Reserve Bank of India (Lending Against Gold and Silver Collateral)

 

RBI Updates Rules on Lending Against Gold and Silver (September 29, 2025)

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued its first amendment to the Lending Against Gold and Silver Collateral Directions, 2025. These updates are designed to bring more clarity and discipline to how banks and financial institutions handle loans secured by gold and silver.

Key Highlights:

  1. No Loans for Buying Gold as Investment

    • Banks and lenders are prohibited from granting loans for the purchase of gold in any form—whether raw gold, ornaments, jewellery, coins, or even financial products like Gold ETFs and Mutual Funds backed by gold.

  2. Restrictions on Lending Against Gold & Silver

    • Advances cannot be given against primary gold or silver or financial assets linked to them.

  3. Exception for Industrial Use

    • Scheduled Commercial Banks and Tier 3 & 4 Urban Cooperative Banks (UCBs) may provide need-based working capital loans to businesses that use gold or silver as raw material in manufacturing or industrial processing.

    • However, these loans must not be used to stockpile gold/silver for investment or speculation.

  4. Reference to Earlier Circulars

    • The amendment also incorporates earlier RBI circulars (2012–2013) that restricted bank finance for gold purchases, reaffirming the regulator’s long-standing stance on discouraging speculative demand for gold.

  5. Effective Date

    • The new rules come into force immediately for new adopters, while for institutions that have already adopted the original directions, the amendment is effective from October 1, 2025.


Why This Matters

  • RBI aims to curb excessive demand for gold as an investment, which often fuels imports and affects India’s current account balance.

  • By allowing lending only for productive industrial purposes, the focus shifts from speculation to supporting genuine business needs.

  • This move balances the role of gold in India’s economy while safeguarding financial stability.

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