Regulating Co-operative Banking

The Reserve Bank of India, in exercise of its powers under section 36AAA read with section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, had superseded the Board of Directors of Abhyudaya Cooperative Bank Ltd., Mumbai (the bank) for one year on November 24, 2023 [Hyperlink to the previous press release dated November 24, 2023], due to material concerns arising from poor governance standards observed within the bank. The period of supersession was extended for a further period of one year, effective November 24, 2024 [Hyperlink to the press release dated November 18, 2024].

Analysis of the performance under the Citizen’s Charter during the month of October 2025 has been carried out, and the summary thereof is given below –

In terms of para 7(b) of the captioned Directions dated July 29, 2025, it has been stipulated that the Reserve Bank may, in consultation with the Government of India, by a notification, exempt certain Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) from the scope of the above Directions (except for paragraph 5 – “General Requirement”), and the previous circulars dated December 19, 2023 and March 27, 2024 issued on the matter.

The Reserve Bank of India issued Directions under Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, to Indian Mercantile Co-operative Bank Limited (IMCBL), Lucknow vide Directive DOS.CO.OCCD.185569/12.28.007/2021-22 dated January 28, 2022 for a period of six months upto July 27, 2022, as modified from time to time, which were last extended upto October 27, 2025 vide Directive DOR.MON.No.D-22/12.28.007/2025-26 dated July 17, 2025. The Reserve Bank of India is satisfied that in public interest, it is necessary to further extend the period of operation of the Directive beyond October 27, 2025.

The Reserve Bank of India issued Directions under Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 to The Suri Friends’ Union Co-operative Bank Ltd., Suri, West Bengal vide Directive No. CO.DOS.SED.No.S2574/12-07-005/2022-23 dated July 21, 2022 for a period of six months up to close of business on January 22, 2023 as modified from time to time, which were last extended up to close of business on October 22, 2025 vide Directive DOR.MON.D-21/12.29.046/2025-26 dated July 17, 2025. The Reserve Bank of India is satisfied that in the public interest, it is necessary to further extend the period of operation of the Directive beyond close of business on October 22, 2025.

The Reserve Bank of India, vide directive CO.DOS.SED.No.S592/45-11-001/2024-25 dated April 23, 2024, had placed the Konark Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd., Ulhasnagar, under Directions from the close of business on April 23, 2024, for a period of six months. The validity of the directions was extended from time-to-time, the last being up to October 23, 2025.

The Reserve Bank of India issued Directions under Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 to Pune Sahakari Bank Ltd., Shivajinagar, Pune vide Directive No. CO.DOS.SED.No.S8240/12-22-493/2022-2023 dated March 09, 2023, for a period of six months. The same were modified from time to time and were last extended up to close of business on December 10, 2025.

The Reserve Bank of India issued Directions under Section 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 to National Urban Co-operative Bank Ltd., Pratapgarh, vide Directive CO.DOS.SED.No.S369/45-11-001/2024-25 dated April 15, 2024, for a period of six months up to close of business on October 15, 2024, which was last extended up to close of business on October 15, 2025, vide Directive DOR.MON/D-19/12.28.017/2025-26 dated July 08, 2025. The Reserve Bank of India is satisfied that in the public interest, it is necessary to further extend the period of operation of the Directive beyond the close of business on October 15, 2025.

The Reserve Bank of India vide directive CO.DOS.SED. No. S370/45-11-001/2024-2025 dated April 15, 2024, had placed Sarvodaya Co-operative Bank Ltd., Mumbai under Directions for a period of six months up to the close of business on October 15, 2024, which was modified from time to time and was last extended up to close of business on October 15, 2025.

The Reserve Bank has constantly endeavoured to optimise its regulatory framework with a focus inter alia on reducing the regulatory burden and compliance costs, apart from timely re-evaluation of the currency of existing instructions. Pursuant to the above, the Reserve Bank has undertaken a comprehensive exercise of consolidating the regulatory instructions currently administered by the Department of Regulation, on ‘as is’ basis. The existing universe of regulatory instructions issued up to October 9, 2025 have been consolidated into 238 Master Directions, across 11 types of regulated entities on up to 30 functions / areas. Consequently, approximately 9000 circulars (including Master Circulars / Master Directions) administered by the Department of Regulation will be repealed.