September 12, 2026

Section 53 – Banking Regulation Act: Power to Exempt in Certain Cases

Banking Regulation Act, 1949 — back to Table of Contents

Section 53. Power to exempt in certain cases

On the Reserve Bank’s recommendation, the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, declare that any or all provisions of the Act do not apply to a particular banking company or institution, or to a class of banking companies — either generally, or for a specified period.

This is the Act’s general exemption power, giving the Central Government flexibility (on RBI advice) to relieve specific banks or categories of banks from provisions that might not fit their circumstances, without needing a further legislative amendment.

Note: This power has been used, for instance, to grant time-limited or conditional exemptions to particular categories of banks under RBI-recommended notifications.