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Product · Microfinance

Microfinance rules, gathered in one place

125 points name microfinance, across 58 rulebooks.

This is not the whole of your rulebook.

  • 17,394 points on this site name no product at all.
  • They bind microfinance as well. A rule on limits binds every kind of lending.
  • RBI writes its rules by subject and by risk. It does not write them product by product.
  • Use this page to start reading. Never to stop.

Points that name it

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

9 points on this rulebook name it

A microfinance lender takes no deposits and keeps at least 60 percent of net assets in microfinance loans.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 8(3) · Read it in place

Qualifying microfinance assets must stay at least 60 percent of total assets at all times.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 12(2) · Read it in place

Any other finance company may keep microfinance loans only up to 25 per cent of assets.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 49 · Read it in place

Every registered microfinance lending company must follow these directions.

named by the words Microfinanc · RBI Para 3 · Read it in place

Such companies must register as microfinance lenders and follow all their rules.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 14 · Read it in place

The body needs a third of all microfinance lenders as members when recognised.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 47(1) · Read it in place

Banks that fund microfinance lenders must check the borrower runs by the rulebook.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 48 · Read it in place

Every microfinance lender joins at least one recognised self regulatory body and follows its code.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 46 · Read it in place

All earlier microfinance company rules stand repealed from the day these directions arrived.

named by the words Microfinanc · RBI Para 50 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Credit Facilities) Directions, 2025 (updated as on July 15, 2026)

5 points on this rulebook name it

A collateral-free loan to a household earning up to three lakh rupees a year is microfinance.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 51 · Read it in place

The NBFC's Board must approve one policy covering digital lending, gold loans, microfinance and more.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 5 · Read it in place

The NBFC's Board must approve how it assesses a household's income for microfinance loans.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 52 · Read it in place

That count includes every other loan of the household, whether secured or not.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 56 · Read it in place

Borrowers can choose flexible repayment timing on their microfinance loans.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 59 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks – Credit Facilities) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on April 01, 2026)

5 points on this rulebook name it

A microfinance loan goes to a household earning up to ₹3,00,000 a year.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 50 · Read it in place

A collateral-free loan to a household earning up to three lakh rupees a year is microfinance.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 51 · Read it in place

The Board must approve a policy for judging household income before a microfinance loan.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 52 · Read it in place

The Board must approve a policy letting microfinance borrowers choose how often they repay.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 59 · Read it in place

That count includes every other loan of the household, whether secured or not.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 56 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Urban Co-operative Banks – Credit Facilities) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 15, 2026)

5 points on this rulebook name it

A microfinance loan goes to a household earning up to ₹3,00,000 a year.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 50 · Read it in place

A collateral-free loan to a household earning up to three lakh rupees a year is microfinance.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 51 · Read it in place

The Board must approve a policy for judging household income before a microfinance loan.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 52 · Read it in place

The Board must approve a policy letting microfinance borrowers choose how often they repay.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 59 · Read it in place

That count includes every other loan of the household, whether secured or not.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 56 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Regional Rural Banks – Credit Facilities) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on April 01, 2026)

5 points on this rulebook name it

A microfinance loan goes to a household earning up to ₹3,00,000 a year.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 50 · Read it in place

A collateral-free loan to a household earning up to three lakh rupees a year is microfinance.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 51 · Read it in place

The Board must approve a policy for judging household income before a microfinance loan.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 52 · Read it in place

The Board must approve a policy letting microfinance borrowers choose how often they repay.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 59 · Read it in place

That count includes every other loan of the household, whether secured or not.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 56 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Local Area Banks – Credit Facilities) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on April 01, 2026)

5 points on this rulebook name it

A microfinance loan goes to a household earning up to ₹3,00,000 a year.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 50 · Read it in place

A collateral-free loan to a household earning up to three lakh rupees a year is microfinance.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 51 · Read it in place

The Board must approve a policy for judging household income before a microfinance loan.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 52 · Read it in place

The Board must approve a policy letting microfinance borrowers choose how often they repay.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 59 · Read it in place

That count includes every other loan of the household, whether secured or not.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 56 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks – Credit Facilities) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 15, 2026)

5 points on this rulebook name it

A microfinance loan goes to a household earning up to ₹3,00,000 a year.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 61 · Read it in place

A collateral-free loan to a household earning up to three lakh rupees a year is microfinance.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 62 · Read it in place

The Board must approve a policy for judging household income before a microfinance loan.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 63 · Read it in place

The Board must approve a policy letting microfinance borrowers choose how often they repay.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 70 · Read it in place

