New FAQ Page 2

RbiAnnouncementWeb

FAQ DetailPage Breadcrumb

Search Bar

Search Results

Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

Q.3. What are the guidelines issued by RBI for lending to the MSME sector?

In terms of the Master Directions - Reserve Bank of India (Priority Sector Lending – Targets and Classification) Directions, 2025 dated March 24, 2025, all bank loans to MSMEs shall qualify for classification under priority sector lending (PSL). The definition of MSMEs shall be as given in the Master Direction - Lending to MSME Sector FIDD.MSME & NFS.12/06.02.31/2017-18 dated July 24, 2017 as updated from time to time. For PSL classification purposes, banks shall be guided by the classification recorded in the Udyam Registration Certificate (URC)/ Udyam Assist Certificate (UAC).

Further, RBI has, from time to time, issued a number of instructions / guidelines to banks relating to lending to the MSME Sector. The Master Direction FIDD.MSME & NFS.12/06.02.31/2017-18 dated July 24, 2017 incorporates the updated instructions / guidelines on the subject. The instructions issued by RBI, to banks, on various matters are available on our website www.rbi.org.in.

Q3. What is the genesis of Inter-operable Regulatory Sandbox (IoRS) initiative?

An Inter-Regulatory Technical Group on FinTech (IRTG on FinTech) was constituted under the aegis of the Financial Stability and Development Council-Sub Committee (FSDC-SC). The terms of reference (ToR) of IRTG on FinTech included discussion on issues relating to hybrid product/ service falling under the regulatory ambit of more than one financial sector regulator for admission in Regulatory Sandbox and framing of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for IoRS for hybrid products/services. The group, in addition to the members from Financial Sector Regulators/ Authority (RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, IFSCA and PFRDA), has representation from Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeITY), GoI. In order to facilitate testing of innovative products/services falling within the regulatory ambit of more than one financial sector regulator, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for IoRS has been prepared by the Inter-Regulatory Technical Group on FinTech (IRTG on FinTech). The SOP can be accessed from the link: - FinTech

Q.3 In terms of paragraph 4 of the circular, REs have been advised to intimate the different options available to address the increase in EMI in a rising interest rate scenario. What are the different options available to borrowers during a rising interest rate cycle in respect of equated installment based personal loans?

Ans: Whenever there is a reset of interest rates for an entire class of borrowers in a particular loan category, say home loan, due to increase in the reference benchmark; the RE shall provide the following options to the borrowers:

Either enhancement in EMI or elongation of number of EMIs, keeping the EMI unchanged or a combination of both options;
Switch to fixed interest rate for the remaining portion of the loan, ¹[where such an option is provided by the RE]; and
To prepay, either in part or in full, at any point during the residual tenor of the loan.

Q.3 When should one apply for compounding? +

Ans. When a person is made aware of the contravention of the provisions of FEMA, 1999 by the Reserve Bank or any other statutory authority or the auditors or by any other means, she/he may apply for compounding. One can also make an application for compounding, suo mo-to, on becoming aware of the contravention.

Q 3. What are the Regulations made under the PSS Act, 2007 and when did they come into force?

Ans. Under the PSS Act, 2007, two Regulations have been made by the Reserve Bank of India, namely, the Payment and Settlement Systems Regulations, 2008 and the Payments Regulatory Board Regulations, 2025. Both these Regulations came into force on 12th August 2008 and 20th May 2025 respectively.

3. What is Item Expiry Time for a Cheque?

Item Expiry Time indicates the latest time by which confirmation for the presented instrument can be provided by the drawee bank, failing which the cheque will be considered deemed approved and included for settlement. Item Expiry Time is arrived at by CCH based on presentation time and provided to drawee banks along with cheque data.

Q.4. Whether retail and wholesale trade can be classified under MSME?

The Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises vide Office Memorandum No. 5/2(2)/2021-E/P & G/Policy dated July 02, 2021 decided to include Retail and Wholesale trade as MSMEs for the limited purpose of Priority Sector Lending and they would be allowed to be registered on Udyam Registration Portal. Detailed guidelines are available in our circular FIDD.MSME & NFS.BC.No.13/06.02.31/2021-22 dated July 07, 2021.

4. Whether a 'Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account' holder can have any other savings bank account in that bank ? +

Holders of 'Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account' will not be eligible for opening any other savings bank account in that bank. If a customer has any other existing savings bank account in that bank, he / she will be required to close it within 30 days from the date of opening a 'Basic Savings Bank Deposit Account'.

4. The Resolution Framework states that the accounts that do not fulfill the eligibility conditions may continue to be considered under the prudential framework applicable to the specific category of institutions. Does it mean that alternative resolution frameworks available to a specific category of financial institutions such as Paragraph 2(1)(zc)(ii) of the Master Circular – The Housing Finance companies (NHB) Directions, 2010 for housing finance companies, and Paragraph 2.2.7.21 of the Master Circular- Income Recognition, Asset Classification, Provisioning and Other Related Matters – UCBs dated July 1, 2015 for Urban Co-operative Banks would continue to be applicable for non-Covid impacted borrowers?

For the borrowers eligible for resolution under the circular dated August 6, 2020 on Resolution Framework for COVID-19-related Stress, the circular dated August 6, 2020 will be applicable if a resolution process under the circular is invoked. For all other borrowers, the extant instructions as otherwise applicable shall still be in force. However, if any entity is otherwise eligible to be resolved under the Resolution Framework, only Resolution Framework can be used for resolving the stress arising out of the pandemic.

4. Who is a holder of a PPI ? +

Ans. A holder of a PPI is an individual who obtains / purchases the PPI from the PPI issuer. However, in case of a gift PPI, any other intended / targeted beneficiary, though not being the purchaser, can also be a holder.