{"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":"md13084","title":"Reserve Bank of India (Local Area Banks – Branch Authorisation) Directions, 2025","document_kind":"Directions","page":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084","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":"md13084","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/md13084.json","effective":"none held","transition":"none held","deadline":"none held"}},"rbi_source":{"url":"https://rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_ViewMasDirections.aspx?id=13084","document_date":"Nov 28, 2025","read_by_bankpulse":"2026-08-21 16:17:55 UTC","text_sha256":"bf80c822ce63bd6c82b79c9c3b4da28735a94ab90284e04b03e2183ffa48a947","word_count":8208,"standing_last_checked":"Standing checked on RBI’s Master Directions index, 15 September 2026, 5:58 am IST."},"counts":{"points_shown":30,"points_naming_an_rbi_paragraph":30,"points_stored":30,"actions":0,"amendments":0},"points":[{"n":1,"claim":"md13084-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":5469,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p1","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13084-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":4008,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p2","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13084-1c401897","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"WHO IT APPLIES TO","heading":"Who is covered","plain_english":"These Directions apply to local area banks.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 3","rbi_char_offset":4111,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p3","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13084-f326b986","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"THE CORE IDEA","heading":"Machines are not outlets","plain_english":"ATMs, e-lobbies, cash machines and mobile branches do not count as banking outlets.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 4(3)","rbi_char_offset":6492,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p4","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13084-42b1d2ab","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet 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 9","rbi_char_offset":11645,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p5","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13084-551ed8c2","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet 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 9(4)","rbi_char_offset":11888,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p6","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13084-a2a92659","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Extra credit carried forward","plain_english":"Outlets opened beyond the requirement carry forward as credit for the next two years.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 10","rbi_char_offset":16029,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p7","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13084-232a85e9","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet 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 16","rbi_char_offset":18631,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p8","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":5,"claim":"md13084-a69ad9d5","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Customers told in time","plain_english":"Customers of an outlet being merged, closed or shifted must be informed well in time.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 15","rbi_char_offset":18249,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p9","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":6,"claim":"md13084-7b0bbac6","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"No customers in back offices","plain_english":"Back offices must have no direct interface with customers.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 23","rbi_char_offset":22329,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p10","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":7,"claim":"md13084-f744becd","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"THE CORE IDEA","heading":"Ask RBI first, always","plain_english":"Every banking outlet needs RBI's prior authorisation — there is no general permission for local area banks.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 8","rbi_char_offset":10739,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p11","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":8,"claim":"md13084-d9a0c1b0","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"First one in counts","plain_english":"The first agent outlet of the bank, like the first branch of any bank in an unbanked centre, counts for the norm.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 9(4)","rbi_char_offset":15017,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p12","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":9,"claim":"md13084-dac939a7","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet 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's approval.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 14","rbi_char_offset":17666,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p13","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":10,"claim":"md13084-9c83bb74","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Mobile branches stay home","plain_english":"Mobile branches may run in all centres, but only within the bank's own area of operation.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 21","rbi_char_offset":21693,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p14","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":11,"claim":"md13084-6e43d735","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet Authorisation","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Offices need approval too","plain_english":"Administrative offices, back offices and call centres all need RBI's prior approval.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 22","rbi_char_offset":21914,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p15","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":12,"claim":"md13084-296e8405","page_group":"Chapter III. Banking Outlet 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 26","rbi_char_offset":23392,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p16","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13084-974c8c8a","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 47","rbi_char_offset":33536,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p17","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13084-73ecebee","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 53","rbi_char_offset":39622,"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/md13084#p18","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13084-6e44b069","page_group":"Chapter IV. Business Facilitator / Business Correspondent Model","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Offline allowed, booked daily","plain_english":"Unlike other banks, agents here may do offline transactions — every one must reach the bank's books by day end.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 50","rbi_char_offset":35472,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p19","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13084-55c036a3","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 34","rbi_char_offset":25498,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p20","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":5,"claim":"md13084-50bbd234","page_group":"Chapter IV. Business Facilitator / Business Correspondent Model","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Check the agent first","plain_english":"Before taking on an agent, the bank checks their name, money strength, management and skill with cash.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 37","rbi_char_offset":27085,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p21","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":6,"claim":"md13084-8b66dea8","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 40","rbi_char_offset":30498,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p22","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":7,"claim":"md13084-95754578","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 52(1)","rbi_char_offset":36977,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p23","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13084-30b3a59f","page_group":"Chapter V. Doorstep Banking","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"No cash by phone","plain_english":"Cash cannot be sent out on a phone request alone.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 65","rbi_char_offset":43096,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p24","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13084-ceef16ec","page_group":"Chapter V. Doorstep Banking","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Agents taught to spot fakes","plain_english":"The bank must teach its agents to detect forged and mutilated notes, to avoid frauds and disputes.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 56","rbi_char_offset":40895,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p25","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13084-50576524","page_group":"Chapter V. Doorstep Banking","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Doorstep banking allowed","plain_english":"The bank may offer doorstep services with board approval, managing the risks and cash limits.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 55","rbi_char_offset":40621,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Board","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p26","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13084-5c0adfa1","page_group":"Chapter V. Doorstep Banking","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Same day or next","plain_english":"Cash collected at the doorstep is credited the same day or the next working day.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 62","rbi_char_offset":42710,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p27","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13084-b2c1f983","page_group":"Chapter VI. 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 75(4)","rbi_char_offset":47655,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Compliance","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p28","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13084-ffc8761a","page_group":"Chapter VII. Repeal and other Provisions","stored_section":"WHAT IT REPLACES","heading":"Old guidance repealed","plain_english":"The earlier branch authorisation guidance for local area banks stands repealed.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 76","rbi_char_offset":48191,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p29","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13084-1079c38d","page_group":"Chapter VII. 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 77","rbi_char_offset":48528,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13084#p30","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."}