Master Directions – Priority Sector Lending (PSL) – Targets and Classification dated September 04, 2020[superseded byMaster Directions - Reserve Bank of India (Priority Sector Lending – Targets and Classification) Directions, 2025]

RBI/FIDD/2020-21/72 Master Directions FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.5/04.09.01/2020-21 September 04, 2020 ( Updated as on March 25, 2025 ) ( Updated as on June 21, 2024 ) ( Updated as on July 27, 2023 ) ( Updated as on October 20, 2022 ) ( Updated as on August 02, 2022 ) ( Updated as on October 26, 2021 ) ( Updated as on June 11, 2021 ) ( Updated as on May 31, 2021 ) ( Updated as on April 29, 2021 ) The Chairman / Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer [All Commercial Banks including Regional Rural Banks, Small Finance Banks, Local Area Banks and Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks other than Salary Earners’ Banks] Madam/Dear Sir, Master Directions – Priority Sector Lending (PSL) – Targets and Classification. The Reserve Bank of India has, from time to time, issued a number of instructions / guidelines to banks relating to Priority Sector Lending. The Master Directions enclosed incorporate the updated instructions / guidelines on the subject. The list of circulars consolidated in this Master Direction is indicated in the Appendix . Yours faithfully, ( Nisha Nambiar ) Chief General Manager-in-Charge INDEX Para No. Particulars CHAPTER – I: PRELIMINARY 1. Short Title and Commencement 2. Applicability 3. Definitions/ Clarifications CHAPTER – II: CATEGORIES AND TARGETS UNDER PRIORITY SECTOR 4. Categories under Priority Sector 5. Targets /Sub-targets for Priority Sector 6. Computation of Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) 7. Adjustments for weights in PSL Achievement CHAPTER – III: DESCRIPTION OF ELIGIBLE CATEGORIES UNDER PRIORITY SECTOR 8. Agriculture 9. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) 10. Export Credit 11. Education 12. Housing 13. Social Infrastructure 14. Renewable Energy 15. Others 16. Weaker Sections CHAPTER – IV: MISCELLANEOUS 17. Investments by Banks in Securitisation Notes 18. Transfer of Assets through Direct Assignment /Outright Purchase 19. Inter Bank Participation Certificates (IBPCs) 20. Priority Sector Lending Certificates (PSLCs) 21. Bank loans to MFIs (NBFC-MFIs, Societies, Trusts, etc.) for On-Lending 22. Bank loans to NBFCs for On-Lending 23. Bank loans to HFCs for On-Lending 24. Limits on On-Lending 25. Co-lending by Banks and NBFCs to priority sector 26. COVID19 measures for PSL 27. Monitoring of Priority Sector Lending Targets 28. Non-achievement of Priority Sector Targets 29. Common guidelines for Priority Sector Loans ANNEX – I A: List of Districts with comparatively high PSL Credit ANNEX – I B: List of Districts with comparatively low PSL Credit ANNEX – II: Indicative list of eligible activities under Agriculture Infrastructure and Ancillary activities ANNEX – III: Indicative list of Permissible Activities under Food Processing Sector as shared by MoFPI ANNEX – IV: Calculation of Priority Sector Achievement APPENDIX – List of Circulars Consolidated Master Directions- Reserve Bank of India (Priority Sector Lending – Targets and Classification) Directions, 2020 In exercise of the powers conferred by Sections 21 and 35A read with Section 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the Reserve Bank of India, being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby, issues the Directions hereinafter specified. CHAPTER – I PRELIMINARY 1. Short Title and Commencement 1.1 These Directions shall be called the Reserve Bank of India (Priority Sector Lending – Targets and Classification) Directions, 2020. 1.2 These Directions shall come into effect on the day they are placed on the official website of the Reserve Bank of India. 2. Applicability The provisions of these Directions shall apply to every Commercial Bank [including Regional Rural Bank (RRB), Small Finance Bank (SFB), Local Area Bank] and Primary (Urban) Co-operative Bank (UCB) other than Salary Earners’ Bank. 3. Definitions/ Clarifications 3.1 In these Directions, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms herein shall bear the meanings assigned to them below: ‘Urban Co-operative Bank’ or ‘UCB’ means a Primary Co-operative Bank as defined under Section 5(ccv) of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 read with Section 56 of the Act. “On-lending” means loans sanctioned by banks to eligible intermediaries for onward lending for creation of priority sector assets. The average maturity of priority sector assets thus created by the eligible intermediaries should be co-terminus with maturity of the bank loan. Contingent liabilities/off-balance sheet items do not form part of priority sector achievement. However, foreign banks with less than 20 branches have an option to reckon the Credit Equivalent of Off-Balance Sheet Exposures (CEOBE) extended to borrowers for eligible priority sector activities for achievement of priority sector target, subject to the condition that the CEOBE (both priority sector and non-priority sector excluding interbank exposure) should be added to the Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) in the denominator for computation of PSL targets. Off-balance sheet interbank exposures are excluded for computing CEOBE for the priority sector targets. The term “all-inclusive interest” includes interest (effective annual interest), processing fees and service charges. 3.2 All other expressions, unless defined herein, shall have the same meaning as has been assigned to them under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 or the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 or any statutory modification or re-enactment thereto or as used in commercial parlance, as the case may be. 3.3 Banks must ensure that loans extended under priority sector are for approved purposes and the end use is continuously monitored. The banks should put in place proper internal controls and systems in this regard. CHAPTER – II CATEGORIES AND TARGETS UNDER PRIORITY SECTOR 4. The categories under priority sector are as follows: Agriculture Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Export Credit Education Housing Social Infrastructure Renewable Energy Others The details of eligible activities under the above categories are specified in Chapter III . 5. Targets /Sub-targets for Priority sector 5.1 The targets and sub-targets set under priority sector lending, to be computed on the basis of the ANBC/ CEOBE as applicable as on the corresponding date of the preceding year, are as under: Categories Domestic commercial banks (excl. RRBs & SFBs) & foreign banks with 20 branches and above Foreign banks with less than 20 branches Regional Rural Banks Small Finance Banks Total Priority Sector 40 per cent of ANBC as computed in para 6 below or CEOBE whichever is higher 40 per cent of ANBC as computed in para 6 below or CEOBE whichever is higher; out of which up to 32% can be in the form of lending to Exports and not less than 8% can be to any other priority sector 75 per cent of ANBC as computed in para 6 below or CEOBE whichever is higher; However, lending to Medium Enterprises, Social Infrastructure and Renewable Energy shall be reckoned for priority sector achievement only up to 15 per cent of ANBC. 75 per cent of ANBC as computed in para 6 below or CEOBE whichever is higher. Agriculture 18 per cent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher; out of which a target of 10 percent # is prescribed for Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) Not applicable 18 per cent ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher; out of which a target of 10 percent # is prescribed for SMFs 18 per cent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher; out of which a target of 10 percent # is prescribed for SMFs Micro Enterprises 7.5 per cent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher Not applicable 7.5 per cent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher 7.5 per cent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher Advances to Weaker Sections 12 percent # of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher Not applicable 15 per cent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher 12 percent # of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher # Revised targets for SMFs and Weaker Section will be implemented in a phased manner as indicated in para 5.2 5.2 The targets for lending to SMFs and for Weaker Sections shall be revised upwards from FY 2021-22 onwards as follows: Financial Year Small and Marginal Farmers target * Weaker Sections target ^ 2020-21 8% 10% 2021-22 9% 11% 2022-23 9.5% 11.5% 2023-24 10% 12% * Not applicable to UCBs ^ Weaker Sections target for RRBs will continue to be 15% of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher. 5.3 UCBs shall comply with the stipulated targets as under: Categories Primary Urban Co-operative Banks Total Priority Sector 60 percent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher, from FY2024-25 onwards, with interim targets for the previous financial years as under: FY2019-20 FY2020-21 FY2021-22 FY2022-23 FY2023-24 40% 45% 50% 60% 60% Micro Enterprises 7.5 per cent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher Advances to Weaker Sections 12 per cent of ANBC or CEOBE, whichever is higher. The revised targets for weaker sections will be implemented in a phased manner as indicated below: FY2019-20 FY2020-21 FY2021-22 FY2022-23 FY2023-24 FY2024-25 FY2025-26 10.00% 11.00% 11.50% 11.50% 11.50% 11.75% 12.00% 5.4 All domestic banks (other than UCBs) and foreign banks with more than 20 branches are directed to ensure that the overall lending to Non-Corporate Farmers (NCFs) does not fall below the system-wide average of the last three years’ achievement which will be separately notified every year. The applicable target for lending to the non-corporate farmers for FY 2022-23 will be 13.78% of ANBC or CEOBE whichever is higher . All efforts should be made by banks to increase the Farm Credit (as per para 8.1) higher than the NCF target. 