The Reserve Bank of India has repealed its 2018 standalone directions on relief measures by banks in areas affected by natural calamities for commercial banks. With effect from July 1, 2026, the subject will instead be addressed through four directions covering resolution of stressed assets, income recognition, asset classification and provisioning, responsible business conduct, and credit risk management. The replacement package comprises the Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Resolution of Stressed Assets) Second Amendment Directions, 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Income Recognition, Asset Classification and Provisioning) Amendment Directions, 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Responsible Business Conduct) Directions, Amendment Directions, 2026, and the Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Credit Risk Management) Third Amendment Directions, 2026. Actions already taken or initiated under the 2018 directions remain governed by those provisions, while approvals or acknowledgments granted under the repealed directions are deemed to be governed by the new directions. The repeal also does not affect accrued rights, obligations or liabilities, penalties, forfeitures or punishments, or related investigations, legal proceedings and remedies tied to the earlier framework.
Reserve Bank of India 2026-04-29
Reserve Bank of India repeals 2018 natural calamity relief directions for commercial banks and replaces them through four amended banking directions from July 1 2026
The Reserve Bank of India has repealed its 2018 standalone directions on relief measures by banks in areas affected by natural calamities, with the subject now addressed through four amended directions on resolution of stressed assets, income recognition, asset classification and provisioning, responsible business conduct, and credit risk management from July 1, 2026. Existing actions, approvals and acknowledgments under the 2018 framework, as well as accrued rights, obligations, liabilities and related enforcement or legal proceedings, remain preserved.