HomeCirculars › RBI/DOR/2025-26/371

RBI Issues Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Microfinance Institution) Directions, 2025

Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/DOR/2025-26/371 · issued 28 Nov 2025 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI issues the Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Microfinance Institution) Directions, 2025, covering governance, risk management, prudential regulations, and other provisions for NBFC-MFIs to ensure financial system stability and prevent detrimental conduct.
The rule, in the simplest words
How it plays out — a real example

Rahul, an NBFC compliance officer in Indore, ensures that the NBFC-MFI he works for complies with the RBI's prudential regulations. He reviews the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio of the gold loans they offer, ensuring that it does not exceed the permissible limit. This helps prevent the NBFC-MFI from taking on excessive risk and ensures that the financial system remains stable.

What changed

RBI has issued the Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Microfinance Institution) Directions, 2025, under sections 45JA, 45L, and 45M of the RBI Act, 1934, to regulate NBFC-MFIs and prevent affairs from being conducted in a manner detrimental to investors or prejudicial to NBFC-MFIs.

What it means for you

The directions apply to all NBFC-MFIs registered with RBI and require compliance with provisions on board roles, qualifying assets, prudential norms, shareholding, governance, risk management, and other instructions, in addition to existing scale-based regulations.

What you must do

Who it affects

NBFC-MFIs

❓ Common questions

What are the key changes introduced by RBI for NBFC-MFIs?

RBI has introduced directions on governance, risk management, and prudential regulations for NBFC-MFIs to ensure stability in the financial system.

What is the purpose of RBI's directions for NBFC-MFIs?

The directions aim to prevent detrimental conduct of NBFC-MFIs and ensure that their affairs are conducted in a manner that is not detrimental to investors or prejudicial to the NBFC-MFIs themselves.

What are the key implications of RBI's directions for NBFC-MFIs?