6. Computation of Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) 6.1 For the purpose of priority sector lending, ANBC denotes the outstanding Bank Credit in India [As prescribed in item No.VI of Form ‘A’ under Section 42 (2) of the RBI Act, 1934] and computed as follows: Bank Credit in India [As prescribed in item No.VI of Form `A’ under Section 42(2) of the RBI Act, 1934] I Bills Rediscounted with RBI and other approved Financial Institutions II Net Bank Credit (NBC)* III(I-II) Outstanding Deposits under RIDF and other eligible funds with NABARD, NHB, SIDBI and MUDRA Ltd in lieu of non-achievement of priority sector lending targets/sub-targets + outstanding PSLCs IV Eligible amount for exemptions on issuance of long-term bonds for infrastructure and affordable housing as per circular DBOD.BP.BC. No.25/08.12.014/2014-15 dated July 15, 2014 V Advances extended in India against the incremental FCNR (B)/NRE deposits, qualifying for exemption from CRR/SLR requirements, as per the Reserve Bank’s circulars DBOD.No.Ret.BC.36/12.01.001/2013-14 dated August 14, 2013 read with DBOD.No.Ret.BC.93/12.01.001/2013-14 dated January 31, 2014 , DBOD mailbox clarification issued on February 6, 2014 and UBD.BPD.(PCB).CIR.No.5/13.01.000/2013-14 dated August 27, 2013 read with UBD.BPD.(PCB).Cir.No.72/13.01.000/2013-14 dated June 11, 2014 . VI Investments made by public sector banks in the Recapitalization Bonds floated by Government of India VII Other investments eligible to be treated as priority sector (e.g. investments in securitisation notes ) VIII Face Value of securities acquired and kept under HTM category under the TLTRO 2.0 ( Press Release 2019-2020/2237 dated April 17, 2020 read with Q.11 of FAQ and SLF-MF- Press Release 2019-2020/2276 dated April 27, 2020 and also Extended Regulatory Benefits under SLF-MF Scheme vide Press Release 2019-2020/2294 dated April 30, 2020 . IX Bonds/debentures in Non-SLR categories under HTM category X For UCBs: investments made after August 30, 2007 in permitted non SLR bonds held under ‘Held to Maturity’ (HTM) category XI ANBC (Other than UCBs) III + IV- (V+VI+VII) +VIII - IX + X ANBC for UCBs III + IV - VI - IX + XI * For the purpose of priority sector computation only. Banks should not deduct / net any amount like provisions, accrued interest, etc. from NBC. 6.2 For the purpose of calculation of CEOBE, banks shall be guided by the Master Circular on Exposure Norms issued by Department of Regulation, RBI vide DBR.No.Dir.BC.12/13.03.00/ 2015-16 dated July 1, 2015 and as updated from time to time. UCBs shall be guided by the relevant provisions of the Master Circular dated July 1, 2015 on ‘Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy - UCBs’ issued by Reserve Bank of India. 6.3 SFBs shall be further guided by Para 6.5 (ii to vii) of the Operating Guidelines for Small Finance Banks issued by Department of Regulation ( RBI/2016-17/81 DBR.NBD. No.26/16.13.218/2016-17 dated October 06, 2016 ), pertaining to treatment of grandfathered loans, for computation of ANBC. 6.4 While calculating Net Bank Credit as above, if banks subtract prudential write off at Corporate/Head Office level, it must be ensured that the credit to priority sector and all other sub-sectors so written off should also be subtracted category wise from priority sector and sub-target achievement. Wherever, investments or any other items which are treated as eligible for classification under priority sector target/sub-target achievement, the same should also form part of Adjusted Net Bank Credit. 6.5 All the banks have to adhere to the respective licencing guidelines and operating guidelines issued by the Department of Regulation, RBI and updated from time to time 7. Adjustments for weights in PSL Achievement To address regional disparities in the flow of priority sector credit at the district level, it was decided to rank districts on the basis of per capita credit flow to priority sector and build an incentive framework for districts with comparatively lower flow of credit and a dis-incentive framework for districts with comparatively higher flow of priority sector credit. With effect from FY 2024-25, a higher weight (125%) shall be assigned to the incremental priority sector credit in the identified districts where the credit flow is comparatively lower (per capita PSL less than ₹9,000), and a lower weight (90%) will be assigned for incremental priority sector credit in the identified districts where the credit flow is comparatively higher (per capita PSL greater than ₹42,000). The list of both categories of districts is given in Annexes IA and IB and will be valid up to FY 2026-27. The districts other than those mentioned in Annexes IA and IB will continue to have existing weightage of 100%. The banks should continue to report the actual outstanding amount in QPSA returns as hitherto. Adjustments for weights to incremental PSL credit will be done by RBI, based on reporting of district wise credit flow to FIDD, CO through the ADEPT database. RRBs, UCBs, LABs and foreign banks (including WoS) would be exempted from adjustments of weights in PSL achievement due to their currently limited area of operation/catering to a niche segment. CHAPTER – III DESCRIPTION OF ELIGIBLE CATEGORIES UNDER PRIORITY SECTOR 8. Agriculture The lending to agriculture sector will include Farm Credit (Agriculture and Allied Activities), lending for Agriculture Infrastructure and Ancillary Activities. 8.1 Farm Credit - Individual farmers Loans to individual farmers [including Self Help Groups (SHGs) or Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) i.e. groups of individual farmers, provided banks maintain disaggregated data of such loans] and Proprietorship firms of farmers, directly engaged in Agriculture and Allied Activities, viz. dairy, fishery, animal husbandry, poultry, bee-keeping and sericulture. This will include: Crop loans including loans for traditional/non-traditional plantations, horticulture and allied activities. Medium and long-term loans for agriculture and allied activities (e.g. purchase of agricultural implements and machinery and developmental loans for allied activities). Loans for pre and post-harvest activities viz. spraying, harvesting, grading and transporting of their own farm produce. Loans to distressed farmers indebted to non-institutional lenders. Loans under the Kisan Credit Card Scheme. Loans to small and marginal farmers for purchase of land for agricultural purposes. Loans against pledge/hypothecation of agricultural produce (including warehouse receipts) for a period not exceeding 12 months subject to a limit up to ₹75 lakh against NWRs/eNWRs and up to ₹50 lakh against warehouse receipts other than NWRs/eNWRs. Loans to farmers for installation of stand-alone Solar Agriculture Pumps and for solarisation of grid connected Agriculture Pumps. Loans to farmers for installation of solar power plants on barren/fallow land or in stilt fashion on agriculture land owned by farmer. 8.2 Farm Credit - Corporate farmers, Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs)/(FPC) Companies of Individual Farmers, Partnership firms and Co-operatives of farmers engaged in Agriculture and Allied Activities (a) Loans for the following activities will be subject to an aggregate limit of ₹2 crore per borrowing entity: Crop loans to farmers which will include traditional/non-traditional plantations and horticulture and loans for allied activities. Medium and long-term loans for agriculture and allied activities (e.g. purchase of agricultural implements and machinery and developmental loans for allied activities). Loans for pre and post-harvest activities viz. spraying, harvesting, grading and transporting of their own farm produce. (b) Loans up to ₹75 lakh against pledge/hypothecation of agricultural produce (including warehouse receipts) for a period not exceeding 12 months against NWRs/eNWRs and up to ₹50 lakh against warehouse receipts other than NWRs/eNWRs. (c) Loans up to ₹5 crore per borrowing entity to FPOs/FPCs undertaking farming with assured marketing of their produce at a pre-determined price. (d) UCBs are not permitted to lend to co-operatives of farmers. 