Agartala, May 27, 2026: A regional review meeting of the North-East Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) was held in Agartala on Tuesday under the chairmanship of the Secretary of the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Government of India, with a focus on strengthening rural banking and financial inclusion across the region.

The meeting was attended by chairpersons of seven RRBs from the North-East, senior officials of Public Sector Banks and representatives of NABARD. Discussions centred on reviewing the business performance and achievements of the seven RRBs in implementing various schemes of the Central and respective State Governments.

During the meeting, the DFS Secretary highlighted the vital role played by RRBs in supporting the rural economy, particularly in the North-Eastern states. He said the key strengths of RRBs lie in their extensive rural presence and the trust they enjoy among people in their respective states.

The Secretary appreciated the performance of North-Eastern RRBs during the financial year 2025-26, noting a significant rise in profits, reduction in Non-Performing Assets (NPAs) and diversification of loan portfolios.

He also stressed the need for RRBs to strengthen and expand digital banking services in the coming years. In this regard, he underlined the important role of sponsor banks in providing technical support, sharing effective strategies and ensuring access to IT resources for RRBs.

The Secretary further stated that expectations from RRBs remain high in ensuring financial inclusion in unbanked and under-served regions of the North-East. He suggested that RRBs should expand their network of Business Correspondents and identify suitable and accessible locations for establishing full-fledged branches. He also encouraged extending loans to individuals willing to construct buildings for new branches.

According to the data presented during the meeting, North-Eastern RRBs have expanded their presence to over 887 branches across 105 districts in seven states, with more than 92 per cent of these branches located in rural and semi-urban areas.

The seven RRBs collectively reported a provisional consolidated net profit of ₹560 crore during FY 2025-26, marking a year-on-year growth of 34 per cent. The Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) ratio has also declined to 4.9 per cent, the lowest level recorded in the last decade, reflecting improved financial health and stronger asset quality of the banks.