Agartala , 26th May 2026: A regional review meeting of North-East Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) was held today in Agartala under the chairmanship of the Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), bringing together key stakeholders to assess performance and future priorities.
The meeting was attended by chairpersons of seven RRBs operating in the North-East, along with senior officials from Public Sector Banks and the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD). Discussions focused on reviewing business performance and the implementation of various schemes of the Government of India and respective State Governments.
During the session, the DFS Secretary underscored the critical role played by RRBs in strengthening the rural economy, particularly in the North-Eastern region. Highlighting their deep rural presence and the trust they command among local populations, he commended the banks for significantly improving their financial performance in the financial year 2025–26. Key achievements included increased profits, reduced Non-Performing Assets (NPAs), and diversification of loan portfolios.
The Secretary emphasized that RRBs must now focus on expanding and strengthening digital banking infrastructure to meet future challenges. In this regard, sponsor banks were urged to provide robust technical support, share best practices, and ensure access to advanced IT resources.
He also stressed the importance of enhancing financial inclusion in underserved and unbanked areas across the region. To achieve this, RRBs were advised to expand their network of Business Correspondents and identify accessible locations for establishing full-fledged branches. Encouraging local participation, the Secretary suggested extending loans to individuals willing to construct buildings for new bank branches.
The North-Eastern RRBs have shown notable expansion, with over 887 branches across 105 districts in seven states. Impressively, more than 92% of these branches are located in rural and semi-urban areas, reinforcing their grassroots presence.
Financially, the seven RRBs reported a provisional consolidated net profit of ₹560 crore in FY 2025–26, marking a robust year-on-year growth of 34%. Additionally, the Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) ratio has declined to 4.9%, the lowest level recorded in the past decade, reflecting improved asset quality and financial health.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening rural banking, accelerating digital transformation, and ensuring inclusive growth across the North-Eastern region.
