The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) made several important announcements during its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting in February 2026.
A major focus was protecting consumers in digital payments.
With cyber fraud on the rise, the RBI is introducing a new framework to handle fraudulent transactions.
Under this system, stock exchanges will cover losses up to ₹25,000 for fraudulent transactions.
This step aims to protect millions of online users who often fall victim to cyber fraudsters.
How the New Rules Will Work
Currently, RBI’s 2017 guidelines limit customer liability for fraud.
The new framework goes a step further:
If a transaction is fraudulent and reported on time, the bank or payment provider will bear the loss.
This rule will apply to UPI payments, debit cards, and online transactions, giving more security to everyday users.
RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das assured that the financial system remains strong.
repo rate is unchanged at 5.25%, and inflation is projected at 7.4%.
Liquidity in the system is healthy, averaging ₹70,000 crore, and rising to ₹2 lakh crore after February measures.
Other key indicators show economic stability:
Foreign exchange reserves: $723.8 billion, covering 11 months of imports
Merchandise exports: up by 1.9%
RBI to Release Discussion Paper on System Security
The RBI also plans to release a discussion paper to strengthen digital payment security.
Key points include:
Transaction limits and extra authentication for vulnerable groups, such as senior citizens
Advanced security methods like face ID or biometric verification for younger users
The public will be invited to give feedback once the paper is published, allowing citizens to participate in shaping safer digital payment systems.
With these steps, the RBI aims to reduce fraud, protect users, and make digital payments safer for everyone.
