Master crucial dates in Indian banking history, RBI milestones, and key anniversaries for IBPS Banking Awareness!

🎯 Why These Dates Matter for IBPS

Expected Questions:

• IBPS Prelims: 2-3 direct date questions
• IBPS Mains: 5-8 questions (dates + related events)
• Current Affairs: Recent anniversaries, new scheme launches

Question Types:

• “When was RBI established?”
• “Which banks were nationalized in 1969?”
• “When was NABARD formed?”
• “What is the significance of August 28?”

🏛️ Reserve Bank of India (RBI) - Key Dates

Foundation & Establishment

April 1, 1935

Event: Reserve Bank of India Established Context: Based on Hilton Young Commission recommendations Status: Initially private shareholders’ bank First Governor: Sir Osborne Smith Capital: ₹5 crore

Significance: India’s central banking institution created IBPS Focus: ★★★★★ (Most important date)

January 1, 1949

Event: RBI Nationalized Context: RBI Act, 1934 amended Ownership: Transferred to Government of India First Indian Governor after Nationalization: C.D. Deshmukh

Significance: RBI became fully government-owned IBPS Focus: ★★★★★

RBI Governors - Appointment Dates

Current Governor (2025):

Name: Shaktikanta Das Appointed: December 12, 2018 Term: Extended till December 2024, further extended Previous Position: Economic Affairs Secretary

Notable: Handled demonetization, COVID-19 crisis, inflation management IBPS Focus: ★★★★★ (Name + appointment date frequently asked)

Recent Governors:

1. Urjit Patel: September 4, 2016 - December 10, 2018
2. Raghuram Rajan: September 4, 2013 - September 4, 2016
3. D. Subbarao: September 5, 2008 - September 4, 2013
4. Y.V. Reddy: September 6, 2003 - September 5, 2008
5. Bimal Jalan: November 22, 1997 - September 6, 2003

🏦 Bank Nationalizations - Critical Dates

First Phase of Nationalization

July 19, 1969

Event: 14 Major Commercial Banks Nationalized Prime Minister: Indira Gandhi Objective: Social banking, financial inclusion, priority sector lending

Banks Nationalized (14):

1. Allahabad Bank
2. Bank of India
3. Bank of Baroda
4. Bank of Maharashtra
5. Central Bank of India
6. Canara Bank
7. Dena Bank
8. Indian Bank
9. Indian Overseas Bank
10. Punjab National Bank
11. Syndicate Bank
12. Union Bank of India
13. United Bank of India
14. UCO Bank

Criteria: Banks with deposits ≥ ₹50 crore

Significance: Major step toward socialist banking IBPS Focus: ★★★★★ (Date + number of banks + examples)

Second Phase of Nationalization

April 15, 1980

Event: 6 More Banks Nationalized Prime Minister: Indira Gandhi

Banks Nationalized (6):

1. Andhra Bank
2. Corporation Bank
3. New Bank of India*
4. Oriental Bank of Commerce
5. Punjab & Sind Bank
6. Vijaya Bank

*New Bank of India: Later merged with Punjab National Bank in 1993

Criteria: Banks with deposits between ₹200-500 crore

Significance: Expanded reach of social banking IBPS Focus: ★★★★ (Date + number of banks)

🏢 Major Bank Mergers - Recent Timeline

Mega Merger 2020

April 1, 2020

Event: Largest Bank Merger in Indian History Banks Involved: 10 PSBs merged into 4

Mergers:

1. Punjab National Bank + Oriental Bank of Commerce + United Bank of India → Punjab National Bank (2nd largest PSB)

2. Canara Bank + Syndicate Bank → Canara Bank

3. Union Bank of India + Andhra Bank + Corporation Bank → Union Bank of India

4. Indian Bank + Allahabad Bank → Indian Bank

Result: Number of PSBs reduced from 27 (2017) to 12 (2020)

Significance: Consolidation for stronger banking system IBPS Focus: ★★★★★ (Date + merger details frequently asked)

Earlier Mergers

April 1, 2019

Event: Bank of Baroda + Vijaya Bank + Dena Bank Result: Bank of Baroda (3rd largest PSB)

Significance: First major merger of recent consolidation phase IBPS Focus: ★★★★

April 1, 2017

Event: State Bank of India + 5 Associate Banks + Bharatiya Mahila Bank Associate Banks Merged:

1. State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur
2. State Bank of Hyderabad
3. State Bank of Mysore
4. State Bank of Patiala
5. State Bank of Travancore

Result: SBI became largest bank in India (500 crore+ customers, 24,000+ branches)

Significance: Created banking giant IBPS Focus: ★★★★★

🌾 Development Banks & Financial Institutions

NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development)

July 12, 1982

Event: NABARD Established Objective: Agricultural and rural development financing Replaced: Agricultural Refinance and Development Corporation (ARDC) Headquarters: Mumbai Current Chairman: Shaji K.V.

