RBI has issued the Lending to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Sector (Amendment) Directions, 2026. These directions modify provisions of the Master Direction - Lending to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Sector (Updated as on July 23, 2025). The amendments enhance the Collateral-Free Loan Limit for MSEs to ₹20 lakh, align with regulatory changes and strengthen last mile credit delivery for Micro and Small Enterprises with limited assets. The directions are effective from April 01, 2026. Contact the Department of Communication, Central Office, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort, Mumbai - 400 001; Phone: 022 - 2266 0502; Website: www.rbi.org.in/hindi; email: helpdoc@rbi.org.in. Brij Raj, Chief General Manager. Press Release: 2025-2026/2074. Dated February 09, 2026.
Key Entities Referenced
Reserve Bank of India: India's central bank, responsible for issuing the amendment directions.
Lending to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Sector (Amendment) Directions, 2026: The primary directive being issued, amending previous lending directions for MSMEs.
Master Direction - Lending to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Sector (Updated as on July 23, 2025): The original policy document that the amendment directions modify.
Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME): The sector which the amendment directions are meant to impact.
प्रेस प्रकाशनी PRESS RELEASE
भारतीय ररज़र्व बैंक
RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
वेबसाइट
:
www.rbi.org.in/hindi
संचार वर्भाग, केंद्रीय कायाालय, शहीद भगत ससिंह मागा, फोटा, म िंबई - 400 001
Website : www.rbi.org.in Department of Communication, Central Office, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort,
ई-मेल/email : helpdoc@rbi.org.in Mumbai - 400 001 फोन/Phone: 022 - 2266 0502
February 09, 2026
RBI Issues Amendment Directions on Lending to Micro, Small & Medium
Enterprises (MSME) Sector
The Reserve Bank of India has today issued the Lending to Micro, Small & Medium
Enterprises (MSME) Sector (Amendment) Directions, 2026. These amendment
directions modify certain provisions of the Master Direction - Lending to Micro, Small
& Medium Enterprises (MSME) Sector (Updated as on July 23, 2025).
2. These amendments have been carried out to (i) enhance the extant Collateral-Free
Loan Limit for Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) to ₹20 lakh, and (ii) align with
certain regulatory changes that have been notified separately. The objective is to
strengthen last mile credit delivery for Micro and Small Enterprises with limited assets
to provide as collateral.
3. The amended Directions shall come into effect from April 01, 2026.
(Brij Raj)
Press Release: 2025-2026/2074 Chief General Manager