Can RBI's new measures make it easier to do business and boost credit flow?
India Today
With the RBI announcing new steps to improve credit access and ease regulations, attention is turning to their real-world impact. Could these changes help businesses grow and borrow more smoothly?
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced a fresh set of measures aimed at making it easier to do business and improving the flow of credit in the economy. The announcements came alongside the central bank’s decision to keep the repo rate unchanged at 5.25% in its final policy meeting of FY26.
The RBI said inflation is close to its target and economic growth remains steady despite global risks. Against this backdrop, the central bank has focused on reforms that simplify rules and widen access to finance.
The RBI Governor said the central bank has completed a broad review of key financial inclusion programmes. These include the Lead Bank Scheme, the Kisan Credit Card Scheme and the Business Correspondent Model.
Draft revised guidelines for these schemes will be released soon. The RBI also plans to introduce a unified reporting portal to better manage data under the Lead Bank Scheme. This is expected to reduce paperwork and improve coordination between banks and regulators.
The goal is to make financial services more accessible while improving the way information is collected and used.
One of the most important announcements is the proposal to increase the limit for collateral-free loans to micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 20 lakh.
The additional allocation will be subject to commercial establishments registering with oil companies and applying for a piped natural gas connection, according to a letter written by the oil secretary to states.
Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said that the impact of the ongoing Iran war on the aviation sector is likely to be visible from April 1, when the Air Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices will be revised.
A new government directive on free seat allocation has triggered sharp opposition from airlines, who warn it could push up fares, hurt affordability and reshape how tickets are priced across India's aviation sector.
This is the third part of Lock & Key, a series that looks at how India's bank locker system works, the risks involved, and what customers need to know. After examining safety and insurance in the first two parts, this story focusses on a new problem – access.
The former RBI Govenor said a 15–20% global energy disruption would require sharp demand cuts, pushing oil to $150–$200 per barrel, risking severe economic stress if the conflict continues another month.
Venkataraman joined Flipkart in 2015 and has been part of the company's leadership team through a period of growth and restructuring. During his tenure, he helped strengthen the company's financial operations.
The gold rate today is around Rs 1.5 lakh per 10 grams for 24-carat gold, while 22-carat gold is near Rs 1.4 lakh, with prices edging higher after recent losses. Silver is also seeing a slight uptick after a volatile phase.
Early indicators suggest a positive start. GIFT Nifty futures were trading at 23,250.5 at around 08:24 am, indicating that the Nifty 50 may open above Thursday's close of 23,002.15.
With multiple energy hubs under threat, the risk to global supply chains has increased sharply. For countries like India, which depend heavily on imports, this means higher costs and tighter supply in the near term.
In a statement, the central bank said it has taken note of the recent developments at HDFC Bank and has approved the transition arrangement proposed by the bank for the position of part-time chairman.
Global brokerage JPMorgan has maintained a "neutral" rating on the stock with a price target of Rs 1,090. HDFC Bank stock is already trading near its 52-week low, adding to weak sentiment around the counter.