Chapter IIIA — Collection and Furnishing of Credit Information

Section 45C: Power to call for returns containing credit information

Reviewed by CA Nikhil Gupta · Last reviewed 18 September 2026

Section 45C authorises RBI to call for returns from banking companies containing credit information in the prescribed/specified form and within the required time.

Operative provisionOfficial sources mappedProvision-specific decode

Finin2min - Section 45C in 2 minutes

Legal effectSection 45C authorises RBI to call for returns from banking companies containing credit information in the prescribed/specified form and within the required time.

Operative ruleThe section operationalises the collection power by creating a return mechanism rather than an unrestricted ad hoc disclosure channel.

Connected lawRead the return requirement with Section 45B's purpose and Section 45E's confidentiality rule.

File evidenceCompliance evidence should include the return format, data lineage, maker-checker review and filing acknowledgement.

Statutory structure and clause / subsection decode

This map separates the operative limbs of this provision so thresholds, powers, conditions and exceptions are not collapsed into a single summary.

Scope

Section 45C authorises RBI to call for returns from banking companies containing credit information in the prescribed/specified form and within the required time.

Operative limb

The section operationalises the collection power by creating a return mechanism rather than an unrestricted ad hoc disclosure channel.

Legal boundary

Read the return requirement with Section 45B's purpose and Section 45E's confidentiality rule.

Worked practical example

Facts. If RBI's return asks for exposure bands as at a specific date, a bank should not substitute a management-reporting period without confirming the prescribed requirement.

Compliance points and common mistakes

Do not decide the issue from the heading alone. Map the facts to the operative words of Section 45C and to each relevant subsection, clause, proviso or explanation shown above.
Keep the statutory question separate from the operational overlay. Read the return requirement with Section 45B's purpose and Section 45E's confidentiality rule.
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Where the provision is historical, omitted or repealed, state that status prominently and do not present it as a current compliance obligation.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 45C 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 45C?

Power to call for returns containing credit information: Section 45C authorises RBI to call for returns from banking companies containing credit information in the prescribed/specified form and within the required time.

Which statutory limb should be checked first?

Scope - Section 45C authorises RBI to call for returns from banking companies containing credit information in the prescribed/specified form and within the required time.

What is the next legal boundary?

Operative limb - The section operationalises the collection power by creating a return mechanism rather than an unrestricted ad hoc disclosure channel.

What record should support the conclusion?

Section 45C file evidence: Compliance evidence should include the return format, data lineage, maker-checker review and filing acknowledgement.

Primary sources

Source control for Section 45C: 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.