Empowering India’s Fintech Future: Key Reforms Needed

The winds of reform are upon us. During the recent Leaders and World Leaders (WLF) forum, the Prime Minister unveiled plans to deploy a comprehensive “reform arsenal” aimed at fulfilling commitments made during Independence Day. The focus is set squarely on transforming the fintech sector.

Fintech: The Starting Point for Reforms

With an impressive adoption rate of 87%, India is quick to embrace technological shifts, particularly evidenced by the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). In April alone, UPI recorded nearly 1,868 crore transactions, exceeding 24 lakh crore Rupees. The financial landscape is evolving rapidly, with the digital loans sector potentially surpassing $500 billion in asset value by 2030.

Shifting Regulatory Approaches

To achieve these ambitious goals, India needs to transition from a stringent regulatory framework to one that fosters innovation and healthy competition. Recently, Sanjay Malhotra has initiated changes to the regulatory structure, making the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) accountable for business operational easiness and compliance efficiency.

Five Key Reforms for the RBI

Over the next year, the RBI should prioritize five essential reforms to capitalize on this momentum:

1. Simplify Regulations

Currently, there are around 8,000 regulations in place, with roughly 5,000 considered redundant. A substantial reduction in this number is vital. The guiding principle should be that any new regulation must be proven as the least expensive means to fulfill its goal before being made public for consultation. Regulations, especially around Know Your Customer (KYC) mandates, should be reassessed to reduce compliance burdens on businesses.

2. Enable NBFCS to Offer UPI Credit Lines

India’s household debt-to-GDP ratio is about 42%, significantly lower than in countries like China and the U.S. Allowing Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) to issue credit lines on UPI is a crucial step in addressing this gap. Such a move can democratize access to credit, fostering financial inclusion and bringing more players into the market.

3. Introduce Alternative Payment Infrastructure

An enduring retail payment ecosystem is essential for India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. While UPI has set the standard, additional infrastructure is necessary to mitigate risks associated with heavy reliance on a single system. Revisiting the concept of an umbrella entity introduced by RBI in 2018 may provide requisite diversification in payment systems.

4. Implement ‘No Action Letters’

Fintech companies are exploring novel uses of artificial intelligence. The RBI should consider introducing ‘No Action Letters’ (NALs), allowing startups to innovate without the immediate threat of regulatory backlash. Such a framework would establish a secure environment for experimentation and growth in the fintech space.

5. Adopt Digital Bank Licenses

To promote financial inclusion, particularly for underserved communities, the introduction of a digital banking license is essential. This step could facilitate improved lending practices and foster financial inclusivity. A recent report from Niti Aayog suggests a proportional roadmap for such licenses, setting the stage for innovation in the banking sector.

Conclusion

By adopting these reforms, India has the opportunity to create a dynamic, inclusive, and resilient financial system poised to tackle the challenges of the future. This is a critical moment to leverage financial innovation and stability for the nation’s growth.

(Warning: The opinions expressed in this column are those of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com.)