The directions will impact NBFC-MFIs, requiring them to strengthen their governance and risk management practices, comply with prudential regulations and directions, ensure transparency and disclosure in financial dealings, and implement robust internal controls and audit mechanisms.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
Notifications - Reserve Bank of India Skip to main content Selected Selected Change Language हिंदी Search the Website Search Home About Us ▼ About Us Organisation & Functions ▶ Organisation Structure Departments Offices Training Establishment ▶ College of Agricultural Banking Reserve Bank Staff College College of Supervisors RBI's Functions and Working Governors Deputy Governors Executive Directors Communication Policy of RBI Sources of Information ▶ Annual Publications Half-yearly Publications Quarterly Publications Monthly Publications Weekly Publications Occasional Publications SDDS NSDP Data Releases Publications available on Subscription General Information RBI History Museum ▶ The RBI Museum RBI Monetary Museum Notification ▼ Notifications Master Directions Master Circulars Amendment Directions Draft Notifications/Guidelines ▶ Draft Notifications/Guidelines Draft Directions (RE-wise) Index To RBI Circulars Standalone Circulars Circulars Withdrawn Press Releases Speeches & Media Interactions ▼ Speeches Media Interactions Memorial Lectures Podcasts Publications ▼ Biennial Annual Half-Yearly Quarterly Bi-monthly Monthly Weekly Occasional Reports Working Papers Legal Framework ▼ Act Rules Regulations Schemes Research ▼ External Research Schemes RBI Occasional Papers Working Papers RBI Bulletin History DRG Studies KLEMS State Statistics and Finances Statistics ▼ Data Releases Database on Indian Economy Public Debt Statistics Regulatory Reporting ▼ List of Returns Data Definition Validation rules/ Taxonomy List of RBI Reporting Portals FAQs of RBI Reporting Portals Home Notifications Notifications ( 313 kb ) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Microfinance Institution) Directions, 2025 RBI/DOR/2025-26/371 DOR.FIN.REC.290/ 03-10-038/2025-26 November 28, 2025 Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Microfinance Institution) Directions, 2025 Table of Contents Chapter-I - Preliminary Chapter-II – Role of Board of Directors and Registration Requirements Chapter-III – Qualifying Assets and Permissible Activities Chapter-IV – Prudential Regulations Chapter-V – Shareholding and Corporate Governance Chapter-VI - Risk Management Chapter-VII – Miscellaneous Instructions Chapter-VIII – Repeal and Other Provisions In exercise of the powers conferred under section 45JA, 45L and 45M of Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (Act 2 of 1934), and of all powers enabling it in this behalf, the Reserve Bank having considered it necessary in the public interest so to do and being satisfied that, for the purpose of enabling it to regulate the financial system to the advantage of the country and to prevent the affairs of any Non-Banking Financial Company – Microfinance Institution (NBFC-MFI) from being conducted in a manner detrimental to the interest of investors or prejudicial to the interest of such NBFC-MFIs, hereby issues the Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Microfinance Institution) Directions, 2025 hereinafter specified, for compliance of the same by every NBFC-MFI. Chapter-I - Preliminary A. Short Title and Commencement 1. These Directions shall be called the Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Microfinance Institution) Directions, 2025. 2. These directions shall come into effect on the day they are placed on the website of the Reserve Bank. B. Applicability 3. These Directions shall be applicable to every Non-Banking Financial Company – Microfinance Institution (hereinafter collectively referred to as ‘NBFC-MFIs’ and individually as an ‘NBFC-MFI’) registered with the Reserve Bank under the provisions of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (Act No. 2 of 1934). C. Applicability of other directions 4. The provisions contained in the following directions, where not contradictory to the contents of these Directions, shall be applicable to NBFC-MFIs based on the layer in which the NBFC-MFI is categorised: (1) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Registration, Exemptions and Framework for Scale Based Regulation) Directions, 2025 . (2) Paragraphs 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15 of the Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Branch Authorisation) Directions, 2025 . (3) Paragraphs 6 to 19, 23 to 33 and 50 to 57 of the Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Undertaking of Financial Services) Directions, 2025 . (4) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Acquisition of Shareholding or Control) Directions, 2025 except paragraphs 6(3) and 6(4). (5) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Governance) Directions, 2025 . (6) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy) Directions, 2025 excluding paragraphs 6(1), 6(2) and 17. (7) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Credit Risk Management) Directions, 2025 . (8) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Credit Facilities) Directions, 2025 . (9) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Concentration Risk Management) Directions, 2025 . (10) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Securitisation Transactions) Directions, 2025 . (11) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Transfer and Distribution of Credit Risk) Directions, 2025 . (12) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Income Recognition, Asset Classification and Provisioning) Directions, 2025 . (13) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Resolution of Stressed Assets) Directions, 2025 . (14) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Treatment of Wilful Defaulters and Large Defaulters) Directions, 2025 . (15) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Classification, Valuation and Operation of Investment Portfolio) Directions, 2025 . (16) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Asset Liability Management) Directions, 2025 . (17) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Managing Risks in Outsourcing) Directions, 2025 . (18) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Financial Statements: Presentation and Disclosures) Directions, 2025 . (19) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Prudential Norms on Declaration of Dividends) Directions, 2025 . (20) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Credit Information Reporting) Directions, 2025 . (21) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025 . (22) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Credit Cards: Issuance and Conduct) Directions, 2025 . (23) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Responsible Business Conduct) Directions, 2025 . (24) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Voluntary Amalgamation) Directions, 2025 . (25) Chapters II and III of the Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Miscellaneous) Directions, 2025 . 