Which one of the following statements is true about On-tap licensing?

Solution

· On-tap licensing means that the window for getting a bank license from RBI is open throughout the year. Earlier, RBI used to invite applications for giving bank licenses, and prospective players submitted their applications within a fixed time-frame as prescribed by RBI. The guidelines for on-tap licensing of Universal Banks in the private sector were issued on August 01, 2016 and that for Small Finance Banks on December 05, 2019. 11 entities had applied for on-tap bank licences since the guidelines were released by the RBI, but none approved till now. · The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) rejected applications for on-tap bank licences of six firms —four of which applied for universal bank licence and two for small finance bank. · The applications rejected by the RBI include Flipkart founder Sachin Bansal’s Chaitanya India Fin Credit Private Limited which has applied for a universal bank license. · Bansal is the managing director (MD) and chief executive officer (CEO) of Chaitanya India Fin. · Last year, the Enforcement Directorate served a show-cause notice to Bansal for alleged violation of FDI policy. · 11 entities had applied for on-tap bank licences since the guidelines were released by the RBI. The remaining 5 applications are under examination.