural bank. The rules start the moment RBI issues them.

Official RBI page

What it says

Chapter I. Preliminary

1. Starts at once

The rules start the moment RBI issues them.

2. Who must follow this

These rules apply to every regional rural bank.

Chapter II. General guidelines

Must know

1. A rate can be usurious

Beyond a level a rate is usurious, and that is not normal banking.

2. Interest every month

Interest is charged on all advances at monthly rests.

3. Farm loans keep practice

For farm loans the bank follows its usual practice, tied to crop production.

4. Short crops follow season

For a short duration crop the bank may follow harvest and market timing.

5. Price on borrower's rating

The risk charge must be reasonable and tied to the borrower's own internal rating.

6. Security counts in risk

Whether there is security, and what it is worth, must be weighed too.

7. The whole cost be fair

Interest and every other charge together must be justifiable against real cost.

8. Small loan rates too

Rates and fees on microfinance loans must not be usurious either.

9. RBI will look at them

These rates and charges are open to supervisory scrutiny by RBI.

Do it

10. The board must set rules

The board must lay down its own principles so charges are never usurious.

11. Check the cash flow first

A small personal loan needs a proper approval step that looks at the borrower's cash flow.

12. Set a ceiling, publish it

A ceiling on interest and charges may be fixed, and should be made public.

13. A policy for small loans

The board must approve a policy on how microfinance loans are priced.

14. Write the rate model down

It needs a documented way of reaching the all-inclusive interest rate.

15. Break the rate into parts

Cost of funds, risk premium and margin must be set out separately.

16. A spread range per borrower

The policy must give the range of each part for each borrower category.

17. A ceiling on small loans

It must also carry a ceiling on the rate and every other charge.

Chapter III. Repeal and Other Provisions

Background

1. Old rules stand repealed

The earlier lending rate rules for these banks are repealed.

2. Old actions still stand

Anything done under the old rules stays governed by those old rules.

3. Old approvals still count

Approvals given under the repealed rules now come under these rules.

4. Old rights are not lost

A right or duty already fixed under the old rules is not wiped out.

5. Old penalties still apply

A penalty already earned under the old rules can still be enforced.

6. Other laws still apply

These rules add to other laws. They do not cut them down.

The same subject for other kinds of institution

The same subject for other kinds of institution.

Other RBI rules for regional rural banks

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