Chapter III — Central Banking Functions

Section 44: [Omitted.] Power to require returns from co-operative banks

Reviewed by CA Nikhil Gupta · Last reviewed 18 September 2026

Section 44, formerly dealing with returns from co-operative banks, is omitted.

Historical / non-operativeOfficial sources mappedProvision-specific decode

Current legal status

Section 44, formerly dealing with returns from co-operative banks, is omitted.

It does not create a current standalone return power; contemporary co-operative-bank reporting obligations arise under surviving banking/RBI legislation and current directions.

Use today: Legacy compliance manuals should not retain Section 44 as a live filing citation.

Historical reading note

For historical returns, record the period and the then-applicable text; for current returns identify the surviving authority.

Illustration. A co-operative bank's current regulatory return should cite the applicable Banking Regulation Act/RBI direction rather than omitted Section 44.

Compliance points and common mistakes

Do not decide the issue from the heading alone. Map the facts to the operative words of Section 44 and to each relevant subsection, clause, proviso or explanation shown above.
Keep the statutory question separate from the operational overlay. Legacy compliance manuals should not retain Section 44 as a live filing citation.
Do not convert an exception, exemption or discretionary RBI/Government power into an automatic entitlement. Record the authority, conditions and effective date.
Where the provision is historical, omitted or repealed, state that status prominently and do not present it as a current compliance obligation.

Connected provisions and instruments

Section 44 has no universal instrument dependency in this package. Add an RBI circular or direction only when its subject, entity and effective date cover the issue being analysed.

Questions and answers

What is the purpose of Section 44?

[Omitted.] Power to require returns from co-operative banks: Section 44, formerly dealing with returns from co-operative banks, is omitted.

Which statutory limb should be checked first?

Rule 1 - It does not create a current standalone return power

What is the next legal boundary?

Rule 2 - contemporary co-operative-bank reporting obligations arise under surviving banking/RBI legislation and current directions.

What record should support the conclusion?

Section 44 file evidence: For historical returns, record the period and the then-applicable text; for current returns identify the surviving authority.

Primary sources

Source control for Section 44: use the official consolidated RBI Act for the statutory text and footnotes, then separately reconcile any post-Finance Act 2022 amendment, commencement notification or RBI instrument relevant to the event date.