The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has introduced regulatory guidelines on digital lending, focusing on loans facilitated through mobile apps and online platforms. Minister of State for Finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, highlighted that these guidelines aim to strengthen the regulatory framework for digital lending, ensuring customer protection and the safety of the digital lending environment. The government has operationalized a public directory of Digital Lending Apps (DLAs) to assist borrowers in verifying their connections with regulated entities.
The directory of DLAs went live on the Ministry’s website on July 1, 2025. Regulated Entities (REs) are mandated to adhere to these guidelines on digital lending. Compliance with these regulations is monitored through sample assessments during supervisory evaluations. Any identified non-compliance is addressed promptly, with corrective measures implemented and potential supervisory or enforcement actions initiated.
In collaboration with the RBI, the ministry has undertaken various initiatives to safeguard citizens from exploitation by unauthorized mobile loan apps. Efforts include proactive engagement with major internet intermediaries and messaging platforms to assess the operations of unapproved loan apps. To combat the proliferation of fraudulent digital loan apps, internet intermediaries have been directed to establish robust, technology-driven vetting and real-time enforcement mechanisms to identify and prevent the malicious promotion of illegal loan apps originating from offshore entities.
Moreover, the government has introduced a National Cybercrime Reporting Portal and a National Cybercrime Helpline number, “1930,” for citizens to report cyber incidents, including those related to illegal loan apps. Through the public-facing platform ‘SACHET’ portal and the inter-regulatory State Level Coordination Committee (SLCC), citizens can lodge complaints against specific entities involved in unauthorized deposit or money collection activities. Additionally, awareness campaigns on preventing cybercrimes, including illegal loan apps, are being conducted by RBI and banks through various channels such as short SMS, radio broadcasts, and public announcements.
