RBI issues final Amendment Directions on Cooling-off Period for Directors of Co-operative Banks

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The Reserve Bank had, on January 8, 2026, issued Draft Reserve Bank of India (Urban Co-operative Banks - Governance) Amendment Directions, 2026 and Draft Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks - Governance) Amendment Directions, 2026, seeking feedback from stakeholders. The draft Amendment Directions proposed to introduce a cooling-off period for directors of UCBs and RCBs after they complete a continuous tenure of ten years on the Board of a UCB / RCB, to ensure that the statutory provision contained in section 10A(2A)(i) read with section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 is implemented in letter and spirit.

2. Feedback received on the above draft Directions has been examined and the consequent modifications have been suitably incorporated in the final Amendment Directions. A statement on the feedback received for the draft Amendment Directions is provided in the Annex.

3. Accordingly, the Reserve Bank of India has today issued the following Amendment Directions:

1. Reserve Bank of India (Urban Co-operative Banks - Governance) Amendment Directions, 2026.

2. Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks - Governance) Amendment Directions, 2026.

(Brij Raj)           
Chief General Manager

Press Release: 2026-2027/326

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