5. The instructions contained in these Directions shall be applicable to NBFC-MFIs in addition and not in substitution to the other relevant instructions contained in the directions mentioned in paragraph 4 above. 6. An NBFC-MFI may make use of the ‘Guidance Note on Operational Risk Management and Operational Resilience’ , as amended from time to time. D. Regulatory Structure under Scale Based Regulation for NBFCs 7. An NBFC-MFI may lie in any of the layers of the regulatory structure depending on the parameters of the scale based regulatory framework specified in Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Registration, Exemptions and Framework for Scale Based Regulation) Directions, 2025 . E. Definitions 8. In these Directions, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms herein shall bear the meanings assigned to them below – (1) “Company” means a company registered under section 3 of the Companies Act, 1956 or the corresponding provision under the Companies Act, 2013. (2) “Microfinance loan” shall have the same meaning as given to it in Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Credit Facilities) Directions, 2025 . (3) “NBFC-MFI” means a non-deposit taking NBFC which has a minimum of 60 percent of its total assets (netted off by intangible assets) deployed towards “microfinance loans” on an ongoing basis. (4) “Owned Funds” shall have the same meaning as given to it in the Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy) Directions, 2025 . (5) "RBI Act, 1934" means the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (Act 2 of 1934). (6) “Tier 1 capital” shall have the same elements as prescribed in Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy) Directions, 2025 . (7) “Tier 2 capital” shall have the same elements as prescribed in Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy) Directions, 2025 . 9. The words or expressions used in these Directions but not defined herein and defined in the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (Act 2 of 1934), or the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (Act 10 of 1949) shall have the same meaning as assigned to them under the said Acts. Any other words or expressions not defined in the said Acts shall have the same meaning as assigned to them in the Companies Act, 1956 or Companies Act, 2013. Chapter-II – Role of Board of Directors and Registration Requirements A. Role of Board of Directors 10. The NBFC-MFI shall put in place Board approved policies and establish periodic review mechanisms to ensure sound processes and systems. An illustrative list of such policies to be approved by the Board is provided below. The specific aspects to be addressed in these policies are detailed in the relevant paragraphs of these Directions: (1) Geographical Diversification: An NBFC-MFI shall put in place Board-approved internal exposure limits to avoid any undesirable concentration in specific geographical locations. B. Registration requirements 11. The NBFC-MFI shall comply with the registration requirements specified under Chapter III of the Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Registration, Exemptions and Framework for Scale Based Regulation) Directions, 2025 . Chapter-III – Qualifying Assets and Permissible Activities A. Qualifying Assets Criteria 12. The definition of ‘qualifying assets’ of NBFC-MFIs has been aligned with the definition of ‘microfinance loans’ specified at paragraph 8(2) above. Qualifying assets of NBFC-MFIs shall constitute a minimum of 60 percent of the total assets (netted off by intangible assets), on an ongoing basis. If an NBFC-MFI fails to maintain the qualifying assets as aforesaid for four consecutive quarters, it shall approach the Reserve Bank with a remediation plan for taking a view in the matter. B. Channelizing Agents for Schemes operated by Central / State Government Agencies 13. An NBFC-MFI acting as Channelizing Agent for Schemes operated by Central / State Government Agencies shall abide by the following guidelines: (1) Loans disbursed or managed by the NBFC-MFI in its capacity as channelizing agent for Central / State Government Agencies shall be considered as a separate business segment. These loans shall not be included either in the numerator (microfinance loans) or the denominator (total assets) for the purpose of determining compliance with the minimum threshold of microfinance loans. (2) An NBFC-MFI may act as Channelizing Agent for distribution of loans under special schemes of Central / State Government Agencies subject to following conditions: (i) accounts and records for such loans as well as funds received / receivable from concerned agencies shall be maintained in the books of the NBFC-MFI distinct from other assets and liabilities, and depicted in the financials / final accounts / balance sheet with requisite details and disclosures as a separate segment; (ii) such loans shall be subject to applicable asset classification, income recognition and provisioning norms as well as other prudential norms as applicable to NBFC-MFIs except in cases where the NBFC-MFIs do not bear any credit risk; (iii) all such loans shall be reported to Credit Information Companies to prevent multiple borrowings and present complete picture of indebtedness of a borrower. C. ‘Not for Profit’ Companies engaged in Microfinance Activities 14. Exemptions from Sections 45-IA, 45-IB and 45-IC of the RBI Act, 1934 have been withdrawn for those ‘not for profit’ companies engaged in microfinance activities that have asset size of ₹100 crore and above. 