{"what_this_is":"The machine-readable twin of the BankPulse page for one RBI rulebook. Same points, same dates, same paragraph references as the page a person reads. RBI's own wording is not reproduced here: each point names the RBI paragraph, the character offset into the text BankPulse read and the sha256 of that text, so the claim can be checked against RBI's own document.","schema_version":1,"release_id":"d653cdb0a5","generated_at":"2026-09-15T00:33:59.117975+00:00","id":"md13060","title":"Reserve Bank of India (Regional Rural Banks – Branch Authorisation) Directions, 2025","document_kind":"Directions","page":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060","status":"In force","importance":{"code":"MR","label":"MUST READ","weight":"Must read","why":"Binding RBI Directions naming this institution class in the title","layer":"bankpulse_inference"},"applies_to":{"shown":"Regional rural banks","class_code":"RRB","from":"the document's own title","layer":"bankpulse_inference"},"dates":{"prid":"md13060","mode":"four_dates_v1","published":{"label":"Published","value":"Nov 28, 2025","stated":true,"why":"The day RBI put this document out."},"effective":{"label":"Starts to apply","value":"","stated":false,"why":"Not stated separately in this document. Read the rule itself before you assume a start date."},"transition":{"label":"Time to get ready","value":"","stated":false,"why":"Cannot be worked out until the day it starts to apply is known."},"deadline":{"label":"Last date to act","value":"","stated":false,"why":"No date to act by was found in this document. Other dates may sit inside single paragraphs."},"sources":{"published":"doc_date in data/highlights/md13060.json","effective":"none held","transition":"none held","deadline":"none held"}},"rbi_source":{"url":"https://rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_ViewMasDirections.aspx?id=13060","document_date":"Nov 28, 2025","read_by_bankpulse":"2026-08-21 16:18:40 UTC","text_sha256":"7b9c3c4c7c8f7ae01cf9036b043e6cb2c5826c891d7280aaf1f9a9fd0795a493","word_count":7922,"standing_last_checked":"Standing checked on RBI’s Master Directions index, 15 September 2026, 5:58 am IST."},"counts":{"points_shown":37,"points_naming_an_rbi_paragraph":37,"points_stored":37,"actions":0,"amendments":0},"points":[{"n":1,"claim":"md13060-f8d4001a","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"THE CORE IDEA","heading":"What counts as an outlet","plain_english":"A banking outlet serves customers at a fixed point for at least four hours a day, five days a week.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 4(3)","rbi_char_offset":4915,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p1","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13060-f85d4697","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"KEY DATES","heading":"In force on issue","plain_english":"These directions took effect from the date of their issue.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 2","rbi_char_offset":3372,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p2","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13060-8188b853","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"WHO IT APPLIES TO","heading":"Who is covered","plain_english":"These Directions apply to regional rural banks.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 3","rbi_char_offset":3475,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p3","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13060-6b8188ea","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Five conditions to qualify","plain_english":"The application is considered only with capital of nine percent, net bad loans within five percent, and a clean record.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 9(1)","rbi_char_offset":10268,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p4","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13060-d56c9987","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"No reserve defaults","plain_english":"There must be no default in the cash and liquidity reserves for two years. The bank must have made a net profit last year.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 9(3)","rbi_char_offset":10349,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p5","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13060-31d88f58","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Seven days to report","plain_english":"The report of a new rural outlet reaches RBI's regional office within seven days of opening.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 10","rbi_char_offset":10797,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"Compliance","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p6","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13060-88269891","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Earn the town first","plain_english":"Town openings this year are allowed only if the bank met its 25 percent unbanked rural target the previous year.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 10(1)","rbi_char_offset":11034,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p7","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":5,"claim":"md13060-3c8dec09","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Miss the target, lose towns","plain_english":"Miss the 25 percent duty in a year, and the bank may not open in Tier 1 to 4 centres.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 11","rbi_char_offset":11808,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p8","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":6,"claim":"md13060-42b1d2ab","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"A quarter for the unbanked","plain_english":"At least 25 percent of outlets opened in a year must be in unbanked rural centres.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 13(1)","rbi_char_offset":12807,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p9","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":7,"claim":"md13060-551ed8c2","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Part time counts pro rata","plain_english":"A part time outlet counts in the 25 percent sum in proportion to its hours.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 13(2)","rbi_char_offset":13046,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p10","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":8,"claim":"md13060-232a85e9","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Moves go down, not up","plain_english":"Outlets may shift only within the same or a smaller population category, never upward.