RBI guidelines for recovery agents: the rules today and from 1 January 2027

Quick answer

• Status: final, not a draft. RBI issued final Amendment Directions on 6 August 2026, after seeking feedback on a revised draft dated 20 May 2026. (RBI press release: Amendment Directions on recovery of loans and recovery agents, 6 August 2026)
• Start date: 1 January 2027. For commercial banks, the document is the *Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Responsible Business Conduct) Fourth Amendment Directions, 2026* (RBI/2026-27/223, DOR.MCS.REC.No.193/01-01-032/2026-27). Paragraph 3(2) says it "shall come into effect from January 1, 2027". (RBI (Commercial Banks – Responsible Business Conduct) Fourth Amendment Directions, 2026 (RBI/2026-27/223, 6 August 2026))
• Who else: RBI issued parallel directions the same day for small finance banks, other banks, NBFCs and other regulated entities. See the list in the press release.
• Until then, the current rules apply. Agents may call only between 8 AM and 7 PM and must not threaten or shame you (first set by RBI circular RBI/2022-23/108 of 12 August 2022, now part of RBI's Responsible Business Conduct Directions, 2025). Under RBI's 2008 recovery agent guidelines, an agent must carry an identity card and the lender's authorisation letter.

Is the 8 AM to 7 PM rule new?

This rule isn't new. Since 2022, agents can't call you before 8 AM or after 7 PM. It started with RBI's circular of 12 August 2022 and is now part of RBI's Responsible Business Conduct Directions, 2025. (RBI circular RBI/2022-23/108 (12 August 2022) on recovery-agent conduct)

What the 2027 directions add: the time window will cover both contact and visits by an employee or recovery agent ("only between 08:00 hours and 19:00 hours"). Calls or visits outside this window are allowed only if you have clearly asked for or allowed them. Your request to avoid calls at particular times must also be respected. (Fourth Amendment Directions, 2026)

Note: the 2022 circular does not apply to microfinance loans covered by RBI's 2022 microfinance directions.

What changes from 1 January 2027

Based on the Fourth Amendment Directions for commercial banks:

• List of agencies online. Lenders must publish the recovery agencies they use and keep the list updated.
• Advance notice. You must be told the agency's details before the first visit.
• Certified agents. Agents must hold the required IIBF certification, with time given to some lenders for existing agents.
• Conduct on visits. Agents must carry ID, the lender's authorisation and a copy of the notice sent to you.
• No harassment. Abuse, threats, shaming on social media, contacting your relatives or co-workers to pressure you, and false claims about what you owe are not allowed.
• Recorded calls. Recovery calls must be recorded, and you must be told.
• Phone locking limits for loans that financed a device.
• Grievance details on every communication.

Please read the official text for exact wording. Details may differ for NBFCs and other lenders.

What does not change

The rules control how a lender recovers dues, not whether you owe them. Your loan is still payable. The lender can still use lawful steps such as notices, arbitration or a civil suit. The rules do not mean every recovery call is unlawful. They do not force a lender to accept a loan settlement.

How to complain

• Write to the lender's grievance officer with dates, times, numbers and proof.
• If there is no reply within 30 days, or you are not satisfied, complain at cms.rbi.org.in.
• No reply in 30 days? Or a reply you don't accept? Then file a complaint with the RBI Ombudsman at cms.rbi.org.in. Since 1 July 2026, the Reserve Bank – Integrated Ombudsman Scheme (RB-IOS), 2026 handles new complaints. It replaced the 2021 scheme. The Ombudsman looks at poor service. It does not decide your settlement amount.
• If you are threatened with violence, contact the police (112). For online abuse or data misuse, use cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930.

Related: Current RBI rules on recovery agents (pillar guide) · Loan app harassment · Your rights against recovery pressure

What the rules already require today

Lenders remain responsible for the recovery agents they hire. Under RBI circular RBI/2022-23/108 (12 August 2022), agents must not call before 8 AM or after 7 PM, threaten or shame you, disturb your family or referees, make anonymous or repeated calls, or make false claims.

What is still allowed: a lender can remind you about dues, send notices and use lawful steps such as arbitration or a civil suit. A polite call within allowed hours is not harassment. If calls cross the line, see help with recovery pressure.

If an agent visits your home or threatens arrest

Ask for their ID card and the lender's authorisation letter. Stay calm, do not sign anything you do not understand, do not pay cash without an official receipt, and note the date, time and what was said.

Being unable to pay an unsecured loan is generally a civil matter. If anyone threatens arrest or pretends to be police, note it and complain. Read can a bank file a police case for non-payment? If you have received a legal notice, see loan default and legal notices.

Calling hours at a glance

For overdue-loan recovery, RBI's 12 August 2022 circular says lenders and their agents must not call before 8:00 AM or after 7:00 PM. A 6:30 AM or 7:30 PM recovery call is outside those hours; a 9:00 AM or 6:30 PM call is inside them. Persistent calling meant to harass you is also barred, even inside those hours.

The line between a reminder and harassment

A polite reminder about dues is allowed. Abuse, public shame, false arrest threats, or using your family or workplace to pressure you is not. For a side-by-side guide, see legal recovery vs recovery agent harassment. For visits, see can a recovery agent visit your home or workplace?.