New Delhi, Feb. 17 -- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued the Foreign Exchange Management (Borrowing and Lending) (First Amendment) Regulations, 2026, bringing significant changes to the External Commercial Borrowing (ECB) framework.

The revised rules, finalised after stakeholder consultations on draft norms released in October 2025, aim to simplify and rationalise overseas fundraising.

Higher Limits, Wider Eligibility

Under the new framework, eligible entities can raise ECBs up to USD 1 billion or 300 per cent of their net worth, whichever is higher, compared with the earlier annual cap of USD 750 million.

The RBI has expanded the pool of eligible borrowers and recognised lenders, permitting any entity incorporated under a Cen...