A regional review meeting of the North-Eastern Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) was held in Agartala on Tuesday under the chairmanship of the Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), Government of India. The meeting was attended by Chairpersons of all seven RRBs in the North-East, along with senior officials from Public Sector Banks and NABARD.The review focused on the business performance and achievements of the seven RRBs in implementing various schemes of the Central and State Governments. During the meeting, the DFS Secretary highlighted the vital role played by RRBs in strengthening the rural economy, especially in the North-Eastern region. He noted that the strong rural presence of RRBs and the trust they enjoy among local communities remain their key strengths.The Secretary appreciated the significant improvement in the financial performance of the North-Eastern RRBs during FY 2025-26. The banks registered higher profits, reduced Non-Performing Assets (NPAs), and diversified their loan portfolios. He also stressed the need for RRBs to further strengthen and expand digital banking services in the coming years.Emphasising the role of sponsor banks, the Secretary said they must provide necessary technical support, share effective banking strategies, and ensure access to modern IT resources for RRBs. He further underlined the importance of expanding financial inclusion in unbanked and under-served areas of the North-East through increased deployment of Business Correspondents and establishment of new branches in accessible locations.At present, the seven North-Eastern RRBs operate more than 887 branches across 105 districts in seven states, with over 92 per cent located in rural and semi-urban areas. Collectively, the RRBs reported a provisional net profit of ₹560 crore in FY 2025-26, marking a 34 per cent year-on-year growth. The Gross Non-Performing Assets (GNPA) ratio also declined to 4.9 per cent, the lowest level recorded in the past decade.
