RBI's project finance norms to cushion banks against risk

The Reserve Bank's final directions on project financing will help strengthen the guardrails against risk and harmonise regulations for lenders, besides easing credit cost concerns as they seek lower provisioning with prospective applicability.

- ENS ECONOMIC BUREAU @ Mumbai

The directions, which will come into effect from October 1, 2025, require only 1-1.25% provisions from the date of commencement of commercial operations (DCCO) of a project, as against 5% proposed in the draft earlier.

The new guidelines cover both infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects, including commercial real estate and commercial real estate-residential housing and are applicable to banks, non-banking financial companies, housing finance companies, urban cooperative banks and all-India financial institutions.