RBI issues project finance norms for banks, NBFCs; new norms to kick in from October 1

20 Jun 2025 Evaluate

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued norms to provide a harmonised framework for financing of projects in infrastructure and non-infrastructure sectors by banks, NBFCs and other regulated entities. The Reserve Bank of India (Project Finance) Directions, 2025 lay down the revised regulatory treatment upon change in the 'date of commencement of commercial operations' (DCCO) of such projects in the backdrop of a review of the extant instructions and analysis of the risks inherent in such financing. The RBI said the directions entail the adoption of a principle-based regime for resolution of stress in project finance exposures, harmonised across regulated entities (REs). It also entails rationalisation of permissible DCCO extensions with an overall ceiling of three years and two years for infrastructure and non-infrastructure sectors, respectively. For the purpose of application of prudential guidelines contained in the latest norms, projects have been broadly divided into three phases -- design phase, construction phase, and operational phase.

Moreover, RBI said in under-construction projects where the aggregate exposure of the lenders is up to Rs 1,500 crore, no individual lender shall have an exposure which is less than 10 per cent of the aggregate exposure. For projects where aggregate exposure of all lenders is more than Rs 1,500 crore, the exposure floor for an individual lender shall be 5 per cent or Rs 150 crore, whichever is higher. Further, it said a lender shall ensure that all applicable approvals/clearances for implementing/constructing the project are obtained before financial closure. An indicative list of such pre-requisite approvals/clearances includes environmental clearance, legal clearance, regulatory clearances, as applicable to the project. On resolution of stress, it said a lender shall monitor the performance of the project and any buildup of stress on an ongoing basis and shall be expected to initiate a resolution plan well in advance.

It stated occurrence of a credit event with any of the lenders during the construction phase, shall trigger a collective resolution in terms of the prudential framework. It added the reference to 'default' in the prudential framework shall be read as 'credit event' for the purpose of project finance accounts, unless specified otherwise. Besides. It said that a project finance account downgraded to NPA for non-compliance can be upgraded only after the account performs satisfactorily post actual DCCO. It also said a lender may recognise income on accrual basis in respect of project finance exposures which are classified as 'Standard'. For NPAs, income recognition shall be as per extant instructions. The Reserve Bank of India (Project Finance) Directions, 2025 shall come into force with effect from October 1, 2025.

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