15. ‘Not for profit’ companies that are not eligible for the exemptions mentioned above are required to register as NBFC-MFIs and adhere to the regulations applicable to NBFC-MFIs. Such companies shall submit the application for registration as an NBFC-MFI to the Reserve Bank. Those companies that currently do not comply with the regulations prescribed for NBFC-MFIs, shall submit a board-approved plan, with a roadmap to meet the prescribed regulations, along with their application for registration. Chapter-IV – Prudential Regulations A. Capital Requirement 16. An NBFC-MFI shall maintain a capital adequacy ratio consisting of Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital which shall not be less than 15 per cent of its aggregate risk weighted assets of on-balance sheet and of risk adjusted value of off-balance sheet items. 17. The total of Tier 2 capital at any point of time, shall not exceed 100 percent of Tier 1 capital. 18. The treatment to on-balance and off-balance sheet assets for capital adequacy shall be as provided in the Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy) Directions, 2025 respectively. 19. An NBFC-MFI shall also adhere to provisions of the Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy) Directions, 2025 on treatment of deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities for computation of capital. 20. For loans guaranteed under any existing or future schemes launched by CGTMSE, CRGFTLIH and NCGTC, an NBFC-MFI shall assign risk weight as per the instructions specified in Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy) Directions, 2025 . 21. All other provisions contained in Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy) Directions, 2025 excluding paragraphs 6(1), 6(2) and 17, where not contradictory to the contents of these directions, shall be applicable to NBFC-MFIs. B. Asset classification and provisioning norms 22. An NBFC-MFI shall adopt the following norms for its microfinance loans: B.1 Asset Classification Norms 23. Standard asset means the asset in respect of which, no default in repayment of principal or payment of interest is perceived and which does not disclose any problem nor carry more than normal risk attached to the business. 24. Non-performing asset means an asset for which, interest / principal payment has remained overdue for a period of more than 90 days. B.2 Provisioning Norms 25. For non-performing assets related to microfinance loans of NBFC-MFIs, provisioning norms shall be as below: (1) The aggregate loan provision to be maintained by NBFC-MFIs at any point of time shall not be less than the higher of (i) 1 percent of the outstanding loan portfolio or (ii) 50 percent of the aggregate loan instalments which are overdue for more than 90 days and less than 180 days and 100 percent of the aggregate loan instalments which are overdue for 180 days or more. 26. If the advance covered by Credit Risk Guarantee Fund Trust for Low Income Housing (CRGFTLIH) guarantee becomes non-performing, no provision need be made towards the guaranteed portion. The amount outstanding in excess of the guaranteed portion shall be provided for as per provisioning norms as mentioned in Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Income Recognition, Asset Classification and Provisioning) Directions, 2025 . 27. Standard assets provisioning of microfinance loans of an NBFC-MFI lying in a particular layer of the scale based regulatory framework shall be in accordance with instructions contained in Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Income Recognition, Asset Classification and Provisioning) Directions, 2025 for the respective layer. 28. All other provisions contained in Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Income Recognition, Asset Classification and Provisioning) Directions, 2025 , where not contradictory to the contents of these directions, shall be applicable to NBFC-MFIs. C. Resolution of Stressed Assets 29. An NBFC-MFI shall adhere to the provisions of Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Resolution of Stressed Assets) Directions, 2025 . D. Investment Portfolio 30. An NBFC-MFI shall adhere to the provisions of Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Classification, Valuation and Operation of Investment Portfolio) Directions, 2025 . E. Asset Liability Management 31. An NBFC-MFI shall adhere to the provisions of Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Asset Liability Management) Directions, 2025 . F. Declaration of Dividends 32. An NBFC-MFI shall adhere to the provisions of Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Prudential Norms on Declaration of Dividends) Directions, 2025 . Chapter-V – Shareholding and Corporate Governance A. Acquisition of Shareholding or Control 33. An NBFC-MFI shall adhere to the provisions of Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Acquisition of Shareholding or Control) Directions, 2025 excluding paragraphs 6(3) and 6(4). B. Corporate Governance 34. An NBFC-MFI shall adhere to the provisions of Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Governance) Directions, 2025 . Chapter-VI - Risk Management A. Credit Risk Management 35. An NBFC-MFI shall adhere to provisions of Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Credit Risk Management) Directions, 2025 . B. Transfer and Distribution of Credit Risk 36. An NBFC-MFI shall adhere to provisions of Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Transfer and Distribution of Credit Risk) Directions, 2025 . C. Concentration Risk Management 37. An NBFC-MFI shall adhere to provisions of the Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Concentration Risk Management) Directions, 2025 . D. Risks in Outsourcing 38. An NBFC-MFI shall adhere to provisions of the Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Managing Risks in Outsourcing) Directions, 2025 . E. Guidance Note on Operational Risk Management and Operational Resilience 39. An NBFC-MFI may make use of the ‘Guidance Note on Operational Risk Management and Operational Resilience’ , as amended from time to time. Chapter-VII – Miscellaneous Instructions A. Credit Facilities and Financial Services 40. An NBFC-MFI shall adhere to the following directions on credit facilities and various