8.3 Agriculture Infrastructure Loans for agriculture infrastructure will be subject to an aggregate sanctioned limit of ₹100 crore per borrower from the banking system. List of activities is furnished in Annex II . 8.4 Ancillary Services 8.4.1 Following loans under ancillary services will be subject to limits prescribed as under: Loans up to ₹5 crore to co-operative societies of farmers for purchase of the produce of members (Not applicable to UCBs) Loans up to ₹50 crore to Start-ups, as per definition of Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India that are engaged in agriculture and allied services. Loans for Food and Agro-processing up to an aggregate sanctioned limit of ₹100 crore per borrower from the banking system. 8.4.2 Outstanding deposits under RIDF and other eligible funds with NABARD on account of priority sector shortfall. 8.4.3 The eligible activities under ancillary services and food processing is given in Annex II and Annex III , respectively. 8.5 Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) For the purpose of computation of achievement of the sub-target, Small and Marginal Farmers will include the following: Farmers with landholding of up to 1 hectare (Marginal Farmers). Farmers with a landholding of more than 1 hectare and up to 2 hectares (Small Farmers). Landless agricultural labourers, tenant farmers, oral lessees and share-croppers whose share of landholding is within the limits prescribed for SMFs. Loans to Self Help Groups (SHGs) or Joint Liability Groups (JLGs), i.e. groups of individual SMFs directly engaged in Agriculture and Allied Activities, provided banks maintain disaggregated data of such loans. Loans up to ₹2 lakh to individuals solely engaged in Allied activities without any accompanying land holding criteria. Loans to FPOs/FPC of individual farmers and co-operatives of farmers directly engaged in Agriculture and Allied Activities where the land-holding share of SMFs is not less than 75 per cent, subject to loan limits prescribed in para 8.2. UCBs are not permitted to lend to co-operatives of farmers. 8.6 Lending by banks to NBFCs and MFIs for on-lending in agriculture Bank credit extended to registered NBFC-MFIs and other MFIs (Societies, Trusts etc.) which are members of RBI recognised SRO for the sector, for on-lending to individuals and also to members of SHGs / JLGs will be eligible for categorisation as priority sector advance under respective categories of agriculture subject to conditions specified in para 21 (not applicable to RRBs, UCBs, SFBs and LABs). Bank credit to registered NBFCs (other than MFIs) towards on-lending for ‘Term lending’ component under agriculture will be allowed up to ₹ 10 lakh per borrower subject to conditions specified in para 22 and 24 (not applicable to RRBs, UCBs, SFBs and LABs). 9. Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) The definition of MSMEs shall be as given in the Master Direction – Lending to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Sector FIDD.MSME & NFS.12/06.02.31/2017-18 dated July 24, 2017 as updated from time to time.  All bank loans to MSMEs shall qualify for classification under priority sector lending. 9.1 Factoring Transactions (not applicable to RRBs and UCBs) ‘With Recourse’ Factoring transactions by banks which carry out the business of factoring departmentally wherever the ‘assignor’ is a Micro, Small or Medium Enterprise would be eligible for classification under MSME category on the reporting dates. In terms of paragraph 9 of Circular DBR.No.FSD.BC.32/24.01.007/2015-16 dated July 30, 2015 on ‘Provision of Factoring Services by Banks- Review’, inter-alia, the borrower’s bank shall obtain from the borrower, periodical certificates regarding factored receivables to avoid double financing/ counting. Further, the ‘factors’ must intimate the limits sanctioned to the borrower and details of debts factored to the banks concerned, taking responsibility to avoid double financing. Factoring transactions pertaining to MSMEs taking place through the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS) shall also be eligible for classification under priority sector. 9.2 Khadi and Village Industries Sector (KVI) All loans to units in the KVI sector will be eligible for classification under the sub-target of 7.5 percent prescribed for Micro Enterprises under priority sector. 9.3 Other Finance to MSMEs Loans up to ₹50 crore to Start-ups, as per definition of Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India that conform to the definition of MSME as per Para 9. Loans to entities involved in assisting the decentralized sector in the supply of inputs and marketing of output of artisans, village and cottage industries. In respect of UCBs, the term “entities” shall not include institutions to which UCBs are not permitted to lend under the RBI guidelines / the legal framework governing their functioning. Loans to co-operatives of producers in the decentralized sector viz. artisans, village and cottage industries (Not applicable for UCBs). Loans sanctioned by banks to NBFC-MFIs and other MFIs (Societies, Trusts etc.) which are members of RBI recognised SRO for the sector for on-lending to MSME sector as per the conditions specified in paragraph 21 of these Master Directions (not applicable to RRBs, SFBs and UCBs) Loans to registered NBFCs (other than MFIs) for on-lending to Micro & Small Enterprises as per conditions specified in para 22 of these Master Directions (not applicable to RRBs, SFBs and UCBs) Credit outstanding under General Credit Cards (including Artisan Credit Card, Laghu Udyami Card, Swarojgar Credit Card and Weaver’s Card etc. in existence and catering to the non-farm entrepreneurial credit needs of individuals). Overdraft to Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) account holders as per limits and conditions prescribed by Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance from time to time, will qualify as achievement of the target for lending to Micro Enterprises. Outstanding deposits with SIDBI and MUDRA Ltd. on account of priority sector shortfall. 10. Export Credit (not applicable to RRBs and LABs) Export credit under agriculture and MSME sectors are allowed to be classified as PSL in the respective categories viz. agriculture and MSME. Export Credit (other than in agriculture and MSME) will be allowed to be classified as priority sector as per the following table: Domestic banks / WoS of Foreign banks/ SFBs/ UCBs Foreign banks with 20 branches and above Foreign banks with less than 20 branches Incremental export credit over corresponding date of the preceding year, up to 2 per cent of ANBC or CEOBE whichever is higher, subject to a sanctioned limit of up to ₹ 40 crore per borrower. Incremental export credit over corresponding date of the preceding year, up to 2 percent of ANBC or CEOBE whichever is higher. Export credit up to 32 per cent of ANBC or CEOBE whichever is higher. 10.1 Export credit includes pre-shipment and post-shipment export credit (excluding off-balance sheet items) as defined in Master Circular on Rupee / Foreign Currency Export Credit and Customer Service to Exporters issued by Department of Regulation, RBI vide DBR No.DIR.BC.14/04.02.002/2015-16 dated July 1, 2015 and updated from time to time. 11. Education Loans to individuals for educational purposes, including vocational courses, not exceeding ₹ 20 lakh will be considered as eligible for priority sector classification. Loans currently classified as priority sector will continue till maturity. 12. Housing 12.1 Bank loans to Housing sector as per limits prescribed below are eligible for priority sector classification: Loans to individuals up to ₹35 lakh in metropolitan centres (with population of ten lakh and above) and up to ₹25 lakh in other centres for purchase/construction of a dwelling unit per family provided the overall cost of the dwelling unit in the metropolitan centre and at other centres does not exceed ₹45 lakh and ₹30 lakh respectively. Existing individual housing loans of UCBs presently classified under PSL will continue as PSL till maturity or repayment. Housing loans to banks’ own employees will not be eligible for classification under the priority sector. Since Housing loans which are backed by long term bonds are exempted from ANBC, banks should not classify such loans under priority sector. Investments made by UCBs in bonds issued by NHB / HUDCO on or after April 1, 2007 shall not be eligible for classification under priority sector. 12.2 Loans up to ₹10 lakh in metropolitan centres and up to ₹6 lakh in other centres for repairs to damaged dwelling units conforming to the overall cost of the dwelling unit as prescribed in para 12.1. 12.3 Bank loans to any governmental agency for construction of dwelling units or for slum clearance and rehabilitation of slum dwellers subject to dwelling units with carpet area of not more than 60 sq.m. 12.4 Bank loans for affordable housing projects using at least 50% of FAR/FSI for dwelling units with carpet area of not more than 60 sq.m. 12.5 Bank loans to HFCs (approved by NHB for their refinance) for on-lending, up to ₹20 lakh for individual borrowers, for purchase/construction/ reconstruction of individual dwelling units or for slum clearance and rehabilitation of slum dwellers, subject to conditions specified in para 23 and 24. 