Practice Areas · Advisory & Growth · RBI & Finance · RBI registrations · P2P Lending

Peer-to-Peer (P2P) Lending Licence

RBI registration as an NBFC-P2P to run an online peer-to-peer lending platform.

Overview

What an NBFC-P2P is

A peer-to-peer lending platform connects individual lenders with borrowers online. It must register with the Reserve Bank of India as an NBFC-P2P under the RBI's Master Directions of 2017.

An NBFC-P2P operates only as an intermediary: it cannot lend on its own books, cannot take deposits, and cannot guarantee returns. It must hold a minimum Net Owned Funds of ₹2 crore and observe the prescribed exposure caps.

Requirements

What registration requires

Entity & capital

  • A company incorporated under the Companies Act
  • Minimum Net Owned Funds of ₹2 crore
  • Directors and promoters meeting the RBI's fit-and-proper criteria

Operating model

  • Acts only as an intermediary — cannot lend on its own book or guarantee returns
  • Must observe the prescribed lender and borrower exposure caps
Documents

Documents you'll need

  • Certificate of incorporation, MOA, and AOA
  • Proof of Net Owned Funds of ₹2 crore
  • Directors' KYC and fit-and-proper declarations
  • Platform and technology details, and a business plan
Process

How registration works

  1. 01

    Incorporate and capitalise

    Incorporate the company and build the ₹2 crore Net Owned Funds.

  2. 02

    Apply to the RBI

    File the NBFC-P2P application with the documents and business plan.

  3. 03

    In-principle approval

    On in-principle approval, set up the platform and technology infrastructure.

  4. 04

    Certificate of Registration

    The RBI grants the final Certificate of Registration to operate the platform.

Why PBT

Why work with PBT

PBT advises on the model and manages the NBFC-P2P registration.

  • We confirm eligibility and structure the company
  • We arrange the Net Owned Funds and the business plan
  • We manage the RBI application through in-principle and final approval
  • We advise on the operating-model and exposure-cap compliance
  • Scope and fees agreed in writing up front
FAQs

Frequently asked questions

  • What is an NBFC-P2P?

    A company registered with the RBI to run an online peer-to-peer lending platform, acting only as an intermediary between lenders and borrowers.

  • Can the platform lend its own money?

    No. An NBFC-P2P cannot lend on its own books, take deposits, or guarantee returns.

  • What Net Owned Funds are required?

    A minimum of ₹2 crore.

  • How long does it take?

    RBI processing, through in-principle and final approval, typically takes several months.

Register your P2P lending platform

Tell us about your platform, and we'll advise on the model and manage the RBI NBFC-P2P registration.

Send an enquiry

This page describes the nature of the firm's services and is not a solicitation or legal advice. Thresholds, timelines, and applicable registrations depend on your specific facts; engagement terms and fees are agreed in writing per assignment.

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