The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), on December 29, 2025, issued the Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks – Know Your Customer) Amendment Directions, 2025, to amend the KYC Directions notified on November 28, 2025. The amendment is issued to align the regulatory framework with the Office Memorandum dated September 18, 2025, of the Department of Revenue, Government of India, clarifying responsibilities related to the Central KYC Records Registry (CKYCR).
The amendment specifically clarifies that the Regulated Entity (RE) that last uploads or updates a customer’s KYC records in the CKYCR shall bear the responsibility for verification of identity and/or address of the customer. Consequently, any bank that downloads and relies on such KYC records from the CKYCR is not required to re-verify the customer’s identity or address, provided the records are current and compliant with the Prevention of Money-Laundering Act, 2002 and the associated Rules.
However, the RBI has clarified that while re-verification of identity/address is dispensed with, the bank relying on CKYCR records shall continue to remain responsible for all other aspects of Customer Due Diligence (CDD) and compliance with the KYC Directions. The Amendment Directions have come into force with immediate effect, strengthening clarity on accountability among rural co-operative banks and improving ease of compliance without diluting AML/CFT obligations.
[RBI/2025-26/163; DOR.AML.REC.367/14.01.005/2025-26]