12.6 Outstanding deposits with NHB on account of priority sector shortfall. 13. Social Infrastructure Bank loans to social infrastructure sector as per limits prescribed below are eligible for priority sector classification 13.1 . Bank loans up to a limit of ₹5 crore per borrower for setting up schools, drinking water facilities and sanitation facilities including construction/ refurbishment of household toilets and water improvements at household level, etc. and loans up to a limit of ₹10 crore per borrower for building health care facilities including under ‘Ayushman Bharat’ in Tier II to Tier VI centres. In case of UCBs, the above limits are applicable only in centres having a population of less than one lakh. 13.2. # Bank loans to MFIs extended for on-lending to individuals and also to members of SHGs/JLGs for water and sanitation facilities subject to the criteria laid down in paragraph 21 of these Master Directions. # not applicable to RRBs, UCBs and SFBs. 14. Renewable Energy Bank loans up to a limit of ₹30 crore to borrowers for purposes like solar based power generators, biomass-based power generators, wind mills, micro-hydel plants and for non-conventional energy based public utilities, viz., street lighting systems and remote village electrification etc., will be eligible for Priority Sector classification. For individual households, the loan limit will be ₹10 lakh per borrower. 15. Others The following loans as per the prescribed limits are eligible for priority sector classification: 15.1 . Loans provided directly by banks to individuals and individual members of SHG/JLG satisfying the criteria as prescribed in Master Direction on Regulatory Framework for Microfinance Loans Directions, dated March 14, 2022 . 15.2. Loans not exceeding ₹2.00 lakh provided by banks to SHG/JLG for activities other than agriculture or MSME, viz., loans for meeting social needs, construction or repair of house, construction of toilets or any viable common activity started by SHGs. 15.3. Loans to distressed persons [other than distressed farmers indebted to non-institutional lenders] not exceeding ₹1.00 lakh per borrower to prepay their debt to non-institutional lenders. 15.4. Loans sanctioned to State Sponsored Organisations for Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes for the specific purpose of purchase and supply of inputs and/or the marketing of the outputs of the beneficiaries of these organisations. 15.5. Loans up to ₹50 crore to Start-ups, as per definition of Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Govt. of India that are engaged in activities other than Agriculture or MSME. 16. Weaker Sections 16.1 Priority sector loans to the following borrowers will be considered as lending under Weaker Sections category: (i) Small and Marginal Farmers (ii) Artisans, village and cottage industries where individual credit limits do not exceed ₹1 lakh (iii) Beneficiaries under Government Sponsored Schemes such as National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) and Self Employment Scheme for Rehabilitation of Manual Scavengers (SRMS) (iv) Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (v) Beneficiaries of Differential Rate of Interest (DRI) scheme (vi) Self Help Groups (vii) Distressed farmers indebted to non-institutional lenders (viii) Distressed persons other than farmers, with loan amount not exceeding ₹1 lakh per borrower to prepay their debt to non-institutional lenders (ix) Individual women beneficiaries up to ₹1 lakh per borrower (For UCBs, existing loans to women will continue to be classified under weaker sections till their maturity/repayment.) (x) Persons with disabilities (xi) Minority communities as may be notified by Government of India from time to time. 16.2 Overdraft availed by PMJDY account holders as per limits and conditions prescribed by Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance from time to time may be classified under Weaker Sections. 16.3 In States, where one of the minority communities notified is, in fact, in majority, item (xi) will cover only the other notified minorities. These States/ Union Territories are Punjab, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Lakshadweep and Jammu & Kashmir. CHAPTER IV MISCELLANEOUS 17. Investments by banks in securitisation notes (not applicable to RRBs and UCBs) Investments by banks in ‘ securitisation notes ’, representing loans to various categories of priority sector, except 'others' category, are eligible for classification under respective categories of priority sector depending on the underlying assets provided: The assets are originated by banks and financial institutions and are eligible to be classified as priority sector advances prior to securitisation and fulfil the Reserve Bank of India guidelines on ‘Securitisation of Standard Assets’ issued vide Master Directions DOR.STR.REC.53/21.04.177/2021-22 dated September 24, 2021 and updated from time to time. The all-inclusive interest charged to the ultimate borrower by the originating entity should not exceed the investing bank’s MCLR + 10% or EBLR + 14%. The investments in securitisation notes originated by MFIs, which comply with the guidelines in Paragraph 21 of these Master Directions are exempted from this interest cap as there are separate caps on margin and interest rate for MFIs. Investment by banks in securitisation notes with loans against gold jewellery originated by NBFCs as underlying, are not eligible for priority sector status. 18. Transfer of Assets through Direct Assignment /Outright purchase (not applicable to RRBs and UCBs) Assignment/outright purchase of pool of assets by banks representing loans under various categories of priority sector, except the ‘others’ category, will be eligible for classification under respective categories of priority sector provided: The assets are originated by banks and financial institutions which are eligible to be classified as priority sector advances prior to the purchase and fulfil the Reserve Bank of India guidelines on ‘Transfer of Loan Exposures’ issued vide Master Directions DOR.STR.REC.51/21.04.048/2021-22 dated September 24, 2021 and updated from time to time. The all-inclusive interest charged to the ultimate borrower by the originating entity should not exceed the investing bank’s MCLR + 10% or EBLR + 14%. The Assignments/Outright purchases of eligible priority sector loans from MFIs, which comply with the guidelines in Paragraph 21 of these Master Directions are exempted from this interest rate cap as there are separate caps on margin and interest rate for MFIs. When the bank undertakes outright purchase of loan assets (eligible to be classified under priority sector) from banks/ financial institutions, they must report the outstanding amount actually disbursed to priority sector borrowers and not the premium embedded amount paid to the seller. Loans against gold jewellery acquired by banks from NBFCs are not eligible for priority sector status. 19. Inter Bank Participation Certificates (IBPCs) (not applicable to UCBs) IBPCs bought by banks, on a risk sharing basis, are eligible for classification under respective categories of priority sector, provided the underlying assets are eligible to be categorized under the respective categories of priority sector and the banks fulfil the Reserve Bank of India guidelines on IBPCs issued vide circular DBOD.No.BP.BC.57/62-88 dated December 31, 1988 and updated from time to time. IBPCs bought by banks on risk sharing basis relating to ‘Export Credit’ as per Para 10, shall be classified from purchasing bank’s perspective for priority sector categorization. However, in such a scenario, the issuing bank shall certify that the underlying asset is ‘Export Credit’, in addition to the due diligence required to be undertaken by the issuing and the purchasing bank as per guidelines in this regard. 20. Priority Sector Lending Certificates (PSLCs) The outstanding PSLCs bought by banks will be eligible for classification under respective categories of priority sector provided the underlying assets originated by banks are eligible to be classified as priority sector advances and fulfil the Reserve Bank of India guidelines on Priority Sector Lending Certificates issued vide Circular FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.23/04.09.001/2015-16 dated April 7, 2016 read with Circular FIDD.CO.PSD.BC.No.12/04.09.001/2024-25 dated March 24, 2025 . SFBs shall further be guided by the terms and conditions specified in Para 1.9 of DBR circular No. DBR.NBD.26/16.13.218/2016-17 dated October 6, 2016 on credit risk transfer and portfolio sales/purchases. 