The Reserve Bank of India has issued draft Responsible Business Conduct (Second Amendment) Directions, 2026 to regulate the conduct of loan recovery agents, effective from July 1, 2026. The guidelines prohibit harassment, abusive language, excessive or anonymous calls, inappropriate digital messages, and any form of intimidation or public humiliation of borrowers or guarantors. Banks are required to establish a dedicated grievance redressal mechanism and adopt board-approved policies covering due diligence, code of conduct, and performance standards for recovery agents. The move aims to strengthen financial consumer protection, promote ethical recovery practices, and balance borrower dignity with credit discipline in India’s expanding retail lending ecosystem.
Click to View MoreThe Reserve Bank of India has increased the collateral-free loan limit for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) from ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh, with a possible extension up to ₹25 lakh for financially sound units. The measure aims to improve access to formal credit, promote entrepreneurship, and strengthen financial inclusion, particularly for small businesses lacking assets to pledge. Supported by guarantee mechanisms such as the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises and aligned with schemes like the Prime Minister Employment Generation Programme, the initiative is expected to boost employment, support business expansion, and enhance the role of the MSME sector in driving inclusive economic growth, while requiring prudent risk management by banks.
Click to View MoreKerala’s decision to waive ₹18.75 crore in loans for Wayanad landslide survivors signals a shift toward financial rehabilitation. It addresses post-disaster debt traps, contrasts State welfare with rigid national frameworks, and highlights the need for catastrophe insurance and reforms to strengthen disaster justice and recovery systems.
Click to View MoreThe Economic Survey 2025–26 projects 7.4% GDP growth in FY26, showing India’s resilience amid global stress. Broad-based growth spans agriculture, PLI-led manufacturing, and services exports. Prudent fiscal policy, stable inflation, reforms, and inclusion strengthen long-term, inclusive growth toward India@2047.
Click to View MoreCentral Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) is a sovereign digital form of money issued by central banks to complement physical cash and existing digital payment systems. It aims to enhance payment efficiency, financial inclusion, monetary sovereignty, and cross-border transactions while offering a safer alternative to private digital currencies. However, challenges related to cybersecurity, privacy, banking stability, and interoperability necessitate a cautious, phased, and well-regulated implementation supported by strong domestic and international coordination.
Click to View MoreIndia’s capital markets are undergoing a major shift as domestic household savings increasingly replace foreign institutional money. This transition strengthens market stability and enhances policy autonomy but also exposes new retail investors to higher risks, uneven participation, and potential overvaluation. With rising SIP inflows, booming IPOs, and declining FPI dependence, markets appear strong on the surface, yet structural issues—such as unequal access, performance gaps in active funds, governance concerns, and growing wealth inequality—require urgent attention. Ensuring investor protection, financial literacy, and transparent regulation is critical for converting this savings shift into inclusive and sustainable financial growth.
Click to View MoreThe emerging priorities of India’s banking sector for 2025–2035 centre on strengthening deposit mobilisation to support rapid credit expansion, especially by deepening outreach in rural and semi-urban areas. Banks are shifting focus toward high-growth segments such as manufacturing, infrastructure, and renewable energy, while expanding green finance through sustainability-linked lending and support for technologies like Small Modular Reactors. Financial inclusion remains a core objective, with schemes such as PM MUDRA, PM Vishwakarma, PM Surya Ghar, PM Vidyalaxmi, and KCC enhancing grassroots access to credit. Agriculture lending is being redesigned under the PM Dhan Dhanya Yojana to boost productivity in low-performing districts. At the global level, banks are strengthening their presence through platforms like GIFT City and the India International Bullion Exchange. A parallel priority is improving customer experience through multilingual digital platforms and faster grievance redressal, reflecting a shift toward more technology-driven and citizen-centric banking.
Click to View MoreThe Credit Guarantee Scheme for Exporters is a government initiative providing collateral-free credit support of up to twenty thousand crore rupees to Indian exporters, including micro, small, and medium enterprises. By offering a 100% government-backed credit guarantee, the scheme enhances liquidity, promotes market diversification, strengthens global competitiveness, and supports employment. It aims to facilitate export-led growth, enable smoother business operations, and contribute to India’s journey towards becoming a self-reliant economy.
Click to View MoreIndia is working to build big and world-class banks to support its growing economy and global competitiveness. Reforms like the Indradhanush Plan, Atmanirbhar Bharat recapitalization, EASE reforms, and FSIB governance improvements have strengthened public sector banks. Digital innovations like UPI and Public Tech Infrastructure, along with the IFSC at GIFT City, position India as a leader in financial technology and global banking. The focus going forward is on capital adequacy, governance, digitalization, risk management, sustainability, and global integration to create banks that are efficient, resilient, and internationally competitive.
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Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the banking sector by enabling faster decision-making, improved customer experiences, and operational efficiency. However, it also introduces risks such as bias, model errors, data privacy issues, and regulatory challenges. AI auditing ensures these systems are ethical, transparent, and accountable throughout their lifecycle. Frameworks like RBI’s FREE-AI, along with global standards such as NIST AI RMF and CSA AICM, guide banks in implementing responsible AI. The way forward involves pragmatic guardrails, continuous monitoring, human oversight, and multi-stakeholder collaboration to balance innovation with risk, ensuring trustworthy and inclusive AI-driven banking.
Click to View MoreThe Kerala Single Dwelling Place Protection Bill aims to protect families from losing their homes due to loan defaults by preventing banks and financial institutions from seizing single dwelling properties under certain conditions. It covers loans up to Rs 5 lakh and provides relief to low-income borrowers with limited land and income. The bill establishes committees to review cases and allows the government to take over debts or absorb outstanding loans into housing schemes. This is a pioneering state-level effort following the Centre’s inaction on amending the SARFAESI Act to protect small borrowers.
Click to View MoreSmall Savings Schemes like PPF, NSC, SCSS, Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, KVP, and MIS are government-backed instruments aimed at mobilizing household savings. As of Oct–Dec 2025, interest rates remain attractive (PPF 7.1%, SCSS 8.2%), ensuring investor confidence. Key initiatives include digitalization through Aadhaar-based e-KYC, freezing inactive accounts after 3 years, and exploring sachet-sized investments to promote financial inclusion. These measures enhance accessibility, transparency, and fiscal sustainability, making small savings schemes a safe and convenient investment option for all sections of society.
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