

Tata Sons' exit door from upper layer NBFC list narrows
₹1 trillion in the upper layer could leave little wiggle room for Tata Sons, save for the benevolence of the central bank. The holding firm of the eponymous group has been in the category in recent years, a classification that entails tighter regulatory oversight and a mandatory listing requirement.The new norms, released on 10 April, currently in the form of a draft circular, take away a part of RBI’s discretion in deciding who gets to be on the list.
The defining criteria for a non-bank to enter the club now is if it has assets of ₹1 trillion or more. Experts said this would indicate the inevitable continued inclusion of Tata Sons, which had total assets of ₹1.75 trillion on a standalone basis as on 31 March 2025.The stakes are significant for Tata Sons.
The listing norm and a tighter oversight would both sit uneasily with its role as a closely-held group holding company.It will then depend on whether RBI grants it an exemption from these norms or accepts its request to deregister as a core investment company (CIC), a form of non-bank financier, considering it has given up access to public funds. Public funds include funds raised either directly or indirectly through public deposits, inter-corporate deposits, bank finance and all funds received from external sources.Mint had reported in 2024 that Tata Sons turned debt-free in a bid to avoid getting listed under the upper layer regulations.
In fiscal year 2024 (FY24), Tata Sons had applied to surrender its registration and become an unregistered CIC.Per RBI regulations, a core investment company with assets of over ₹100 crore and not availing of public funds can remain unregistered. Those below the ₹100 crore mark can remain unregistered even if they accept such
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