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 20","rbi_char_offset":19349,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p11","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":9,"claim":"md13060-a92c174a","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"One month to tell RBI","plain_english":"A change of office address reaches RBI's regional office within one month of shifting.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 27","rbi_char_offset":22621,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p12","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":10,"claim":"md13060-e77de445","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"No customers in back offices","plain_english":"Back offices need the regional office's permission, serve no customers, and can never become branches.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 28","rbi_char_offset":23385,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p13","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":11,"claim":"md13060-9fe5c0f7","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"KEY DATES","heading":"Two years to use it","plain_english":"An authorisation stays valid for a maximum period of two years.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 30","rbi_char_offset":24220,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p14","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":12,"claim":"md13060-9278afb5","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Full computerisation first","plain_english":"All branches and the head office must be on core banking, with system generated recognition of bad loans.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 9(5)","rbi_char_offset":10514,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Technology","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p15","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":13,"claim":"md13060-601db92c","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"The licence on the wall","plain_english":"The licence must be displayed in the branch for customers to see that the branch is authorised.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 10(3)","rbi_char_offset":11352,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p16","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":14,"claim":"md13060-0cf61675","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"THE CORE IDEA","heading":"Towns need approval","plain_english":"Opening an outlet in a Tier 1 to 4 centre needs RBI's prior approval through the PRAVAAH portal.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 9","rbi_char_offset":10058,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Technology","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p17","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":15,"claim":"md13060-31a6db30","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"THE CORE IDEA","heading":"Villages are open","plain_english":"Tier 5 and 6 rural centres carry general permission. The bank opens first and reports after.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 10","rbi_char_offset":10602,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Compliance","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p18","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":16,"claim":"md13060-a1331b9e","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"An automatic village licence","plain_english":"For rural openings the regional office issues the licence post facto, automatically.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 10(2)","rbi_char_offset":11299,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p19","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":17,"claim":"md13060-afb21ef5","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"A committee watches","plain_english":"RBI's regional office, through the Empowered Committee, monitors every opening, closing, shifting and merger.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 11","rbi_char_offset":11597,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p20","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":18,"claim":"md13060-34c36e06","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Rural closures need consent","plain_english":"Closing, merging or moving a rural or sole semi urban outlet needs the district committee and RBI's regional office.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 18","rbi_char_offset":18362,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p21","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":19,"claim":"md13060-af6f8fc4","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"A yearly plan with NABARD","plain_english":"The yearly outlet expansion plan goes to RBI's regional office with the board's approval and NABARD's recommendation.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 22","rbi_char_offset":20400,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Board","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p22","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":20,"claim":"md13060-064ced8a","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"A bank on wheels","plain_english":"A mobile branch is a protected van with two or three bank officials, books and a cash safe, visiting on fixed days.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 23","rbi_char_offset":20846,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p23","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":21,"claim":"md13060-378ce047","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"One office per fifty","plain_english":"The bank may open one regional office for every 50 banking outlets, with a licence taken before it opens.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 26","rbi_char_offset":21791,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p24","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":22,"claim":"md13060-6384ea4c","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Fifty run from head office","plain_english":"A bank with up to 50 outlets runs them straight from the head office, with no middle tier.