New Delhi, Jan. 6 -- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued final amendment directions on lending to related parties, incorporating stakeholder feedback on the draft guidelines released in October 2025.

The revised, principle-based framework will come into force from April 1, 2026.

The directions seek to harmonise and rationalise existing norms governing lending by regulated entities (REs) - including banks, NBFCs, cooperative banks and all-India financial institutions - while providing greater clarity and consistency.

Scope, Exemptions and Transition

Equity investments in related parties have been excluded from the framework, though investments in debt instruments remain covered.

The RBI has exempted NBFCs that do not accept pub...