RBI proposes to resume licencing of UCBs after two decades

14 Jan 2026 Evaluate

After pausing licenses for Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) since 2004, the Reserve bank of India (RBI) has proposed resumption of issuance of licences for UCBs, subject to various regulatory requirements, including a minimum capital threshold of Rs 300 crore. Earlier, a large number of the newly licensed UCBs became financially unsound within a short period which led to RBI pausing the licenses for the banks. However, in October last year, the RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra had announced that considering the positive developments in the sector during the last two decades and in response to the growing demand from the stakeholders, RBI would publish a discussion paper on licensing of new UCBs. As on March 31, 2025, there were 1,457 UCBs with total aggregate assets of Rs 7.38 lakh crore, and total deposits of Rs 5.84 lakh crore.

In order to sought stakeholders’ view of on licensing of new UCBs, it issued a discussion paper on 'Licensing of UCBs' and has invited comments on it from stakeholders by February 13, 2026. The paper has primarily sought comments on two questions -- Is it the right time to resume licensing of new UCB and What should be the broad eligibility criteria, if new UCB licensing is to be resumed now. The paper said that over the years, several high-level committees formed by RBI have visited the matter of re-opening of UCB licences and come out with various recommendations.

The paper has provided arguments, both in favour and against resuming licensing. It said that that considering the fact that most of the failures of UCBs have been of smaller banks, if licensing is resumed for UCBs, it may be prudent to license only large co-operative credit societies as they will have a longer track record and would have established its governance and put in place sound management practices. It also argued that ideally, the governance standards applicable to a bank should be agnostic to the incorporated structure of the bank whether commercial or co-operative. More on track record, it suggested active operations for at least 10 years and a good financial track record of at least 5 years are desirable from a co-operative credit society to apply. The paper cites recommendations of various panels, including that of an Internal Working Group. Further to analyse the financials, assessed CRAR should not be less than 12% and the Net NPA ratio should not be more than 3% at the time of grant of licence to the eligible applicant.

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