21. Bank loans to MFIs (NBFC-MFIs, Societies, Trusts, etc.) for on-lending (not applicable to RRBs, UCBs and LABs) 21.1 Banks other than SFBs are allowed to extend credit to registered NBFC-MFIs and other MFIs (Societies, Trusts etc.) which are members of RBI recognised SRO for the sector, for on-lending to individuals and also to members of SHGs / JLGs. 21.2 With effect from May 5, 2021 , SFBs are allowed to extend fresh credit to registered NBFC-MFIs and other MFIs (Societies, Trusts, etc.) which are members of RBI recognised ‘Self-Regulatory Organisation’ of the sector, and which have a ‘gross loan portfolio’ (GLP) of up to ₹500 crore as on March 31 of the previous year , for the purpose of on-lending to individuals. In case the GLP of the NBFC-MFIs/other MFIs exceeds the stipulated limit at a later date, all priority sector loans created prior to exceeding the GLP limit will continue to be classified by the SFBs as PSL till repayment/maturity, whichever is earlier. Bank credit as above will be allowed up to an overall limit of 10 percent of an individual bank’s total priority sector lending. These limits shall be computed by averaging across four quarters of the financial year, to determine adherence to the prescribed cap. 21.3 Loans disbursed by banks under para 21.1 and 21.2 above are eligible for categorisation as priority sector advance under respective categories viz., Agriculture, MSME, Social Infrastructure and Others, provided the MFIs adhere to the conditions prescribed in Chapter II (xx) and Chapter VIII of Master Directions DNBR PD.007 and Chapter II (xx) and Chapter IX of Master Directions DNBR PD.008/03.10.119/2016-17 dated September 1, 2016 , as updated from time to time. 22. Bank loans to NBFCs for on-lending (not applicable to RRBs, UCBs, SFBs and LABs) Bank credit to registered NBFCs (other than MFIs) for on-lending will be eligible for classification as priority sector under respective categories subject to the following conditions: Agriculture: On-lending by NBFCs for ‘Term lending’ component under Agriculture will be allowed up to ₹ 10 lakh per borrower. Micro & Small enterprises: On-lending by NBFC will be allowed up to ₹ 20 lakh per borrower. 23. Bank loans to HFCs for on-lending (not applicable to RRBs, SFBs and LABs) Bank credit to Housing Finance Companies (HFCs), approved by NHB for their refinance, for on-lending for the purpose of purchase/construction/ reconstruction of individual dwelling units or for slum clearance and rehabilitation of slum dwellers, subject to an aggregate loan limit of ₹20 lakh per borrower. Banks should maintain necessary borrower-wise details of the underlying portfolio. 24. Cap on On-lending Bank credit to NBFCs (including HFCs) for on-lending as applicable in para 22 and 23 above, will be allowed up to an overall limit of five percent of individual bank’s total priority sector lending. Banks shall compute the eligible portfolio under on-lending mechanism by averaging across four quarters, to determine adherence to the prescribed cap. 25. Co-lending by Banks and NBFCs to priority sector (not applicable to RRBs, UCBs, SFBs and LABs) All Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding SFBs, RRBs, UCBs and LABs) are permitted to co-lend with all registered Non-Banking Financial Companies (including Housing Finance Companies) for lending to the priority sector. Detailed guidelines, in this regard, have been issued vide our circular FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.No.8/04.09.01/2020-21 dated November 5, 2020 . For the sake of business continuity and to ensure uninterrupted flow of credit to the priority sector, banks may continue existing arrangement as per earlier guidelines on co-origination, issued vide our circular No. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC/08/04.09.01/2018-19 dated September 21, 2018 , till the Board approved co-lending policy is put in place by them. 26. COVID19 measures for PSL In terms of the press release 2019-2020/2237 dated April 17, 2020 notifying the TLTRO 2.0 scheme, banks were allowed to exclude the face value of such securities kept in the HTM category from computation of adjusted net bank credit (ANBC) for the purpose of determining priority sector targets/sub-targets as shown in para 6.1. This exemption is only applicable to the funds availed under TLTRO 2.0. In terms of press release 2019-2020/2276 dated April 27, 2020 , the face value of securities acquired under the SLF-MF and kept in the HTM category will not be reckoned for computation of adjusted net bank credit (ANBC) for the purpose of determining priority sector targets/sub-targets as shown in para 6.1. In terms of press release 2019-2020/2294 dated April 30, 2020 , the regulatory benefits announced under the SLF-MF scheme will be extended to all banks, irrespective of whether they avail funding from the Reserve Bank or deploy their own resources under the above-mentioned scheme and the same can be reckoned for computation of adjusted net bank credit (ANBC) for the purpose of determining priority sector targets/sub-targets as shown in para 6.1. In terms of press release: 2021-2022/177 dated May 7, 2021 , an on-tap liquidity window of ₹50,000 crore with tenors of up to three years at the repo rate till March 31, 2022 has been opened to boost provision of immediate liquidity for ramping up COVID-related healthcare infrastructure and services in the country. Banks are expected to create a COVID loan book under the scheme. These loans will continue to be classified under priority sector till repayment or maturity, whichever is earlier. Banks may deliver these loans to borrowers directly or through intermediary financial entities regulated by the RBI. Banks desirous of deploying their own resources without availing funds from the RBI under the scheme for lending to the specified segments mentioned above will also be eligible for the incentives stipulated as above. In terms of press release: 2021-2022/323 dated June 4, 2021 , a separate liquidity window of ₹15,000 crore with tenors of up to three years at the repo rate till March 31, 2022 has been opened for certain contact-intensive sectors i.e., hotels and restaurants; tourism - travel agents, tour operators and adventure/heritage facilities; aviation ancillary services - ground handling and supply chain; and other services that include private bus operators, car repair services, rent-a-car service providers, event/conference organisers, spa clinics, and beauty parlours/saloons. Banks are expected to create a separate COVID loan book under the scheme. Banks desirous of deploying their own resources without availing funds from the RBI under the scheme for lending to the specified segments mentioned above will also be eligible for this incentive. 27. Monitoring of Priority Sector Lending targets To ensure continuous flow of credit to priority sector, the compliance of banks will be monitored on ‘quarterly’ basis. The data on priority sector advances shall be furnished by banks to FIDD, Central Office at quarterly and annual intervals as per the reporting format ( quarterly and annual ) , within fifteen days and one month, respectively from the date of ending of each quarter and financial year in terms of circular FIDD.CO.Plan.CO.BC.No.17/04.09.001/2016-17 dated October 6, 2016 . In respect of RRBs, the data on priority sector advances, in the above format, shall be furnished to NABARD at quarterly and annual intervals. UCBs shall be guided by Master Direction – Reserve Bank of India (Filing of Supervisory Returns) Directions – 2024 dated February 27, 2024 , as updated from time to time, as regards submission of data on priority sector advances. 28. Non-achievement of Priority Sector targets Banks having any shortfall in lending to priority sector shall be allocated amounts for contribution to the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) established with NABARD and other funds with NABARD/NHB/SIDBI/ MUDRA Ltd., as decided by the Reserve Bank from time to time. With effect from March 31, 2023, all UCBs (excluding those under all-inclusive directions) will be required to contribute to Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) established with NABARD and other funds with NABARD / NHB / SIDBI / MUDRA Ltd., against their priority sector lending (PSL) shortfall vis-à-vis the prescribed target. While computing priority sector target achievement, shortfall / excess lending for each quarter will be monitored separately. A simple average of all quarters will be arrived at and considered for computation of overall shortfall / excess at the end of the year. The same method will be followed for calculating the achievement of priority sector sub-targets. (Illustration given in Annex IV ). The interest rates on banks’ contribution to RIDF or any other funds, tenure of deposits, etc. shall be fixed by Reserve Bank of India from time to time. The mis-classifications reported by the Reserve Bank’s Department of Supervision (DoS) (NABARD in respect of RRBs) would be adjusted/ reduced from the achievement of that year, to which the amount of misclassification pertains, for allocation to various funds in subsequent years. Non-achievement of priority sector targets and sub-targets will be taken into account while granting regulatory clearances/approvals for various purposes. 