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 26","rbi_char_offset":22016,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p25","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":23,"claim":"md13060-6d7bda5b","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Offices move freely","plain_english":"Administrative offices may shift, close or merge at the bank's discretion, without RBI's prior approval.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 27","rbi_char_offset":22514,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p26","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":24,"claim":"md13060-215f4c3c","page_group":"Chapter III. Branch Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"ATMs anywhere","plain_english":"The bank may set up ATMs at places it chooses; they are not banking outlets.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 35","rbi_char_offset":26555,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p27","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13060-974c8c8a","page_group":"Chapter IV. Business Facilitator / Business Correspondent Model","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Agents charge nothing","plain_english":"An agent may never charge the customer directly. Only the bank may levy open, stated charges.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 58","rbi_char_offset":36799,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p28","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13060-73ecebee","page_group":"Chapter IV. Business Facilitator / Business Correspondent Model","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Thirty days, then Ombudsman","plain_english":"A complainant unanswered for 30 days, or unsatisfied, may approach the RBI Ombudsman.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 64","rbi_char_offset":42868,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":"A complaint reaches the bank on 1 September. If no reply has come by 1 October, that is 30 days. The complainant may then go to the RBI Ombudsman.","anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p29","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13060-19286039","page_group":"Chapter IV. Business Facilitator / Business Correspondent Model","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Credit rules apply too","plain_english":"Agent lending work must follow the credit facilities Directions for regional rural banks.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 49(7)","rbi_char_offset":32482,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p30","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13060-b7325b92","page_group":"Chapter IV. Business Facilitator / Business Correspondent Model","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Offline allowed, booked daily","plain_english":"Agents may do offline transactions, and every one must reach the bank's books by the end of the day.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 61(3)","rbi_char_offset":38733,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p31","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":5,"claim":"md13060-55c036a3","page_group":"Chapter IV. Business Facilitator / Business Correspondent Model","stored_section":"THE CORE IDEA","heading":"Agents extend the bank","plain_english":"The bank may serve customers through business facilitators and correspondents for wider inclusion.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 43","rbi_char_offset":28552,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p32","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":6,"claim":"md13060-8b66dea8","page_group":"Chapter IV. Business Facilitator / Business Correspondent Model","stored_section":"THE CORE IDEA","heading":"The bank answers for agents","plain_english":"The bank is fully responsible for the actions of its correspondents and their outlets.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 51","rbi_char_offset":33757,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p33","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":7,"claim":"md13060-95754578","page_group":"Chapter IV. Business Facilitator / Business Correspondent Model","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Introduced to the village","plain_english":"Bank officials introduce the agent to the public in a meeting with village elders, so nobody is impersonated.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 63(1)","rbi_char_offset":40226,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p34","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13060-b2c1f983","page_group":"Chapter V. Information Reporting","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Reported within a week","plain_english":"Opening, closing, merging or shifting any outlet is reported through the CISBI portal within one week.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 69","rbi_char_offset":45700,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Compliance","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p35","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13060-f49b889f","page_group":"Chapter VI. Repeal and other Provisions","stored_section":"WHAT IT REPLACES","heading":"Old guidance repealed","plain_english":"The earlier branch authorisation guidance for regional rural banks stands repealed.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 70","rbi_char_offset":46235,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p36","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13060-1079c38d","page_group":"Chapter VI. Repeal and other Provisions","stored_section":"WHAT IT REPLACES","heading":"Old actions stay governed","plain_english":"Action already taken under the old rules stays governed by them.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 71","rbi_char_offset":46576,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13060#p37","layer":"bankpulse"}],"actions":[],"amendments":[],"layers":{"rbi_source":"Facts taken from RBI's own document.","bankpulse":"BankPulse's plain-English summary of RBI's document.","bankpulse_inference":"BankPulse's own inference, not stated by RBI."},"rbi_wording_not_included":"By design. BankPulse never republishes RBI's exact sentences. Use rbi_paragraph with rbi_source.url to read RBI's own words.","terms":"BankPulse's plain-English summaries are BankPulse's own work. The underlying regulation is the Reserve Bank of India's. Always check the RBI document named in rbi_source before acting."}