RBI Annual Report FY 2025-26 explains ReBIT, IFTAS, e-Kuber 3.0, Indian Financial Sector Cloud, NGRTGS, ISO 20022, cyber resilience and RBI’s digital infrastructure.
The RBI Annual Report FY 2025-26 shows that technology has become an integral part of the Reserve Bank’s core central-banking architecture. During the year, RBI advanced the Indian Financial Sector Cloud, developed e-Kuber 3.0, upgraded NGRTGS from version 3.0 to 4.0, completed migration of NEFT member banks to direct ISO 20022 messaging, strengthened cybersecurity, transitioned communication networks, developed an alternate payment system, and expanded the role of ReBIT and IFTAS.
For the RBI Grade B Promotion Exam, Grade B, UPSC and banking examinations, this chapter is particularly important because questions can test not only individual initiatives but also the institutional division between RBI, ReBIT and IFTAS, as well as concepts such as e-Kuber, ISO 20022, SD-WAN, IFS Cloud, Global SFMS Hub and .bank.in.
1. Why RBI’s IT Architecture Matters
A modern central bank cannot function only through traditional monetary-policy and regulatory mechanisms.
RBI operates and supports infrastructure covering:
- Payment systems
- Government banking
- Public debt management
- Financial-sector communication
- Regulatory applications
- Data management
- Cybersecurity
- Financial-market infrastructure
- Cross-border financial messaging
- Currency and banking operations
Therefore, technological resilience has become closely connected with financial stability and monetary-system resilience.
The Annual Report describes the FY 2025-26 objective as enhancing the efficiency, security and accessibility of payment systems, while strengthening cyber resilience and ICT infrastructure.
2. Department of Information Technology: FY 2025-26 Agenda
The Department of Information Technology identified four major goals for FY 2025-26.
1. Indian Financial Sector Cloud
Phase I of the IFS Cloud was to be initiated with basic cloud services, followed by advanced services under Phase II.
2. e-Kuber 3.0
New modules were planned for:
- Primary auctions
- Public debt management
- Central Accounts Section
- Centre for Financial Literacy
3. Alternate Payment and Messaging System
RBI planned continued development of alternative payment and messaging infrastructure based on modern standards.
4. .bank.in
The exclusive internet domain for Indian banks was introduced to strengthen trust and reduce cyber threats such as phishing.
3. Indian Financial Sector Cloud
One of the most important technology initiatives is the:
Indian Financial Sector (IFS) Cloud
The objective is to provide secure and cost-effective cloud services to the financial sector while addressing issues relating to:
- Technology adoption
- Governance
- Data localisation
- Security
- Scalability
The beta version went live during FY 2025-26.
By the end of the year:
9 entities had been onboarded.
4. IFS Cloud: Phase I and Phase II
Phase I — Basic Services
The planned basic services include:
- IaaS — Infrastructure as a Service
- PaaS — Platform as a Service
- SaaS — Software as a Service
- CaaS — Container as a Service
- STaaS — Storage as a Service
- IPaaS — Public Internet Protocol as a Service
Phase II — Advanced Services
The next stage includes:
- API management
- Application performance management
- Availability zones
- DevSecOps
Exam Memory
IFS Cloud = secure + cost-effective + scalable financial-sector cloud infrastructure.
5. e-Kuber: RBI’s Core Banking Architecture
Another major pillar is:
e-Kuber
The Annual Report describes the development of e-Kuber 3.0, the next-generation core banking solution.
During FY 2025-26:
- The Centre for Financial Literacy (CFL) module was completed.
- Modules for primary auction, public debt management and the Central Accounts Section were under development.
6. e-Kuber 3.0 and Utkarsh 2029
The 2026-27 objective is to operationalise e-Kuber 3.0 under Utkarsh 2029.
The government-account modules are being developed and are expected to migrate from e-Kuber 2.0 in phases.
The broader objective is not merely an upgraded software application.
RBI plans to build a:
Common Bank-wide Enterprise Platform
e-Kuber 3.0 will be the first payment application integrated with this platform.
Existing applications will subsequently be migrated in phases.
Why this matters
This represents a shift from multiple standalone applications towards:
Common platform → common components → integration → scalability → lower duplication
7. NGRTGS 4.0
The RBI upgraded its Next Generation Real Time Gross Settlement system:
NGRTGS 3.0 → NGRTGS 4.0
The new version provides:
- Richer web interface
- Improved performance
- Enhanced security
- Integrated partitioning
- Data-archival mechanism.
