RBI's Financial Inclusion Index Rises to 70 in FY26; Final Prudential Norms Issued on SNFA

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the composite Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) for FY 2025-26, which rose to 70 in March 2026 from 67 in March 2025, indicating continued improvement in the depth and quality of financial inclusion in India. The FI-Index is a comprehensive single-value measure (on a scale of 0 to 100, where 0 denotes complete financial exclusion and 100 full inclusion) capturing access, usage and quality of financial services across banking, investments, insurance, postal and pension sectors. Prudential norms on SNFA: The RBI also issued final 'Prudential Norms on Specified Non-Financial Asset (SNFA) acquired by Regulated Entities' under the Resolution of Stressed Assets Directions, 2025, tightening the framework governing the resolution of distressed loans. The norms take effect from 1 October 2026. Under the revised norms, Regulated Entities (REs) are prohibited from selling or transferring SNFAs back to the defaulting borrower, its promoters, related parties, or entities acting on the borrower's behalf — closing a route by which defaulters could reacquire assets surrendered in resolution.