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VI
48. [Omitted by the State Bank of India (Amendment) Act, 1964, w.e.f. 1-12-1964] 46
49. Power of Central Government to make rules 46
50. Power of Central Board to make regulations 48
51. Requirements of foreign law to be complied with in certain cases 52
52. [Repealed by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1960, w.e.f. 26-12-1960] 52
53. [Repealed by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1960, w.e.f. 26-12-1960] 52
54. [Repealed by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1960, w.e.f. 26-12-1960] 52
55. No proceeding to lie in India against Imperial Bank after appointed day 53
56. References to the Imperial Bank, the Bank of Bengal, etc., in other laws 53
57. Dissolution of Imperial Bank, etc. 53
FIRST SCHEDULE: Compensation for the Transfer of Shares of the Imperial Bank to the Reserve Bank 53
SECOND SCHEDULE: Declaration of Fidelity and Secrecy 54
THIRD SCHEDULE: [Repealed by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1960, w.e.f. 26-12-1960] 55
FOURTH SCHEDULE: [Repealed by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1960, w.e.f. 26-12-1960] 55
FIFTH SCHEDULE: [Repealed by the Repealing and Amending Act, 1960, w.e.f. 26-12-1960] 55
SAMPLE CHAPTER
State Bank of India Act, 1955
[23 OF 1955]1
An Act to constitute a State Bank for India, to transfer to it the undertaking of the Imperial Bank of India and to provide for other matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
WHEREAS for the extension of banking facilities on a large scale, more particularly in the rural and semi-urban areas, and for diverse other public purposes it is expedient to constitute a State Bank for India, and to transfer to it the undertaking of the Imperial Bank of India and to provide for other matters connected therewith or incidental thereto;
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Sixth Year of the Republic of India as follows:—
CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY
Short title and commencement.
1. (1) This Act may be called the State Bank of India Act, 1955.
(2) It shall come into force on such date2 as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint. Definitions.
2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
(a) “appointed day” means the date on which this Act comes into force;
(b) “Central Board” means the Central Board of Directors of the State Bank;
3[(bb) “chairman” means the chairman of the Central Board;]
(c) “goods” includes bullion, wares and merchandise;
(d) “Imperial Bank” means the Imperial Bank of India constituted under the Imperial Bank of India Act, 1920 (47 of 1920);
3[(dd) “Local Board” means a Local Board constituted under section 21;]
1. Dated 8-5-1955.
2. With effect from 1-7-1955.
The Act has been extended to Dadra and Nagar Haveli by the Dadra and Nagar Haveli (Laws) Regulation, 1963, w.e.f. 1-7-1965; Pondicherry by the Pondicherry (Laws) Regulation, 1963, w.e.f. 1-10-1963 and Goa, Daman and Diu by the Goa, Daman and Diu (Laws) No. 2 Regulation, 1963, w.e.f. 19-12-1963.
3. Inserted by the State Bank of India (Amendment) Act, 1964, w.e.f. 1-12-1964.
1
S. 4
STATE BANK OF INDIA ACT, 1955 2
(
e) “prescribed” means prescribed by regulations made under this Act;
(f) “Reserve Bank” means the Reserve Bank of India constituted under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934);
(
g) “State Bank” means the State Bank of India constituted under this Act;
(h) 4[***]
(i) 5[***]
6[(j) “workman” has the meaning assigned to it in the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 (14 of 1947).]
CHAPTER II
INCORPORATION AND SHARE CAPITAL OF STATE BANK
Establishment of the State Bank.
3. (1) A Bank to be called the State Bank of India shall be constituted to carry on the business of banking and other business in accordance with the provisions of this Act and for the purpose of taking over the undertaking of the Imperial Bank.
(2) The 7[Central Government], together with such other persons as may from time to time become shareholders in the State Bank in accordance with the provisions of this Act, shall, so long as they are shareholders in the State Bank, constitute a body corporate with perpetual succession and a common seal under the name of the State Bank of India, and shall sue and be sued in that name.
(3) The State Bank shall have power to acquire and hold property, whether movable or immovable, for the purposes for which it is constituted and to dispose of the same.
8[Authorised capital.
4. Subject to the provisions of this Act, the authorised capital of the State Bank shall be five thousand crores of rupees divided into five hundred crores of fully paid-up shares of ten rupees each:
4. Clause (h) omitted by the State Banks (Repeal and Amendment) Act, 2018, w.r.e.f. 1-4-2017. Prior to its omission, said clause read as under: ‘(h) “subsidiary bank” means a subsidiary bank as defined in the State Bank of India (Subsidiary Banks) Act, 1959 (38 of 1959)’.
