{"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":"md13095","title":"Reserve Bank of India (Payments Banks – Debit Cards: Issuance and Conduct) Directions, 2025","document_kind":"Directions","page":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095","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":"Payments banks","class_code":"PB","from":"the document's own title","layer":"bankpulse_inference"},"dates":{"prid":"md13095","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/md13095.json","effective":"none held","transition":"none held","deadline":"none held"}},"rbi_source":{"url":"https://rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_ViewMasDirections.aspx?id=13095","document_date":"Nov 28, 2025","read_by_bankpulse":"2026-08-21 16:17:00 UTC","text_sha256":"0669e9ba3c9a21c74ac9afdec09310a4e745db7bf65974b7bfb4ff1f6b0efee3","word_count":3631,"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":"md13095-1840df20","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":2786,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p1","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13095-8f2007ff","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"WHO IT APPLIES TO","heading":"Who is covered","plain_english":"These rules bind every payments bank.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 3","rbi_char_offset":2868,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p2","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13095-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":3016,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":["credit-card"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p3","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13095-16593999","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":3122,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":["credit-card"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p4","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":5,"claim":"md13095-67f9f5ee","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Who a cardholder is","plain_english":"A cardholder is the person the card was issued to, or one authorised to use it.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 5","rbi_char_offset":3447,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p5","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":6,"claim":"md13095-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":3742,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p6","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":7,"claim":"md13095-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":4023,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":["credit-card"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p7","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":8,"claim":"md13095-3952dd9c","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":4194,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p8","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":9,"claim":"md13095-8641dbb9","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":4628,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p9","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13095-60a0f5b2","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":5224,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Board","team":null,"products_covered":["credit-card"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p10","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13095-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":5385,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Compliance","team":null,"products_covered":["credit-card"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p11","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13095-462177c8","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":5553,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Compliance","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p12","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13095-7397b7e5","page_group":"Chapter III. Debit Card","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 11","rbi_char_offset":6153,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":["credit-card"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p13","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13095-dec45482","page_group":"Chapter III. Debit Card","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 12","rbi_char_offset":6381,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":["credit-card"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p14","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13095-ab871526","page_group":"Chapter III. Debit Card","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 12","rbi_char_offset":6492,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p15","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13095-88da666b","page_group":"Chapter III. Debit Card","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":5938,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":["credit-card"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p16","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":5,"claim":"md13095-ddd0d3b2","page_group":"Chapter III. Debit Card","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":6082,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":["credit-card","deposit-account"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p17","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13095-01fb474f","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 13","rbi_char_offset":6717,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p18","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13095-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 14","rbi_char_offset":6795,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p19","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13095-3fdb4420","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 18","rbi_char_offset":8110,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p20","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13095-7757267f","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 24","rbi_char_offset":9703,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":["credit-card"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p21","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13095-0d68acc4","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 16","rbi_char_offset":7419,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Technology","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p22","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13095-8223b53b","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 19","rbi_char_offset":8301,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p23","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":5,"claim":"md13095-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 21","rbi_char_offset":8472,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p24","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":6,"claim":"md13095-08e2fa23","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 22","rbi_char_offset":9283,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p25","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":7,"claim":"md13095-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 22","rbi_char_offset":8967,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p26","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":8,"claim":"md13095-07094d89","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 23","rbi_char_offset":9538,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p27","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13095-ae81b18f","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 41","rbi_char_offset":15872,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":"A card issuer must give 30 days' notice before changing its terms. So a change taking effect on 1 October has to be told by 1 September. That gives the cardholder time to withdraw.","anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p28","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13095-38412a3d","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 47","rbi_char_offset":19009,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p29","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13095-032a4b96","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 27","rbi_char_offset":11127,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p30","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13095-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 31","rbi_char_offset":12518,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Compliance","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p31","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":5,"claim":"md13095-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 32","rbi_char_offset":12782,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p32","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":6,"claim":"md13095-8ae553d6","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 33","rbi_char_offset":12999,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#p33","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":7,"claim":"md13095-7d38e18c","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 34","rbi_char_offset":13390,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13095#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."}