RBI Press Conference: 11 Sectors Set To Have Easier Regulatory Framework — Key Highlights

India's booming financial sector will get what it has long sought: easier rulebooks.

The RBI on Friday scrapped over 9,000 circulars, most of them obsolete, and consolidated rules under a large pack of Master Directions.

Deputy Governor SC Murmu said the measures have been taken after extensive industry consultations.

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"As far as department of regulation is concerned, this is a one time exercise. From here on, we will add to what has been built as a foundation," said SC Murmu.

The RBI deputy governor also said response from regulated entities has been good on these measures amd all stakeholders have been engaged for this process.

RBI Deputy Governor SC Murmu said of the 9,446 circulars repealed, 3,809 have been subsumed or incorporated into master circular and the rest 5,673 have been repealed for being obsolete.

RBI regulated sectors in focus for regulatory framework optimisation:

• Commercial Banks

• Small Finance Banks

• Payments Banks

• Local Area Banks

• Regional Rural Banks

• Urban Cooperative Banks

• Rural Cooperative Banks

• All India Financial Institutions

• Non-Banking Financial Companies

• Asset Reconstruction Companies

• Credit Information Companies

"All circulars applicable to commercial banks have been covered under 32 master directions. Stakeholders need to only follow directions listed under the master directions. On bank licensing, the guidelines across various entities have been consolidated as well," said RBI Deputy Governor SC Murmu.

He further said in any situation where the regulations require any changes or updation those will also be put within these master directions.

The RBI is repealing 9,446 circulars under an exercise to ease regulatory burden. The new guidelines will cover 11 types of regulated entities.

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 will improve the clarity on applicability of each instruction to a regulated entity.

Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor SC Murmu said the central bank has undertaken large scale exercise over last five months.

"Today we will be issuing 244 consolidated master directions. These consolidated all regulations issued to entities over several decades since 1940," he said.

"The RBI has continuously endeavoured to optimise its regulatory framework. On Oct 10, 238 consolidated draft master directions were released. The RBI received comments, which were duly considered. Now 244 master directions have been issued today on an as-is basis," he said.

The RBI in October said its has undertaken a comprehensive exercise of consolidating the regulatory instructions currently administered by the Department of Regulation, on ‘as is’ basis.

The existing universe of regulatory instructions issued up to October 9, 2025 have been consolidated into 238 Master Directions, across 11 types of regulated entities on up to 30 functions / areas. Consequently, approximately 9000 circulars (including Master Circulars / Master Directions) administered by the Department of Regulation will be repealed.

Reserve Bank of India Deputy Governor SC Murmu will address a press conference shortly.