5. Omitted by the State Bank of India (Amendment) Act, 2010, w.e.f. 15-9-2010. Prior to its omission, clause (i) as inserted by the State Bank of India (Amendment) Act, 1964, w.e.f. 1-12-1964, read as under:
‘(i) “vice-chairman” means the vice-chairman of the Central Board;’
6. Inserted by the State Bank Laws (Amendment) Act, 1973, w.e.f. 1-7-1974.
7. Substituted for “Reserve Bank” by the State Bank of India (Amendment) Act, 2007, w.r.e.f. 29-6-2007.
8. Substituted by the State Bank of India (Amendment) Act, 2010, w.e.f. 15-9-2010. Prior to its substitution, section 4 as amended by the State Bank of India (Amendment) Act, 1993, w.r.e.f. 15-10-1993, read as under :
“4. Authorised capital. Subject to the provisions of this Act, the authorised capital of the State Bank shall be twenty crores of rupees divided into two crores of fully paid up shares of ten rupees each :
Provided that the Central Government may increase or reduce the authorised capital as it thinks fit so however that the shares in all cases shall be fully paid up shares of ten rupees each.”
Provided that the Central Board may reduce the nominal or face value of the shares, and divide the authorised capital into such denomination as it may decide with the approval of the Reserve Bank:
Provided further that the Central Government may, in consultation with the Reserve Bank, increase or reduce the authorised capital so however that the shares in all cases shall be fully paid-up shares.]
Issued capital.
5. (1) The issued capital of the State Bank shall, on the appointed day, be five crores, sixty-two lakhs and fifty thousand rupees divided into five lakhs, sixty-two thousand and five hundred shares, all of which shall, on the appointed day, stand allotted to the Reserve Bank in lieu of the shares of the Imperial Bank 9[transferred to and vested in it under section 6].
10[(2) The issued capital of the State Bank shall consist of equity shares or equity and preference shares:
Provided that the issue of preference shares shall be in accordance with the guidelines framed by the Reserve Bank specifying the class of preference shares, the extent of issue of each class of such preference shares (whether perpetual or irredeemable or redeemable) and the terms and conditions subject to which, each class of preference shares may be issued:
Provided further that the Central Board may from time to time increase, with the previous approval of the Reserve Bank and the Central Government, whether by public issue or rights issue or preferential allotment or private placement, in accordance with the procedure as may be prescribed, the issued capital by the issue of equity or preference shares:
Provided also that the Central Government shall, at all times, hold not less than fifty-one per cent of the issued capital consisting of equity shares of the State Bank.]
(3) No increase in the issued capital beyond twelve crores and fifty lakhs of rupees shall be made under sub-section (2) without the previous sanction of the Central Government.
11[(4) Subject to the provisions contained in sub-section (2), the Central Board may increase from time to time, by way of issuing bonus shares to existing equity shareholders, the issued capital in such manner as the Central Government may, after consultation with the Reserve Bank, direct.
9. Substituted for “transferred to it by paragraph 2 of the First Schedule” by the State Bank of India (Amendment) Act, 1955, w.e.f. 21-9-1955.
10. Substituted by the State Bank of India (Amendment) Act, 2010, w.e.f. 15-9-2010. Prior to its substitution, sub-section (2) as amended by the State Bank of India (Amendment) Act, 2007, w.r.e.f. 29-6-2007, read as under:
“(2) The Central Board may from time to time increase the issued capital but no increase in the issued capital shall be made in such a manner that the Central Government holds at any time less than fifty-five per cent of the issued capital of the State Bank.”
11. Sub-sections (4) and (5) inserted by the State Bank of India (Amendment) Act, 2010, w.e.f. 15-9-2010.
STATE BANK OF INDIA ACT 1955 – BARE ACT WITH SECTION NOTES
AUTHOR : Taxmann's Editorial Board
PUBLISHER : Taxmann
DATE OF PUBLICATION : January 2026
EDITION : 2026 Edition
ISBN NO : 9789375610960
NO. OF PAGES : 72
BINDING TYPE : Paperback
Rs. 120
DESCRIPTION
The State Bank of India Act 1955 [Bare Act with Section Notes] by Taxmann is an authoritative statutory publication that presents the complete and updated law governing the constitution, management, and functioning of India's largest public sector bank. Enacted to constitute the State Bank of India and effect the transfer of the undertaking of the Imperial Bank of India, the Act establishes the legal framework relating to incorporation, governance, capital structure, management, business operations, audit, and regulatory control of SBI. This book is intended for the following audience:
• Banking & Finance Professionals
• Legal Practitioners & Judiciary
• Regulators & Government Officials
• Academicians & Students
• Institutional Libraries & Research Bodies
The Present Publication is the 2025 Edition, covering the amended and updated text of the State Bank of India Act [Act No. 23 of 1955], with the following noteworthy features:
• [Authentic Bare Act Text] Complete and unabridged text of the Act, incorporating all amendments notified up to date
• [Pre-amendment Provisions] Earlier versions of amended sections retained through detailed amendment footnotes for historical and transitional reference
• [Comprehensive Section Notes] Clear notes explaining legislative intent, scope, procedures, and compliance implications
• [Case Law References] Select Supreme Court and High Court judgments summarised under relevant provisions
• [Statutory Commentary] Editorial clarifications on capital structure, board composition, regulatory oversight, service matters, audit, and disciplinary powers
• [User-friendly Structure] Detailed contents, schedules, and a comprehensive subject index for easy navigation
• [Practical Focus] Coverage of governance mechanisms, shareholder rights, RBI and Central Government control, audit and reporting obligations, and employee service conditions
