The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on November 28, 2025, issued the Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks – Credit Information Reporting) Directions, 2025 to establish a uniform and robust framework for credit data reporting and dissemination. The is issued under Section 11 of the Credit Information Companies (Regulation) Act, 2005 (CICRA), seeks to strengthen accuracy, transparency, and consumer protection in the credit information ecosystem. It mandates all Small Finance Banks (SFBs), referred to as Credit Institutions (CIs), to become members of all four RBI-registered Credit Information Companies (CICs) — CRIF High Mark, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion CIBIL — with capped membership and annual fees to ensure cost efficiency.
The directions introduce the Uniform Credit Reporting Format (UCRF) for consumer, commercial, and microfinance segments, requiring fortnightly reporting of updated borrower data, including details of corporate directors, compromise settlements, and exposure under Commercial Papers and Unhedged Foreign Currency Exposure. The guidelines further lay down detailed provisions for reporting Self-Help Group (SHG) member-level data, ensuring inclusion of socio-economic information while maintaining confidentiality. Small Finance Banks must implement robust systems, including appropriate outsourcing controls, to collect, validate, and report data accurately.
The also specifies mechanisms for correction of erroneous data, monitoring through a Data Quality Index (DQI), and establishing customer grievance redressal systems in compliance with CIC Rules, 2006. It directs SFBs to display information on borrowers’ secured assets taken over under the SARFAESI Act, 2002 and update such data monthly. These measures aim to enhance data integrity, promote responsible lending, and improve borrower transparency across India’s credit ecosystem.
These Directions shall come into force with immediate effect.
[Notification No. RBI/DOR/2025-26/187 DOR.FIN.REC.No.106/20.16.056/2025-26]
