The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has liberalized branch authorisation policy. To open branches in Tier 1 to Tier 6 centres and in the rural, semi-urban and urban centres in North-Eastern States and Sikkim without having the need to take permission from Reserve Bank of India in each case, subject to reporting.

"At least 25% of the total number of branches opened during the financial year, must be opened in unbanked rural (Tier 5 and Tier 6) centres, i.e. centres which do not have a brick and mortar structure of any scheduled commercial bank for customer based banking transactions," the central bank said.

While, the total number of branches opened in Tier 1 centres during the financial year cannot exceed the total number of branches opened in Tier 2 to 6 centres and all centres in the North Eastern States and Sikkim, it said.