Reserve Bank of India (RBI) | Functions and Objective
- Blog|FEMA & Banking|
- 13 Min Read
- By Taxmann
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- Last Updated on 1 December, 2023
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Objective and Establishment of RBI
3. Functions of RBI
1. Introduction
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the apex financial institution of the country’s financial system entrusted with the task of control, supervision, promotion, development and planning. RBI is the queen bee of the Indian financial system which influences the commercial banks’ management in more than one way.
The RBI influences the management of commercial banks through its various policies, directions and regulations. Its role in bank management is quite unique. In fact, the RBI performs the four basic functions of management, viz., planning, organizing, directing and controlling in laying a strong foundation for the functioning of commercial banks.
In 1921, the Imperial Bank of India was established to perform as Central Bank of India by the British Government. But unfortunately Imperial Bank failed to show its performance up to the mark and didn’t achieve any success as the Central Bank. So, Government required setup of brand new central bank. In 1st April 1935, Reserve Bank of India was setup. In January, 1949, RBI was nationalized.
2. Objective of RBI
Objectives of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) | Important aspects relating to objectives of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) are as follows:
(1) Primary objects: Preamble to the RBI Act, 1934 spells out the objectives of the RBI as: (a) To regulate the issue of bank notes. (b) To keep reserves with a view to securing monetary stability in India. (c) To operate currency and credit system of the country to its advantage. Prior to the establishment of the RBI, the Indian financial system was totally inadequate on account of the inherent weakness of the dual control of currency by the Central Government and of credit by the Imperial Bank of India. The Hilton-Young Commission, therefore, recommended division of functions and responsibility for control of currency and credit and the divergent policies by setting-up of a central bank called the RBI – which would regulate the financial policy and develop banking facilities throughout the country. Hence, the RBI was established with this primary object in view. (2) Remain free from political influence: Another objective of the RBI has been to remain free from political influence and be in successful operation for maintaining financial stability and credit. (3) Fundamental objects: Fundamental object of the RBI is to discharge purely central banking functions in the Indian money market i.e. to act as – (a) Note-issuing authority (b) Bankers’ bank (c) Banker to government (4) Promote the growth of the economy: RBI aims to promote the growth of the economy within the framework of the general economic policy of the Government, consistent with the need of maintenance of price stability. (5) Development of Indian Economy: A significant object of the RBI has also been to assist the planned process of development of the Indian economy. Besides the traditional central banking functions, with the launching of the 5 year plans in the country, the RBI has been moving ahead in performing a host of developmental and promotional functions, which are normally beyond the purview of a traditional Central Bank. |
Establishment and incorporation of Reserve Bank [Section 3] | Establishment & incorporation: A bank to be called the RBI shall be constituted for the purposes of taking over the management of the currency from the Central Government and of carrying on the business of banking in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
RBI shall be a body corporate: The RBI shall be a body corporate by the name of the RBI, having perpetual succession and a common seal and shall by the said name sue and be sued. Capital: The capital of the RBI shall be ` 5 Crore. Offices, branches & agencies: The RBI shall establish offices in Bombay, Calcutta, Delhi and Madras and may establish branches or agencies in any other place in India with the previous sanction of the Central Government. |
Central Board of Directors [Section 8] | The Central Board shall consist of the following Directors, namely:
(a) A Governor and not more than 4 Deputy Governors to be appointed by the Central Government. (b) 4 Directors to be nominated by the Central Government, 1 from each of the 4 Local Boards. (c) 10 Directors to be nominated by the Central Government. (d) 2 Government officials to be nominated by the Central Government. Thus, Central Board consists of total 21 persons. Governor & Deputy Governors: The Governor & Deputy Governors shall devote their whole-time to the affairs of the RBI. They are entitled to receive salaries and allowances determined by the Central Board, with the approval of the Central Government. In the interest of public and at the request of the Central or State Government, the Central Board may permit the Governor or a Deputy Governor to undertake part-time honorary work, whether related to the purposes of the Act or not. However, such additional work shall not interfere with duties as Governor or Deputy Governor. Voting by Deputy Governor & Nominated Director: Deputy Governor & Nominated Director may attend any meeting of the Central Board and take part in its deliberations but shall not be entitled to vote. However, due to some reason, if Governor is unable to attend any such meeting then Deputy Governor authorized by him in writing may vote for him at that meeting. Term of office of Governor, Deputy Governor & Nominated Director: The Governor and a Deputy Governor shall hold office for such term not exceeding 5 years and shall be eligible for reappointment. A Nominated Director shall hold office for a period of 4 years and shall be eligible for reappointment. However, any such Director shall not be appointed for more than 2 terms, that is, for a maximum period of 8 years either continuously or intermittently. A Nominated Director shall hold office during the pleasure of the Central Government. |
