RBI has issued a notification Ref. CO.CEPD.PRS.No.S684/13-55-001/2025-2026, dated October 07, 2025, stating that the State Co-operative Banks, and Central Co-operative Banks shall also be treated as a 'Regulated Entity' for the purpose of Reserve Bank - Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2021 (the Scheme). This is in partial modification of the notification CEPD. PRD. No. S544/13.01.001/2022-23 dated August 05, 2022.
The scheme will be applicable to State Co-operative Banks, Central Co-operative Banks, except to the extent specifically excluded under the Scheme, and shall come into force with effect from November 01, 2025.
The Scheme covers:
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; and
d) Credit Information Companies.
Key Entities Referenced
Reserve Bank - Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2021 (RB-IOS, 2021): The primary scheme that the notification modifies.
Banking Regulation Act, 1949, Section 35A: Legal basis for the powers exercised in the notification.
State Co-operative Banks, Central Co-operative Banks: Entities now defined as 'Regulated Entity' under the Scheme.
CEPD.PRD. No. S544/13.01.001/2022-23 dated August 05, 2022: The notification being partially modified by this document.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Reserve Bank of India
Mumbai
Reserve Bank - Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2021 (RB-IOS, 2021)
NOTIFICATION
Ref. CO.CEPD.PRS.No.S684/13-55-001/2025-2026 October 07, 2025
In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act,
1949, and in partial modification of the notification CEPD. PRD. No.
S544/13.01.001/2022-23 dated August 05, 2022, the Reserve Bank of India, being
satisfied that it is in public interest to do so, hereby directs that the State Co-operative
Banks, and Central Co-operative Banks, as defined in the Banking Regulation Act,
1949, shall also be treated as a ‘Regulated Entity’ for the purpose of Reserve Bank -
Integrated Ombudsman Scheme, 2021 (the Scheme).
2. Accordingly, the Scheme shall be applicable to State Co-operative Banks, Central
Co-operative Banks, except to the extent specifically excluded under the Scheme.
3. This Notification shall come into force with effect from November 01, 2025.
4. With this inclusion, the Scheme covers 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; and
d) Credit Information Companies.
(Neeraj Nigam)