29. Common guidelines for priority sector loans Banks should comply with the following common guidelines for all categories of advances under the priority sector. Rate of interest: The rates of interest on bank loans will be as per directives issued by Department of Regulation (DoR), RBI from time to time. Service charges: No loan related and ad hoc service charges/inspection charges should be levied on priority sector loans up to ₹25,000. In the case of eligible priority sector loans to SHGs/ JLGs, this limit will be applicable per member and not to the group as a whole. Receipt, Sanction/Rejection/Disbursement Register: A register/ electronic record should be maintained by the bank wherein the date of receipt, sanction/rejection/disbursement with reasons thereof, etc. should be recorded. The register/electronic record should be made available to all inspecting agencies. Issue of acknowledgement of loan applications: Banks should provide acknowledgement for loan applications received under priority sector loans. Bank Boards should prescribe a time limit within which the bank communicates its decision in writing to the applicants. ANNEX – I A List of Districts with comparatively high PSL credit Sl.No State District name 1 Andaman & Nicobar Islands South Andaman 2 Andhra Pradesh Bapatla 3 Andhra Pradesh Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema 4 Andhra Pradesh East Godavari 5 Andhra Pradesh Eluru 6 Andhra Pradesh Guntur 7 Andhra Pradesh Kakinada 8 Andhra Pradesh Krishna 9 Andhra Pradesh NTR 10 Andhra Pradesh Palnadu 11 Andhra Pradesh Prakasam 12 Andhra Pradesh Sri Potti Sriramulu Nellore 13 Andhra Pradesh Tirupati 14 Andhra Pradesh Visakhapatnam 15 Andhra Pradesh West Godavari 16 Andhra Pradesh Y.S.R. 17 Arunachal Pradesh Papumpare 18 Assam Kamrup Metropolitan 19 Bihar Patna 20 Chandigarh Chandigarh 21 Chhattisgarh Bilaspur 22 Chhattisgarh Raipur 23 Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Dadra & Nagar Haveli 24 Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu Daman 25 Goa North Goa 26 Goa South Goa 27 Gujarat Ahmedabad 28 Gujarat Bharuch 29 Gujarat Gandhinagar 30 Gujarat Jamnagar 31 Gujarat Kachchh 32 Gujarat Mahesana 33 Gujarat Morbi 34 Gujarat Porbandar 35 Gujarat Rajkot 36 Gujarat Surat 37 Gujarat Vadodara 38 Gujarat Valsad 39 Haryana Ambala 40 Haryana Faridabad 41 Haryana Fatehabad 42 Haryana Gurugram 43 Haryana Hisar 44 Haryana Jhajjar 45 Haryana Jind 46 Haryana Kaithal 47 Haryana Karnal 48 Haryana Kurukshetra 49 Haryana Panchkula 50 Haryana Panipat 51 Haryana Rewari 52 Haryana Rohtak 53 Haryana Sirsa 54 Haryana Sonipat 55 Haryana Yamunanagar 56 Himachal Pradesh Kulu 57 Himachal Pradesh Shimla 58 Himachal Pradesh Sirmaur 59 Himachal Pradesh Solan 60 Jammu and Kashmir Jammu 61 Jammu and Kashmir Pulwama 62 Jammu and Kashmir Shopian 63 Jammu and Kashmir Srinagar 64 Jharkhand Ranchi 65 Karnataka Bengaluru Rural 66 Karnataka Bengaluru Urban 67 Karnataka Chikkamagaluru 68 Karnataka Dakshin Kannad 69 Karnataka Dharwad 70 Karnataka Hassan 71 Karnataka Kodagu 72 Karnataka Mysuru 73 Karnataka Ramanagara 74 Karnataka Shivamogga 75 Karnataka Udipi 76 Kerala Alapuzha 77 Kerala Ernakulam 78 Kerala Idukki 79 Kerala Kannur 80 Kerala Kasaragod 81 Kerala Kollam 82 Kerala Kottayam 83 Kerala Kozhikode 84 Kerala Palakkad 85 Kerala Pathanamthitta 86 Kerala Thiruvananthapuram 87 Kerala Thrissur 88 Kerala Wayanad 89 Ladakh Leh Ladakh 90 Madhya Pradesh Bhopal 91 Madhya Pradesh East Nimar 92 Madhya Pradesh Gwalior 93 Madhya Pradesh Harda 94 Madhya Pradesh Indore 95 Madhya Pradesh Jabalpur 96 Madhya Pradesh Narmadapuram 97 Madhya Pradesh Ratlam 98 Madhya Pradesh Ujjain 99 Maharashtra Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar 100 Maharashtra Kolhapur 101 Maharashtra Mumbai 102 Maharashtra Mumbai Suburban 103 Maharashtra Nagpur 104 Maharashtra Nasik 105 Maharashtra Pune 106 Maharashtra Raigad 107 Maharashtra Thane 108 NCT of Delhi Central Delhi 109 NCT of Delhi East Delhi 110 NCT of Delhi New Delhi 111 NCT of Delhi North Delhi 112 NCT of Delhi Shahdara 113 NCT of Delhi South Delhi 114 NCT of Delhi South-East Delhi 115 NCT of Delhi West Delhi 116 Odisha Khurda 117 Puducherry Karaikal 118 Puducherry Mahe 119 Puducherry Puducherry 120 Puducherry Yanam 121 Punjab Amritsar 122 Punjab Barnala 123 Punjab Bathinda 124 Punjab Faridkot 125 Punjab Fatehgarh Sahib 126 Punjab Fazilka 127 Punjab Jalandhar 128 Punjab Kapurthala 129 Punjab Ludhiana 130 Punjab Mansa 131 Punjab Moga 132 Punjab Muktsar 133 Punjab Patiala 134 Punjab Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar 135 Punjab Sangrur 136 Rajasthan Ajmer 137 Rajasthan Bhilwara 138 Rajasthan Bikaner 139 Rajasthan Ganganagar 140 Rajasthan Hanumangarh 141 Rajasthan Jaipur 142 Rajasthan Jodhpur 143 Rajasthan Kota 144 Rajasthan Neem Ka Thana 145 Tamil Nadu Ariyalur 146 Tamil Nadu Chengalpattu 147 Tamil Nadu Chennai 148 Tamil Nadu Coimbatore 149 Tamil Nadu Cuddalore 150 Tamil Nadu Dharmapuri 151 Tamil Nadu Dindigul 152 Tamil Nadu Erode 153 Tamil Nadu Kallakurichi 154 Tamil Nadu Kanyakumari 155 Tamil Nadu Karur 156 Tamil Nadu Krishnagiri 157 Tamil Nadu Madurai 158 Tamil Nadu Mayiladuthurai 159 Tamil Nadu Namakkal 160 Tamil Nadu Nilgiris 161 Tamil Nadu Perambalur 162 Tamil Nadu Pudukkottai 163 Tamil Nadu Ramanathapuram 164 Tamil Nadu Ranipet 165 Tamil Nadu Salem 166 Tamil Nadu Sivaganga 167 Tamil Nadu Tenkasi 168 Tamil Nadu Thanjavur 169 Tamil Nadu Theni 170 Tamil Nadu Thiruvallur 171 Tamil Nadu Thiruvarur 172 Tamil Nadu Tiruchirapalli 173 Tamil Nadu Tirunelvali 174 Tamil Nadu Tiruppur 175 Tamil Nadu Tiruvannamalai 176 Tamil Nadu Toothukudi 177 Tamil Nadu Virudhunagar 178 Telangana Hanumakonda 179 Telangana Hyderabad 180 Telangana Jangaon 181 Telangana Medchal-Malkajgiri 182 Telangana Rangareddi 183 Telangana Sangareddy 184 Telangana Suryapet 185 Uttar Pradesh Agra 186 Uttar Pradesh Gautam Buddha Nagar 187 Uttar Pradesh Ghaziabad 188 Uttar Pradesh Kanpur Nagar 189 Uttar Pradesh Lucknow 190 Uttar Pradesh Meerut 191 Uttarakhand Dehra Dun 192 Uttarakhand Haridwar 193 Uttarakhand Nainital 194 Uttarakhand Udham Singh Nagar 195 West Bengal Alipurduar 196 West Bengal Darjiling 197 West Bengal Kalimpong 198 West Bengal Kolkata ANNEX – I B List of Districts with comparatively low PSL credit Sl.No State District name 1 Andaman & Nicobar Islands Nicobar 2 Andhra Pradesh Alluri Sitharama Raju 3 Arunachal Pradesh Anjaw 4 Arunachal Pradesh Chunglang 5 Arunachal Pradesh East Kameng 6 Arunachal Pradesh East Siang 7 Arunachal Pradesh Kamle 8 Arunachal Pradesh Kra Daadi 9 Arunachal Pradesh Kurung Kumey 10 Arunachal Pradesh Leparada 11 Arunachal Pradesh Lohit 12 Arunachal Pradesh Longding 13 Arunachal Pradesh Lower Dibang Valley 14 Arunachal Pradesh Lower Siang 15 Arunachal Pradesh Lower Subansiri 16 Arunachal Pradesh Namsai 17 Arunachal Pradesh Pakke Kessang 18 Arunachal Pradesh Shi-Yomi 19 Arunachal Pradesh Siang 20 Arunachal Pradesh Tawang 21 Arunachal Pradesh Tirap 22 Arunachal Pradesh Upper Siang 23 Arunachal Pradesh Upper Subansiri 24 Arunachal Pradesh West Siang 25 Assam Bajali 26 Assam Baksa 27 Assam Charaideo 28 Assam Chirang 29 Assam Dhemaji 30 Assam Dhubri 31 Assam Dima Hasao 32 Assam Goalpara 33 Assam Hailakandi 34 Assam Hojai 35 Assam Karbi Anglong 36 Assam Karimganj 37 Assam Kokrajhar 38 Assam Majuli 39 Assam Morigaon 40 Assam Nagaon 41 Assam South Salmara-Mankachar 42 Assam Udalguri 43 Assam West Karbi Anglong 44 Bihar Arwal 45 Bihar Banka 46 Bihar Bhojpur 47 Bihar Buxar 48 Bihar Gopalganj 49 Bihar Jamui 50 Bihar Jehanabad 51 Bihar Kaimur 52 Bihar Khagaria 53 Bihar Lakhisarai 54 Bihar Madhepura 55 Bihar Madhubani 56 Bihar Munger 57 Bihar Nalanda 58 Bihar Nawada 59 Bihar Paschimi Champaran 60 Bihar Saran 61 Bihar Sheikhpura 62 Bihar Sheohar 63 Bihar Sitamarhi 64 Bihar Siwan 65 Bihar Supaul 66 Chhattisgarh Balrampur 67 Chhattisgarh Dakshin Bastar Dantewada 68 Chhattisgarh Gariyaband 69 Chhattisgarh Gaurela-Pendra-Marwahi 70 Chhattisgarh Jashpur 71 Chhattisgarh Khairagarh-Chhuikhadan-Gandai 72 Chhattisgarh Kondagaon 73 Chhattisgarh Koriya 74 Chhattisgarh Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur 75 Chhattisgarh Mohla-Manpur-Ambagarh Chouki 76 Chhattisgarh Narayanpur 77 Chhattisgarh Sakti 78 Chhattisgarh Sarangarh-Bilaigarh 79 Chhattisgarh Sukma 80 Chhattisgarh Surajpur 81 Chhattisgarh Surguja 82 Gujarat Dangs 83 Haryana Nuh 84 Jharkhand Chatra 85 Jharkhand Dumka 86 Jharkhand Garhwa 87 Jharkhand Godda 88 Jharkhand Gumla 89 Jharkhand Jamtara 90 Jharkhand Khunti 91 Jharkhand Latehar 92 Jharkhand Palamau 93 Jharkhand Sahebganj 94 Jharkhand Simdega 95 Madhya Pradesh Alirajpur 96 Madhya Pradesh Anuppur 97 Madhya Pradesh Bhind 98 Madhya Pradesh Dindori 99 Madhya Pradesh Niwari 100 Madhya Pradesh Panna 101 Madhya Pradesh Sidhi 102 Madhya Pradesh Tikamgarh 103 Madhya Pradesh Umaria 104 Maharashtra Gadchiroli 105 Manipur Bishenpur 106 Manipur Chandel 107 Manipur Churachandpur 108 Manipur Imphal East 109 Manipur Jiribam 110 Manipur Kakching 111 Manipur Kamjong 112 Manipur Kangpokpi 113 Manipur Noney 114 Manipur Pherzawal 115 Manipur Senapati 116 Manipur Tamenglong 117 Manipur Tengnoupal 118 Manipur Thoubal 119 Manipur Ukhrul 120 Meghalaya East Garo Hills 121 Meghalaya East Jaintia Hills 122 Meghalaya Eastern West Khasi Hills 123 Meghalaya North Garo Hills 124 Meghalaya South Garo Hills 125 Meghalaya South West Garo Hills 126 Meghalaya South West Khasi Hills 127 Meghalaya West Garo Hills 128 Meghalaya West Jaintia Hills 129 Meghalaya West Khasi Hills 130 Mizoram