It is now obligatory for Banks to offer doorstep banking services to Senior Citizens and Differently Abled Persons

Today (March 31, 2020) Reserve Bank of India advised the banks to make determined efforts while offering certain basic banking services to senior citizens of more than 70 years of age and differently-abled persons. RBI had advised in this regard to the banks to implement doorstep banking services on a pan India basis for Senior Citizens and Differently Abled Persons by December 31, 2017. As per the Central Bank circular, it is understood that such services are yet to be offered by banks or were restricted to select branches. In order to make the door-step services effective, “Banks shall offer the doorstep banking services on a pan India basis” it said. Additionally, banks should develop a Board approved framework for determining the nature of branches/centres where these services will be provided mandatorily and those where it will be provided on a best effort basis and make the policy public, it said. Regarding charges on doorstep services, banks are asked to indicate the same prominently in brochures and also publish on their websites.

Banks were asked to give adequate publicity to the availability of these services in their public awareness campaigns. They were also asked to display/update and publish on their website the list of branches offering such doorstep banking services.