{"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":"md13077","title":"Reserve Bank of India (Local Area Banks – Debit Cards: Issuance and Conduct) Directions, 2025","document_kind":"Directions","page":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077","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":"Local area banks","class_code":"LAB","from":"the document's own title","layer":"bankpulse_inference"},"dates":{"prid":"md13077","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/md13077.json","effective":"none held","transition":"none held","deadline":"none held"}},"rbi_source":{"url":"https://rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_ViewMasDirections.aspx?id=13077","document_date":"Nov 28, 2025","read_by_bankpulse":"2026-08-21 16:17:43 UTC","text_sha256":"f9700440f67429013b0ff7a20a2fca6e06a901229c8d9edc0ee00c5850e103d6","word_count":3692,"standing_last_checked":"Standing checked on RBI’s Master Directions index, 15 September 2026, 5:58 am IST."},"counts":{"points_shown":34,"points_naming_an_rbi_paragraph":34,"points_stored":34,"actions":0,"amendments":0},"points":[{"n":1,"claim":"md13077-1840df20","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"KEY DATES","heading":"Start date","plain_english":"These rules came into force at once, on the day RBI issued them.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 2","rbi_char_offset":2828,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p1","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13077-1c401897","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"WHO IT APPLIES TO","heading":"Who is covered","plain_english":"These rules bind every local area bank.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 3","rbi_char_offset":2910,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p2","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13077-ea4da6e7","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"THE CORE IDEA","heading":"What this book covers","plain_english":"This book covers how debit cards and co-branded debit cards are issued and run.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 4","rbi_char_offset":3060,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":["credit-card"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p3","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13077-16593999","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"THE CORE IDEA","heading":"Read with other rules","plain_english":"They are read with RBI's prudential, payment and cyber security directions on cards.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 4","rbi_char_offset":3166,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":["credit-card"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p4","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":5,"claim":"md13077-e9bfe1e0","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Reward programmes defined","plain_english":"A reward programme gives coupons, points, discounts or cash back having money value.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 5","rbi_char_offset":3788,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p5","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":6,"claim":"md13077-d6bfa590","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"What a co-branded card is","plain_english":"A co-branded card is issued jointly and carries the names of both partners.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 5","rbi_char_offset":4069,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":["credit-card"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p6","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":7,"claim":"md13077-3952dd9c","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Convenience fee","plain_english":"A convenience fee applies where a card is a payment form not ordinarily accepted.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 5","rbi_char_offset":4240,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p7","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":8,"claim":"md13077-8641dbb9","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"What a form factor is","plain_english":"A form factor is anything used in place of a card to make a payment.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 5","rbi_char_offset":4674,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p8","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13077-60a0f5b2","page_group":"Chapter II. Board Approved Policy and Procedures","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Board must approve the policy","plain_english":"The board must approve a full policy covering how debit cards are issued and run.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 7","rbi_char_offset":5270,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Board","team":null,"products_covered":["credit-card"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p9","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13077-f8b994f1","page_group":"Chapter II. Board Approved Policy and Procedures","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Policy must cover blocking","plain_english":"That policy must set the standard procedure for blocking or suspending a card.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 7","rbi_char_offset":5431,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Compliance","team":null,"products_covered":["credit-card"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p10","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13077-462177c8","page_group":"Chapter II. Board Approved Policy and Procedures","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Policy must cover complaints","plain_english":"It must also cover how complaints are settled and how customers are compensated.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 7","rbi_char_offset":5599,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Compliance","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p11","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13077-7397b7e5","page_group":"Chapter III. Issue of Debit Card by Banks","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"No forcing a card","plain_english":"A bank may not force a customer to take a debit card.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 12","rbi_char_offset":6451,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":["credit-card"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p12","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13077-dec45482","page_group":"Chapter III. Issue of Debit Card by Banks","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Review every six months","plain_english":"The bank must review its debit card operations once every six months.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 13","rbi_char_offset":6682,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":["credit-card"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p13","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13077-ab871526","page_group":"Chapter III. Issue of Debit Card by Banks","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Look at unused cards","plain_english":"That review must examine cards left unused for long periods and the risk they carry.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 13","rbi_char_offset":6793,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p14","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13077-88da666b","page_group":"Chapter III. Issue of Debit Card by Banks","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"No prior RBI approval","plain_english":"A bank does not need the Reserve Bank's prior approval to issue debit cards.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 9","rbi_char_offset":5984,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":["credit-card"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p15","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":5,"claim":"md13077-ddd0d3b2","page_group":"Chapter III. Issue of Debit Card by Banks","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Only deposit accounts","plain_english":"A debit card may be issued only to a customer holding a savings or current account.