Why is the RBI changing gold loan rules?

On April 9, 2025, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released draft guidelines on loans against gold collateral, seeking to harmonise lending practices across banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs). The move comes in response to inconsistencies in lending norms and a sharp spike in gold loan portfolios, especially among banks. While the proposed rules aim to enhance transparency, borrower protection, and regulatory uniformity, concerns have been raised about their impact on rural borrowers who heavily rely on gold loans for agricultural and personal needs.

Why in News?

The draft directions issued by the RBI have sparked significant debate, with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin urging the Finance Ministry to reconsider the norms, citing disruption to rural credit flows. The Finance Ministry clarified that implementation will begin only from January 1, 2026, and emphasized the need to protect small gold loan borrowers. The rules were drafted in the backdrop of alarming growth in gold loan portfolios, with banks witnessing a 104% year-on-year rise in FY24, raising concerns of regulatory gaps and over-leverage.

Why is RBI Proposing New Rules?

• Rapid growth in gold loans: Over 50% growth in combined bank and NBFC portfolios in FY24.
• Concerns over irregular lending practices, over-leveraging, and non-uniform valuation.
• Rising gold prices and widening credit gaps pushed more individuals to use gold as collateral.
• The goal is to standardise procedures, ensure borrower safety, and create a level playing field.

Key Proposals in the Draft Guidelines

• LTV (Loan-to-Value) Cap: Remains at 75%, but accrued interest included in LTV for bullet loans.
• Ownership Proof: Borrowers must provide proof of ownership of pledged gold.
• Gold Valuation: Standardised method based on 22-carat gold rates.
• Purity & Weight Checks: Mandatory uniform assessment across all lenders.
• No Dual-Purpose Loans: Loans for consumption and income generation can’t be combined.

Top-Up/Renewal Restrictions

• Only allowed if existing loan is standard and within LTV norms.
• Borrowers must repay entire due amount before fresh disbursal.
• Compensation for Delay: ₹5,000 per day if lenders delay returning gold beyond 7 days post-repayment.
• Ban on Re-Pledging: NBFCs can’t re-pledge gold to raise funds.

Concerns and Responses

Impact on Rural Borrowers

• Gold loans are a lifeline for small farmers and informal sector workers.
• Changes could restrict access, especially due to stricter LTV computation.

Higher Compliance Burden

• Smaller NBFCs may struggle due to documentation, DSCR norms, and cost escalation.
• May lead to consolidation in the NBFC sector.

Potential Rise in Interest Rates

• Operational costs likely to be passed on to borrowers.

Expected Impact on Borrowers

• Reduced Loan Amounts.
• Liquidity Constraints
• Limited Collateral Choices
• Increased Transparency

Balancing Growth and Regulation

• Rising gold prices suggest continued demand for gold loans.
• But the new norms may slow loan growth, especially for NBFCs.
• RBI is expected to consider differentiated norms for small-ticket vs. high-value loans.
• Aim is to build long-term resilience, reduce risk, and protect borrowers.