Powers of Central Government to supersede Central Board [Section 30] |
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Local Boards, their constitution and functions [Section 9] |
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Business which the RBI may not transact [Section 18] |
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3. Functions of RBI
Functions of RBI under the RBI Act, 1934 | Various functions of RBI under the RBI Act, 1934 are as follows:
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Reserve Bank of India as Banker to Banks |
Bankers’ Bank: As Banker to Banks, the RBI provides short-term loans and advances to select banks, when necessary, to facilitate lending to specific sectors and for specific purposes. These loans are provided against promissory notes and other collaterals given by the banks. Lender of the Last Resort: The RBI also acts as the ‘lender of last resort’. It can come to the rescue of a bank that is solvent but faces temporary liquidity problems by supplying it with much needed liquidity when no one else is willing to extend credit to that bank. The RBI extends this facility to protect the interest of the depositors of the bank and to prevent possible failure of a bank, which in turn may also affect other banks and institutions and can have an adverse impact on financial stability and thus on the economy. |
Banker to Government | The second important function of the RBI is to act as Government banker, agent and adviser. The RBI is agent of Central Government and of all State Governments in India excepting that of Jammu and Kashmir. |
Notes issue function of RBI | Management of currency is one of the core central banking functions of the RBI for which it derives the necessary statutory powers from Section 22 of the RBI Act, 1934.
Bank of issue: The RBI has the sole right to issue bank notes of all denominations. The distribution of ` 1, ` 2 currencies note and coins and small coins all over the country are undertaken by the RBI as agent of the Government. Right to issue bank notes [Section 22]: The RBI shall have the sole right to issue ‘bank notes’ in India. The RBI, on the recommendation of the Central Board, may issue ‘currency notes’ of the Government of India. All of the provisions of the RBI Act shall apply to ‘currency notes’ as they apply to ‘bank notes’ issued by the RBI. The issue function of bank notes is performed by the Issue Department, which is separated and kept wholly distinct from Banking Department. The RBI recommends the Central Government about denomination of bank notes i.e. ` 2, ` 5, ` 10, ` 20, ` 50, ` 100, ` 500, ` 1,000, ` 2,000, ` 5,000 & ` 10,000 or other denominations not exceeding ` 10,000. [Section 24] The design, form and material of bank note are approved by Central Government on the recommendations of Central Board of the RBI. Every bank note is a legal tender at any place in India. However, on recommendation of the Central Board, the Central Government may declare any series of bank notes of any denomination as not to be a legal tender. Exchange of Notes: Another important function is exchange of mutilated or torn notes, which under the RBI Act, 1934 is not a matter of right, but a matter of grace. The bank notes that are being issued by RBI are exempt from payment of stamp duty. [Section 29] |
` 1 and ` 2 denominations notes are the ‘currency notes’. These are issued by the Government of India in consultation with RBI. The printing of ` 1 & ` 2 denominations has been discontinued, though the notes in circulation are valid. Currently ‘bank notes’ issued by RBI are mostly in circulation i.e. notes having denominations ` 10, ` 20, ` 50, ` 100, ` 500 & ` 2,000,
In India, the paper currency was first issued during British East India Company rule. The first paper notes were issued by the private banks such as Bank of Hindustan and the presidency banks during late 18th century. With the introduction of the Paper Currency Act, 1861, the British Government of India was conferred the monopoly to issue paper notes in India. After this act, the government of India entered into agreements with the Presidency Banks to work as authorized agents to promote circulations of the paper notes across length and breadth of British India. But since India is a vast country, redemption of these notes became a big issue. Consequently, some “Currency Circles” came up in various parts of country where the paper notes of Indian government were legal tenders. In 1867, the agreements with the presidency banks were terminated. The job of promoting, circulating and redemption of the currency notes was entrusted to Mint Masters, Accountant General and the Controller of Currency. This practice continued till RBI came into existence in 1935. Section 22 of the RBI Act, 1934 makes provided that RBI has the sole right to issue ‘bank notes’ of all denominations. Thus, RBI is responsible for the design, production and overall management of the nation’s currency, with the goal of ensuring an adequate supply of clean and genuine notes. In consultation with the Government, the Reserve Bank routinely addresses security issues and targets ways to enhance security features to reduce the risk of counterfeiting or forgery of currency notes. |
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Public Debt Functions of the RBI | RBI’s debt management strategy aims at minimizing the cost of borrowing, reducing the rollover and other risks, smoothening the maturity structure of debt, and improving depth and liquidity of Government securities markets by developing an active secondary market.
