RBI Releases Revised Guidelines for Sovereign Green Bonds.
Banking & Finance
📅 20 Mar 2026
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a revised regulatory framework governing the issuance and foreign investment in Sovereign Green Bonds (SGrBs). The updated rules allow foreign portfolio investors to participate without any quantitative restrictions.
Key Highlights
- The bonds aim to mobilize resources for green infrastructure projects.
- Proceeds will strictly fund renewable energy and clean transport initiatives.
- The bonds are fully classified under the Fully Accessible Route (FAR).
Important Facts
- Instrument: Green Bonds.
- Regulator: RBI.
- Investors: Foreign Portfolios.
RBI Issues New Regulatory Guidelines for Green Deposits.
Banking & Finance
📅 19 Mar 2026
To boost sustainable financing, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a comprehensive regulatory framework for banks accepting Green Deposits. The guidelines ensure that the funds raised are utilized strictly for environmentally sustainable projects.
Key Highlights
- Banks must undergo annual third-party verification for these funds.
- The framework prevents greenwashing by standardizing the definition of green projects.
- Renewable energy and clean transportation are prioritized sectors.
Important Facts
- Action: Green Deposits Rules.
- Regulator: RBI.
- Focus: Sustainable Finance.
RBI Issues New Regulatory Framework for Microfinance Lenders.
Banking & Finance
📅 18 Mar 2026
The Reserve Bank of India has introduced a revised regulatory framework for microfinance institutions. The new guidelines mandate strict caps on interest rates and require thorough assessments of borrower repayment capacity to prevent debt traps.
Key Highlights
- Lenders must ensure maximum transparency in loan pricing.
- The guidelines apply uniformly to all regulated entities operating in microfinance.
- The RBI emphasizes digital delivery of financial literacy programs.
Important Facts
- Action: Microfinance Rules.
- Regulator: RBI.
- Focus: Preventing Debt Traps.
SEBI Launches Upgraded Saa?thi 2.0 Mobile App.
Banking & Finance
📅 17 Mar 2026
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launched the upgraded Saa?thi 2.0 mobile application. The app aims to empower investors with comprehensive educational resources, simplified KYC procedures, and tools to identify fraudulent investment schemes.
Key Highlights
- The app includes financial calculators and market grievance portals.
- It is available in multiple regional Indian languages.
- This aligns with SEBI ongoing investor awareness campaigns.
Important Facts
- App: Saa?thi 2.0.
- Regulator: SEBI.
- Focus: Investor Education.
RBI Launches Retail Direct 2.0 Platform for Bond Investors.
Banking & Finance
📅 16 Mar 2026
The Reserve Bank of India officially launched the upgraded Retail Direct 2.0 platform. The new portal allows retail investors to easily invest in government securities, sovereign gold bonds, and state development loans using a mobile app.
Key Highlights
- The platform now features AI driven investment advisory tools.
- Investors can open a Retail Direct Gilt account entirely online.
- There are no fees charged for opening and maintaining the account.
Important Facts
- Portal: Retail Direct 2.0.
- Regulator: RBI.
- Target: Retail Investors.
RBI Signs Currency Swap Agreement with Bank of Japan.
Banking & Finance
📅 14 Mar 2026
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) signed a massive 75 billion USD Bilateral Currency Swap Agreement with the Bank of Japan. The agreement aims to bring stability to the foreign exchange and capital markets of both nations during economic crises.
Key Highlights
- It allows exchange of local currencies for US Dollars.
- The agreement is a renewal and expansion of a previous treaty.
- It bolsters India foreign exchange reserves management.
Important Facts
- Agreement: Currency Swap.
- Partners: India and Japan.
- Value: 75 Billion USD.
RBI Approves Merger of AU Small Finance Bank and Fincare SFB.
Banking & Finance
📅 13 Mar 2026
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has formally approved the amalgamation of Fincare Small Finance Bank with AU Small Finance Bank. The merger will take effect from April 1, 2026, creating a robust and well-capitalized entity in the small finance banking sector.
Key Highlights
- All branches of Fincare SFB will operate as branches of AU SFB.
- The merger was done under Section 44A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
- This is a landmark consolidation in the microfinance and SFB space.
Important Facts
- Action: Bank Merger.
- Entities: AU SFB & Fincare.
- Regulator: RBI.
SEBI Formally Introduces T+0 Trade Settlement Cycle.
Banking & Finance
📅 12 Mar 2026
The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has officially introduced the optional T+0 (same-day) trade settlement cycle for the equity cash market. This highly anticipated move aims to provide instant liquidity to investors and boost market efficiency.
Key Highlights
- Initially, it will be available for a select group of top 200 stocks.
