<h1>Draft 2026 prudential norms on bank dividends and profit remittances propose new payout ceiling formula; comments invited until Feb 5, 2026</h1> RBI has issued for public comments draft 2026 Directions revising prudential norms on declaration of dividends and remittance of profits, including a new methodology for computing the maximum eligible dividend payout; this is proposed across separate draft instruments for commercial banks (including foreign banks operating in branch mode), small finance banks, payment banks, regional rural banks, and local area banks, and would recalibrate the ceiling and conditions for dividend declaration and, where applicable, profit remittance once finalised. Stakeholders may submit comments on the draft Directions until February 5, 2026.