Whether you want to set up an NBFC, enter into an agreement, or deal with a private lender, checking the NBFC license online is a safe practice. However, the question remains: how can one verify NBFC registration online? If the question concerns you, you are on the right page. This article breaks down the key steps for scouting the RBI-registered NBFC list.
Steps to Check NBFC License Online
The section below breaks down the steps to verify NBFC registration online:
Step 1: Navigate the Reserve Bank’s Portal
Make your way to the web portal of the Reserve Bank of India.
Step 2: Navigate to the NBFC List
Once you land on the home page, go through the list, namely “Functionwise Sites” on the right pane. Then, explore the “Regulation” tab to click on the “NBFCs.”
Step 3: Wait for Redirection
Wait till the portal lands you on the new page.
Step 4: Explore the List
On the new page, you will find the option stating “List of NBFCs and ARCs registered with the RBI. Corresponding to this, the portal has listed the readable and downloadable PDF and Excel files.
Step 5: Open the PDF or Excel.
Click on the PDF or Excel and wait until it opens on your system. (Please ensure you have apt software on your system to open such files.
What is in the PDF or Excel?
The RBI[1] has included everything to simplify the experience and search for users. Here is the information it offers in the PDF or Excel.
- List of all registered NBFCs (as of now, there are over 8500 NBFCs registered pan-India). Corresponding to each NBFC, you will find their
- Corporate Identification Number
- Deposit-taking status
- RBI Layer, meaning which layer an NBFC belongs to (base, middle, or upper)
- NBFC classification (whether MFI, P2P, ICC, or Factor)
- Office address
- Email ID
- Apart from NBFCs, the list also entails the details of the “Asset Reconstruction Company” (ARC). Currently, there are 27 registered ARCs pan-India, with prominent ones being Aditya Birla ARC Limited, Edelweiss Asset Reconstruction Company Limited, and Indiabulls Asset Reconstruction Company Limited.
- Number of NBFCs registered to date. The table below will give you a brief idea of the same
| Sl. No. | Classification of NBFCs | Total Numbers |
| 1 | Investment and Credit Company (ICC) | 8,033 |
| 2 | Type-I NBFC | 150 |
| 3 | Micro Finance Institutions (MFI) | 93 |
| 4 | Housing Finance Company (HFC) | 91 |
| 5 | Core Investment Company (CIC) | 60 |
| 6 | Peer to Peer Lending (P2P) | 28 |
| 7 | Account Aggregator (AA) | 17 |
| 8 | Factor | 9 |
| 9 | Infrastructure Finance Company (IFC) | 8 |
| 10 | Primary Dealer (PD) | 7 |
| 11 | Infrastructure Debt Fund (IDF) | 3 |
| 12 | Non-Operative Financial Holding Company (NOFHC) | 2 |
| 13 | Mortgage Guarantee Company (MGC) | 1 |
| Total | 8,502 |
Who Must Check the NBFC License Online?
The following must verify NBFC registration online:
- Banks seeking to enter into a co-lending agreement with an NBFC
- Vendors that help NBFCs set up and maintain IT infrastructure. This is something common with P2P lending platforms.
- NBFCs (undergoing RBI assessment for the first time) that are unsure whether their application has been approved.
- Government projects seeking finance from the Infrastructure Finance Company (IFC).
- Credit-seekers looking for urgent and significant loans from a microfinance institution (MFI)
- Companies that want to sell their unpaid invoices to NBFC-Factor
Red Flags To Look Out For When Checking the NBFC License Online
Be wary of the given red flags when conducting a search on the NBFC platform:
- No registration number displayed—it could mean the license has been revoked or the RBI has yet to grant one.
- Registration number mismatch—Maybe the NBFC has made a clerical error on their portal, or they are under heavy scrutiny due to non-compliance.
- The email ID does not match. It appears the NBFC changed it and did not inform the RBI. Either way, it is negligence.
- The Corporate Identification Number is incorrect. It is serious non-compliance; hence, you must report this as soon as you encounter it
These are the steps you can use to check the NBFC license online. If you face any technical glitch, wait a while and try again. If the issue persists, you can contact Advisou—your reliable licensing ally.
With years of expertise in RBI licensing and highly regulated registration, Advisou is a trustworthy partner. Our experts can help you get the required licenses and permits during the business setup journey, ensuring compliant and result-oriented support from start to finish. Contact us now to book a free consultation.
Also Read: NBFC Loan Recovery Guidelines in India
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Does the RBI portal contain information about every type of NBFC?
Yes, the RBI portal maintains details of every registered NBFC, regardless of its category.
Q2: What if the portal’s details do not match the information on the NBFC’s website?
Such a mismatch is a red flag. You must inform the RBI about this discrepancy.
Q3: Are details on the RBI’s portal about NBFCs legit?
Yes, since RBI is an apex bank of the country, the information it provides is 100% legit.
Q4: Is there any alternative to the RBI portal for verifying NBFC details?
No, as of now, there is an alternative to the RBI portal for NBFC verification.
Q5: What if the NBFC’s details are not available on the portal?
In such a case, you can try navigating to the option stating “List of NBFCs and ARCs whose CoR has been cancelled by the RBI.”
Q6: What other factors constitute the NBFC’s credibility and recognition?
You can look out for liquidity and net owned funds. They demonstrate the financial stability of the company. Such details are typically available on the NBFC’s website.
