The Government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have strengthened the country’s digital lending ecosystem through a series of regulatory and enforcement measures aimed at curbing fake and illegal loan apps. As part of these efforts, RBI launched the Digital Lending Apps (DLAs) directory on its website on July 1, 2025, allowing customers to verify whether a digital lending app is associated with an RBI-regulated entity.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has blocked 87 illegal loan lending applications under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, following due process. In addition, sectoral regulators have been authorised to direct the blocking of public access to information under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2025, notified on October 22, 2025.
RBI also issued the Reserve Bank of India (Digital Lending) Directions, 2025 on May 8, 2025. The regulations make it mandatory for RBI-regulated entities, Lending Service Providers (LSPs), and Digital Lending Apps (DLAs) to comply with detailed provisions covering loan recovery, data privacy, and customer grievance redressal.
The Government and RBI are also working with major internet intermediaries and messaging platforms to review the operations of unauthorised loan apps. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs has been proactively analysing digital lending apps. Citizens can report cyber incidents, including fake and illegal loan apps, through the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) or by calling the National Cybercrime Helpline 1930.
Banks, through the public-facing SACHET portal and the State Level Coordination Committee (SLCC), also help citizens lodge complaints against entities involved in the illegal collection or acceptance of money. RBI and banks continue to run awareness campaigns through SMS, radio, and cybercrime prevention initiatives, while RBI’s electronic-banking awareness and training (e-BAAT) programmes focus on fraud awareness and risk mitigation.
The information was shared by Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on July 21, 2026.
BBW News Desk is the editorial team of BigBreakingWire, a digital newsroom focused on global finance, markets, geopolitics, trade policy, and macroeconomic developments.
Our editors monitor government decisions, central bank actions, international trade movements, corporate activity, and economic indicators to deliver fast, fact-based reporting for investors, professionals, and informed readers.
The BBW News Desk operates under the editorial standards of BigBreakingWire, prioritizing accuracy, verified information, and timely updates on major global developments.