Exam Question
From which version to which version was NGRTGS upgraded during FY 2025-26?
Answer: 3.0 to 4.0.
8. NEFT and ISO 20022
The RBI’s migration to international messaging standards is another high-probability examination area.
NEFT has been ISO 20022 compliant since 2023.
During FY 2025-26, all member banks completed migration of their:
- Core Banking Solutions (CBS)
- Middleware
to ISO 20022.
This enabled direct end-to-end transmission of ISO messages without the earlier converter-based arrangement.
9. Why ISO 20022 Is Important
ISO 20022 allows richer and more structured financial messages.
The RBI identifies benefits including:
- Structured data
- Granular information
- Better global harmonisation
- Interoperability across payment systems.
Exam Logic
Old problem: different systems may use different messaging structures.
ISO 20022: provides a common structured messaging framework.
Result: better interoperability and richer data.
10. RBI’s Alternate Payment System
RBI has started developing an:
In-house Alternate Payment System (APS)
The objective is to:
- Reduce external dependencies.
- Increase flexibility.
- Facilitate system changes and enhancements.
- Incorporate existing centralised payment-system functionalities.
- Add advanced functionalities.
The system is therefore strategically connected with:
Technological autonomy + resilience + flexibility
11. Alternate Payment and Messaging System
The RBI is simultaneously developing an alternate payment and messaging architecture.
The proposed system is intended to support:
- Domestic financial messages
- Cross-border financial messages
- Non-financial messages
The Global SFMS Hub component had completed development, while the domestic messaging system remained under development.
The architecture is based on:
ISO 20022.
12. Global SFMS Hub
The:
Global Structured Financial Messaging System (SFMS) Hub
is RBI’s cross-border messaging platform based on ISO 20022.
Its purpose includes supporting:
- Cross-border financial messaging
- Local-currency transactions
- Internationalisation of the Indian rupee
- Greater financial-system integration.
Bilateral cooperation with the United Arab Emirates is underway to interlink financial messaging systems with the Global SFMS Hub.
13. Global SFMS Hub: Testing Stage
IFTAS developed the Global SFMS Hub as a secure, ISO 20022-compliant cross-border messaging platform.
During FY 2025-26, it was under:
Closed User Group (CUG) testing
with:
- Member banks in India
- Designated central banks of other countries.
For 2026-27, RBI intends to increase adoption by onboarding more domestic and foreign participants.
14. .bank.in: Cybersecurity Through Domain Architecture
The RBI introduced the exclusive:
.bank.in
internet domain for Indian banks.
The purpose is to:
- Reduce phishing.
- Reduce malicious activity.
- Strengthen cybersecurity.
- Enhance trust in digital banking.
- Streamline secure access to financial services.
The Institute for Development and Research in Banking Technology (IDRBT) acts as the exclusive registrar.
15. .bank.in Migration Status
Banks were advised to migrate their existing domains to .bank.in and complete the process by October 31, 2025.
By March 2026, the following categories had migrated their corporate websites:
- Public sector banks
- Private sector banks
- Small finance banks
- Payment banks
- Regional rural banks
- Local area banks
Foreign banks and cooperative banks were still in the process of migration.
High-Probability MCQ
Who is the exclusive registrar for .bank.in?
Answer: IDRBT.
16. .fin.in: The Next Layer
RBI plans to introduce:
.fin.in
for other non-bank entities in the financial sector.
The objective is to strengthen:
- Trust
- Security
- Resilience
across the broader financial ecosystem.
Easy Memory
.bank.in → banks
.fin.in → other financial-sector non-bank entities
17. ReBIT: RBI’s Technology Arm
Reserve Bank Information Technology Private Limited (ReBIT) is an important technology entity within RBI’s ecosystem.
During FY 2025-26, ReBIT expanded its institutional strength to:
More than 1,200 professionals.
Its role includes developing and supporting:
- Enterprise applications
- Technology architecture
- Cybersecurity
- IT examinations
- Digital infrastructure
- Mission-critical RBI applications.
18. ReBIT’s Global Standards Handbooks
In September 2025, ReBIT published three global standards and best-practice handbooks covering:
- Enterprise architecture
- AI/ML
- Cybersecurity
This is important because ReBIT’s role is broader than simply maintaining software.
It is increasingly involved in establishing technology standards and institutional capabilities.
19. RBI Enterprise Platform
ReBIT played a key role in designing, developing and deploying the:
Enterprise Platform at RBI’s data centres
It delivers mission-critical applications for different stakeholders.
