Reserve Bank is organising its third global hackathon – ‘HaRBInger 2024 – Innovation for Transformation’. The Hackathon invites participants to develop solutions using technology and innovative approaches under the following themes and problem statements:

To encourage self-regulation in the FinTech sector, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had released a 'Draft framework for recognising Self-Regulatory Organisations (SRO) for FinTech Sector' on January 15, 2024, inviting comments and feedback from the stakeholders. Based on the inputs received and examination thereof, the 'Framework for Recognising Self-Regulatory Organisation(s) for FinTech Sector' (SRO-FT framework) has been finalised and is enclosed.

Shri Shaktikanta Das, Governor, Reserve Bank of India today launched three major initiatives of the Reserve Bank of India, namely the PRAVAAH portal, the Retail Direct Mobile App and a FinTech Repository in the presence of Shri Satish Kashinath Marathe, Prof. Sachin Chaturvedi, Directors on the Central Board of the Reserve Bank; Prof. H. Krishnamurthy, member of Board, Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH); Dr. M D Patra, Shri M Rajeshwar Rao, Shri T Rabi Sankar, Shri Swaminathan J, Deputy Governors of the Reserve Bank; MD & CEOs of select banks and NBFCs; Chief Executive, IBA ; MD/CEOs of Clearing Corporation of India Limited (CCIL), Reserve Bank Information Technology Ltd. (ReBIT), Indian Financial Technology and Allied Services (IFTAS) and RBIH; representatives of Fintechs and other senior officials of the Reserve Bank.

Reserve Bank of India today placed on its website the updated ‘Enabling Framework for Regulatory Sandbox’. The framework has been revised based on the experience gained over the last four and half years in running four cohorts and feedback received from FinTechs, banking partners and other stakeholders. Among others, the timelines of the various stages of the Regulatory Sandbox process have been revised from seven months to nine months. The updated framework also requires sandbox entities to ensure compliance with provisions of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023.

FinTechs are significantly reshaping the landscape of financial services by streamlining processes, improving accessibility, and reducing costs. Achieving a healthy balance between facilitating innovation by the industry on the one hand, and meeting regulatory priorities in a manner that protects consumers and contains risk, on the other, is crucial to optimising the contribution of the FinTech sector.

Under the ‘On Tap’ application facility for the theme ‘Retail Payments’ of the Regulatory Sandbox (RS), HDFC Bank (in partnership with Crunchfish AB) was selected for the Test Phase which was communicated vide Press Release dated September 05, 2022.

In the Third Cohort under the Regulatory Sandbox (RS) with ‘MSME Lending’ as its theme, eight entities were to commence testing of their products which was communicated vide Press Release dated June 06, 2022.
2. Products of the entities which completed the ‘Test Phase’ were evaluated based on mutually agreed test scenarios and expected outcomes. Accordingly, the five products outlined below have been found viable within the boundary conditions defined during testing under RS:

The Reserve Bank of India had announced vide Press Release dated September 5, 2022 that the Fifth Cohort under the Regulatory Sandbox (RS) will be theme neutral. It now announces opening of application window for the Fifth Cohort to eligible entities.

The Reserve Bank had launched the second edition of its global hackathon - “HARBINGER 2023 – Innovation for Transformation” with the theme ‘Inclusive Digital Services’ which was communicated vide Press Release dated February 14, 2023.

Under India’s G20 Presidency, RBI and BIS Innovation Hub (BISIH) of the Bank for International Settlements had launched the fourth edition of the G20 TechSprint on May 4, 2023 and invited global innovators to help develop technology solutions for cross-border payments.