RBI raises daily minimum CRR maintenance from 90% to 99%
On 9 October 2026, the RBI raised the daily minimum Cash Reserve Ratio maintenance requirement for scheduled banks from 90% to 99% of the required CRR, effective from the fortnight beginning 16 October 2026; the prescribed CRR rate itself was unchanged.
Summary
Under Section 42(1) of the RBI Act, banks must keep a daily minimum share of the required CRR while still meeting the fortnightly average. After reviewing liquidity, RBI lifted that daily floor to 99% from 16 October 2026. Reliable media reported the overall CRR remains 3%.
Key facts
- Change
- Daily CRR maintenance 90% → 99%
- Effective
- Fortnight beginning 16 October 2026
- Legal basis
- Section 42(1), RBI Act, 1934
- Notification
- RBI/2026-27/290 (9 Oct 2026)
- Prescribed CRR
- Unchanged (media: 3%)
Practice MCQs 4 questions
From which date’s fortnight did RBI raise the daily minimum CRR maintenance requirement to 99%?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Fortnight beginning 16 October 2026
What was the previous daily minimum CRR maintenance percentage before RBI’s October 2026 change?
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Correct answer: B — 90 per cent
Under which provision did RBI issue the October 2026 daily CRR maintenance notification?
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Correct answer: C — Section 42(1) of the RBI Act, 1934
Did the October 2026 RBI notification change the prescribed CRR rate itself?
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Correct answer: D — No; it only raised the daily maintenance floor