The Reserve Bank of India was established on April 1, 1935 in accordance with the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
The Central Office of the Reserve Bank was initially established in Calcutta but was permanently moved to Mumbai in 1937. The Central Office is where the Governor sits and where policies are formulated.
Though originally privately owned, since nationalisation in 1949, the Reserve Bank is fully owned by the Government of India.
Preamble
The Preamble of the Reserve Bank of India describes the basic functions of the Reserve Bank as:
“…to regulate the issue of Bank Notes and keeping of reserves with a view to securing monetary stability in India and generally to operate the currency and credit system of the country to its advantage.”
Central Board
The Reserve Bank”s affairs are governed by a central board of directors. The board is appointed by the Government of India in keeping with the Reserve Bank of India Act.
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Appointed/nominated for a period of four years
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Constitution:
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Official Directors
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Full-time : Governor and not more than four Deputy Governors
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Non-Official Directors
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Nominated by Government: ten Directors from various fields and one government Official
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Others: four Directors – one each from four local boards
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Functions : General superintendence and direction of the Bank”s affairs