Champhai 131 Mizoram Hnahthial 132 Mizoram Kolasib 133 Mizoram Lawngtlai 134 Mizoram Lunglei 135 Mizoram Mamit 136 Mizoram Saitual 137 Mizoram Serchhip 138 Mizoram Siaha 139 Nagaland Chumoukedima 140 Nagaland Kiphire 141 Nagaland Longleng 142 Nagaland Mokokchung 143 Nagaland Mon 144 Nagaland Niuland 145 Nagaland Noklak 146 Nagaland Peren 147 Nagaland Phek 148 Nagaland Shamator 149 Nagaland Tseminyu 150 Nagaland Tuensang 151 Nagaland Wokha 152 Nagaland Zunheboto 153 NCT of Delhi North-East Delhi 154 Odisha Malkangiri 155 Odisha Nawrangpur 156 Rajasthan Deeg 157 Rajasthan Gangapurcity 158 Rajasthan Jodhpur Rural 159 Rajasthan Salumber 160 Rajasthan Sanchore 161 Sikkim Gyalshing 162 Sikkim Soreng 163 Telangana Adilabad 164 Tripura Dhalai 165 Tripura Gomati 166 Tripura Khowai 167 Tripura North Tripura 168 Tripura Sepahijala 169 Uttar Pradesh Amroha 170 Uttar Pradesh Azamgarh 171 Uttar Pradesh Ballia 172 Uttar Pradesh Balrampur 173 Uttar Pradesh Banda 174 Uttar Pradesh Basti 175 Uttar Pradesh Chitrakoot 176 Uttar Pradesh Farrukhabad 177 Uttar Pradesh Gonda 178 Uttar Pradesh Jaunpur 179 Uttar Pradesh Kanpur Dehat 180 Uttar Pradesh Kaushambi 181 Uttar Pradesh Kushi Nagar 182 Uttar Pradesh Maharajganj 183 Uttar Pradesh Mau 184 Uttar Pradesh Sant Kabir Nagar 185 Uttar Pradesh Shravasti 186 Uttar Pradesh Sidharthanagar 187 Uttar Pradesh Sitapur 188 Uttar Pradesh Sultanpur 189 Uttar Pradesh Unnao 190 Uttarakhand Bageshwar 191 Uttarakhand Chamoli 192 Uttarakhand Pithoragarh 193 Uttarakhand Rudraprayag 194 Uttarakhand Tehri Garhwal 195 West Bengal Jhargram 196 West Bengal Puruliya ANNEX – II An indicative list of eligible activities under Agriculture infrastructure and Ancillary activities is given below: Agriculture infrastructure i) Loans for construction of storage facilities (warehouse, market yards, godowns and silos) including cold storage units/cold storage chains designed to store agriculture produce/products, irrespective of their location. ii) Soil conservation and watershed development. iii) Plant tissue culture and agri-biotechnology, seed production, production of bio-pesticides, bio-fertilizer, and vermi composting. iv) Loans for construction of oil extraction/ processing units for production of bio-fuels, their storage and distribution infrastructure along with loans to entrepreneurs for setting up Compressed Bio Gas (CBG) plants. Ancillary activities (i) Loans for setting up of Agri-clinics and Agri-business centres. (ii) Loans to Custom Service Units managed by individuals, institutions or organizations who maintain a fleet of tractors, bulldozers, well-boring equipment, threshers, combines, etc., and undertake farm work for farmers on contract basis. (iii) Bank loans to Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), Farmers’ Service Societies (FSS) and Large-sized Adivasi Multi-Purpose Societies (LAMPS) for on-lending to agriculture. (iv) Loans sanctioned by banks to MFIs for on-lending to agriculture sector as per the conditions specified in paragraph 21 of these Master Directions. (v) Loans sanctioned by banks to registered NBFCs (other than MFIs) as per conditions specified in paragraph 22 of these Master Directions. ANNEX – III Indicative list of Permissible Activities under Food Processing Sector as shared by Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) Cleaning, Air Cooling (Field Heat Removal), Sorting, Grading/Sizing, Packaging, Warehousing, Distribution of Fruits & Vegetables etc. Transportation including in refrigerated van/Cold Chain infrastructure system Packaging and storage including techniques like Silo, Hermetic storage; pest management. Storage at low temperature/Cold Storage/Modified/Controlled Atmosphere packaging, Refrigeration/Chilling etc. Primary and/or Minimal Processing of F&V: - Blanching (Vegetables), Peeling, Cutting, Storage, Distribution at Low temperature, vacuum packaging etc. Sun Drying and Mechanical Drying: - Solar Drying, Hot air drying, Dehydration, hybrid drying, fluidized bed drying, refractive window drying, drum drying, radio frequency drying, Lyophilisation (Freeze Drying), Vacuum Drying, Spray Drying, De-hydro-freezing etc. Preservation through various methods; both traditional and modern. Frozen Products: Individually Quick Frozen (10F) of Fruit, Vegetables, Meat, Fish, Sea Foods etc. Milk and Milk products processing, including their transportation, packaging and storage. Canning of Fruit, Vegetables including Mushrooms, Meat, Fish, crustaceans, molluscs, other Sea Foods etc. Milling Grains, Legumes & Pulses, Preparation of their by-products such as Bran Oil, Cattle Feed/Poultry feed etc. Processing of F&V into different products such as juices, concentrates, sauces, jam, jellies, marmalades, Chips, Flakes, Powders etc. Processing of Grains & Pulses, Fish, Meat, Poultry, Sea Foods, Egg etc. into their different products including extruded, popped, puffed and flaked products and their packaging and storage including fumigation, Smoking etc. Oil seed Extraction- Rendering, Pressing, Hydrogenation, Refining with Extraction, Filling/packaging etc. Spices, Seasoning and Condiments - Grinding, Crushing, Milling, Sieving, Mixing, Blending, Roasting, Packaging, Storage, Distribution. Production of fermented Products and Alcoholic- Wines, Vinegar, Milk products, Prebiotics, Probiotics etc. Production of beverages - Juices, RTS, Nectar, Squash, Cordial, Syrups/Sherbets, Soups, Carbonated Beverages etc. Production of Cocoa, Coffee, Chicory and Tea Products; including Cocoa Butter, Cocoa Powder, Chocolates, wafers etc. Production of Bakery and Confectionary Products - Biscuits, Bread, Cakes, Cookies, Toffee etc. Production of Jaggery, Sugar, Khandasari etc from Sugarcane, Beet, Palm etc. Production of apiary products (honey processing; both natural and artificial honey). Production of Starch and Starch Products - Sago, Tapioca, Corn, Noodles, Macroni, Vermicelli etc, Slaughtering of animals/ruminants/birds etc. and their processing. Nuts Processing; coconut-based product processing such as water, nuts etc. Processing of other products such as Instant Mixes, Ready to Eat (RTE) retort-based products, ready to cook and Beverages etc. Nutraceutical products/functional foods/fortified food/enriched food preparation. Production of Organic food products. Processing of algal and fungal products (eg Spirulina, Mushrooms etc), including packaging and enhancement of shelf life. Processing plantation crops, packaging, storage and enhancement of shelf life. Production of food grade packaging material such as laminates, tetra packs, bottles, tin containers etc. ANNEX – IV Priority Sector achievement - Calculation of shortfall / excess Illustration: Tables No.1 and 2 below illustrate the method followed for computation of shortfall / excess in priority sector target achievement at the end of the financial year under the revised PSL guidelines. (Table 1) Amount in ₹ crore Quarter ended PSL targets (A) Priority Sector Amount Outstanding (B) Adjustments for weightage on incremental credit to identified districts as per para 7 of MD (C) Shortfall / Excess (B)+(C)-(A) June 329615 316938 1625 -11052 September 308826 311945 -810 2309 December 317694 319291 -819 778 March 324560 321347 2925 -288 Total 1280695 1269521 2921 -8253 Average 320174 317380 730 -2063 (Table 2) Amount in ₹ crore Quarter ended PSL targets (A) Priority Sector Amount Outstanding (B) Adjustments for weightage on incremental credit to identified districts as per para 7 of MD (C) Shortfall / Excess (B)+(C)-(A) June 329615 327967 1500 -148 September 308826 312378 -729 2823 December 317694 327225 975 10506 March 324560 321315 -765 -4010 Total 1280695 1288885 981 9171 Average 320174 322221 245 2293 In the example given in Table - 1 , the bank has overall shortfall of ₹2063 crore at the end of the financial year. In Table – 2 , the bank has overall excess of ₹2293 crore at the end of the financial year. The Adjustments due to weightage on incremental credit in identified districts as per para 7, will be as per the data submitted by banks in the Automated Data Extraction Project (ADEPT). The same method will be followed for calculating the achievement of quarterly and yearly priority sector sub-targets. Note: The computation of priority sector targets/sub-targets achievement will be based on the ANBC or Credit Equivalent Amount of Off-Balance Sheet Exposures, whichever is higher, as at the corresponding date of the preceding year. APPENDIX LIST OF CIRCULARS CONSOLIDATED Sr.# Circular No. Date Subject 1. FIDD.CO.PSD.BC.No.12/04.09.001/2024-25 March 24, 2025 Priority Sector Lending Certificates 2. DOR.CRE.REC. 69/07.10.002/2024-25 March 24, 2025 Review of Priority Sector Lending (PSL) Target – Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) 3. FIDD.CO.PSD.BC.No.7/04.09.01/2024-25 June 21, 2024 Priority Sector Lending – Amendments to the Master Directions 4. DOR.CRE.REC.18/07.10.002/2023-24 June 8, 2023 Priority Sector Lending (PSL) targets / sub-targets and contribution against shortfall in achievement of PSL targets – Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (UCBs) - Extension of time 5. CO.FIDD.PCD.No.S725/ 04.09.001/2022-23 August 11, 2022 Priority Sector Lending (PSL)-Target for Non-Corporate Farmers FY2022-23 6. