The matters to be placed before the Boards of Commercial Banks along with their periodicity are determined by the Board themselves, guided by the seven broad themes prescribed by the Reserve Bank of India. In addition, the Reserve Bank has also mandated certain policies and matters to be placed before the Board for approval, review, or information. In an endeavour to enable Boards to utilize their time effectively, and to facilitate a more focused and qualitative engagement on strategy and risk governance, the Reserve Bank has undertaken a comprehensive review and rationalization of all such instructions. Further, the seven themes mentioned above have been replaced with principle-based guidance on the matter.

2. Accordingly, in pursuance of the announcement made in the Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies dated April 08, 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has today issued the following draft Amendment Directions for public comments.

1. Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Governance) Amendment Directions, 2026

2. Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks – Governance) Amendment Directions, 2026

3. Reserve Bank of India (Payments Banks – Governance) Amendment Directions, 2026

4. Reserve Bank of India (Local Area Banks – Governance) Amendment Directions, 2026

3. The comments / feedback on the draft Amendment Directions may be submitted by the regulated entities and members of public / other stakeholders on or before May 07, 2026 through the following channels:

1. the ‘Connect 2 Regulate’ section on the website by following the corresponding hyperlink provided against each document in the page where they are hosted; or

2. by email with the subject line ‘Feedback on (full name of the draft Amendment Directions (including the type of Regulated Entity))’.

(Brij Raj)           
Chief General Manager

Bank board governance reform shifts to principle-based guidance after RBI issues draft amendment directions for public consultation. Reserve Bank of India has issued draft governance amendment directions for commercial banks, small finance banks, payments banks and local area banks for public comments. The proposed changes follow a comprehensive review and rationalisation of existing instructions on matters to be placed before bank boards, including their periodicity, so that boards may focus more effectively on strategy and risk governance. The draft framework replaces the earlier seven broad themes with principle-based guidance on board matters and retains RBI's ability to mandate policies and items for board approval, review or information.