National News
RBI tightens gold loans norms; proposes LTV ratio at 75% of pledged gold’s worth
RBI has proposed sweeping changes to how financial institutions lend against gold, tightening oversight in a bid to curb risks and bring greater transparency to a booming segment of the country’s credit market.
In draft guidelines released April 3, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) proposed capping the loan-to-value (LTV) ratio for gold loans at 75% of the pledged gold’s worth. The move would standardize lending limits across banks and nonbank financial companies (NBFCs), ending a pandemic-era relaxation that had allowed NBFCs to lend up to 90% of the value of gold collateral for a year.
The new cap would apply uniformly, regardless of whether loans are intended for consumption, business, or other purposes—a significant shift that levels the regulatory playing field for NBFCs and banks alike.These proposals aim to harmonize regulations across entities while aligning them with risk-taking capabilities according to RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra.
India is one of the world’s largest consumers of gold, and borrowing against jewelry and bullion is a common way for households and small businesses to access credit. The sector has grown rapidly, particularly through NBFCs that target less formal borrowers, raising concerns about inconsistent lending practices and over-leveraging.
In addition to the LTV cap, the RBI is pushing for enhanced internal controls and transparency. Lenders will be expected to establish their own LTV thresholds based on internal risk assessments. A standardized valuation framework will also be introduced to ensure consistency in assessing gold collateral across branches.
Under the new rules, banks and NBFCs must disclose the reference price of gold used for loan calculations and implement a uniform methodology to evaluate purity and measure gross and net weights. This information must be made publicly available on their websites.
The proposals are part of the RBI’s broader developmental and regulatory agenda. A public consultation process is now underway, and final guidelines are expected later this year.
The central bank’s move signals a growing focus on borrower protection and market discipline in India’s informal lending space, where gold loans remain a crucial—but sometimes opaque—source of credit.
National News
Solai Steps Into Its Next Growth Chapter With New Collections, Retail Expansions and Digital Scale
The Brand’s Growth Strategy Is Ultimately Centred On Making Fine Jewellery More Relevant To Everyday Life, While Building Stronger Relationships With Customers Through Personalised Communication
Solai, the contemporary fine jewellery brand balancing legacy with minimalist elegance, is entering a new phase of growth with a simultaneous expansion across its collections, retail presence and e-commerce business. The brand is introducing four new collections – Bijou Grid, Pod, Split Bezel and Cherry Blossom, while expanding its physical presence across Maharashtra and strengthening its digital reach.

The four collections bring distinct design perspectives while staying true to Solai’s focus on contemporary, versatile fine jewellery. Bijou Grid features structured geometric forms and clean lines; Pod draws from organic, sculptural forms inspired by nature; Split Bezel offers a lighter, sharper interpretation of the classic diamond setting; and Cherry Blossom takes inspiration from blooming flowers, renewal and new beginnings.




Designed to move easily from everyday dressing to occasion wear, the collections encourage jewellery to be worn, layered and stacked rather than reserved only for special moments. Solai continues to work with 9kt, 14kt and 18kt gold, natural diamonds and coloured gemstones where relevant, with a focus on creating pieces that can become part of a customer’s everyday wardrobe.
Commenting on the new collections and the brand’s expansion, Nishka Ranka, Founder, Solai, said:

“We have always wanted Solai jewellery to become part of how people dress every day, rather than something that is kept away for a special occasion. This new phase is about building on that idea of creating more pieces to choose from, being present in more locations and making it easier for customers to discover us online. We are excited about what this next chapter can mean for the brand and, most importantly, for our customers.”
As part of its retail expansion, Solai is opening new and upcoming locations in Baner, Pune, Pune–Satara Road and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. These stores mark the beginning of a broader multi-city expansion strategy, with Solai continuing to explore strategic locations across Maharashtra and, eventually, other key Indian markets.
E-commerce is also playing a growing role in the brand’s expansion, helping Solai reach customers beyond cities where it has a physical presence. The brand is strengthening its website and digital experience with improved product discovery, collection storytelling and navigation, supported by growing discovery through social media, digital marketing and content-led commerce.
Solai plans to introduce more digital-first launches, online exclusives, gifting edits and curated collection drops throughout the year, while using customer insights to better understand design preferences, price points and regional demand.
The brand’s growth strategy is ultimately centred on making fine jewellery more relevant to everyday life, while building stronger relationships with customers through personalised communication, private previews and new experiences. With new products, stores and digital channels coming together, Solai sees this as an important milestone in its journey towards becoming a contemporary fine jewellery brand with a stronger presence across India.
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