Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) play a critical role in India’s financial system by providing loans, asset financing, and credit services where banks may not always reach. They have emerged as key drivers of financial inclusion, serving rural, semi-urban, and urban customers with tailored lending solutions.
In this article, we present a list of the top NBFCs in India (2026), their scale, operations, and strengths, along with updates and regulatory changes that shape the NBFC sector.
What is an NBFC?
Let us first understand what NBFC is from the following points:
An NBFC (Non-Banking Financial Company) is a financial company that provides loans and credit facilities but does not have a full banking license.
Wide retail & corporate loans, wealth management, backed by the Tata Group
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Key Updates in 2025–2026 for NBFCs
The following are the key updates in 2025-2026 related to NBFCs in India:
RBI tightened NBFC governance norms as NBFCs need to have higher capital adequacy requirements and stricter audit.
Major NBFCs like Bajaj Finance and Shriram Finance reported record AUM growth due to strong retail demand.
Many NBFCs expanded digital lending platforms with AI-based credit scoring.
Increased NBFC-bank partnerships for co-lending in personal, MSME, and housing loans.
Regulatory focus on reducing NPA risks in the gold loan and vehicle finance segments.
Difference Between NBFCs, Private Banks, and Public Sector Banks
The following are the differences between NBFCs, private banks and public sector banks:
Feature
NBFCs (Non-Banking Financial Companies)
Private Banks
Public Sector Banks
Ownership
Private / corporate entities
Private shareholders / corporates
Government of India
Deposit Acceptance
Cannot accept demand deposits
Can accept savings/current/fixed deposits
Can accept savings/current/fixed deposits
Services Offered
Loans, credit, asset financing, microfinance
Full banking services (deposits and loans)
Full banking services and govt schemes
Regulation
RBI (special NBFC regulations)
RBI
RBI
Target Audience
Rural/urban borrowers, SMEs, retail
Middle & upper-class, corporates
Mass market, rural, govt schemes
Specialty
Quick approvals, flexible credit, niche lending
Tech-driven services, wide product range
Financial inclusion, stability
Benefits of Borrowing from NBFCs
The following are some of the benefits of borrowing from NBFCs:
Faster loan approvals with minimal paperwork.
Flexible loan products tailored to individual needs.
Strong presence in rural/semi-urban areas where banks are limited.
Competitive loan interest rates in some categories.
Gold loans and microfinance options are not always available at banks.
Challenges and Risks in NBFCs
The following are the risks and challenges associated with NBFCs:
Cannot offer deposit accounts (savings/current).
Higher interest rates in certain loan categories.
Risk of NPAs in rural lending and small borrowers.
Some smaller NBFCs may have limited governance and liquidity issues.
Conclusion
NBFCs in 2026 remain one of the strongest financial factors of India’s credit growth. Leaders like Bajaj Finance, Shriram Finance, Muthoot, Mahindra Finance, and Tata Capital continue to dominate with digital lending, gold loans, and rural credit support. For borrowers looking for fast loans, flexible terms, and localised service, NBFCs are an excellent choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many NBFCs are registered with RBI in India?
As per RBI, there are more than 9,000 registered NBFCs in India, but only a few hundred are systemically important.
Are NBFCs safe like banks?
NBFCs are regulated by RBI but do not offer deposit insurance like banks. Loan services are safe, but savings cannot be parked like in banks.
Which is the largest NBFC in India 2026?
Bajaj Finance remains the largest NBFC in India by AUM and customer base.
Do NBFCs provide digital lending?
Yes, most large NBFCs have mobile apps, digital onboarding, and instant loan approvals through fintech platforms.
Can NBFCs give home and personal loans?
Yes. Many NBFCs like Tata Capital, Aditya Birla Finance, and HDB provide home, personal, SME, and consumer loans.
Author: Diwakar Kumar Singh
Diwakar Kumar Singh is an accomplished content creator with over 6 years of experience in crafting both long-form and short-form content.
A gold medalist in MBA (Marketing) from IMT and a qualified petroleum engineer, Diwakar brings a results-driven mindset to his work. His passion for writing enables him to produce compelling and engaging content that resonates with diverse audiences.