Page 2 - Reserve Bank Of India

Governance questions: HDFC Bank must emphatically address all concerns

HDFC Bank must address governance concerns transparently after reports of irregular payments linked to bulk deposits, while the RBI should clarify its oversight role

Reimagining microfinance: Current model works, but at a modest growth rate

India's microfinance model has reached its limits; sustainable growth now requires a shift towards meso-finance, stronger savings buffers, and less reliance on group lending.

'Strong preference' for cash use despite digital payments growth

Despite rapid growth in digital payments, RBI's survey found that households and small retailers continue to prefer cash, while currency in circulation rose strongly in FY26

RBI plans cross-border CBDC pilots amid digital currency experiments

Central bank will expand digital rupee experiments in 2026-27, focusing on cross-border payments, asset tokenisation, programmable money and welfare applications

RBI weighs adding 'frictions' to digital payments to tackle online fraud

Central bank is exploring transaction delays, broader customer controls and a kill switch mechanism as digital payment frauds continue to rise in value

Lingering geopolitical tensions may hit loan portfolios: RBI report

RBI warned that the West Asia conflict, rising energy prices and monsoon risks could weigh on India's growth and inflation outlook in the short term

RBI to estimate natural real rate of interest, potential GDP growth in FY27

RBI plans to estimate India's natural real interest rate and potential GDP growth in FY27 to strengthen macroeconomic forecasting and policy analysis

RBI's penalties on regulated entities at 5-year low of ₹26.33 crore in FY26

RBI's penalties on regulated entities fell to a five-year low of ₹26.33 crore in FY26, with enforcement action taken against 241 entities

What are plastic banknotes and why is RBI considering them now?

The RBI is considering polymer currency notes as printing costs rise and demand for cash continues despite digital payments growth.

India may soon get plastic currency notes as RBI revives decade-old plan

Reserve Bank of India is considering a pilot project for polymer banknotes, citing longer shelf life, lower replacement costs and rising demand for cash despite the growth of digital payments

RBI must let rupee depreciate, avoid rate hikes to tame inflation: Subbarao

Former RBI Governor Duvvuri Subbarao has said the central bank must allow some more depreciation in the rupee to help absorb external pressures, and choose liquidity measures, rather than going for rate hikes, if inflation risks intensify. In comments that come days ahead of the second meeting of the rate setting panel for FY27, Subbarao said the monetary policy should be used as a "last resort" to defend the exchange rate. "RBI may of course tighten monetary policy if it believes that to be justified by inflation concerns," Subbarao, who served as the RBI governor between 2008 and 2013, said. "The rupee should be allowed to adjust rather than be rigidly defended because the current pressures reflect a deterioration in India's external balance. A weaker rupee acts as a natural shock absorber," former RBI chief told PTI in an interview. The local currency has been depreciating due to geopolitical uncertainty and the West Asia crisis and touched a lifetime low of 97.15 against the US

Sebi explores tokenisation of corporate bonds for faster settlements

Regulator also plans bond ETFs, derivatives on corporate bond indices

RBI, credit-rating firms assess West Asia conflict risks on India Inc

The consultations were aimed at evaluating conditions on the ground so authorities would not be caught off guard if the conflict deepens

A wrong tool for the rupee and serious side effects on growth prospects

A stable rupee also lowers the currency-risk premium FPIs demand, reducing both required returns and inflation risk

RBI forms panel to study quantum technology risks in finance sector

RBI has constituted an expert committee to assess risks and opportunities linked to quantum technology and recommend a roadmap for a quantum-secure financial ecosystem

Should you buy bonds? Axis MF sees near-term rally if RBI avoids tightening

Axis MF advises bond investors to gradually add Duration as RBI may avoid aggressive rate hikes despite oil risks and inflation concerns

Best of BS Opinion: RBI's surplus transfer will not ease fiscal pressure

Hello and welcome to BS Opinion, a wrap of editorials and columns on today's Opinion page.

ICICI Bank seeks at least ₹100 crore recovery from fintech firms

Growing discomfort among banks over eroding interchange income

Noel Tata, Chandra talk ahead of tomorrow's Tata Sons board meeting

May 26 meeting expected to set the tone for Tata group's future leadership, discuss Tata Sons' listing

RBI's MPC likely to maintain status quo in June: Business standard poll

The domestic rate-setting panel cut the policy repo rate by a cumulative 125 basis points in 2025 and it was on hold in the February and April policies