That count includes every other loan of the household, whether secured or not.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 67 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Credit Facilities) Directions, 2025

5 points on this rulebook name it

A microfinance loan goes to a household earning up to ₹3,00,000 a year.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 61 · Read it in place

A collateral-free loan to a household earning up to three lakh rupees a year is microfinance.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 62 · Read it in place

The Board must approve a policy for judging household income before a microfinance loan.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 63 · Read it in place

The Board must approve a policy letting microfinance borrowers choose how often they repay.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 70 · Read it in place

That count includes every other loan of the household, whether secured or not.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 67 · Read it in place

Master Direction - External Commercial Borrowings, Trade Credit, Borrowing and Lending in Foreign Currency by Authorised Dealers and Persons other than Authorised Dealers (Updated as on November 22, 2018))

3 points on this rulebook name it

A microfinance borrower needs three years of good standing with an Indian bank.

named by the words Microfinanc · RBI Para 2 · Read it in place

A software development company may raise up to 200 million dollars a year.

named by the words micro financ · RBI Para 4 · Read it in place

An entity in microfinance may raise up to 100 million dollars a year.

named by the words micro financ · RBI Para 4 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Responsible Business Conduct) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 1, 2026)

3 points on this rulebook name it

The microfinance fair practices code must be approved by the Board.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 76 · Read it in place

Microfinance loans must use a standard agreement in the borrower's language.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 77 · Read it in place

No prepayment charge may be taken on a microfinance loan.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 81 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks – Interest Rates on Advances) Directions, 2025

3 points on this rulebook name it

The board must approve a policy on how microfinance loans are priced.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 9 · Read it in place

It must also carry a ceiling on the rate and every other charge.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 9(4) · Read it in place

Rates and fees on microfinance loans must not be usurious either.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 10 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Urban Co-operative Banks – Responsible Business Conduct) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 1, 2026)

3 points on this rulebook name it

The microfinance fair practices code must be approved by the Board.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 303 · Read it in place

Microfinance loans must use a standard agreement in the borrower's language.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 304 · Read it in place

No prepayment charge may be taken on a microfinance loan.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 308 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Urban Co-operative Banks – Interest Rates on Advances) Directions, 2025

3 points on this rulebook name it

The board must approve a policy on how microfinance loans are priced.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 8 · Read it in place

It must also carry a ceiling on the rate and every other charge.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 8(4) · Read it in place

Rates and fees on microfinance loans must not be usurious either.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 9 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Regional Rural Banks – Interest Rates on Advances) Directions, 2025

3 points on this rulebook name it

The board must approve a policy on how microfinance loans are priced.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 8 · Read it in place

It must also carry a ceiling on the rate and every other charge.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 8(4) · Read it in place

Rates and fees on microfinance loans must not be usurious either.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 9 · Read it in place

Master Directions - Reserve Bank of India (Priority Sector Lending – Targets and Classification) Directions, 2025

2 points on this rulebook name it

A non-corporate farmer is an individual farmer, a farmer's proprietorship, or a group of them.

named by the words Self-Help Group · RBI Para 4 · Read it in place

For a self help group or joint liability group that limit applies per member.

named by the words self help group · RBI Para 30 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Asset Reconstruction Companies – Credit Information Reporting) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 01, 2026)

2 points on this rulebook name it

A lender to a self help group must report data for each member of the group.

named by the words self help group · RBI Para 13(1) · Read it in place

Bureaus must give each lender a data quality index for each segment.

named by the words Microfinanc · RBI Para 16 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Credit Information Reporting) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 01, 2026)

2 points on this rulebook name it

A lender to a self help group must report data for each member of the group.

named by the words self help group · RBI Para 13(1) · Read it in place

Bureaus must give each lender a data quality index for each segment.

named by the words Microfinanc · RBI Para 16 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (All India Financial Institutions – Credit Information Reporting) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 01, 2026)

2 points on this rulebook name it

A lender to a self help group must report data for each member of the group.

named by the words self help group · RBI Para 13(1) · Read it in place

Bureaus must give each lender a data quality index for each segment.

named by the words Microfinanc · RBI Para 15 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks – Responsible Business Conduct) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 1, 2026)

2 points on this rulebook name it

Microfinance loans must use a standard agreement in the borrower's language.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 357 · Read it in place

No prepayment charge may be taken on a microfinance loan.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 361 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks – Credit Information Reporting) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 01, 2026)

2 points on this rulebook name it

A lender to a self help group must report data for each member of the group.

named by the words self help group · RBI Para 13(1) · Read it in place

Bureaus must give each lender a data quality index for each segment.

