{"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":"md13163","title":"Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Digital Banking Channels Authorisation) Directions, 2025","document_kind":"Directions","page":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163","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":"Commercial banks","class_code":"SCB","from":"the document's own title","layer":"bankpulse_inference"},"dates":{"prid":"md13163","mode":"four_dates_v1","published":{"label":"Published","value":"November 28, 2025","stated":true,"why":"The day RBI put this document out."},"effective":{"label":"Starts to apply","value":"January 01, 2026","stated":true,"why":"The day this rule starts to apply, as RBI's own text states it."},"transition":{"label":"Time to get ready","value":"34 days","stated":true,"why":"The room between the day it was published and the day it starts to apply."},"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/md13163.json","effective":"data/date_kinds.json kind=effective_date","transition":"worked out from published and starts-to-apply","deadline":"none held"}},"rbi_source":{"url":"https://rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_ViewMasDirections.aspx?id=13163","document_date":"November 28, 2025","read_by_bankpulse":"2026-08-21 16:15:44 UTC","text_sha256":"c2dfdc68e7d599c561ff92a706378699c39ac852a43dd1ba822b30d7be650634","word_count":null,"standing_last_checked":"Standing checked on RBI’s Master Directions index, 15 September 2026, 5:58 am IST."},"counts":{"points_shown":28,"points_naming_an_rbi_paragraph":28,"points_stored":28,"actions":0,"amendments":0},"points":[{"n":1,"claim":"md13163-1402758f","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"KEY DATES","heading":"Start date","plain_english":"This rule starts on January 1, 2026.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 2","rbi_char_offset":2716,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p1","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13163-914b06f1","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"WHO IT APPLIES TO","heading":"Who is covered","plain_english":"This rule applies to commercial banks, called 'banks' here.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 3","rbi_char_offset":2796,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p2","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13163-b96bc7ef","page_group":"Chapter I. Preliminary","stored_section":"WHO IT APPLIES TO","heading":"Meaning of Commercial Banks","plain_english":"This means all banks except small finance banks, payment banks and local area banks.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 3","rbi_char_offset":2976,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"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.","anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p3","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13163-fc038bfe","page_group":"Chapter II. 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Prudential Requirements","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"PRAVAAH notification","plain_english":"Banks starting view-only banking must tell RBI through the PRAVAAH portal.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 6","rbi_char_offset":6219,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Technology","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p6","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13163-4432fba4","page_group":"Chapter II. Prudential Requirements","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Show the money first","plain_english":"An applicant bank must report expected set-up, maintenance and upgrade costs and the funds available.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 7","rbi_char_offset":7513,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Compliance","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p7","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":5,"claim":"md13163-07b7d82c","page_group":"Chapter II. Prudential Requirements","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"CERT-In auditor certifies","plain_english":"The report must be certified by a third party auditor empanelled with CERT-In.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 7","rbi_char_offset":8280,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Audit","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p8","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":6,"claim":"md13163-0f2c0a01","page_group":"Chapter II. Prudential Requirements","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Old approvals need review","plain_english":"A channel approved before these Directions must still be brought to the new eligibility standard.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 7","rbi_char_offset":8616,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":["digital-payment"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p9","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":7,"claim":"md13163-c1aa1661","page_group":"Chapter II. Prudential Requirements","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Transactional banking approval","plain_english":"Banks need RBI's approval before starting transactional banking.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 7","rbi_char_offset":6695,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p10","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13163-0bde55bd","page_group":"Chapter IV. General Guidelines","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"No forced digital banking","plain_english":"Banks cannot force customers to use digital banking to get a debit card.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 10","rbi_char_offset":13483,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"Technology","team":null,"products_covered":["credit-card"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p11","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13163-5730ed34","page_group":"Chapter IV. General Guidelines","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"No forced bundling","plain_english":"A bank cannot compel a customer to take a bundle of digital banking services.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 10","rbi_char_offset":13723,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"Technology","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p12","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13163-af6eafa6","page_group":"Chapter IV. General Guidelines","stored_section":"WHO IT APPLIES TO","heading":"All channels covered","plain_english":"Every bank offering digital banking must follow this chapter continuously, whatever the facility.