financial services: (1) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Credit Facilities) Directions, 2025 . (2) Paragraphs 6 to 14, 23 to 33 and 50 to 57 of Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Undertaking of Financial Services) Directions, 2025 . (3) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Credit Cards: Issuance and Conduct) Directions, 2025 . B. Conduct of Business 41. An NBFC-MFI shall ensure adherence to the following directions: (1) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Responsible Business Conduct) Directions, 2025 . (2) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025 . (3) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Securitisation Transactions) Directions, 2025 . (4) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Credit Information Reporting) Directions, 2025 . (5) Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Treatment of Wilful Defaulters and Large Defaulters) Directions, 2025 . (6) Chapter II and III of the Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Miscellaneous) Directions, 2025 . C. Presentation and Disclosures 42. An NBFC-MFI shall adhere to the provisions of Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Financial Statements: Presentation and Disclosures) Directions, 2025 . D. Opening of Branch / Representative Office or Opening Subsidiary / Joint Venture / Undertaking Investment Abroad 43. An NBFC-MFI shall adhere to the provisions contained in paragraphs 10, 11, 13, 14 and 15 of the Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Branch Authorisation) Directions, 2025 on opening of branch / representative office abroad and closure of branches. 44. An NBFC-MFI shall adhere to the provisions contained in paragraphs 15 to 19 of the Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Undertaking of Financial Services) Directions, 2025 . E. Voluntary Amalgamation 45. An NBFC-MFI shall adhere to the provisions of Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Voluntary Amalgamation) Directions, 2025 . F. Formation of SRO 46. An NBFC-MFI shall become member of at least one Self-Regulatory Organization (SRO) for NBFC-MFIs which is recognized by the Reserve Bank and shall also comply with the Code of Conduct prescribed by the SRO. 47. Further, the SRO holding recognition from the Reserve Bank shall have to adhere to the following set of functions and responsibilities which may be modified by the Reserve Bank from time to time to improve the efficiency of the sector: (1) Criteria for Recognition of SRO for NBFC-MFIs (i) The SRO shall have at least 1/3rd of the NBFC-MFIs registered as its members, at the time of recognition. (ii) It shall have adequate capital to be able to discharge its functions without being overly dependent on subscription from members. (iii) The memorandum / bye laws of the SRO shall specify criteria for admission of members and the functions it shall discharge, as one of its main objects. (iv) The memorandum / bye laws of an SRO shall provide for the manner in which the Governing Body / Board of Directors of the SRO would function. (v) The Board shall have adequate representation from both large and small NBFC-MFIs. (vi) 1/3rd of the Board of Directors shall be independent and not associated with member institutions. (vii) The Board of Directors and individuals comprising the management shall be considered ‘Fit and Proper’, by the Reserve Bank. (viii) It shall have adequate internal controls in place. (ix) The SRO shall function in the interest of all the stakeholders and not seen to be only an industry body. (x) The SRO shall frame a Code of Conduct to be followed by its members. (xi) It shall have a Grievance Redressal Mechanism and a Dispute Resolution Mechanism in place, including a specially appointed Grievance Redressal Nodal Officer. (xii) It shall be in a position to exercise surveillance over its members to ensure compliance with the Code of Conduct and regulatory prescriptions of the Reserve Bank through an Enforcement Committee. (xiii) It shall also have a developmental function of training and awareness programmes for its members, for the Self-Help Groups and conduct research and development for the growth of the MFI sector. (2) Obligations of the SRO towards the Reserve Bank (i) The SRO, once recognized, shall nominate a Compliance Officer who shall directly report to the Reserve Bank and who shall keep the Reserve Bank regularly posted of all developments in the sector. (ii) The SRO shall submit its Annual Report to the Reserve Bank. (iii) It shall conduct investigation into areas of concern as pointed out by the Reserve Bank. (iv) The SRO shall inform the Reserve Bank of the violations of the provisions of the RBI Act, 1934, the directions, the circulars or the guidelines issued by the Reserve Bank from time to time, by any of its members. (v) It shall provide information, including data, to the Reserve Bank periodically or as requested for by the Reserve Bank. (vi) The Reserve Bank shall, if need arises, inspect the books of the SRO or arrange to have the books inspected by an audit firm. G. Monitoring of Compliance 48. The responsibility for compliance to all regulations prescribed for NBFC-MFIs lies primarily with the NBFC-MFI itself. The industry associations / SROs shall also play a key role in ensuring compliance with the regulatory framework. In addition, banks lending to NBFC-MFIs shall also ensure that systems, practices and lending policies in NBFC-MFIs are aligned to the regulatory framework. H. Directions for Microfinance Loans of NBFCs 49. Microfinance loans of all NBFCs including NBFC-MFIs shall be guided by the Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Credit Facilities) Directions, 2025 , Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Responsible Business Conduct) Directions, 2025 , and Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Managing Risks in Outsourcing) Directions, 2025 , as amended from time to time. An NBFC, which does not qualify as an NBFC-MFI shall extend microfinance loans, which in aggregate does not exceed 25 per cent of its total assets. Chapter-VIII – Repeal and Other Provisions A. Repeal and saving 50. With the issue of these Directions, the existing Directions, instructions, and guidelines as applicable to Non-Banking Financial Companies- Microfinance Institutions stand repealed, as communicated vide circular DOR.RRC.REC.302/33-01-010/2025-26 dated November 28, 2025 . The Directions, instructions and guidelines already repealed shall continue to remain repealed. 