Governor Shaktikanta Das Introduces PRAVAAH, Retail Direct Mobile App, and FinTech Repository – Here’s What You Need to Know

On Tuesday, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) introduced three key initiatives: the PRAVAAH portal, the RBI Retail Direct mobile app, and the FinTech Repository. These initiatives, announced earlier in April 2023, April 2024, and December 2023, aim to improve regulatory processes, support retail investment, and offer detailed data on the fintech sector.

Governor Shaktikanta Das, along with several industry leaders, launched these initiatives. The PRAVAAH portal (Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation, and Authorization) is a secure, web-based platform where individuals and companies can apply for authorizations, licenses, or regulatory approvals from the RBI. It allows for online application submission, status tracking, and quick decision-making, covering 60 different application forms across various departments.

The Retail Direct Mobile App is designed to make it easy for retail investors to buy and sell government securities (G-Secs) directly from their smartphones. Available on both Android and iOS, the app simplifies transactions in both primary and secondary markets.

The FinTech Repository provides comprehensive data on Indian fintech companies, helping regulators understand the sector better and create informed policies. Additionally, the RBI launched the EmTech Repository, which focuses on the adoption of emerging technologies like AI, ML, Cloud Computing, DLT, and Quantum by RBI-regulated entities (banks and NBFCs).

Both repositories, managed by the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH), aim to provide policymakers and industry participants with valuable insights into the sector.