Top 10 Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) in India

A farmer in rural Uttar Pradesh applying for a Kisan Credit Card, or a self-help group in a Kerala village accessing its first formal loan, is almost certainly banking with an institution most urban Indians have never heard of — a Regional Rural Bank. Established under the Regional Rural Banks Act of 1976 specifically to extend credit and banking facilities to agriculture, small industry, and rural livelihoods, RRBs have undergone a genuinely dramatic transformation recently. The government’s “One State, One RRB” consolidation has collapsed what was once 196 separate institutions down to just 28, and the sector’s total business crossed ₹13.65 lakh crore in FY26. This list covers the top 10 Regional Rural Banks in India in 2026.

1. Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank (UPGB)

Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank stands as the largest RRB in India by a considerable margin, formed through the mega-merger of Baroda UP Bank, Aryavart Bank, and Prathama UP Gramin Bank.

• Reported total business of ₹2,31,103 crore in FY26, by far the largest of any RRB
• Manages 4,330 branches spread across all 75 districts of Uttar Pradesh
• Headquartered across Gorakhpur and Lucknow, employing more than 19,000 staff
• Uses AI-based credit scoring within its Unified Digital Ecosystem to deliver instant credit to MSMEs and farmers

2. Andhra Pradesh Grameena Bank

Andhra Pradesh Grameena Bank was formed in 2025 through the consolidation of four major RRBs — Andhra Pragathi, APGVB, Saptagiri, and Chaitanya Godavari.

• Reported total business of ₹1,36,337.37 crore, the second-largest among all RRBs
• Holds the second-largest branch network in Andhra Pradesh, trailing only SBI
• Targeting expansion to over 1,700 branches by the end of 2026
• Headquartered in Guntur/Amaravati, sponsored by the State Bank of India

3. Karnataka Grameena Bank

Karnataka Grameena Bank emerged from the merger of Karnataka Gramin Bank and Karnataka Vikas Grameena Bank, quickly becoming a powerhouse in South Indian rural banking.

• Reported total business of ₹1,12,229.10 crore in FY26
• Operates 1,750 branches serving roughly 1.90 crore customers
• Headquartered in Ballari, Karnataka, sponsored by Canara Bank
• Pioneer of the “Mobile ATM” initiative, bringing banking services directly to farm gates in hilly and remote regions

4. Rajasthan Gramin Bank

Rajasthan Gramin Bank was formed in 2013 through the merger of three Rajasthan-based RRBs, and has since grown into the state’s dominant rural banking institution.

• Reported total business of ₹1,02,939.37 crore in FY26
• Operates through 880 branches across the state, including remote rural areas
• Sponsored by Bank of Baroda, giving it strong institutional backing
• Represents one of four RRBs to have crossed the ₹1 lakh crore business milestone

5. Telangana Grameena Bank

Telangana Grameena Bank, originally known as Deccan Grameena Bank before its 2014 rename, has built a substantial rural banking presence across Telangana.

• Crossed a significant six-figure crore business milestone in FY26
• Sponsored by the State Bank of India, lending institutional credibility and stability
• Serves agricultural communities and small businesses across Telangana’s rural districts
• Regularly cited among India’s top-performing RRBs by both scale and profitability

6. Kerala Gramin Bank

Kerala Gramin Bank holds a genuinely important position in one of India’s most financially literate states, formed through earlier mergers of Kerala’s regional banks.

• Net worth exceeding ₹45,000 crore
• Headquartered in Malappuram, Kerala, sponsored by Canara Bank
• Historically recognised as one of India’s largest RRBs by business volume even before the recent wave of consolidation
• Serves Kerala’s rural agricultural and small business communities with formal credit access

7. Maharashtra Gramin Bank

Maharashtra Gramin Bank has built a substantial presence serving one of India’s most economically significant states’ rural population.

• Sponsored by Bank of Maharashtra, providing strong institutional backing
• Serves farmers, rural artisans, and small businesses across Maharashtra’s rural districts
• Represents post-amalgamation consolidation of Maharashtra’s earlier regional rural banking structure
• Regularly listed among India’s top-performing RRBs by business scale

8. Tamil Nadu Grama Bank

Tamil Nadu Grama Bank has established itself as the dominant rural banking institution across Tamil Nadu, sponsored by Indian Bank.

• Serves agricultural and rural small business communities across Tamil Nadu
• Sponsored by Indian Bank, providing strong operational and financial backing
• Represents the consolidated rural banking structure for one of South India’s largest states
• Plays a central role in extending formal credit to Tamil Nadu’s rural population

9. Bihar Gramin Bank

Bihar Gramin Bank was formed through the merger of Dakshin Bihar Gramin Bank and Uttar Bihar Gramin Bank, consolidating rural banking across one of India’s least financially penetrated states.

• Sponsored by Central Bank of India
• Serves rural households, farmers, and small entrepreneurs across Bihar’s territory
• Plays a particularly critical financial inclusion role given Bihar’s historically limited commercial bank penetration
• Focuses on microfinance, crop loans, and rural development lending supporting livelihood generation

10. Gujarat Gramin Bank

Gujarat Gramin Bank emerged from the merger of Baroda Gujarat Gramin Bank and Saurashtra Gramin Bank, consolidating rural banking across Gujarat.

• Sponsored by Bank of Baroda
• Serves agricultural and rural business communities across Gujarat’s diverse regional economy
• Represents the state’s consolidated rural banking structure following the “One State, One RRB” policy
• Continues extending formal credit access to Gujarat’s rural and semi-urban population

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Which is the largest Regional Rural Bank in India?

Uttar Pradesh Gramin Bank holds that position by a wide margin, reporting total business of ₹2,31,103 crore in FY26, formed through the merger of Baroda UP Bank, Aryavart Bank, and Prathama UP Gramin Bank.

Q2. What does the “One State, One RRB” policy mean?

It’s a government consolidation initiative that has reduced India’s Regional Rural Banks from an original 196 institutions down to 28, aimed at improving operational efficiency and financial stability.

Q3. Who sponsors Regional Rural Banks in India?

Each RRB is sponsored by a major public sector bank — State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, and Canara Bank are among the largest sponsors, providing financial stability and operational support.

Q4. Can I open a savings account with a Regional Rural Bank if I don’t live in a rural area?

Yes, most RRBs allow account opening regardless of residence, though their core mandate and branch networks are specifically concentrated in rural and semi-urban areas to serve agricultural and small business communities.