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 8(5)","rbi_char_offset":10469,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Technology","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p13","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13163-e1307ea7","page_group":"Chapter IV. General Guidelines","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Customer consent rule","plain_english":"Banks must get clear customer consent to start or stop digital banking.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 10","rbi_char_offset":12047,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Technology","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p14","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":5,"claim":"md13163-f5a724a9","page_group":"Chapter IV. General Guidelines","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Alerts to registered contact","plain_english":"Customers must be told that alerts go to the mobile number and email registered with the bank.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 10","rbi_char_offset":12238,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p15","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":6,"claim":"md13163-89c28e3c","page_group":"Chapter IV. General Guidelines","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Plain language terms","plain_english":"Terms and conditions must be in clear, simple language, preferably English, Hindi and the local language.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 10","rbi_char_offset":12616,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p16","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":7,"claim":"md13163-f184f7e5","page_group":"Chapter IV. General Guidelines","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"State charges and helpdesk","plain_english":"The terms must state charges, stop-payment steps, helpdesk details and grievance redress.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 10","rbi_char_offset":12793,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p17","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":8,"claim":"md13163-aa785ffa","page_group":"Chapter IV. General Guidelines","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Every-network rule","plain_english":"Mobile banking must work on every network, not just one.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 10","rbi_char_offset":13993,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":["digital-payment"],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p18","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":9,"claim":"md13163-1d570e16","page_group":"Chapter IV. General Guidelines","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Set transaction limits","plain_english":"The bank must set transaction limits and velocity checks as risk mitigation measures.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 10","rbi_char_offset":14204,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p19","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":10,"claim":"md13163-86a54329","page_group":"Chapter IV. General Guidelines","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Follow later RBI changes","plain_english":"The bank must keep complying with Reserve Bank instructions as they are amended over time.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 10","rbi_char_offset":14764,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p20","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":11,"claim":"md13163-831e4cd2","page_group":"Chapter IV. General Guidelines","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Customer chooses the channel","plain_english":"The choice of any digital banking facility rests solely with the customer.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 10","rbi_char_offset":13786,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Technology","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p21","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13163-5972649e","page_group":"Chapter V. Exemptions, Repeal and Other Provisions","stored_section":"WHAT IT REPLACES","heading":"Older rules cancelled","plain_english":"This document cancels the earlier conduct rules for these institutions.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 12","rbi_char_offset":16023,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p22","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13163-5b58d0f9","page_group":"Chapter V. Exemptions, Repeal and Other Provisions","stored_section":"WHAT IT REPLACES","heading":"Earlier repeals stand","plain_english":"Rules already cancelled before this notification remain cancelled.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 12","rbi_char_offset":16096,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p23","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13163-8334d341","page_group":"Chapter V. Exemptions, Repeal and Other Provisions","stored_section":"WHAT IT REPLACES","heading":"Old rules stay repealed","plain_english":"Rules repealed before this document was issued remain repealed.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 12","rbi_char_offset":16155,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p24","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13163-7fbea917","page_group":"Chapter V. Exemptions, Repeal and Other Provisions","stored_section":"WHAT IT REPLACES","heading":"Old actions preserved","plain_english":"Anything already done under the old rules stays governed by those old rules.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 12","rbi_char_offset":16287,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p25","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":5,"claim":"md13163-ae84b68d","page_group":"Chapter V. Exemptions, Repeal and Other Provisions","stored_section":"WHAT IT REPLACES","heading":"Approvals carried over","plain_english":"Approvals given under the cancelled rules are now treated as given under these rules.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 12","rbi_char_offset":16477,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p26","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":6,"claim":"md13163-cb5408f8","page_group":"Chapter V. Exemptions, Repeal and Other Provisions","stored_section":"IMPACT","heading":"Other laws still apply","plain_english":"These Directions add to other laws. They do not replace any of them.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 13","rbi_char_offset":17342,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p27","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":7,"claim":"md13163-13edf821","page_group":"Chapter V. Exemptions, Repeal and Other Provisions","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"RBI's reading final","plain_english":"RBI's interpretation of any part of these Directions is final and binding.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 14","rbi_char_offset":17790,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13163#p28","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. 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