Which of the following specific corporate entities is structurally excluded from the applicability of the Scheme under the NBFC criteria?

The framework specifically lists Core Investment Companies (CICs), Housing Finance Companies (HFCs), and Mortgage Guarantee Companies as excluded from this particular ombudsman mechanism. The Scheme applies to services provided by the following Regulated Entities (REs):  Banks: All Commercial Banks, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), State/Central Co-operative Banks, and Scheduled/Non-Scheduled Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks with a deposit size of ₹50 crore and above (as of the previous fiscal year's audited balance sheet). Excludes banks under resolution, winding up, or All-Inclusive Directions.  NBFCs: All NBFCs registered with RBI that are authorized to accept deposits OR have a customer interface with an asset size of ₹100 crore and above. (Excludes HFCs, CICs, IDF-NBFCs, NBFC-IFCs, NOFHCs, Primary Dealers, and Mortgage Guarantee Companies).  Prepaid Payment Instruments (PPIs): All Non-bank PPI Issuers.  Credit Information Companies (CICs): All registered CICs.