As per Preamble to the Government Securities Act, 2006, it is an Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to Government securities and its management by the RBI and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
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Foreign Exchange Management function of RBI | Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) envisages that RBI will have a key role in management of foreign exchange.
Main functions of RBI under FEMA are as follows:
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Banking Regulation & Supervision function of RBI | The power to regulate and supervise banks has been provided to RBI under the provisions of Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
The RBI has wide powers of supervision and control over commercial and co-operative banks, relating to licensing and establishments, branch expansion, liquidity of their assets, management and methods of working, amalgamation, reconstruction and liquidation. The RBI is authorized to carry out periodical inspection of the banks and to call for returns and necessary information from them. Thus, supervisory functions of the RBI have helped a great deal in improving the standard of banking in India. |
Powers of RBI for Resolution of Stressed Assets | Stressed Assets are loans where the borrower has defaulted in repayment or where the loan has been restructured.
In terms of Sections 35AA & 35AB of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the RBI has been specifically authorized to issue directions to banking companies for resolution of stressed assets. Power of issuing directions to banking companies to initiate insolvency resolution process [Section 35AA]: The Central Government may authorize the RBI to issue directions to any banking company to initiate insolvency resolution process in respect of a default, under the provisions of the Insolvency & Bankruptcy Code, 2016. Power of RBI to issue directions in respect of stressed assets [Section 35AB]: The RBI may, from time to time, issue directions to any banking company for resolution of stressed assets. The RBI may specify one or more authorities or committees with such members as the RBI may appoint to advise any banking company or banking companies on resolution of stressed assets. |
Regulation and Supervision of NBFCs by RBI | The regulation and supervision of non-banking financial companies is one of the critical functions that the RBI.
Following are some of the important points in this regard: (1) Registration of NBFC: In terms of Section 45-IA, all Non-Banking Financial Companies have to be mandatorily registered with the RBI. (2) Regulate or prohibit issue of prospectus or advertisements soliciting deposits: As part of regulation and supervision of NBFCs, the RBI has been conferred with the statutory powers to regulate or prohibit issue of prospectus or advertisements soliciting deposits of money by NBFCs, power to determine policy and issue directions to NBFCs etc. (3) Call information and issue directions: The RBI has been empowered to call for information and issue directions to NBFCs for the reasons stated therein. (4) Supervisory control: As a part of the supervisory control over the non-banking financial companies, the RBI has powers to inspect NBFCs. The RBI shall exercise all above powers in the public interest or to regulate the financial system of the country to its advantage or to prevent the affairs of any NBFC being conducted in a manner detrimental to the interest of the depositors or in a manner prejudicial to the interest of the NBFC. |
Role and functions of the RBI in relation to regulation & supervision of co-operative banks |
As a part of the regulatory and supervisory regime over co-operative banks, the RBI has been entrusted with the powers to issue licenses and cancel licenses of co-operative banks, supersede their boards, inspect them and also issue directions to them in the public interest, interest of banking policy, control over loans and advances etc. |
Judicial view:
It was held by the Bombay High Court that though the control over management of Co-operative Society is vested in the Registrar of Co-operative Societies, but insofar as banking is concerned, by virtue of Section 56 read with Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the RBI has full power to regulate and control co-operative societies in relation to banking operations. [Janata Sahakari Bank Ltd. v. State of Maharashtra] |
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Legal tender character of notes [Section 26] |
Every bank note shall be legal tender at any place in India in payment or on account for the amount expressed therein, and shall be guaranteed by the Central Government.
On recommendation of the Central Board the Central Government may declare that with effect from specified date in the notification, any series of bank notes of any denomination shall cease to be legal tender to such extent as may be specified in the notification. |
Coin Distribution |
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A mint is an industrial facility which manufactures coins that can be used in currency. | |
Counterfeit Money |
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