The RESERVE BANK OF INDIA ACT, 1934 — India law | Esheria

The RESERVE BANK OF INDIA ACT, 1934

The Act establishes the Reserve Bank of India, sets its capital at five crores of rupees, requires offices in Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi and Madras, and gives the Central Government and Central Board specified management powers.

AI-assisted research synopsis — verify against the official legal text below.

Jurisdiction
India
Instrument
Act or statute
Version
Undated source snapshot
Language
en
Official source
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NBFC registration and reserves audits bank capital bank governance bank lists cash reserve maintenance credit information confidentiality currency management currency notes delegation of powers deposits foreign exchange transactions government banking information disclosure loans and advances monetary policy non-banking financial companies penalties regulations returns and reporting schedule updates securities staff deputation

Statute overview

About this statute

The Act establishes the Reserve Bank of India, sets its capital at five crores of rupees, requires offices in Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi and Madras, and gives the Central Government and Central Board specified management powers. The Bank has wide powers to lend, invest, act as agent, and issue notes, while some borrowing and bearer-instrument activity is restricted and the Central Government may supersede the Board if the Bank fails to meet its obligations. This provision requires the Bank to supply smaller legal tender coins or notes in exchange for larger notes, sets foreign-exchange dealing rules, and imposes reporting, reserve, liquidity, and penalty duties on scheduled banks and NBFCs. This provision gives the Bank broad powers over non-banking institutions and NBFCs, and sets several compliance duties for them. The Bank must publish its bank rate, send weekly and annual accounts to the Central Government, and auditors must examine and report on the accounts.