The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on November 28, 2025, issued the Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks – Debit Cards: Issuance and Conduct) Directions, 2025.
The following has been stated namely: -
• It aims to regulate the issuance and operation of debit cards by rural co-operative banks (RCBs), including State and Central Co-operative Banks.
• These directions mandate that RCBs formulate comprehensive, board-approved policies covering debit card issuance, co-branding arrangements, and related procedures.
• The guidelines emphasize compliance with existing prudential, payment, and cybersecurity regulations applicable to debit and co-branded cards.
• The directions aim to standardize practices across RCBs, ensuring secure and efficient debit card services for their customers.
[Notification no. - RBI/DOR/2025-26/303 DOR.AUT.REC.No.222/24-01-041/2025-26]
