**Executive Summary**
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued Amendment Directions on January 9, 2026, modifying the "Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks- Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy) Directions, 2025". These directions update the risk weighting of claims on non-resident corporates, based on ratings assigned by international rating agencies and CareEdge Global IFSC Limited, effective immediately.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Amendment to Para 39:**
* Claims on non-resident corporates shall be risk weighted based on ratings assigned by international rating agencies.
* For claims on non-resident corporates originating at International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), ratings assigned by M/s CareEdge Global IFSC Limited will be mapped according to Table 8.2.
* **Risk Weight Mapping Tables:**
* **Table 8.1:** Claims on non-resident corporates - risk weight mapping for the ratings assigned by S&P/Fitch/Moody's Ratings.
* Provides risk weight percentages based on S&P/Fitch/Moody's ratings (AAA to AA, A, BBB to BB, Below BB, Unrated).
* **Table 8.2:** Claims on non-resident corporates - risk weights mapping for the ratings assigned by M/s CareEdge Global IFSC Limited - for claims originating at International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).
* Provides risk weight percentages based on CareEdge Global IFSC Limited ratings (AAA, AA, A, BBB, BB & below).
* **Explanation on Unrated Claims:**
* Unrated claims with aggregate exposure from the banking system exceeding ₹200 crore attract a risk weight of 150 percent.
* Claims with aggregate exposure from the banking system exceeding ₹100 crore, initially rated but subsequently unrated, attract a risk weight of 150 percent.
* No claim on an unrated corporate will receive a preferential risk weight relative to its sovereign of incorporation.
* **Amendment to Para 118:**
* Banks may use ratings from specified international credit rating agencies for risk weighting claims for capital adequacy: CareEdge Global IFSC Limited (for all non-resident corporate exposures originating in IFSC), Fitch, Moody's, and Standard & Poor's.
* **Effective Date:**
* The amendment comes into effect immediately.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Small Finance Banks**
* **Impact:** The new directions will alter the risk-weighted assets of Small Finance Banks, which may impact their capital adequacy ratios.
* **Action Required:** Review and update risk assessment and capital adequacy calculations based on the new risk weight mappings for claims on non-resident corporates.
**Stakeholder: Non-Resident Corporates**
* **Impact:** Changes in the risk weighting based on ratings may affect the cost of borrowing for non-resident corporates.
* **Action Required:** Monitor rating agency assessments, especially those originating from IFSC, as they directly affect risk weights and borrowing costs.
**Stakeholder: International Rating Agencies (S&P, Fitch, Moody's, CareEdge Global IFSC Limited)**
* **Impact:** Increase in the relevance and visibility of their ratings in the context of Indian banking regulations.
* **Action Required:** Ensure compliance with the quality and accuracy of ratings for Small Finance Banks.
Key Entities Referenced
Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks- Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy) Amendment Directions, 2026: The main subject of the document, outlining amendment directions for capital adequacy norms for Small Finance Banks.
Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks- Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy) Directions, 2025: The policy document being amended by the Amendment Directions, 2026.
Banking Regulation Act, 1949: The act that provides the Reserve Bank of India the power to issue the Amendment Directions.
CareEdge Global IFSC Limited: A credit rating agency whose ratings are used for risk weighting claims on non-resident corporates originating at International Financial Services Centre (IFSC).
International Financial Services Centre (IFSC): Location where non-resident corporates originate, relevant to the applicability of the directions for claims ratings by CareEdge Global IFSC Limited.
भारतीय ररज़र्व बैंक
RESERVE BANK OF INDIA
_________________________ ______________________
www.rbi.org.in
RBI/2025-26/190
DOR.STR.REC.391/21-01-002/2025-26 January 09, 2026
Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks- Prudential Norms on Capital
Adequacy) Amendment Directions, 2026
Please refer to Reserve Bank of India (Small Finance Banks- Prudential Norms on
Capital Adequacy) Directions, 2025 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Directions’).
2. On a review, and in exercise of the powers conferred by the section 35A of the
Banking Regulation Act, 1949 and all other laws enabling the Reserve Bank in this
regard, the Reserve Bank being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the
public interest so to do, hereby issues the Amendment Directions hereinafter
specified.
3. The Amendment Directions modifies the Directions as under:
(1) Para 39 shall be substituted by the following:
“39. The claims on non-resident corporates shall be risk weighted as under as per the
ratings assigned by international rating agencies. Further, with regard to claims on all
non-resident corporates originating at International Financial Services Centre (IFSC)
for which ratings are assigned by M/s CareEdge Global IFSC Limited, the mapping
shall be as per Table 8.2 below.
Table 8.1: Claims on non-resident corporates - risk weight mapping for
the ratings assigned by S&P/Fitch/Moody’s Ratings
S&P / Fitch
AAA to AA A BBB to BB Below BB Unrated
Ratings
Moody’s ratings Aaa to Aa A Baa to Ba Below Ba Unrated
Risk Weight (%) 20 50 100 150 100
विवियमि विभाग, केंद्रीय कायाालय, केंद्रीय कायाालय भिि, 12िी/ीं 13िी ींमींव़िल, शहीद भगत व ींह मागा, फोर्ा, म ींबई - 400001
र्ेलीफोि/ Tel No: 22661602, 22601000 फैक्स/ Fax No: 022-2270 5691
Department of Regulation, Central Office, Central Office Building, 12th/ 13th Floor, Shahid Bhagat Singh Marg, Fort, Mumbai – 400001
हहदिं ी आसान ह,ैं इसका प्रयोग बड़ाइएTable 8.2: Claims on non-resident corporates - risk weights mapping for the
ratings assigned by M/s CareEdge Global IFSC Limited - for claims originating
at International Financial Services Centre (IFSC)
CareEdge
BB &
Global IFSC AAA AA A BBB
below
Limited
Risk Weight (%) 20 30 50 100 150
Explanation –
(i) Unrated claims having aggregate exposure from banking system of more
than ₹200 crore shall attract a risk weight of 150 per cent.
(ii) Claims with aggregate exposure from banking system of more than ₹100
crore which were rated earlier and subsequently have become unrated shall
attract a risk weight of 150 per cent.
(iii) No claim on an unrated corporate shall be given a risk weight preferential
to that assigned to its sovereign of incorporation.”
(2) Para 118 shall be substituted by the following:
“118. A bank may also use the ratings of the following international credit rating
agencies (arranged in alphabetical order) for the purposes of risk weighting its claims
for capital adequacy purposes where specified:
(i) CareEdge Global IFSC Limited (for all non-resident corporate exposures
originating in IFSC);
(ii) Fitch;
(iii) Moody's; and
(iv) Standard & Poor’s.”
4. The above amendment shall come into force with immediate effect.
(Vaibhav Chaturvedi)
Chief General Manager
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