The Reserve Bank of India has issued the NBFC Responsible Business Conduct Amendment Directions, 2026 introducing a new provision to support borrowers during calamities. The amendment inserts Part E in Chapter IV, allowing Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) to provide relief measures such as waiver or reduction of fees and charges for customers located in areas officially declared as affected by calamity. This relief is discretionary and can be extended for a maximum period of one year. The directions are issued under powers derived from multiple statutes including the RBI Act, 1934, and will come into force from July 1, 2026. The amendment aligns NBFC practices with broader stress resolution measures and emphasizes responsible business conduct during crises. The key takeaway is that NBFCs now have regulatory backing to offer temporary financial relief to affected borrowers without breaching compliance norms.
Reserve Bank of India
RBI/2026-27/70
DOR.STR.REC.59/21-04-048/2026-27 | Dated: April 29, 2026
Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Responsible Business Conduct) Amendment Directions, 2026
Please refer to Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Companies – Resolution of Stressed Assets) Amendment Directions, 2026 dated April 29, 2026.
2. Consequent to the aforesaid Amendment Directions, in exercise of the powers conferred by the sections 45JA, 45L and 45M of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934; sections 30A and 32 of the National Housing Bank Act, 1987 and section 3 read with section 31A and section 6 of the Factoring Regulation Act, 2011, and all other laws enabling the Reserve Bank of India (hereinafter called the Reserve Bank) in this regard, the Reserve Bank being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby issues the Amendment Directions hereinafter specified.
3. These Amendment Directions modify the Directions as under:
i. In Chapter IV – Miscellaneous, part E shall be inserted as under:
E. Measures in case of declaration of calamity
105A. A NBFC at its discretion, may provide relief measures such as waiver / reduction of various fees and charges in respect of customers in the areas where a calamity has been declared, for a period not exceeding one year.
4. The above amendment shall come into force with effect from July 1, 2026.
(Vaibhav Chaturvedi)
Chief General Manager