named by the words Microfinanc · RBI Para 16 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Urban Co-operative Banks – Credit Information Reporting) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 01, 2026)

2 points on this rulebook name it

A lender to a self help group must report data for each member of the group.

named by the words self help group · RBI Para 13(1) · Read it in place

Bureaus must give each lender a data quality index for each segment.

named by the words Microfinanc · RBI Para 16 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Regional Rural Banks – Responsible Business Conduct) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 1, 2026)

2 points on this rulebook name it

The microfinance fair practices code must be approved by the Board.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 415 · Read it in place

Microfinance loans must use a standard agreement in the borrower's language.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 416 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Regional Rural Banks – Credit Information Reporting) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 01, 2026)

2 points on this rulebook name it

A lender to a self help group must report data for each member of the group.

named by the words self help group · RBI Para 13(1) · Read it in place

Bureaus must give each lender a data quality index for each segment.

named by the words Microfinanc · RBI Para 16 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Local Area Banks – Credit Information Reporting) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 01, 2026)

2 points on this rulebook name it

A lender to a self help group must report data for each member of the group.

named by the words self help group · RBI Para 13(1) · Read it in place

Bureaus must give each lender a data quality index for each segment.

named by the words Microfinanc · RBI Para 16 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks – Credit Information Reporting) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 01, 2026)

2 points on this rulebook name it

A lender to a self help group must report data for each member of the group.

named by the words self help group · RBI Para 13(1) · Read it in place

Bureaus must give each lender a data quality index for each segment.

named by the words Microfinanc · RBI Para 16 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Responsible Business Conduct) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 1, 2026)

2 points on this rulebook name it

Microfinance loans must use a standard agreement in the borrower's language.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 396 · Read it in place

No prepayment charge may be taken on a microfinance loan.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 400 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Interest Rates on Advances) Directions, 2025

2 points on this rulebook name it

The Board of Directors must approve the bank's policy on deposit interest rates.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 6(1) · Read it in place

The Board must approve a separate policy on how microfinance loans are priced.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 8 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Credit Information Reporting) Directions, 2025

2 points on this rulebook name it

A lender to a self help group must report data for each member of the group.

named by the words self help group · RBI Para 13(1) · Read it in place

Bureaus must give each lender a data quality index for each segment.

named by the words Microfinanc · RBI Para 16 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India [Commercial Banks - Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme] Directions, 2026

2 points on this rulebook name it

An owner cultivator, a tenant farmer, an oral lessee and a sharecropper may all borrow.

named by the words Self-Help Group · RBI Para 12(2) · Read it in place

A self help group and a joint liability group of cultivators are also eligible.

named by the words Joint Liability Group · RBI Para 12(3) · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India [Small Finance Banks - Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme] Directions, 2026

2 points on this rulebook name it

An owner cultivator, a tenant farmer, an oral lessee and a sharecropper may all borrow.

named by the words Self-Help Group · RBI Para 11(2) · Read it in place

A self help group and a joint liability group of cultivators are also eligible.

named by the words Joint Liability Group · RBI Para 11(3) · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India [Regional Rural Banks - Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme] Directions, 2026

2 points on this rulebook name it

An owner cultivator, a tenant farmer, an oral lessee and a sharecropper may all borrow.

named by the words Self-Help Group · RBI Para 11(2) · Read it in place

A self help group and a joint liability group of cultivators are also eligible.

named by the words Joint Liability Group · RBI Para 11(3) · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India [Rural Co-operative Banks - Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme] Directions, 2026

2 points on this rulebook name it

An owner cultivator, a tenant farmer, an oral lessee and a sharecropper may all borrow.

named by the words Self-Help Group · RBI Para 11(2) · Read it in place

A self help group and a joint liability group of cultivators are also eligible.

named by the words Joint Liability Group · RBI Para 11(3) · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks – Responsible Business Conduct) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 1, 2026)

2 points on this rulebook name it

Microfinance loans must use a standard agreement in the borrower's language.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 396 · Read it in place

No prepayment charge may be taken on a microfinance loan.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 400 · Read it in place

Master Circular - Management of Advances - UCBs

1 point on this rulebook names it

Lending to self help groups is normal business under a Board approved policy.

named by the words self help group · RBI Para 9 · Read it in place

Master Circular - Exposure Norms and Statutory / Other Restrictions - UCBs

1 point on this rulebook names it

A self help group's loan should not exceed four times its savings.

named by the words self help group · RBI Para 6.11.5 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Credit Information Companies) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 01, 2026)