Major projects during FY 2025-26 included upgrades to:
- PRAVAAH
- Samanvay
- DICGC website
The DICGC website also received an AI-enabled FAQ chatbot.
20. What Is PRAVAAH?
PRAVAAH stands for:
Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation And AutHorisation
It is a centralised web-based portal through which applications can be submitted to RBI for:
- Authorisations
- Licences
- Regulatory approvals.
Exam Point
PRAVAAH = regulatory applications/authorisations
21. ReBIT and Cybersecurity
ReBIT strengthened RBI’s cybersecurity posture through:
- Advanced threat-hunting platforms at the Security Operations Centre.
- Secure Software Development Lifecycle practices.
- IT and cybersecurity examinations.
- Thematic examinations.
- Quick cybersecurity spot assessments.
- Compliance evaluations.
- System-audit assessments.
Core principle
Cybersecurity is being integrated into the entire software lifecycle, rather than being treated as an after-development control.
22. IFTAS: Financial Infrastructure Technology
Indian Financial Technology and Allied Services (IFTAS) plays a major role in India’s financial infrastructure.
During FY 2025-26, IFTAS worked on:
- Payment systems
- Financial messaging
- IFS Cloud
- Alternate Payment System
- Global SFMS Hub
- Foreign-currency settlement infrastructure.
23. INFINET 3.0 and INTERNET 2.0
During the year, IFTAS successfully executed the transition:
INFINET 2.0 → INFINET 3.0
and:
INTERNET 1.0 → INTERNET 2.0
The upgrades used:
SD-WAN — Software-Defined Wide Area Network
to improve:
- Technology
- Bandwidth
- Traffic engineering
- Application visibility
- Security
- Service delivery.
Exam Question
Which technology was used for the upgraded RBI financial communication network?
Answer: SD-WAN.
24. Foreign Currency Settlement System
IFTAS, acting as technology partner for CCIL IFSC Limited, launched the:
Foreign Currency Settlement System (FCSS)
in October 2025.
It enables:
Near real-time foreign-currency settlement in GIFT-IFSC.
This strengthens India’s:
- Global financial competitiveness
- Financial-market infrastructure
- Technological autonomy
25. Indian Financial Sector Cloud and IFTAS
IFTAS was entrusted with building the IFS Cloud.
Its objectives include:
- Secure cloud services
- Cost-effective infrastructure
- Data localisation
- Governance
- Modern technology adoption.
The beta version launched during the year, with nine entities onboarded.
26. Cybersecurity: From Protection to Resilience
RBI’s cybersecurity architecture increasingly follows a layered approach.
Layer 1 — Secure development
Secure Software Development Lifecycle.
Layer 2 — Threat detection
Advanced threat-hunting platforms.
Layer 3 — Examination
IT and cybersecurity examinations of regulated entities.
Layer 4 — Assessment
Spot assessments, thematic examinations and system audits.
Layer 5 — Infrastructure resilience
Secure networks, cloud architecture and resilient data centres.
This approach reflects a move from:
“Prevent every cyberattack”
towards:
“Detect, contain, recover and remain operational.”
The Annual Report’s overall conclusion specifically links technological modernisation with cyber resilience and uninterrupted IT operations.
27. Second Greenfield Data Centre
During FY 2025-26:
Construction of RBI’s second greenfield data centre was completed.
The Enterprise Computing and Cyber Security Training Institute (ECCTI) was also completed, with all statutory approvals in place.
This infrastructure is important for:
- Business continuity
- Capacity expansion
- Cybersecurity
- Disaster resilience
- Future technology adoption
28. AI as a Core RBI Technology Priority
The technology roadmap does not stop at cloud computing and payment infrastructure.
For 2026-27, RBI plans to build an:
Institution-grade AI platform
The platform is intended to be:
- Scalable
- Interoperable
- Secure
and serve as a technological backbone for AI applications across RBI.
It will include purpose-built:
- Large Language Models
- Small Language Models
trained for specialised central-banking functions.
This is a major exam theme
RBI’s AI strategy is moving from individual experimentation toward:
Institution-grade AI infrastructure.
29. Unified Workflow Portal
RBI currently has multiple web-facing and internal portals.
The problem with a silo-based architecture includes:
- Fragmented user experience
- Data duplication
- Process duplication
- Integration challenges
- Higher maintenance costs.
The solution proposed is a:
Unified Workflow Portal
It will standardise:
- User experience
- Authentication
- Data integration
- Workflow capabilities.
