RBI outlines Key Reforms in Payments, Agriculture Credit, and Financial Inclusion

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies on February 6, 2026, outlining a series of targeted measures to bolster the payments ecosystem, enhance agricultural credit delivery, and promote financial inclusion. Amid evolving economic priorities, these reforms focus on streamlining the Lead Bank Scheme, refining Kisan Credit Card (KCC)…

Big RBI Move: Collateral-Free Loans Raised to ₹20 Lakh

A landmark announcement in the Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies dated Feb 6  RBI doubles the collateral-free loan ceiling under CGTMSE and similar guarantees from ₹10 lakhs to ₹20 lakhs, targeting MSMEs, women entrepreneurs, and startups. Salient features: This enhancement injects vitality into MSME credit, critical for India’s job creation engine. Banks must recalibrate…

RBI Pushes for customer protection in Digital Payments

In its Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies released on February 6, 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has outlined targeted measures to fortify the payments ecosystem amid surging digital transaction volumes. A standout initiative is the forthcoming Discussion Paper titled Exploring Safeguards in Digital Payments to Curb Frauds. This move underscores RBI’s commitment…

RBI Signals New Reform Agenda for Banks and NBFCs

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released its Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies on February 6, 2026, outlining several proactive measures to strengthen customer protection, harmonize regulations, and enhance operational flexibility for regulated entities (REs). These initiatives address critical areas like mis-selling, loan recovery, digital fraud, and lending norms, with draft instructions set for…

Subsidiary vs Sister vs Associate vs JV vs Conglomerate: Key Corporate Structures Explained

Overview These terms describe different forms of corporate relationships that are particularly relevant in the banking and financial sector for regulatory compliance, risk management, and consolidated financial reporting under the Companies Act, 2013 and RBI guidelines. Each structure differs in terms of ownership, control, liability, and financial reporting treatment. A clear understanding of these distinctions…

Union Budget 2026 — What Banks and Taxpayers Need to Know

Date presented: 1 February 2026Presented by: Finance Minister Nirmala SitharamanContext: The Union Budget 2026 🇮🇳 continues India’s efforts to sustain growth amid global economic pressures, while balancing fiscal prudence and long-term tax reforms. 📊 Overview: Growth, Deficit and Fiscal Strategy The government maintained a focus on macro-economic stability. With strong infrastructure spending and targeted incentives,…

Union Budget 2026: Key Takeaways for Banking Sector

India’s Union Budget 2026, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2026, emphasizes financial sector reforms under the Viksit Bharat vision. It highlights the banking system’s strong balance sheets and profitability while announcing measures to enhance efficiency, inclusion, and growth. High-Level Banking Committee The budget proposes a high-level committee to review the banking…