HomeCirculars › RBI/2021-2022/158

RBI Clarifies NPA Upgrade Rules for Multiple Facilities

Live · in forceNo withdrawal recorded as of 19 Jun 2026. Reviewed by Vikram Jain; always verify against the official RBI source below.
⏱ ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI clarifies that loan accounts can be upgraded from NPA to standard only after full repayment of all arrears across all credit facilities. The 'out of order' definition now applies to all overdraft products, including non-business ones. NBFCs get until September 30, 2022, to implement the upgrade rule.

What changed

The definition of 'out of order' now covers all overdraft facilities, not just business loans, and the 'previous 90 days' period includes the day-end process day. For borrowers with multiple credit facilities, all accounts must have full arrears cleared before any can be upgraded from NPA to standard. No changes were made to CRILC reporting or Ind-AS guidelines for NBFCs.

What it means for you

Banks must ensure that for any borrower with multiple loans, all accounts are fully regularized before upgrading any single account. This tightens NPA upgrade discipline and prevents selective repayment. The expanded 'out of order' definition brings more overdraft products under stricter monitoring, potentially increasing NPA recognition for non-business OD accounts.

What you must do

Who it affects

All Commercial Banks including Small Finance Banks, Local Area Banks, and RRBs, All Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, State Co-operative Banks, and District Central Co-operative Banks, All-India Financial Institutions (Exim Bank, NABARD, NHB, SIDBI), All Non-Banking Financial Companies including Housing Finance Companies

Does this circular change CRILC reporting requirements?

No, the circular explicitly states that CRILC reporting continues to be governed by existing instructions for respective entities.

What is the timeline for NBFCs to implement the upgrade rule?

NBFCs have until September 30, 2022, to put in place necessary systems for the provision that loan accounts can be upgraded only if entire arrears are paid. Other instructions apply as per earlier timelines.

Track this rule
⏳ How this rule evolved — History Map →Full RBI rulebook crosswalk →
Official source: RBI/2021-2022/158 on rbi.org.in ↗
AI-drafted · 3-model AI consensus fact-check · under the editorial review of Vikram Jain · published · 19 Jun 2026, 10:27 IST
Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=12230&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by Vikram Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; never reproduces RBI text verbatim.