Capital
NOF Below Threshold
Failure to maintain the prescribed Net Owned Funds required under applicable RBI directions.
Inactivity
Non-Commencement of Business
NBFC has not commenced financial business within stipulated time from grant of CoR.
Returns
Non-Filing of RBI Returns
Persistent failure to file periodic returns such as NBS-1, NBS-2, NBS-7, and ALM returns.
Fit & Proper
Directors Not Fit & Proper
Directors or promoters found unfit based on RBI’s Fit and Proper Criteria or adverse events.
Principal Business
Failure of 50/50 Test
Assets or income do not meet the principal business criteria of financial activity.
Takeover
Unauthorized Change in Control
Change in management or shareholding beyond thresholds without prior RBI approval.
KYC / AML
KYC / AML Lapses
Serious lapses in customer due diligence, PMLA compliance, and suspicious transaction reporting.
Misconduct
Fraud or Serious Non-Compliance
Financial irregularities, suppression of facts, or serious breach of RBI directions and conditions.
FAQs on Appeal Against NBFC Cancellation
Under what provision can an NBFC appeal against cancellation?
An appeal against cancellation of an NBFC’s Certificate of Registration can be filed under Section 45-IA(7) of the RBI Act, 1934, to the Central Government, within 30 days from the date of receipt of the cancellation order passed by the Reserve Bank of India.
What is the time limit to file an appeal?
The statutory time limit is 30 days from the date of receipt of the cancellation order. Missing this window can result in the cancellation becoming final, and the appeal may no longer be maintainable before the Central Government, although limited judicial remedies may still be available.
Can we continue lending operations during the appeal?
Once the CoR is cancelled, the NBFC is no longer authorized to carry on financial business. Operations must generally be wound down in respect of new business, although existing loans continue to be governed by contractual and legal obligations. Specific legal advice should be taken to avoid any action that may be viewed as unauthorized under Section 45-IA.
What are the typical grounds for cancellation by RBI?
Common grounds include shortfall in Net Owned Funds (NOF), non-commencement of financial business, persistent non-filing of returns, failure of the principal business criteria (50/50 test), Fit & Proper concerns, unauthorized change in control, KYC / AML lapses, and serious non-compliance with RBI directions.
What should we do if we receive a show-cause notice?
A show-cause notice is the most critical early warning and the best opportunity to avoid a cancellation order. You should immediately engage specialist advisors, analyze the grounds, undertake focused remediation, and file a detailed, evidence-backed reply within the time given in the notice — supported by a personal hearing wherever allowed.
Can we approach the High Court directly?
Yes. In suitable cases, a writ petition may be filed before the jurisdictional High Court under Article 226 / 227 of the Constitution, particularly where there is a violation of natural justice, jurisdictional error, or legal infirmity in the RBI / appellate order. Courts often expect the statutory appeal remedy to be exhausted first, except in exceptional circumstances.
Does the appeal also require compliance remediation?
Yes, and strongly so. The appellate authority typically looks not just at the legal grounds, but at whether the underlying compliance gaps have been meaningfully remediated — filing of pending returns, infusion of NOF, strengthening of policies, board changes, and KYC / AML improvements. A well-run appeal strategy always includes parallel remediation work.
What happens if the appeal is rejected?
If the Central Government rejects the appeal, the cancellation stands. The NBFC may still consider judicial review before the jurisdictional High Court on limited grounds. Alternatively, promoters may explore options like orderly wind-down, sale of loan book, or acquisition / merger into another regulated entity, depending on the facts and timing.