

Explaining RBI’s Raft of Deregulations
Oct 7, 2025
Sugata Ghosh, Associate Editor at The Economic Times, joins to analyze the RBI's unprecedented announcement of 22 deregulation measures. They discuss how this historic shift allows banks to finance corporate takeovers and facilitates easier foreign borrowing. Sugata raises concerns about the readiness of banks to handle new risks and the implications for inflation targeting. The conversation dives into Governor Sanjay Malhotra's unique approach and the broad consensus among policymakers pushing for rapid deregulation to invigorate capital markets.
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Unified Push For Fast Deregulation
- There is a clear consensus among policymakers that deregulation is necessary now.
- Financial-sector measures were chosen because they are faster and low-hanging compared with labor or farm reforms.
Banks Finally Allowed In Acquisition Finance
- Banks and corporates have long pushed to allow banks to finance takeovers and acquisitions.
- Allowing Indian banks to join acquisition financing closes a gap created by offshore workarounds used by foreign branches.
Build Margin Controls Before Equity Lending
- Banks should ensure they have robust monitoring and margin systems before expanding loans against shares.
- Only banks with the technology and expertise should aggressively pursue pledged-equity and IPO financing.