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.No.5/04.09.001/2022-23 May 13, 2022 Lending by Commercial Banks to NBFCs and Small Finance Banks (SFBs) to NBFC-MFIs, for the purpose of on-lending to priority sectors 7. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.No.15/04.09.01/2021-22 October 8, 2021 Priority Sector Lending- Banks’ lending to NBFCs for on-lending – Extension of facility 8. CO.FIDD.PCD.No.S414/04-09-001/2021-22 August 17, 2021 Priority Sector Lending (PSL) - Target for Non-Corporate Farmers FY2021-22 9. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.No.10/04.09.01/2021-22 May 5, 2021 Priority Sector Lending (PSL) - On-lending by Small Finance Banks (SFBs) to NBFC-MFIs 10. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.No.7/04.09.01/2021-22 April 7, 2021 Priority Sector Lending (PSL) – Increase in limits for bank lending against Negotiable Warehouse Receipts (NWRs) / electronic Negotiable Warehouse Receipts (eNWRs) 11. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.No.8/04.09.01/2021-22 April 7, 2021 Priority Sector Lending (PSL) - Lending by banks to NBFCs for On-Lending 12. CO.FIDD.PCD.No.S7850/04-09-001/2020-21 February 16, 2021 Priority Sector Lending (PSL) – Interest Cap on Investment by Banks in Securitised Assets/Direct Assignment 13. CO.FIDD.PCD.No.S7519/04-09-001/2020-21 February 15, 2021 Regional Rural Banks- Issue of Inter-Bank Participation Certificates 14. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.No.8/04.09.01/2020-21 November 5, 2020 Co-Lending by Banks and NBFCs to Priority Sector 15. DOR (PCB).BPD.Cir.No.12/09.09.002/2019-20 April 24, 2020 Non-achievement of Priority Sector Lending Targets by Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (UCBs) - Contribution to the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) and other funds 16. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.No.19/04.09.01/2019-20 March 23, 2020 Priority Sector Lending - Lending by banks to NBFCs for On-Lending 17. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.12/04.09.01/2019-20 September 20, 2019 Priority Sector Lending (PSL)-Classification of Exports under Priority Sector 18. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.No.11/04.09.01/2019-20 September 19, 2019 Priority Sector Targets- Lending to Non-Corporate Farmers-FY 2019-20 19. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC 7/04.09.01/2019-20 August 13, 2019 Priority Sector Lending – Lending by banks to NBFCs for On-Lending 20. Master Directions FIDD.CO.Plan.BC No.08/04.09.01/2019-20 July 29, 2019 (Updated as on March 12, 2020) Master Directions – Priority Sector Lending – Small Finance Banks – Targets and Classification 21. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.18 /04.09.01/2018-19 May 06, 2019 Priority Sector Lending – Targets and Classification 22. Letter to Indian Banks’ Association No. FIDD.CO.Plan.772/04.09.001/2018-19 October 4, 2018 Exemption of Special GOI Securities issued to Public Sector Banks from Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) 23. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC. 08/04.09.01/2018-19 September 21, 2018 Co-origination of loans by Banks and NBFCs for lending to priority sector 24. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.07/04.09.01/2018-19 July 12, 2018 Priority Sector Lending – Targets and Classification: Lending to non-corporate farmers – System wide average of last three years 25. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.22/04.09.01/2017-18 June 19, 2018 Priority Sector Lending – Targets and Classification 26. DCBR.BPD (PCB).Cir.No.07/09.09.002/2017-18 May 10, 2018 Revised guidelines on lending to Priority Sector for Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (UCBs) 27. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.18/04.09.01/2017-18 March 1, 2018 Priority Sector Lending – Targets and Classification 28. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.16/04.09.01/2017-18 September 21, 2017 Priority Sector Lending – Targets and Classification: Lending to non-corporate farmers – System wide average of last three years 29. FIDD.CO.SFB.No.9/04.09.001/2017-18 July 6, 2017 Small Finance Banks – Compendium of Guidelines on Financial Inclusion and Development 30. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.No.17/04.09.001/2016-17 October 6, 2016 Priority Sector Lending – Revised Reporting System 31. DBR.NBD.No.26/16.13.218/2016-17 October 6, 2016 Operating Guidelines for Small Finance Banks 32. Master Directions DNBR PD.007 and 008/03.10.119/2016-17 September 1, 2016 (updated as on February 17, 2020) Master Directions 2016-NBFC-Non-SI-Non-deposit taking and SI-Non-Deposit and Deposit taking Company, respectively 33. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.No.14/04.09.001/2016-17 September 1, 2016 Priority Sector Lending-Targets and Classifications: Lending to Non-corporate Farmers – System Wide Average of last three years 34. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.No.10/04.09.001/2016-17 August 11, 2016 Priority Sector Lending Status for Factoring Transactions 35. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.No.8/04.09.001/2016-17 July 28, 2016 PSL-Targets and Classification – Bank loans to MFIs for on-lending- Qualifying asset – Revised loan limit 36. Master Directions FIDD.CO.Plan.2/04.09.01/2016-17 July 07, 2016 (Updated as on June 18, 2019) Master Directions - Regional Rural Banks - Priority Sector Lending – Targets and Classification 37. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.23/04.09.01/2015-16 April 7, 2016 Priority Sector Lending Certificates 38. DBOD Mailbox clarification March 28, 2016 Bank loans to proprietorship under Priority Sector 39. DBOD Mailbox clarification March 17, 2016 Eligibility of IBPC as Priority Sector Asset 40. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.No.14/04.09.01/2015-16 December 03, 2015 Regional Rural Banks - Priority Sector Lending – Targets and Classification 41. DBOD Mailbox clarification November 27, 2015 Bank loans to SHGs/ JLGs- Processing Charges 42. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.13/04.09.01/2015-16 November 18, 2015 Priority Sector Lending-Targets and Classification 43. DBOD Mailbox clarification September 7, 2015 Calculation of shortfall/ excess 44. DBOD Mailbox clarification August 14, 2015 Social Infrastructure and Bank loans to MFIs for on-lending - Social Infrastructure 45. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.08/04.09.01/2015-16 July 16, 2015 Priority Sector Lending –Targets and Classification 46. DBOD Mailbox clarification June 26, 2015 Outstanding deposits with MUDRA Ltd. On account of priority sector shortfall 47. DBOD Mailbox clarification June 12, 2015 Loans to Minority Communities 48. DBOD Mailbox clarification June 11, 2015 Loans to Custom Service Units 49. FIDD.CO.Plan.BC.54/04.09.01/2014-15 April 23, 2015 Priority Sector Lending-Targets and Classification 50. DCBR.BPD.(PCB) Cir.No. 7/14.01.062/2014-15 March 19, 2015 Priority Sector Lending – Persons with Disabilities (PwD) – Inclusion under Weaker Sections 51. DCBR.BPD.(PCB) Cir.No. 5/14.01.062/2014-15 February 18, 2015 Credit Facilities to Minority Community – Inclusion of Jain Community under Section 2© of National Commission of Minorities (NCM) Act, 1982 52. UBD.BPD.(PCB).Cir.No.72/13.01.000//2013-14 June 11, 2014 Section 42(1) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and Section 18 & 24 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (AACS)- FCNR (B)/NRE deposits – Exemption from Maintenance of CRR/SLR and Exclusion from ABC for Priority Sector Lending 53. UBD.CO.BPD.(PCB).Cir.No.13/09.22.010/2013-14 September 10, 2013 Finance for Housing Schemes - Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks - Loans for Repairs / Additions / Alterations - Enhancement of Limits 54. UBD.BPD.(PCB).CIR.No.5/13.01.000/2013-14 August 27, 2013 Section 42(1) of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and Section 18 and 24 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (AACS) - FCNR (B) / NRE Deposits - Exemption from Maintenance of CRR / SLR and Exclusion from ABC for Priority Sector Lending 55. UBD.BPD.(PCB).CIR.No.33/09.09.001/2011-12 May 18, 2012 Priority Sector Lending -Indirect Finance to Housing Sector. 56. UBD.BPD.(PCB)CIR.No.50/13.05.000(B)/2010-11 June 2, 2011 Financing of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Joint Liability Groups (JLGs) by Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks (UCBs) 57. UBD.CO.BPD.No.70/09.09.001/2009-10 June 15, 2010 Advances to MSEs engaged in exports and export credit to agriculture / allied activities 58. UBD.BPD(PCB).Cir.No.50/09.09.01/2009-10 March 25, 2010 Categorisation of activities under Services 59. UBD.PCB.Cir.No.26/09.09.001/07-08 November 30, 2007 Priority Sector lending-Revision of target - UCBs 60. UBD.PCB.Cir.No.11/09.09.01/07-08 August 30, 2007 Revised Guidelines on Lending to Priority Sector for UCBs 61. UBD.PCB.Cir.No.11(126A)/09.09.001/2007-08 August 30, 2007 Priority Sector Advances - List of minority Concentrated Districts