The RBI has mandated a half-yearly return for all scheduled commercial banks for reporting relief measures associated with areas affected by natural calamities through the Centralised Information Management System (CIMS) portal. This is aimed at enhancing accountability and transparency in disaster management efforts.
RBI Introduces Half-Yearly Returns for Disaster Relief Reporting
The Reserve Bank of India has issued a notification mandating all scheduled commercial banks, including various cooperative banks and non-banking financial companies, to report relief measures for areas affected by natural disasters via the Centralised Information Management System (CIMS) portal. The directive was officially announced on September 2, 2026.
This new reporting requirement is aimed at improving the clarity and effectiveness of disaster response efforts by ensuring that financial institutions provide timely information regarding their contributions and strategies implemented in disaster-stricken areas. It emphasizes the need for systematic documentation and can potentially streamline the allocation of resources.
Legal practitioners in the finance sector should advise their clients to prepare for compliance with this reporting requirement. Banks will need to adapt their reporting frameworks to align with the expectations set forth by the RBI, ensuring that they are able to provide the necessary data when required.
Citations
- RBI Circular No. 250 (2026) CO.FIDD.FSD.No.S544/05-10-001
