RBI consolidates regulatory norms into 238 master circulars, repeals 9,000

The central bank streamlines regulatory framework across 11 entity types and 30 thematic areas to simplify compliance and improve clarity for the financial sector

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Friday said it would consolidate the existing universe of regulatory instructions issued up to October 9, 2025, into 238 master circulars across 11 types of regulated entities in up to 30 areas.

 

This is a part of the central bank’s comprehensive exercise of consolidating the regulatory instructions currently administered by the Department of Regulation, on an “as is” basis.

 

As a result, about 9,000 circulars administered by the Department of Regulation would be repealed, the central bank said. “This exercise is expected to significantly improve the accessibility of regulatory instructions for the regulated entities, thereby reducing their compliance cost. Also, consolidation of regulatory instructions separately for each type of regulated entities would improve the clarity on applicability of each instruction to a regulated entity,” the RBI said.

 

According to the central bank, the present exercise of consolidation carries forward the work carried out by the Regulations Review Authority (RRA), set up for reviewing the regulations, circulars, reporting systems, based on the feedback from the public, banks and financial institutions.

 

The RRA recommended the withdrawal of 714 circulars and discontinuation/merger/conversion to online submission of 65 returns.