51. Notwithstanding such repeal, any action taken or purported to have been taken, or initiated under the repealed Directions, instructions, or guidelines shall continue to be governed by the provisions thereof. All approvals or acknowledgments granted under these repealed lists shall be deemed as governed by these Directions. Further, the repeal of these directions, instructions, or guidelines shall not in any way prejudicially affect: (i) any right, obligation or liability acquired, accrued, or incurred thereunder; (ii) any, penalty, forfeiture, or punishment incurred in respect of any contravention committed thereunder; and (iii) any investigation, legal proceeding, or remedy in respect of any such right, privilege, obligation, liability, penalty, forfeiture, or punishment as aforesaid; and any such investigation, legal proceedings or remedy may be instituted, continued, or enforced and any such penalty, forfeiture or punishment may be imposed as if those directions, instructions, or guidelines had not been repealed. B. Application of other laws not barred 52. The provisions of these Directions shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of the provisions of any other laws, rules, regulations, or directions, for the time being in force. C. Interpretations 53. For the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of these Directions or in order to remove any difficulties in the application or interpretation of the provisions of these Directions, the RBI may, if it considers necessary, issue necessary clarifications in respect of any matter covered herein and the interpretation of any provision of these Directions given by the RBI shall be final and binding. (J P Sharma) Chief General Manager 2026 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2025 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2024 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2023 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2022 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2021 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2020 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2019 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2018 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2017 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December Archives 2016 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2015 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2014 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2013 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2012 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2011 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2010 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2009 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2008 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2007 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2006 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2005 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2004 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2003 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2002 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2001 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2000 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1999 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1998 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1997 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1996 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1995 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1994 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1993 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1992 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1991 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December Top Back to previous page More Links : Bank Holidays Banking Glossary Citizen's Charter Complaints Contact Us COVID-19 Measures E-LMS Events FAQs Financial Education Forms IFSC/MICR Codes Important Websites Opportunities @ RBI RBI Clarifications RBI Kehta Hai RBI’s Vision and Values (1257 kb)--> Right to Information Act Tenders Follow RBI RSS Twitter YouTube Instagram Facebook LinkedIn
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/DOR/2025-26/371 · issued 28 Nov 2025. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Topics: NBFC Regulations
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Key termsPlain-English definitions of terms in this circular — see the full Indian banking glossary. NBFC · CRAR (Capital adequacy) · Gross NPA (GNPA) · Wilful defaulter
Worked example & action-note template

Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (NBFC-MFIs), your first concrete step on “RBI Issues Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Microfinance Institution) Directions, 2025” is: “Review and strengthen governance and risk management practices” (RBI issued this 28 Nov 2025).

  1. Circular: RBI/DOR/2025-26/371 -- RBI Issues Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Microfinance Institution) Directions, 2025
  2. Issued: 28 Nov 2025
  3. Action required: Review and strengthen governance and risk management practices
  4. Action required: Comply with prudential regulations and directions
  5. Action required: Ensure transparency and disclosure in financial dealings
  6. Action required: Implement robust internal controls and audit mechanisms
  7. Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
  8. Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
  9. Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.

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BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 03 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly).
Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=12933&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
Public beta — plain-English informational summaries. Always verify against the official RBI source (circular number cited on every page) before making compliance, credit, treasury, audit, or operational decisions. · Join our WhatsApp channel ↗