RBI issues draft ‘Guidance on Regulatory Expectations for Data Governance’

July 15, 2026

RBI issues draft ‘Guidance on Regulatory Expectations for Data Governance’

Reserve Bank of India has today released the draft ‘Guidance on Regulatory Expectations for Data Governance’ for public comments.

The draft Guidance is applicable to following regulated entities:

i. Commercial Banks ii. Small Finance Banks iii. Payments Banks iv. Local Area Banks v. Regional Rural Banks vi. Urban Co-operative Banks vii. Rural Co-operative Banks viii. All India Financial Institutions ix. Non-Banking Financial Companies x. Asset Reconstruction Companies xi. Credit Information Companies

2. Comments on the draft Guidance are invited from regulated entities, members of public and other stakeholders by August 17, 2026.

The comments / feedback may be submitted through the link under the ‘Connect 2 Regulate’ Section available on RBI’s website or alternatively be forwarded to:

The Chief General Manager, Operational Risk Group Department of Regulation, Central Office Reserve Bank of India Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort Mumbai – 400 001

Or

By e-mail with the subject line ‘Feedback on Guidance on Regulatory Expectations for Data Governance’

ᮧेस ᮧकाशनी PRESS RELEASE

भारतीय ᳯरज़वर् बᱹक RESERVE BANK OF INDIA

वेबसाइट : www.rbi.org.in/hindi संचार िवभाग, कᱶᮤीय कायार्लय, शहीद भगत ᳲसंह मागर्, फोटर्, मुंबई - 400 001 Website : www.rbi.org.in Department of Communication, Central Office, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort, ई-मेल/email : helpdoc@rbi.org.in Mumbai - 400 001 फोन/Phone: 022 - 2266 0502

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Background and Objective

With the increasing digitalisation of the financial sector and growing adoption of technology-driven business models, data has emerged as a critical asset for regulated entities (REs). As the volume, variety and velocity of data continue to increase, effective data governance has become essential to ensure that data remains accurate, consistent, secure and fit for purpose across functions and systems. Weaknesses in data governance and its management can lead to broader financial, operational, compliance and reputational risk for the REs. Recognising this, the Reserve Bank of India has today released the draft ‘Guidance on Regulatory Expectations for Data Governance’ to support REs in strengthening their data governance framework and promoting sound practices relating to data management across the data lifecycle. The Guidance sets out broad regulatory expectations relating to data governance, roles, architecture, metadata and lineage, quality, and third party arrangements involving data sharing.

(Brij Raj)

Press Release: 2026-2027/677 Chief General Manager