RBI Revises Priority Sector Lending (PSL) Norms Effective April 1, 2025

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued revised Priority Sector Lending (PSL) guidelines, which will come into effect from April 1, 2025. The new norms aim to enhance credit accessibility to priority sectors, including agriculture, MSMEs, renewable energy, housing, education, and social infrastructure. These revisions introduce higher loan limits, expand the ‘Weaker Sections’ category, and revise the PSL targets for urban cooperative banks (UCBs). The changes are designed to boost financial inclusion and promote economic growth in critical areas.

Key Highlights of RBI’s Revised PSL Guidelines

1. Enhancement of Loan Limits

• Education Loans: Increased limit to ₹25 lakh per individual (including vocational courses).
• Social Infrastructure: Up to ₹8 crore per borrower for setting up schools, drinking water facilities, etc.
• Housing Loans (Priority sector classification based on population size):
• ₹50 lakh – Centers with a population of 50 lakh and above.
• ₹45 lakh – Centers with a population between 10 lakh and 50 lakh.
• ₹35 lakh – Centers with a population below 10 lakh.

2. Focus on Renewable Energy

• Loans up to ₹35 crore for renewable energy-based power generators and public utilities (e.g., street lighting systems, remote village electrification).
• Loan limit for individual households: ₹10 lakh per borrower.

3. Revised PSL Targets for Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs)

• Total PSL target: 60% of Adjusted Net Bank Credit (ANBC) or Credit Equivalent of Off-Balance Sheet Exposures (CEOBSE).
• Micro Enterprises: 7.5% of ANBC.
• Advances to Weaker Sections: 12% of ANBC.

4. Expansion of the ‘Weaker Sections’ Category

The revised definition now includes transgenders, in addition to,

• Small & Marginal Farmers.
• Distressed farmers indebted to non-institutional lenders.
• Artisans.
• Individual members of SHGs (Self-Help Groups) or Joint Liability Groups (JLGs).
• Scheduled Castes (SC) & Scheduled Tribes (ST).
• Persons with disabilities.
• Minority communities notified by the Government of India.
• Individual women beneficiaries up to ₹2 lakh (The limit is not applicable to UCBs).