Skip to main content

When are RRBs placed under PCA? What are its implications?

Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) can be placed under Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). What is PCA and what does it mean for RRBs placed under PCA? 

What is Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework?

The primary focus of Prompt Corrective Action (PCA) framework is to ensure early rectification of the irregularities / deficiencies by self-corrective action of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) and supervisory action by National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). 

To which banks is PCA framework applicable?

The PCA framework applies to all RRBs operating in India.

What parameters are considered under PCA framework?

For the purpose of PCA framework, the financial health of a RRBs is evaluated in terms of following 3 parameters –

  1. Capital – indicated by Capital to Risk-Weighted Asset Ratio (CRAR) – the percentage of Capital to total risk-weighted assets.
  2. Asset Quality – indicated by Non-Performing Assets (NPA) ratio
  3. Profitability – indicated by Return on Assets (ROA)

What are the trigger points for invocation of PCA?

The breach of trigger points for any of the indicators of capital, asset quality or profitability may result in invocation of PCA framework.

Trigger points for Capital

Parameter Capital
Indicator Capital to Risk-Weighted Asset Ratio (CRAR)
Trigger point 1 Less than 9% but equal or more than 6%
Trigger point 2 Less than 6% but equal or more than 3%
Trigger point 3 Less than 3%

Trigger points for Asset Quality

Parameter Asset Quality
Indicator Non-Performing Assets (NPA) ratio
Trigger point 1 Net NPAs over 10% but less than 15% (in case of RRBs having retained profit) or
Gross NPAs over 10% but less than 15% (in case of RRBs having accumulated losses)
Trigger point 2 Net NPAs of 15% and above (in case of RRBs having retained profit) or
Gross NPAs of 15% and above (in case of RRBs having accumulated losses)

Trigger point for Profitability

ParameterProfitability
IndicatorReturn on Assets (ROA)
Trigger pointROA below 0.25%

What self-corrective action shall be taken by RRBs placed under PCA?

When a RRB is placed under PCA, following self-corrective action shall be taken by RRB –

Breach of trigger points for Capital

Trigger Point Corrective Action by RRBs
Trigger point 1 Submission of Board approved implementable action plan for capital restoration to NABARD RO.
Restriction on expansion of risk-weighted assets.
Review of the action plan on monthly / quarterly basis and submission of feedback to NABARD RO regularly.
Discretionary Action – Bank will not enter into new lines of business.
Trigger point 2 In addition to corrective action for trigger point 1 –
Discussion by the bank’s Board on corrective action plan with NABARD RO.
Discussion in and guidance of Empowered Committee for improvement in the working.
Bank to revise its credit / investment strategy and controls.
Trigger point 3 In addition to corrective action for trigger point 1 and 2 –
Sponsor bank may closely monitor the functioning of the bank.

Breach of trigger points for Asset Quality

Trigger Point Corrective Action by RRBs
Trigger point 1 Preparation of an implementable action plan with the approval of the Board for reduction of net NPAs to 3% and gross NPAs to 5%.
Revisiting the loan and recovery policies.
Identification of sector and area / branches which have high percentage of NPAs / Overdue.
Strengthening of follow-up mechanism of advances including loan review mechanism for large loans.
Up-gradation of credit appraisal skills and systems.
Effective follow-up of suit filed / decreed cases.
Bank will put in place credit risk management policies / process / procedures / prudential limit.
Review of the action plan on monthly / quarterly basis and submission of feedback to NABARD RO regularly.
Discretionary Action – Bank will not enter into new lines of business.
Trigger point 2 In addition to corrective action for trigger point 1 –
Discussion by the bank’s Board on corrective action plan with NABARD RO.
Discussion with sponsor bank to support the bank’s efforts in recovery.
Discussion in and guidance of Empower Committee of RBI for improvement in functioning.
Discretionary Action – Bank will not enter into new lines of business.

Breach of trigger point for Profitability

Trigger Point Corrective Action by RRBs
Trigger point Not to access / renew costly deposits.
Increase fee based income.
Contain administrative expenses.
Reduction of NPAs and contain generation of fresh NPAs.
Discretionary Action – Bank will not enter into new lines of business.

What supervisory action is taken by NABARD in respect of RRBs placed under PCA?

In case of absence of or despite self-corrective actions, the continuance of the incidence of prolonged / major irregularities and deficiencies in banks’ functioning will warrant supervisory action by NABARD as it deems fit viz., recommending to RBI for issuing directions / caution advices / show cause notices, imposition of penalty, etc., in the interest of the bank concerned and in the interest of its depositors.  


