Reserve Bank of India (Regional Rural Banks – Governance) Directions, 2025
UR
- Applies toRegional rural banks
- StatusIn force
- ImportanceMUST READ
- IssuedNov 28, 2025
- Amendmentsnone tracked
- Length33 points in 5 sections · 4 min read
The four dates on this rule
- PublishedNov 28, 2025The day RBI put this document out.
- Starts to applyNot statedNot stated separately in this document. Read the rule itself before you assume a start date.
- Time to get readyNot statedCannot be worked out until the day it starts to apply is known.
- Last date to actNot statedNo date to act by was found in this document. Other dates may sit inside single paragraphs.
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What it says
Chapter I. Preliminary
1. In force at once
These Directions came into force with immediate effect.
2. Who is covered
These Directions apply to regional rural banks.
Chapter II. Role of Nominee Directors and Non-Official Directors
1. Interested members step out
A member may not join the discussion on any proposal in which they hold an interest.
2. No secrets revealed
A member must not reveal any information of the bank to anyone.
3. Study before the meeting
A board member must attend regularly, study the papers and seek information through the chairman.
4. Three absences, seat gone
A nominee director who misses more than 3 board meetings in a row without leave loses the seat.
BankPulse example. A nominee director misses four board meetings in a row without leave of the Board. That is more than 3 consecutive meetings. The seat becomes vacant.
5. No orders to officers
A member sends no instructions to individual officers; matters route through the chairman.
Chapter III. Board Meeting Procedures
Must know
1. Outsiders kept out
Sponsor bank officials who are not directors may not attend board meetings, to protect customers' secrecy.
2. Secretarial help allowed
A senior official may attend to assist the chairman, but may not join the board's discussions.
Do it
3. A fresh notice on quorum
If even the adjourned meeting lacks quorum, the chairman must call a fresh meeting with fresh notice.
Background
4. A model agenda given
RBI gives a model board agenda, from minutes and policies to audit, marked statutory or not.
5. Watching the biggest loans
The board reviews the top 50 standard borrower accounts and the top 50 bad-loan accounts.
6. Government schemes reviewed
The agenda covers government schemes, from crop insurance and farm credit to housing and micro loans.
7. Technology on the table
The board reviews core banking spending, new digital services, and the working of machines and mobile banking.
8. The law list checked
Compliance with named sections of the banking and RBI laws sits on the agenda as a statutory item.
9. Fees set by Government
Fees and allowances of non official directors are as the Government notifies from time to time.
Chapter IV. Committees of the Board
Must know
1. The chairman stays out
The bank's own chairman may not sit on the audit committee; NABARD's nominee may.
2. Securities counted quarterly
Every quarter, auditors certify the bank truly holds the securities it reports to RBI.
3. Old loss assets reviewed
Loss assets of ₹1 lakh and above, stuck two years without legal action, are reviewed half yearly.
Do it
4. Rejections must be explained
If the board rejects a risk committee recommendation, the reasons are documented for the auditors to see.
Background
5. An independent audit committee
The bank may set up an audit committee. It gets a direct, open line to management and auditors.
6. Three or four members
The audit committee has three or four directors, at least one experienced in finance, accounts or audit.
7. A borrowed accountant
If no director has the background, the board may co-opt a chartered accountant onto the committee.
8. Senior-most in the chair
By convention the senior-most director chairs the committee, rotating yearly if needed.
9. Four meetings a year
The audit committee meets at least four times annually, more often if circumstances demand.
10. Private sessions held
At least half yearly the committee meets auditors and accounts separately, in private sessions.
11. Books closed on time
The committee ensures the books close every March 31 and the accounts are ready within the legal time.
12. Bad-loan truth watched
The committee checks the books tell the truth, above all on bad loans and the money set aside.
13. Missed frauds examined
If the auditors missed a serious wrong, the committee looks into how it was missed.
14. A risk committee sized right
The risk committee starts with a small credit and operational risk cell, adding market risk later as needed.
15. Risk strategy for the whole
The risk committee writes the plan for handling all the bank's risks as one whole.
Chapter VI. Repeal and other provisions
1. Old guidance repealed
The earlier governance guidance for regional rural banks stands repealed.
2. Old actions stay governed
Action already taken under the old rules stays governed by them.
The same subject for other kinds of institution
The same subject for other kinds of institution.
Other RBI rules for regional rural banks
RBI credit bureau reporting rules for regional rural banks 2025
RBI credit card and debit card rules for regional rural banks 2025
RBI customer service and fair conduct rules for regional rural banks 2025
RBI deposit interest rate rules for regional rural banks 2025
RBI digital banking channel rules for regional rural banks 2025
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