The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is currently testing a new digital lending platform aimed at making credit more accessible, particularly for rural and small-scale borrowers. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das announced the initiative, known as the Unified Lending Interface (ULI), during the Global Conference on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Emerging Technologies in Bengaluru, as reported by Moneycontrol.
What Is Unified Lending Interface (ULI)?
The ULI platform is designed to streamline the lending process, reducing the time required for credit appraisal. Governor Das emphasised that this new system could have a significant impact on sectors with high credit demand, such as agriculture and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). A nationwide rollout of ULI is anticipated in the near future.
"Just like the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) changed the payments ecosystem, similarly we expect ULI to transform the lending landscape," Das said, highlighting the central bank’s ongoing efforts to digitalise banking services.
Reduce Need For Extensive Documentation
The ULI platform enables the digital transmission of crucial information, including land records, from multiple data providers to lenders. This reduces the need for extensive documentation and speeds up the credit approval process, particularly benefiting borrowers in rural areas. Das also reassured that the platform prioritises borrower consent and data privacy, ensuring secure and efficient transactions.
Furthermore, Das introduced the concept of a new "trinity" in India's Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) journey. Building on the existing Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) framework, this new trinity will integrate UPI, ULI, and the forthcoming Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC). The RBI is working on making UPI and CBDC interoperable to further enhance financial inclusion and streamline payments across the country.
In addition, Das announced India's leadership role as the chair of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (AI) for 2024, collaborating with 29 other countries to advance cutting-edge research.