**Executive Summary**
This press release from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), dated December 17, 2025, announces Directions issued to The Gauhati Cooperative Urban Bank Ltd. under Section 35 A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949. These Directions, effective December 17, 2025, impose certain restrictions on the bank's operations, including limits on withdrawals, and will remain in force for a period of six months and are subject to review.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **RBI Directives:**
* Effective December 17, 2025, The Gauhati Cooperative Urban Bank Ltd. is subject to restrictions, including:
* Prohibition from granting or renewing loans and advances without prior RBI approval.
* Restrictions on making investments, incurring liabilities, and disbursing payments.
* Restrictions on the sale or transfer of assets.
* A copy of the RBI Direction must be displayed on the bank's website/premises.
* **Withdrawal Limit:**
* The bank is directed to allow depositors to withdraw a maximum of ₹35,000 from savings, current, or other accounts.
* The bank can set off loans against deposits.
* **Deposit Insurance:**
* Eligible depositors are entitled to receive deposit insurance claims up to ₹5,00,000 from the Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC).
* Depositors can contact the bank for more information or visit the DICGC website: www.dicgc.org.in.
* **Banking License:**
* The issuance of these Directions should not be construed as a cancellation of the banking license.
* The bank will continue banking business subject to the restrictions outlined until its financial position improves.
* **RBI Actions:**
* RBI continues to monitor the bank's position.
* RBI may take necessary actions, including modifications to the Directions.
* **Duration:**
* The Directions are effective for six months from December 17, 2025, and are subject to review.
**Impact Analysis**
**Depositors:**
* **Impact:**
* Restricted access to their funds, with a withdrawal limit of ₹35,000.
* Eligible for deposit insurance claims up to ₹5,00,000.
* **Action Required:**
* Contact the bank for information on deposit insurance claims.
* Monitor the bank's status and any further announcements.
**The Gauhati Cooperative Urban Bank Ltd:**
* **Impact:**
* Significant restrictions on banking operations, including lending, investments, and asset disposal.
* Increased scrutiny from the RBI.
* **Action Required:**
* Comply with all Directions issued by the RBI.
* Display the RBI Direction on the bank's website/premises.
* Address the supervisory concerns identified by the RBI to improve its financial position.
**Reserve Bank of India (RBI):**
* **Impact:**
* Supervisory responsibility for The Gauhati Cooperative Urban Bank Ltd.
* **Action Required:**
* Monitor the bank's financial position and compliance with Directions.
* Take necessary actions, including modifications to the Directions, as warranted.
Key Entities Referenced
Banking Regulation Act, 1949: The Act under which the Reserve Bank of India is issuing directions to The Gauhati Cooperative Urban Bank Ltd.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI): The regulator issuing the directions.
The Gauhati Cooperative Urban Bank Ltd.: The bank subject to the directions issued by RBI.
Section 35 A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949: The legal provision that grants the power to RBI to issue the directions.
Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC): The entity responsible for providing deposit insurance to eligible depositors of the bank.
प्रेस प्रकाशनी PRESS RELEASE
भारतीय ररज़र्व बैंक
RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
वेबसाइट
:
www.rbi.org.in/hindi
संचार वर्भाग, केंद्रीय कायाालय, शहीद भगत ससिंह मागा, फोटा, म िंबई - 400 001
Website : www.rbi.org.in Department of Communication, Central Office, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort,
ई-मेल/email : helpdoc@rbi.org.in Mumbai - 400 001 फोन/Phone: 022 - 2266 0502
December 17, 2025
Directions under Section 35 A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation
Act, 1949 – The Gauhati Cooperative Urban Bank Ltd
It is hereby notified for information of the public that in exercise of powers vested
in it under sub section (1) of Section 35 A read with Section 56 of the Banking
Regulation Act, 1949, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) vide Directive Ref. No.
GWH.DOS.ADM.No.S233/01-10-101/2025-2026 dated December 17, 2025, has
issued certain Directions to The Gauhati Cooperative Urban Bank Ltd., whereby,
as from the close of business on December 17, 2025, the bank shall not, without
prior approval of RBI in writing, grant or renew any loans and advances, make any
investment, incur any liability including borrowal of funds and acceptance of fresh
deposits, disburse or agree to disburse any payment whether in discharge of its
liabilities and obligations or otherwise, enter into any compromise or arrangement
and sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any of its properties or assets except as
notified in the RBI Direction dated December 17, 2025, a copy of which has been
directed to be displayed on the bank's website / premises for perusal by interested
members of the public. Considering the bank's current liquidity position, the bank has
been directed to permit withdrawal of a sum not exceeding ₹35,000/- (Rupees
Thirty-Five Thousand only) of the total balance held in savings bank or current
accounts or any other account of a depositor but is allowed to set off loans against
deposits subject to the conditions stated in the above RBI Directions. The bank may
incur expenditure in respect of certain essential items such as salaries of employees,
rent, electricity bills, etc., as specified in the said Directions.
2. RBI has in the recent past engaged with the Board and Senior Management of the
bank for improvement in its functioning. However, lack of concrete efforts taken by
the bank to address the supervisory concerns and to protect the interest of depositors
of the bank, necessitated issuance of these Directions.
3. The eligible depositors would be entitled to receive deposit insurance claim
amount of their deposits up to a monetary ceiling of ₹5,00,000/- (Rupees Five Lakh
only) in the same capacity and in the same right, from the Deposit Insurance and
Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC), as applicable under the provisions of the
DICGC Act, 1961, based on submission of willingness by the depositors concerned
and after due verification. The depositors may contact the bank officials for further
information. Details may also be accessed on the DICGC website: www.dicgc.org.in.
4. The issue of the above Directions by the RBI should not per se be construed as
cancellation of the banking license by RBI. The bank will continue to undertake
banking business subject to restrictions specified in the said Directions till its financial
position improves. The RBI continues to monitor the position of the bank and will take2
necessary actions including modifications of these Directions, as warranted,
depending upon circumstances and in the interest of the depositors.
5. These Directions shall remain in force for a period of six months from the close of
business on December 17, 2025, and are subject to review.
(Brij Raj)
Press Release: 2025-2026/1723 Chief General Manager