On October 07, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India released information regarding the Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2021, to include State Co-operative Banks and Central Co-operative Banks. This is following the announcement made in the Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies dated October 01, 2025. The notification, issued under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, will be effective from November 01, 2025.
With this enhancement, the Scheme will cover:
* All Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks, State Co-operative Banks, Central Co-operative Banks, Scheduled Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, and Non-Scheduled Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks with deposits of ₹50 crore and above.
* All Non-Banking Financial Companies (excluding Housing Finance Companies) authorised to accept deposits, or with customer interface, and assets of ₹100 crore and above.
* All System Participants as defined under the Scheme.
* Credit Information Companies.
The Department of Communication, Central Office, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001 can be contacted on Phone: 022 - 2266 0502 or via email at helpdoc@rbi.org.in. The website is www.rbi.org.in. This press release is numbered 2025-2026/1256 and was issued by Brij Raj, Chief General Manager.
Key Entities Referenced
Reserve Bank – Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2021: A scheme by Reserve Bank of India for grievance redressal.
Banking Regulation Act, 1949, Section 35A: Section of the Act that grants powers to the Reserve Bank to issue directions.
Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies: A statement issued by the Reserve Bank of India containing announcements.
Reserve Bank of India: The central bank, regulator and issuer of notification.
State Co-operative Banks and Central Co-operative Banks: Cooperative banks newly included under the ambit of the ombudsman scheme.
प्रेस प्रकाशनी PRESS RELEASE
भारतीय �रज़वर् बैंक
RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
वेबसाइट : www.rbi.org.in/hindi संचार िवभाग, केंद्रीय कायार्लय, शहीद भगत िसंह मागर्, फोटर्, मुंबई - 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
October 07, 2025
Reserve Bank – Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2021 – Inclusion of State Co-
operative Banks and Central Co-operative Banks
In pursuance of the announcement made in the Statement on Developmental and
Regulatory Policies dated October 01, 2025, the Reserve Bank has, in exercise of
the powers conferred under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, issued
a Notification to bring State Co-operative Banks and Central Co-operative Banks
under the ambit of the Reserve Bank – Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2021 (the
Scheme), with effect from November 01, 2025.
2. With this enhancement, the Scheme shall cover the following regulated entities:
a) All Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks, State Co-operative Banks,
Central Co-operative Banks, Scheduled Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks,
and Non-Scheduled Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks with deposits size of
₹50 crore and above as on the date of the audited balance sheet of the
previous financial year.
b) All Non-Banking Financial Companies (excluding Housing Finance
Companies) which (a) are authorised to accept deposits; or (b) have customer
interface, with an assets size of ₹100 crore and above as on the date of the
audited balance sheet of the previous financial year.
c) All System Participants as defined under the Scheme.
d) Credit Information Companies.
(Brij Raj)
Press Release: 2025-2026/1256 Chief General Manager