1 point on this rulebook names it

Each file's own data-quality score reaches the lender within three calendar days.

named by the words Microfinanc · RBI Para 20 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Income Recognition, Asset Classification and Provisioning) Directions, 2025 (updated as on July 01, 2026)

1 point on this rulebook names it

These rules cover a microfinance company unless its own rules say otherwise.

named by the words Micro Financ · RBI Para 5 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Asset Liability Management) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 01, 2026)

1 point on this rulebook names it

These rules bind deposit taking, investment, factoring, microfinance and infrastructure finance companies.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 3 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies - Transfer and Distribution of Credit Risk) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 01, 2026)

1 point on this rulebook names it

These rules cover deposit taking, investment and credit, factoring, micro finance and infrastructure finance companies.

named by the words micro financ · RBI Para 3 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Registration, Exemptions and Framework for Scale Based Regulation) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 01, 2026)

1 point on this rulebook names it

Investment, credit, microfinance and factoring NBFCs need Rs 10 crore in net owned funds.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 39(1) · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (All India Financial Institutions – Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025

1 point on this rulebook names it

The all India financial institution need not check every member of a self help group at account opening.

named by the words Self help group · RBI Para 46(1) · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Rural Co-operative Banks – Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on December 29, 2025)

1 point on this rulebook names it

The bank need not check every member of a self help group at account opening.

named by the words Self help group · RBI Para 46(1) · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Urban Co-operative Banks – Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on December 29, 2025)

1 point on this rulebook names it

The bank need not check every member of a self help group at account opening.

named by the words Self help group · RBI Para 46(1) · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Regional Rural Banks – Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025

1 point on this rulebook names it

The bank need not check every member of a self help group at account opening.

named by the words Self help group · RBI Para 46(1) · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Local Area Banks – Responsible Business Conduct) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 1, 2026)

1 point on this rulebook names it

Microfinance loans must use a standard agreement in the borrower's language.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 215 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Local Area Banks – Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on December 29, 2025)

1 point on this rulebook names it

The bank need not check every member of a self help group at account opening.

named by the words Self help group · RBI Para 46(1) · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Local Area Banks – Interest Rates on Advances) Directions, 2025

1 point on this rulebook names it

A full board-approved policy on lending rates is required, microfinance included.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 5(1) · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Payments Banks – Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on December 29, 2025)

1 point on this rulebook names it

The bank need not check every member of a self help group at account opening.

named by the words Self help group · RBI Para 47(1) · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks – Managing Risks in Outsourcing) Directions, 2025

1 point on this rulebook names it

For microfinance loans, the bank answers for its agent's bad behaviour with customers.

named by the words Microfinanc · RBI Para 51 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks – Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on December 29, 2025)

1 point on this rulebook names it

The bank need not check every member of a self help group at account opening.

named by the words Self help group · RBI Para 48(1) · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks – Interest Rates on Advances) Directions, 2025

1 point on this rulebook names it

A full board-approved policy on lending rates is required, microfinance included.

named by the words microfinanc · RBI Para 5(1) · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks – Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on July 01, 2026)

1 point on this rulebook names it

A microfinance loan outside the retail portfolio carries a 100 per cent weight.

named by the words Microfinanc · RBI Para 61 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks – Branch Authorisation) Directions, 2025

1 point on this rulebook names it

Outlets converted from former micro finance branches carry the same 25 percent unbanked duty in that year.

named by the words micro financ · RBI Para 22 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Managing Risks in Outsourcing) Directions, 2025

1 point on this rulebook names it

For microfinance loans, the bank answers for its agent's bad behaviour with customers.

named by the words Microfinanc · RBI Para 51 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Know Your Customer) Directions, 2025 (Updated as on December 29, 2025)

1 point on this rulebook names it

The bank need not check every member of a self help group at account opening.

named by the words Self help group · RBI Para 47(1) · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy) Directions, 2025

1 point on this rulebook names it

A microfinance loan outside the retail portfolio carries a 100 per cent weight.

named by the words Microfinanc · RBI Para 71 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks - Capital Charge for Credit Risk – Standardised Approach) Directions, 2026 (Effective from April 1, 2027)

1 point on this rulebook names it

Microfinance loans of a consumer credit nature outside retail weigh 100 per cent.

named by the words Microfinanc · RBI Para 14 · Read it in place

Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies - Auditor’s Report) Directions, 2026

1 point on this rulebook names it

The auditor checks whether it is correctly classified as a microfinance NBFC.

named by the words Microfinanc · RBI Para 8(5) · Read it in place

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