Why in news? The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed targeted regulatory relaxations for Infrastructure Investment Trusts (InvITs) and Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) to improve cash management, borrowing flexibility, and post-concession asset handling, while retaining investor protection norms. Key Proposals in SEBIās Consultation Paper 1) Holding SPVs Beyond Concession Period (InvITs) 2) Greater Flexibility in Parking Surplus Cash (InvITs & REITs) 3) Greenfield Projects: Level Playing Field
SEBI Plans to Revamp āFit and Properā Framework
Source: Mint Why in news? The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has proposed a review and revamp of its āfit and properā framework for market intermediaries, citing concerns that some existing provisions may be overly rigid and punitive at a preliminary stage of legal proceedings. What is the āFit and Properā Framework? Why is SEBI Reviewing It Now?
RBI Imposes Compounding Fee on One 97 Communications for FEMA Violations
Source: BS Why in news? In February 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposed a compounding fee of ā¹18.76 lakh on One 97 Communications Limited (OCL) for violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, relating to foreign investment transactions in its subsidiary. What is the case about? Transaction involved Nature of violation Compounding Order Explained Disclosure & Compliance
Centre Defines Eligibility Criteria for āDeep Techā Start-ups
Source: The Hindu Why in News? The Union Government has officially defined what constitutes a ādeep techā start-up through a gazette notification issued by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), bringing regulatory clarity to a term widely used but previously undefined. What is a Deep Tech Start-up? According to the notification, a deep tech start-up is an enterprise that: Key Eligibility Criteria Relaxed Start-up Norms for Deep Tech Firms Parameter Normal Start-up Deep Tech Start-up Maximum age 10 years 20 years Turnover limit ā¹200 crore ā¹300 crore
NBA Launches Digital Portal for Certificate of Origin of Cultivated Medicinal Plants
Source: PIB Why in News? On 5 February 2026, the National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) launched a digital portal for the electronic issuance of Certificates of Origin (CoO) for cultivated medicinal plants, to support Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) exemption applications. Key Features of the Digital CoO Portal About Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) About National Biodiversity Authority (NBA)
RBI Keeps Repo Rate Unchanged at 5.25%
Source: TH Why in News? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), in its February monetary policy, decided to keep the policy repo rate unchanged at 5.25% and retained a neutral policy stance, signalling a likely pause in rate action. Key Decisions What Does āNeutral Stanceā Indicate? What is Repo Rate? The repo rate is the interest rate at which the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) lends short-term funds to commercial banks against government securities. What is Reverse Repo Rate? The reverse repo rate is the interest rate at which RBI borrows money from commercial banks. Repo vs Reverse Repo Aspect Repo Rate Reverse Repo Rate RBIās role Lender Borrower Banksā role Borrowers Lenders Objective Inject liquidity Absorb liquidity Effect on money supply Increases Decreases
RBI Raises Loan Limits for Small Businesses; Allows Bank Lending to REITs
Source: BS Why in News? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced measures to enhance credit flow to small businesses and support the real estate sector, as part of its monetary policy initiatives to strengthen formal and last-mile lending. Key Announcements 1. Enhanced Collateral-Free Loans for Small Businesses 2. Bank Lending to REITs Permitted What are REITs? Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are regulated investment vehicles that own, operate, or finance income-generating real estate such as office parks, malls, warehouses, and hotels. They allow investors to earn returns from real estate without directly owning property.
RBI Plans ā¹25,000 Compensation for Cyber Fraud Victims
Source: TOI Why in News? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has proposed a new compensation framework to provide relief to victims of small-value online frauds, with compensation up to ā¹25,000. Key Features of the Proposed Framework
NBFCs with Assets Below ā¹1,000 Crore Exempted from Mandatory RBI Registration
Source: ET Why in News? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced regulatory relaxations for certain non-banking financial companies (NBFCs) to reduce compliance burden while maintaining systemic stability. Key Announcements 1. Exemption from Mandatory Registration NBFCs will be exempted from registration with RBI if they meet all of the following conditions: 2. Branch Expansion Norms Relaxed Objective of the Measures RBIās Broader Regulatory Approach
Mission SAKSHAM
Source: TH Why in News? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced the launch of Mission SAKSHAM (Sahakari Bank Kshamta Nirman), a sector-wide capacity-building and certification framework aimed at strengthening Primary (Urban) Cooperative Banks (UCBs). What is Mission SAKSHAM? Key Features