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 10","rbi_char_offset":6128,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":["credit-card","deposit-account"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p16","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":6,"claim":"md13077-5b78a3e4","page_group":"Chapter III. Issue of Debit Card by Banks","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Two overdrafts are allowed","plain_english":"An overdraft under Jan Dhan or a Kisan Credit Card account may still carry a debit card.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 11","rbi_char_offset":6352,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":["agriculture-loan","credit-card","working-capital"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p17","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13077-01fb474f","page_group":"Chapter IV. Form Factor","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Wearables need consent","plain_english":"A wearable may replace a plastic card only after the customer clearly agrees.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 14","rbi_char_offset":7023,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p18","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13077-f5e35951","page_group":"Chapter IV. Form Factor","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Same rules either way","plain_english":"Every rule that binds a card binds the form factor that stands in for it.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 15","rbi_char_offset":7101,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p19","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13077-3fdb4420","page_group":"Chapter V. Co-branding Arrangement","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Partner may not claim it","plain_english":"The co-branding partner may not advertise the card as its own product.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 19","rbi_char_offset":8423,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p20","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13077-7757267f","page_group":"Chapter V. Co-branding Arrangement","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Partner sees no transactions","plain_english":"The partner may not see what the cardholder spends on the co-branded card.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 25","rbi_char_offset":10022,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":["credit-card"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p21","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13077-0d68acc4","page_group":"Chapter V. Co-branding Arrangement","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Revenue sharing disclosed","plain_english":"What the two partners share from the card must be told to the holder and shown online.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 17","rbi_char_offset":7725,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Technology","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p22","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13077-8223b53b","page_group":"Chapter V. Co-branding Arrangement","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Issuer's branding must show","plain_english":"The card must carry the card issuer's own branding prominently.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 20","rbi_char_offset":8614,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p23","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":5,"claim":"md13077-e67d5db2","page_group":"Chapter V. Co-branding Arrangement","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Check the partner first","plain_english":"The bank must run due diligence on any co-branding partner before tying up.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 22","rbi_char_offset":8785,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p24","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":6,"claim":"md13077-08e2fa23","page_group":"Chapter V. Co-branding Arrangement","stored_section":"IMPACT","heading":"Offers must reach the customer","plain_english":"Cash back and discounts promised by the partner must reach the holder on time.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 23","rbi_char_offset":9602,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p25","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":7,"claim":"md13077-badd3ddc","page_group":"Chapter V. Co-branding Arrangement","stored_section":"IMPACT","heading":"The bank stays liable","plain_english":"The card issuer remains answerable for what its co-branding partner does.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 23","rbi_char_offset":9280,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p26","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":8,"claim":"md13077-07094d89","page_group":"Chapter V. Co-branding Arrangement","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Partner's role is narrow","plain_english":"The partner may only market the card and give access to its goods or services.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 24","rbi_char_offset":9857,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p27","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13077-9c08b820","page_group":"Chapter VI. General Guidelines for Debit Cards","stored_section":"KEY DATES","heading":"Thirty days before change","plain_english":"A change in card terms needs 30 days' notice, and the cardholder may withdraw in that window.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 42","rbi_char_offset":16379,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":"A bank decides to change its debit card terms. The cardholders must be given 30 days' notice of the change. A cardholder who does not accept may withdraw in that time.","anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p28","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13077-38412a3d","page_group":"Chapter VI. General Guidelines for Debit Cards","stored_section":"IMPACT","heading":"Thirty days to answer","plain_english":"If a complaint gets no answer within 30 days, the customer may take it further.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 48","rbi_char_offset":19373,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p29","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13077-032a4b96","page_group":"Chapter VI. General Guidelines for Debit Cards","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"A record every time","plain_english":"The customer must get a record of each transaction at once, by receipt, email or message.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 28","rbi_char_offset":11635,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p30","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13077-beaabef6","page_group":"Chapter VI. General Guidelines for Debit Cards","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Reporting must run all day","plain_english":"Channels to report an unauthorised transaction must work at every hour of every day.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 32","rbi_char_offset":13026,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Compliance","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p31","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":5,"claim":"md13077-a7f8fbcb","page_group":"Chapter VI. General Guidelines for Debit Cards","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Confirm the block","plain_english":"The bank must send confirmation to the holder as soon as a card is blocked.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 33","rbi_char_offset":13290,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p32","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":6,"claim":"md13077-8ae553d6","page_group":"Chapter VI. General Guidelines for Debit Cards","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Renewal may be refused","plain_english":"Before a renewed card is sent, the holder must be given the chance to decline it.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 34","rbi_char_offset":13507,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p33","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":7,"claim":"md13077-7d38e18c","page_group":"Chapter VI. General Guidelines for Debit Cards","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Benefits shown openly","plain_english":"Discounts, cash back and reward points must be explained openly, with their source.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 35","rbi_char_offset":13898,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13077#p34","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."}