30. Payment-System Architecture: The Complete Chain
The Annual Report’s technology initiatives can be visualised as:
e-Kuber 3.0
↓
Government & central-banking applications
NGRTGS 4.0
↓
Real-time gross settlement
NEFT + ISO 20022
↓
Structured electronic fund-transfer messaging
Global SFMS Hub
↓
Cross-border financial messaging
Alternate Payment System
↓
Technological autonomy and flexibility
IFS Cloud
↓
Scalable cloud infrastructure
ReBIT
↓
Enterprise technology and cybersecurity capability
IFTAS
↓
Financial-infrastructure technology
AI platform
↓
Future-ready central banking
This is the architecture-level understanding that makes the individual facts easier to remember.
31. ReBIT vs IFTAS: Do Not Confuse Them
| Feature | ReBIT | IFTAS |
|---|---|---|
| Full form | Reserve Bank Information Technology Pvt. Ltd. | Indian Financial Technology and Allied Services |
| Broad role | RBI’s technology and enterprise applications | Financial infrastructure and technology |
| FY26 strength | 1,200+ professionals | Financial-infrastructure technology role |
| Key areas | Enterprise platform, cybersecurity, applications | Payment systems, messaging, cloud |
| Important FY26 work | PRAVAAH, Samanvay, DICGC website, cyber | INFINET/INTERNET, APS, Global SFMS Hub, IFS Cloud, FCSS |
Memory Trick
ReBIT → RBI’s enterprise technology
IFTAS → financial infrastructure technology
32. FY 2026-27 Technology Priorities
RBI’s technology agenda for 2026-27 includes:
- Operationalisation of e-Kuber 3.0
- Common bank-wide enterprise platform
- Global SFMS Hub
- Alternate Payment System
- Institution-grade AI platform
- Unified Workflow Portal
- .fin.in domain
- IFS Cloud Phase I and Phase II
- Further applications on the enterprise platform.
The overall direction is:
Consolidation + Modernisation + Autonomy + AI + Cyber Resilience
33. High-Probability Exam Questions
Q1. What is e-Kuber 3.0?
Answer: RBI’s next-generation core banking solution.
Q2. Which payment system was upgraded from version 3.0 to 4.0?
Answer: NGRTGS.
Q3. What messaging standard was adopted by NEFT?
Answer: ISO 20022.
Q4. When did NEFT become ISO 20022 compliant?
Answer: Since 2023, with all member banks completing direct CBS/middleware migration during FY 2025-26.
Q5. What is the Global SFMS Hub?
Answer: An ISO 20022-based cross-border financial messaging platform developed by RBI/IFTAS.
Q6. What is the purpose of .bank.in?
Answer: Strengthening trust and cybersecurity for Indian banks and reducing threats such as phishing.
Q7. Who is the exclusive registrar for .bank.in?
Answer: IDRBT.
Q8. What is .fin.in intended for?
Answer: Other non-bank entities in the financial sector.
Q9. How many entities were onboarded to the IFS Cloud beta?
Answer: 9.
Q10. What is the full form of ReBIT?
Answer: Reserve Bank Information Technology Private Limited.
Q11. How many professionals did ReBIT have?
Answer: More than 1,200.
Q12. What is the full form of IFTAS?
Answer: Indian Financial Technology and Allied Services.
Q13. Which technology was used in the INFINET/INTERNET network transition?
Answer: SD-WAN.
Q14. When was the Foreign Currency Settlement System launched?
Answer: October 2025.
Q15. What is the objective of the institution-grade AI platform?
Answer: To provide a scalable, interoperable and secure backbone for AI applications across RBI.
