{"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":"md13168","title":"Reserve Bank of India (Universal Banks – Licensing) Guidelines, 2025","document_kind":"Regulatory document","page":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168","status":"In force","importance":{"code":"FYI","label":"FOR INFORMATION","weight":"For information","why":"General RBI update: no desk rule matched — read the source if it touches your work","layer":"bankpulse_inference"},"applies_to":{"shown":"Companies and groups seeking a universal bank licence","class_code":"ALL","from":"the document's own title","layer":"bankpulse_inference"},"dates":{"prid":"md13168","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":"","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/md13168.json","effective":"none held","transition":"none held","deadline":"none held"}},"rbi_source":{"url":"https://rbi.org.in/Scripts/BS_ViewMasDirections.aspx?id=13168","document_date":"November 28, 2025","read_by_bankpulse":"2026-08-21 16:15:52 UTC","text_sha256":"bfb61bb4351c79be138d144151a853b0f4e64b2f0cd23d1784785cf75fc6b96a","word_count":null,"standing_last_checked":"Standing checked on RBI’s Master Directions index, 15 September 2026, 5:58 am IST."},"counts":{"points_shown":29,"points_naming_an_rbi_paragraph":29,"points_stored":29,"actions":0,"amendments":0},"points":[{"n":1,"claim":"md13168-6019f83e","page_group":"Must know","stored_section":"WHO IT APPLIES TO","heading":"Who can promote","plain_english":"Individuals with 10 years of senior banking experience can promote a new bank.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 6","rbi_char_offset":8328,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p1","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13168-5c804451","page_group":"Must know","stored_section":"WHO IT APPLIES TO","heading":"Shell banks barred","plain_english":"A shell bank cannot promote or set up a new bank in India.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 9","rbi_char_offset":9645,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p2","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13168-1b55b2f1","page_group":"Must know","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"₹1,000 crore capital floor","plain_english":"A new universal bank needs at least ₹1,000 crore in paid-up capital.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 14(1)","rbi_char_offset":12283,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":"A group applies to open a new universal bank. The minimum paid-up voting equity capital is Rs 1,000 crore. An application built on Rs 700 crore cannot proceed.","anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p3","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13168-67c1bf86","page_group":"Must know","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"One thousand crore floor","plain_english":"The bank must hold a minimum net worth of ₹1,000 crore at all times.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 14(1)","rbi_char_offset":12384,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p4","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":5,"claim":"md13168-8e181b2d","page_group":"Must know","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"13 percent capital adequacy","plain_english":"A new universal bank must hold 13 per cent capital adequacy for at least its first three years.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 14(3)","rbi_char_offset":12636,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p5","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":6,"claim":"md13168-8c250898","page_group":"Must know","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Six-year listing deadline","plain_english":"A new bank must list its shares within six years of starting business.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 14(4)","rbi_char_offset":13020,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p6","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":7,"claim":"md13168-a7842a54","page_group":"Must know","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"40 percent promoter stake","plain_english":"Bank promoters must hold at least 40% of the bank's shares.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 15(1)","rbi_char_offset":13396,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p7","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":8,"claim":"md13168-abade3d6","page_group":"Must know","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Five-year lock-in","plain_english":"That 40% promoter stake must stay locked in for five years.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 15(1)","rbi_char_offset":13407,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p8","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":9,"claim":"md13168-dab7720c","page_group":"Must know","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Dilution to 26 percent","plain_english":"Promoter ownership must fall to 26% within 15 years of the bank's launch.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 15(4)","rbi_char_offset":14268,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p9","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":10,"claim":"md13168-b3036d01","page_group":"Must know","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Dilution schedule at licensing","plain_english":"The promoter must submit a dilution schedule for Reserve Bank examination when the licence is issued.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 15(5)","rbi_char_offset":14451,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p10","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":11,"claim":"md13168-d76ede55","page_group":"Must know","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"No board seat here","plain_english":"Such shareholders cannot have a director on the board under shareholder agreements or otherwise.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 15(7)","rbi_char_offset":15655,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"Board","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p11","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":12,"claim":"md13168-cdba8e87","page_group":"Must know","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"5 percent approval rule","plain_english":"Buying 5% or more of a bank's shares needs RBI's prior approval.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 25","rbi_char_offset":20020,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p12","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":13,"claim":"md13168-5b9a4e79","page_group":"Must know","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"25 percent rural branches","plain_english":"New banks must open at least 25% of branches in unbanked rural areas.