- The T+0 cycle runs parallel to the existing T+1 settlement cycle.
- India is among the very few countries globally to implement this feature.
Important Facts
- Action: T+0 Settlement.
- Market: Equity Cash.
- Regulator: SEBI.
RBI Announces Full Interoperability Between CBDC and UPI Systems.
Banking & Finance
📅 11 Mar 2026
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has officially announced the complete interoperability between the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This allows users to scan any UPI QR code to make payments using their Digital Rupee wallets.
Key Highlights
- The move aims to drastically increase the adoption and daily usage of the e-Rupee.
- Merchants do not need a separate onboarding process to accept CBDC payments.
- The integration was facilitated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
Important Facts
- Feature: UPI Interoperability.
- System: CBDC (e-Rupee).
- Regulator: RBI.
RBI Announces Full Interoperability Between CBDC and UPI Systems.
Banking & Finance
📅 11 Mar 2026
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has officially announced the complete interoperability between the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) and the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). This allows users to scan any UPI QR code to make payments using their Digital Rupee wallets.
Key Highlights
- The move aims to drastically increase the adoption and daily usage of the e-Rupee.
- Merchants do not need a separate onboarding process to accept CBDC payments.
- The integration was facilitated by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).
Important Facts
- Feature: UPI Interoperability.
- System: CBDC (e-Rupee).
- Regulator: RBI.
RBI Imposes Monetary Penalty of Rs 3.5 Crore on Axis Bank.
Banking & Finance
📅 10 Mar 2026
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has imposed a heavy monetary penalty of Rs 3.5 crore on Axis Bank for non-compliance with certain regulatory directives concerning KYC norms and fraud classification guidelines.
Key Highlights
- The penalty was levied under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
- Issues were found during the statutory inspection for the fiscal year 2024-25.
- The central bank clarified that the penalty does not affect customer transactions.
Important Facts
- Action: RBI Penalty.
- Bank: Axis Bank.
- Amount: Rs 3.5 Crore.
RBI Launches UDGAM Portal 2.0 for Unclaimed Deposits.
Banking & Finance
📅 09 Mar 2026
The Reserve Bank of India upgraded its centralized web facility, launching UDGAM Portal 2.0. The platform now integrates 50 commercial banks, allowing citizens to seamlessly search and claim their dormant accounts and unclaimed deposits using advanced AI-driven facial recognition for KYC.
Key Highlights
- UDGAM stands for Unclaimed Deposits - Gateway to Access inforMation.
- The portal aims to reduce the volume of unclaimed money in the banking system.
- It was developed by Reserve Bank Information Technology Pvt Ltd (ReBIT).
Important Facts
- Portal: UDGAM 2.0.
- Function: Unclaimed Deposits.
- Agency: RBI.
RBI and Bank Indonesia Sign MoU to Promote Local Currency Trade.
Banking & Finance
📅 07 Mar 2026
The Reserve Bank of India and Bank Indonesia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a framework for promoting the use of local currencies, the Indian Rupee and the Indonesian Rupiah, for cross border transactions.
Key Highlights
- The agreement will facilitate direct currency quotations and trade.
- It reduces reliance on the US Dollar for bilateral trade settlements.
- The MoU was signed in Mumbai by the governors of both central banks.
Important Facts
- Action: Currency MoU.
- Partners: RBI & Bank Indonesia.
- Currencies: INR & Rupiah.
RBI Introduces Offline Transaction Feature for Digital Rupee.
Banking & Finance
📅 05 Mar 2026
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has officially rolled out the offline transaction functionality for the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) or Digital Rupee. This feature enables users to execute retail payments in areas with poor or no internet connectivity.
Key Highlights
- Transactions are authenticated using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.
- A maximum limit of Rs 500 per offline transaction has been set.
- The total limit for offline wallet balance is capped at Rs 2000.
Important Facts
- Currency: Digital Rupee.
- Feature: Offline Transactions.
- Transaction Limit: Rs 500.
FIU-IND Imposes Rs 5.49 Crore Penalty on Paytm Payments Bank.
Banking & Finance
📅 02 Mar 2026
The Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) has imposed a monetary penalty of Rs 5.49 crore on Paytm Payments Bank for violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The penalty was issued due to failures in monitoring illegal activities linked to online gambling networks.
Key Highlights
- The FIU-IND initiated a review based on inputs from law enforcement agencies.
- Illegal funds were allegedly routed through accounts maintained by the bank.
- This adds to the existing operational restrictions imposed by the RBI.
Important Facts
- Action: Penalty Imposed.
- Target: Paytm Payments Bank.
- Reason: PMLA Violations.