Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and the wider financial-services sector are among the most heavily supervised businesses in India — answering to the Reserve Bank of India for the Certificate of Registration (CoR), Net Owned Fund, the Scale-Based Regulation (SBR) framework, the Fair Practices Code, the Digital Lending Guidelines, capital adequacy and asset-classification norms, and to SEBI and IRDAI for investment, advisory, and insurance activities — all over a backbone of KYC / AML obligations under the PMLA and FEMA rules for foreign capital. Authorisation and continuing compliance are non-negotiable, and the penalty for getting them wrong is severe.
Our NBFC and financial-services practice helps promoters and boards obtain and keep their licences and run clean operations — NBFC registration (CoR) and category selection, Scale-Based Regulation classification and compliance, Fair Practices, KYC / AML and PMLA frameworks, Digital Lending and co-lending structuring, capital-adequacy, provisioning and RBI returns, SEBI registrations (AIF / PMS / Investment Adviser / Research Analyst), insurance and IRDAI advisory, and FEMA / FDI structuring. Whether you are applying for a fresh CoR, transitioning into a higher SBR layer, launching a digital-lending product, or raising foreign capital, we build a regulator-ready institution.
RBI CoR
NBFC Registration
Scale-Based
SBR Framework
KYC / AML
PMLA Compliance
Laws & Frameworks We Work Under
RBI Act 1934
NBFC CoR
Scale-Based Regulation (SBR)
Fair Practices Code
Digital Lending Guidelines
KYC Directions
PMLA & AML
CIC / Credit Reporting
Capital Adequacy (CRAR)
SEBI AIF / PMS / IA
IRDAI Licensing
FEMA NDI Rules
FAQs on NBFC & Financial Services in India
When does a company need an NBFC licence from the RBI?
A company needs a Certificate of Registration (CoR) from the RBI if its financial assets are more than 50% of total assets and its income from financial activity is more than 50% of gross income — the so-called 50-50 principal-business test. Activities such as lending, investment in shares / securities, leasing, hire-purchase, and acquisition of financial assets are covered. Carrying on NBFC business without a CoR is prohibited and attracts penal action. We assess whether the test is met and manage the registration.
What is the minimum capital (Net Owned Fund) for an NBFC?
Most NBFC categories must maintain a minimum Net Owned Fund (NOF) of ten crore rupees, with a regulatory glide path allowing existing NBFCs to reach the level in stages. NOF is essentially paid-up capital and free reserves, reduced by certain investments and intangible assets. Specialised categories (such as NBFC-MFI, NBFC-Factor, or infrastructure finance) and the deposit-taking status can change the requirement. We compute NOF and plan the capital build-up before application.
What is the Scale-Based Regulation (SBR) framework?
Under Scale-Based Regulation, the RBI supervises NBFCs across four layers — Base, Middle, Upper, and a possible Top layer — with regulatory intensity rising with size, activity, and systemic importance. Larger NBFCs in the Middle and Upper layers face stricter governance, capital, concentration, and disclosure norms, including a board-approved internal capital-adequacy process and, for the Upper layer, listing and additional requirements. We classify the NBFC and align its policies and governance to the correct layer.
What do the RBI Digital Lending Guidelines require?
The Digital Lending Guidelines require that loan disbursal and repayment flow directly between the borrower and the regulated entity (no pass-through via a lending service provider's account), that borrowers receive a Key Fact Statement (KFS) with the all-in cost (APR) before signing, and that data collection, storage, and the conduct of lending service providers are controlled. Arrangements such as first-loss default guarantees (FLDG) are permitted only within prescribed limits. We structure and document compliant digital-lending and partnership models.
What AML and KYC obligations apply to NBFCs?
NBFCs are reporting entities under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and must follow the RBI KYC Directions — performing customer due-diligence, classifying customer risk, maintaining records, screening against sanctions lists, and filing Cash Transaction Reports and Suspicious Transaction Reports with the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU-IND). A designated Principal Officer and a board-approved AML policy are required. Lapses attract significant penalties, so we build and test the KYC / AML framework.
Is foreign investment allowed in NBFCs?
Yes — FDI in NBFCs carrying on regulated financial-services activities is allowed up to 100% under the automatic route, subject to compliance with the FEMA Non-Debt Instruments Rules, applicable minimum-capitalisation norms for the activity, and the relevant financial-sector regulator's conditions. Investment must come through banking channels with FC-GPR reporting, and downstream-investment rules apply if the NBFC invests further. A change in control of an NBFC also needs prior RBI approval.
What SEBI or IRDAI licences might a financial-services firm need?
Beyond an RBI NBFC licence, market-facing activities are regulated by SEBI and IRDAI. SEBI registration is required to run an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), a Portfolio Management Service (PMS), act as an Investment Adviser or Research Analyst, or operate as a stock-broker / depository participant. Insurance distribution requires an IRDAI broker or corporate-agent licence. Each comes with its own net-worth, certification, and compliance obligations, which we set up and maintain.
Licensed Fast. Compliant Always. Ready for Inspection.
Partner with our NBFC and financial-services experts for RBI registration, Scale-Based Regulation, Fair Practices and AML frameworks, digital-lending structuring, and SEBI / IRDAI licensing for FY 2026–27.
Talk to an NBFC Expert