Functions:

• Agricultural credit refinancing
• Rural infrastructure development
• Promote rural industries
• Self-Help Group (SHG) linkage

Significance: Apex institution for rural credit IBPS Focus: ★★★★★ (Establishment date + functions)

SIDBI (Small Industries Development Bank of India)

April 2, 1990

Event: SIDBI Established Objective: Promote, finance, and develop MSMEs Parent: IDBI (Industrial Development Bank of India) Headquarters: Lucknow

Functions:

• MSME financing
• Credit guarantee schemes
• Technology upgradation
• Skill development

Significance: Principal financial institution for MSMEs IBPS Focus: ★★★★

EXIM Bank (Export-Import Bank of India)

January 1, 1982

Event: EXIM Bank Established Objective: Finance, facilitate, and promote foreign trade Headquarters: Mumbai

Functions:

• Export credit
• Import financing
• Overseas investment
• Advisory services

Significance: Premier export financing institution IBPS Focus: ★★★

NHB (National Housing Bank)

July 9, 1988

Event: NHB Established Objective: Promote housing finance institutions Parent: RBI (subsidiary) Headquarters: New Delhi

Functions:

• Refinance to housing finance companies
• Regulate HFCs
• Promote affordable housing

Significance: Apex housing finance institution IBPS Focus: ★★★

🎊 Important Banking Days & Observances

National & International Banking Days

January 1

Event: Bank Holiday (New Year’s Day) Significance: Beginning of financial year preparations

April 1

Event: Financial Year Begins in India Significance: Start of new accounting year for banks and companies IBPS Focus: ★★★★

August 28

Event: PMJDY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana) Launch Anniversary Year Launched: 2014 Objective: Financial inclusion through zero-balance accounts

Achievement: 50+ crore accounts, ₹2+ lakh crore deposits

Significance: World’s largest financial inclusion program IBPS Focus: ★★★★★

November 8

Event: Demonetization Announced (2016) PM: Narendra Modi Denominations Banned: ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes Objective: Curb black money, counterfeit currency, terror funding

Impact: Push toward digital payments, formalization of economy

Significance: Landmark monetary event in Indian history IBPS Focus: ★★★★★

December 16

Event: Vijay Diwas (Victory Day) - Bank Holiday in some states Significance: Bangladesh liberation war victory (1971)

💳 Digital Payment Milestones

UPI Launch & Growth

April 11, 2016

Event: UPI (Unified Payments Interface) Launched Developed by: NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India) First Banks: 21 banks in pilot phase

Transaction Growth:

• 2016-17: 10 crore transactions
• 2020-21: 2,200 crore transactions
• 2023-24: 13,000+ crore transactions
• 2024-25: 15,000+ crore transactions
• 2025-26: 17,000+ crore transactions (projected)

Significance: Revolutionary digital payment system IBPS Focus: ★★★★★

December 1, 2022

Event: Digital Rupee (CBDC) Pilot Launched - Retail Type: e₹-R (Retail CBDC) Objective: Reduce cash dependency, enhance payment efficiency

Progress: 2+ crore users in pilot (2025)

Significance: India’s central bank digital currency IBPS Focus: ★★★★★

November 1, 2022

Event: Digital Rupee (CBDC) Pilot Launched - Wholesale Type: e₹-W (Wholesale CBDC) Participants: Banks and financial institutions Use Case: Interbank settlements

Significance: First phase of digital rupee IBPS Focus: ★★★★

BHIM & Payment Apps

December 30, 2016

Event: BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) App Launched PM: Narendra Modi Developer: NPCI

Features:

• UPI-based payment app
• Simple interface
• 12 languages
• QR code scanning

Significance: Government’s push for digital payments post-demonetization IBPS Focus: ★★★★

🏛️ Other Important Financial Institutions

SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India)

April 12, 1992

Event: SEBI Given Statutory Powers Established as: Statutory body (earlier non-statutory since 1988) Objective: Protect investor interests, regulate securities market Headquarters: Mumbai Current Chairman: Madhabi Puri Buch (First woman chairperson)

Functions:

• Regulate stock exchanges
• Protect investor rights
• Promote capital market development
• Monitor insider trading

Significance: Capital market regulator IBPS Focus: ★★★★

IRDAI (Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India)

April 19, 2000

Event: IRDAI Established Objective: Regulate and develop insurance industry Headquarters: Hyderabad Current Chairperson: Debasish Panda

Functions:

• License insurers
• Protect policyholders
• Promote insurance awareness
• Regulate insurance practices

Significance: Insurance sector regulator IBPS Focus: ★★★

PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority)

October 1, 2003

Event: PFRDA Established (Interim) Statutory Status: August 23, 2013 Objective: Regulate pension sector, promote old age income security Headquarters: New Delhi

Functions:

• Regulate NPS (National Pension System)
• Protect subscriber interests
• Promote pension awareness

Significance: Pension sector regulator IBPS Focus: ★★

📜 Major Banking Schemes & Initiatives

Financial Inclusion Schemes

August 28, 2014

Event: Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) Launched PM: Narendra Modi Tagline: “Mera Khata Bhagya Vidhaata”

Benefits:

• Zero balance account
• RuPay debit card
• ₹10,000 overdraft facility
• ₹2 lakh accident insurance