34. Most Important Numbers & Dates
| Topic | Figure / Date |
|---|---|
| IFS Cloud beta onboarded entities | 9 |
| ReBIT professionals | 1,200+ |
| NGRTGS upgrade | 3.0 → 4.0 |
| NEFT ISO 20022 | Compliant since 2023 |
| .bank.in migration deadline | October 31, 2025 |
| Major domestic bank categories migrated by | March 2026 |
| INFINET | 2.0 → 3.0 |
| INTERNET | 1.0 → 2.0 |
| Network technology | SD-WAN |
| FCSS launch | October 2025 |
| Second greenfield data centre | Construction completed |
| ECCTI | Construction completed |
| Global SFMS Hub | ISO 20022 |
| .bank.in registrar | IDRBT |
| .fin.in | Planned |
| e-Kuber 3.0 | Next-generation core banking solution |
| AI platform | Institution-grade platform planned |
35. One-Minute Revision Sheet
IFS Cloud → secure/cost-effective cloud infrastructure
IFS Cloud beta → 9 entities
e-Kuber 3.0 → next-generation core banking
NGRTGS → 3.0 → 4.0
NEFT → ISO 20022
Global SFMS Hub → cross-border messaging
ISO 20022 → structured + granular + interoperable messaging
.bank.in → Indian banks
.bank.in registrar → IDRBT
.fin.in → non-bank financial entities
ReBIT → 1,200+ professionals
ReBIT → enterprise platform + cybersecurity
IFTAS → financial infrastructure technology
INFINET → 2.0 → 3.0
INTERNET → 1.0 → 2.0
Network technology → SD-WAN
FCSS → October 2025
IFS Cloud → IFTAS
AI platform → institution-grade
Unified Workflow Portal → eliminate siloed portals
Second greenfield data centre → completed
ECCTI → completed
36. Cause → Development → Effect → Significance
Cause
The financial system is increasingly dependent on digital infrastructure.
Development
RBI strengthened:
- Core banking architecture
- Payment infrastructure
- Cloud capability
- Financial messaging
- Cybersecurity
- Enterprise applications
- Data centres
- AI capabilities
Effect
The RBI’s technological ecosystem becomes more:
resilient + scalable + secure + interoperable
Significance
Technology is no longer merely an operational support function for RBI.
It has become part of the core infrastructure through which monetary, regulatory, payment and financial-stability functions are executed.
Key Takeaways
- RBI’s technology architecture is increasingly central to the functioning of India’s financial system.
- The IFS Cloud beta became operational during FY 2025-26 and onboarded nine entities.
- e-Kuber 3.0 is RBI’s next-generation core banking solution.
- RBI upgraded NGRTGS from 3.0 to 4.0.
- NEFT has been ISO 20022 compliant since 2023, and all member banks completed direct CBS/middleware migration during FY 2025-26.
- ISO 20022 provides structured and granular financial messaging and supports interoperability.
- RBI is developing an in-house Alternate Payment System to reduce external dependencies.
- The Global SFMS Hub provides ISO 20022-based cross-border financial messaging.
- .bank.in is the exclusive internet-domain initiative for Indian banks; IDRBT is its exclusive registrar.
- RBI plans .fin.in for other non-bank financial-sector entities.
- ReBIT expanded to 1,200+ professionals and strengthened enterprise technology and cybersecurity capabilities.
- IFTAS played a key role in payment systems, messaging, cloud infrastructure and financial-market technology.
- INFINET 2.0 was upgraded to 3.0, while INTERNET 1.0 was upgraded to 2.0, using SD-WAN.
- IFTAS launched the Foreign Currency Settlement System (FCSS) in October 2025 for near-real-time foreign-currency settlement in GIFT-IFSC.
- RBI completed construction of its second greenfield data centre and ECCTI.
- RBI’s future technology roadmap includes an institution-grade AI platform for specialised central-banking applications.
- A Unified Workflow Portal is planned to overcome siloed applications, duplication and integration problems.
- The overall technology strategy can be remembered as Modernisation + Consolidation + Cyber Resilience + Interoperability + Technological Autonomy + AI.
Final Exam Perspective
For the RBI Grade B Promotion Exam, do not memorise ReBIT, IFTAS, e-Kuber, IFS Cloud, NGRTGS and SFMS as disconnected abbreviations.
Understand the architecture:
e-Kuber 3.0 → RBI’s core banking platform
NGRTGS 4.0 → real-time settlement infrastructure
NEFT + ISO 20022 → structured electronic fund-transfer messaging
Global SFMS Hub → cross-border financial messaging
IFS Cloud → cloud infrastructure
ReBIT → RBI enterprise technology and cybersecurity capability
IFTAS → financial-infrastructure technology
.bank.in → trusted banking web identity
.fin.in → planned broader financial-sector web identity
AI platform → future central-banking technology backbone
The most probable factual cluster is:
9 IFS Cloud entities → 1,200+ ReBIT professionals → NGRTGS 3.0→4.0 → ISO 20022 → SD-WAN → .bank.in/IDRBT → Global SFMS Hub → FCSS October 2025 → institution-grade AI platform.
The deeper lesson from the RBI Annual Report FY 2025-26 is that RBI’s technology strategy is moving from fragmented applications towards an integrated, secure, scalable and increasingly autonomous digital architecture.
Part 22 complete.