RBI to consolidate existing regulatory instructions into 238 Master Directions

To lessen regulatory burdens and compliance costs for entities under its supervision, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) plans to consolidate existing regulations into 238 Master Directions.

Concurrently, approximately 9,000 circulars (including Master Circulars/Master Directions) managed by the Department of Regulation will be revoked.

The RBI has released two sets of draft documents—proposed Master Directions/Guidelines and a list of circulars slated for repeal—seeking feedback on their completeness and accuracy by November 10, 2025.

The central bank reiterated its ongoing commitment to refining regulatory frameworks, emphasizing reduced compliance costs and periodic reviews of existing directives.

This initiative follows a comprehensive effort to streamline regulatory instructions administered by the Department of Regulation without altering their substantive content.

The consolidation compiles regulatory guidelines issued through October 9, 2025, spanning 11 entity types and up to 30 functional areas.

By repealing outdated circulars, the RBI aims to enhance regulatory accessibility for supervised entities, lowering compliance efforts.

Entity-specific consolidation will also clarify which regulations apply to each type of institution, minimizing ambiguity.

Published on October 10, 2025