Achievement: 50+ crore accounts

Significance: Financial inclusion landmark IBPS Focus: ★★★★★

May 9, 2015

Event: Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) Launched PM: Narendra Modi Objective: Provide loans to micro/small businesses

Categories:

1. Shishu: Up to ₹50,000
2. Kishore: ₹50,001 to ₹5 lakh
3. Tarun: ₹5,00,001 to ₹10 lakh

Achievement: 40+ crore loans disbursed (cumulative)

Significance: MSME financing initiative IBPS Focus: ★★★★

February 22, 2016

Event: Stand Up India Scheme Launched PM: Narendra Modi Objective: Promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST and women

Loan: ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore for greenfield enterprises

Significance: Social inclusion in entrepreneurship IBPS Focus: ★★★

Credit Schemes

April 8, 2015

Event: Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) Launched Type: Life insurance scheme Premium: ₹436 per year Coverage: ₹2 lakh death benefit Age Group: 18-50 years

Significance: Affordable life insurance for masses IBPS Focus: ★★★

April 8, 2015

Event: Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) Launched Type: Accident insurance scheme Premium: ₹20 per year Coverage: ₹2 lakh for accidental death/disability Age Group: 18-70 years

Significance: Affordable accident insurance IBPS Focus: ★★★

May 9, 2015

Event: Atal Pension Yojana (APY) Launched Type: Pension scheme for unorganized sector Age Group: 18-40 years Pension: ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 per month (based on contribution)

Significance: Social security for unorganized workers IBPS Focus: ★★★

🌍 International Banking Events

Basel Norms Implementation

April 1, 2013

Event: Basel III Norms Implementation Began in India Deadline: March 31, 2019 (extended to March 31, 2023) Requirement: Minimum CAR 9%, CET1 5.5%

Significance: Global banking regulation compliance IBPS Focus: ★★★★

FATF (Financial Action Task Force)

October 2010

Event: India Became Member of FATF Objective: Combat money laundering and terror financing Compliance: Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations

Significance: International financial regulation compliance IBPS Focus: ★★

📊 Quick Revision Table - Must Remember Dates

🎯 IBPS Exam Focus Areas

High Priority (Learn First):

1. ✅ RBI establishment & nationalization dates
2. ✅ Bank nationalization (1969, 1980) - dates + number of banks
3. ✅ Recent bank mergers (2017, 2019, 2020)
4. ✅ NABARD establishment date
5. ✅ PMJDY launch date
6. ✅ UPI launch date
7. ✅ Demonetization date
8. ✅ Digital Rupee launch dates
9. ✅ Current RBI Governor appointment date
10. ✅ Financial year start date

Medium Priority:

1. ✅ SIDBI, EXIM Bank, NHB establishment
2. ✅ SEBI statutory status date
3. ✅ PMMY, Stand Up India launch dates
4. ✅ BHIM app launch
5. ✅ Basel III implementation

Low Priority (Good to Know):

1. ✅ IRDAI, PFRDA establishment
2. ✅ PMJJBY, PMSBY, APY launch dates
3. ✅ FATF membership

📝 Memorization Techniques

Technique 1: Decade Association

1930s:

• 1935: RBI Established

1940s:

• 1949: RBI Nationalized

1960s:

• 1969: 14 Banks Nationalized (July 19)

1980s:

• 1980: 6 Banks Nationalized (April 15)
• 1982: NABARD (July 12), EXIM Bank (Jan 1)
• 1988: NHB (July 9)

1990s:

• 1990: SIDBI (April 2)
• 1992: SEBI Statutory (April 12)

2010s:

• 2014: PMJDY (Aug 28)
• 2015: PMMY, PMJJBY, PMSBY, APY
• 2016: UPI (April 11), Demonetization (Nov 8), BHIM (Dec 30)
• 2017: SBI Merger (April 1)

2020s:

• 2020: Mega Merger (April 1)
• 2022: Digital Rupee (Nov 1 - Wholesale, Dec 1 - Retail)

Technique 2: Month Clustering

January:

• Jan 1: EXIM Bank (1982), RBI Nationalized (1949)

April:

• April 1: Financial Year, SBI Merger (2017), Mega Merger (2020)
• April 2: SIDBI (1990)
• April 8: PMJJBY, PMSBY (2015)
• April 11: UPI (2016)
• April 12: SEBI (1992)
• April 15: 6 Banks Nationalized (1980)
• April 19: IRDAI (2000)

July:

• July 9: NHB (1988)
• July 12: NABARD (1982)
• July 19: 14 Banks Nationalized (1969)

August:

• Aug 28: PMJDY (2014)

November:

• Nov 1: Digital Rupee Wholesale (2022)
• Nov 8: Demonetization (2016)

December:

• Dec 1: Digital Rupee Retail (2022)
• Dec 12: Shaktikanta Das appointed (2018)
• Dec 30: BHIM (2016)

🔗 Related Resources

Banking Awareness:

• Banking Terms Glossary
• RBI Functions & Policies
• Banking Products & Services (coming soon)

Current Affairs:

• Recent Banking Events
• New Scheme Launches
• Policy Announcements

Remember the dates - They’re frequently asked in IBPS exams! 📅