References

National Bank For Agriculture And Rural Development. (2018, March 16). 'Supervisory Action Framework (SAF) for RRBs – Prompt Corrective Action (PCA)'. Retrieved from https://www.nabard.org/CircularPage.aspx?cid=504&id=796#:~:text=In%20order%20to%20ensure%20financial,Action%20by%20RRBs%20and%20Supervisory


Follow at - Telegram   Instagram   LinkedIn   Twitter   Facebook

Comments

Popular Posts

Export and Import of Goods and Services

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued regulations on export and import of goods and services. What are the regulations for declaration of exports? An exporter of goods shall furnish to the specified authority, a declaration in the Export Declaration Form (EDF) specifying the amount representing the full export value of goods, at the time of export. EDF will be deemed to be submitted as part of shipping bill for goods exported through Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) port. An exporter of services shall furnish to the specified authority, a declaration in EDF specifying the amount representing the full export value of services, within 30 days from the end of month in which invoice for services has been raised. The exporter of services who has exported services to one or more recipients in a month, may submit a single EDF for all such exports. The exporter of services other than software, may submit an EDF on or before the date of receipt of payment. In the case of a non-EDI port for ex...

Digital Payments Awareness Week 2026

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is observing digital payments awareness week from March 09 to 15, 2026. Digital Payments Awareness Week (DPAW) Digital Payments Awareness Week (DPAW) is an initiative to highlight the impact and importance of digital payments and to create awareness about safe usage of digital payment products.  Digital Payments Awareness Week (DPAW) 2026 Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is observing DPAW 2026 from March 09 to 15, 2026.  Under the mission ‘Har Payment Digital’, the theme for the current year is ‘Thoda Dhyan Se’ (be alert/ be careful). The theme emphasises the safe use of digital payments. ‘Har Payment Digital’ mission RBI had launched the mission ‘Har Payment Digital’ on the occasion of the DPAW 2023. This is part of RBI’s endeavour to make every person in India a user of digital payments. Previous Digital Payments Awareness Weeks (DPAWs) Year Theme 2025 ‘India Pays Digitally’ under the mission ‘Har Payment Digital’ ...

FEMA - Regulations on Guarantees

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had issued regulations governing guarantees under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (FEMA). What is a guarantee? A guarantee, including a counter-guarantee, means a contract, by whatever name called, to perform the promise, or discharge a debt, obligation or other liability (including a portfolio of debts, obligations or other liabilities), in the event of default by the principal debtor. Who are the participants in a guarantee transaction? Principal debtor – a person in respect of whose default the guarantee is given. Surety – a person who gives a guarantee. Creditor – a person to whom the guarantee is given. When can a person resident in India act as surety / principal debtor? A person resident in India may act as a surety / principal debtor for a guarantee, subject to conditions that – The underlying transaction for which the guarantee is being given or arranged is not prohibited under FEMA guidelines. The surety and the principal debtor are eligi...

Priority Sector Lending (PSL) guidelines (updated as on January 19, 2026)

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued the revised guidelines on Priority Sector Lending (PSL) which has come into effect from April 01, 2025.  To whom does Priority Sector Lending (PSL) guidelines apply? Priority Sector Lending (PSL) guidelines apply to – Commercial Bank [including Regional Rural Bank (RRB), Small Finance Bank (SFB), Local Area Bank (LAB)] Primary (Urban) Co-operative Bank (UCB) other than Salary Earners’ Bank  What are the categories under PSL? The categories under priority sector are as follows – Agriculture Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Export Credit Education Housing Social Infrastructure Renewable Energy Others What are the PSL targets for banks? The targets and sub-targets set under PSL, to be computed on the basis of the Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) / Credit Equivalent of Off-Balance Sheet Exposures (CEOBSE) as applicable as on the corresponding date of the preceding year are as below – Categories Total Priority Sector ...

Unique Transaction Identifier (UTI) for OTC Derivative Transactions

Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued directions on Unique Transaction Identifier (UTI) for over-the-counter (OTC) derivative transactions. What are the existing norms for reporting of OTC derivative transactions? At present, all transactions in OTC markets for rupee interest rate derivatives, forward contracts in Government securities, foreign currency derivatives, foreign currency interest rate derivatives, and credit derivatives are reported to the Trade Repository managed by Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL-TR).  What are the directions on Unique Transaction Identifier (UTI) for OTC derivative transactions? Unique Transaction Identifier (UTI), a unique identifier assigned to an OTC derivative transaction, shall be generated / reported for all transactions in OTC derivatives market.  The directions shall be applicable to OTC derivative transactions entered into on or after January 01, 2027. UTI shall be generated in accordance with the UTI Technical Guidanc...