Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Digital Banking Channels Authorisation) Directions, 2025

1. Start date

This rule starts on January 1, 2026.

2. Who is covered

This rule applies to commercial banks, called 'banks' here.

3. Meaning of Commercial Banks

This means all banks except small finance banks, payment banks and local area banks.

BankPulse example. The word banks on this page has a narrow meaning. It covers banking companies, the corresponding new banks and the State Bank of India. It leaves out small finance banks, payment banks and local area banks.

1. 30-day launch reporting

Banks must report a new view-only launch within 30 days.

2. Policy for every channel

The bank must have a full policy for every digital banking channel it offers.

3. PRAVAAH notification

Banks starting view-only banking must tell RBI through the PRAVAAH portal.

4. Show the money first

An applicant bank must report expected set-up, maintenance and upgrade costs and the funds available.

5. CERT-In auditor certifies

The report must be certified by a third party auditor empanelled with CERT-In.

6. Old approvals need review

A channel approved before these Directions must still be brought to the new eligibility standard.

7. Transactional banking approval

Banks need RBI's approval before starting transactional banking.

1. No forced digital banking

Banks cannot force customers to use digital banking to get a debit card.

2. No forced bundling

A bank cannot compel a customer to take a bundle of digital banking services.

3. All channels covered

Every bank offering digital banking must follow this chapter continuously, whatever the facility.

4. Customer consent rule

Banks must get clear customer consent to start or stop digital banking.

5. Alerts to registered contact

Customers must be told that alerts go to the mobile number and email registered with the bank.

6. Plain language terms

Terms and conditions must be in clear, simple language, preferably English, Hindi and the local language.

7. State charges and helpdesk

The terms must state charges, stop-payment steps, helpdesk details and grievance redress.

8. Every-network rule

Mobile banking must work on every network, not just one.

9. Set transaction limits

The bank must set transaction limits and velocity checks as risk mitigation measures.

10. Follow later RBI changes

The bank must keep complying with Reserve Bank instructions as they are amended over time.

11. Customer chooses the channel

The choice of any digital banking facility rests solely with the customer.

1. Older rules cancelled

This document cancels the earlier conduct rules for these institutions.

2. Earlier repeals stand

Rules already cancelled before this notification remain cancelled.

3. Old rules stay repealed

Rules repealed before this document was issued remain repealed.

4. Old actions preserved

Anything already done under the old rules stays governed by those old rules.

5. Approvals carried over

Approvals given under the cancelled rules are now treated as given under these rules.

6. Other laws still apply

These Directions add to other laws. They do not replace any of them.

7. RBI's reading final

RBI's interpretation of any part of these Directions is final and binding.