Tuesday, 6 October 2026 · Full edition

ETGovernment reports: Reserve Bank of India proposes new credit loss framework

The exterior facade of a UCO Bank branch in India, featuring the bank's signage and entrance.
The exterior facade of a UCO Bank branch in India, featuring the bank's signage and entrance. · খাঁ শুভেন্দু / Wikimedia CommonsCC BY-SA 4.0

What happened

The Reserve Bank of India has proposed transitioning commercial banks to an Expected Credit Loss (ECL) framework. This shift would replace reactive provisioning by requiring banks to classify loans into three stages, utilizing forward-looking data to identify potential credit losses sooner.

Why it matters

Adopting forward-looking models allows banks to recognize loan impairments earlier than traditional methods. This transition aims to improve the banking sector’s overall financial resilience by better aligning loss recognition with anticipated economic risks.

Bigger picture

The proposal marks a shift toward proactive risk management in Indian banking, moving away from lagging indicators toward data-driven asset classification to strengthen capital adequacy.

Watch next

Watch for the RBI to announce a final implementation timeline and for banks to disclose preparatory compliance measures.

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