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 29","rbi_char_offset":21123,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p13","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":14,"claim":"md13168-728a885a","page_group":"Must know","stored_section":"KEY DATES","heading":"18-month compliance window","plain_english":"Promoters must meet every condition within 18 months of approval.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 39","rbi_char_offset":23998,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p14","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":15,"claim":"md13168-d4fe1fc2","page_group":"Must know","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Five years as SFB","plain_english":"It must operate as an SFB for five years before converting.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 50","rbi_char_offset":28091,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p15","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":16,"claim":"md13168-fbaf6e1f","page_group":"Must know","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"SFB conversion threshold","plain_english":"A small finance bank needs ₹1,000 crore net worth to become a universal bank.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 51","rbi_char_offset":28684,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p16","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":17,"claim":"md13168-c89bf4a0","page_group":"Must know","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"No new promoters allowed","plain_english":"A small finance bank moving to universal bank cannot add or change promoters.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 52(2)","rbi_char_offset":29292,"weight":"MUST KNOW","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p17","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13168-fa11ab2a","page_group":"Do it","stored_section":"WHO IT APPLIES TO","heading":"Small finance bank route","plain_english":"A small finance bank wishing to become a universal bank must follow Chapter II.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 10","rbi_char_offset":9748,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p18","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13168-7cb413bc","page_group":"Do it","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"NOFHC keeps Basel capital","plain_english":"The holding company must keep capital adequacy on a consolidated basis under applicable Basel norms.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 14(3)","rbi_char_offset":12905,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p19","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13168-8a247c73","page_group":"Do it","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Independent board majority","plain_english":"Most of the bank's board must be independent directors.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 24","rbi_char_offset":19648,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Board","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p20","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13168-ef07c121","page_group":"Do it","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Arm's length with promoters","plain_english":"The bank must keep an arm's length relationship with promoter group entities and their main suppliers.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 26","rbi_char_offset":20239,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p21","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":5,"claim":"md13168-0f002a8e","page_group":"Do it","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Priority lending targets","plain_english":"New banks must meet the same priority-sector lending targets as existing banks.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 28","rbi_char_offset":20875,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p22","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":6,"claim":"md13168-abbc8721","page_group":"Do it","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Apply through PRAVAAH","plain_english":"Applications must be submitted through PRAVAAH in the prescribed Form III.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 39","rbi_char_offset":23615,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p23","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":7,"claim":"md13168-b5d46f4f","page_group":"Do it","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Bad loan thresholds","plain_english":"Its bad loans must stay under 3% gross and 1% net to qualify.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 51","rbi_char_offset":28884,"weight":"DO IT","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p24","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":8,"claim":"md13168-21aeb761","page_group":"Do it","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Give the transition reason","plain_english":"An eligible small finance bank must give a detailed rationale for the transition.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 53","rbi_char_offset":29751,"weight":"DO IT","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p25","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":1,"claim":"md13168-eea36cfc","page_group":"Background","stored_section":"WHO IT APPLIES TO","heading":"NBFC conversion route","plain_english":"NBFCs controlled by residents with a 10-year track record can convert into a bank.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 8","rbi_char_offset":9039,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p26","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":2,"claim":"md13168-a6ea7515","page_group":"Background","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Group entities need NOFHC","plain_english":"Where promoters hold other group entities, the bank may be set up only through a NOFHC.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 13(1)","rbi_char_offset":11858,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p27","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":3,"claim":"md13168-a16a324a","page_group":"Background","stored_section":"WHO SHOULD ACT","heading":"Complaints cell","plain_english":"Every new bank needs a high-powered cell for customer complaints.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 31","rbi_char_offset":21617,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"Branch","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p28","layer":"bankpulse"},{"n":4,"claim":"md13168-f2c7a1b5","page_group":"Background","stored_section":"WHAT CHANGES","heading":"Dilution plan unchanged","plain_english":"The promoter shareholding dilution plan already approved by the Reserve Bank does not change.","rbi_paragraph":"Para 52(4)","rbi_char_offset":29566,"weight":"BACKGROUND","role":"All staff","team":null,"products_covered":[],"products_excluded":[],"bankpulse_example":null,"anchor":"https://bankpulse.ai/rule/md13168#p29","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."}