Unveiling the PRAVAAH Portal: A Comprehensive Guide to RBI's Digital Revolution in Regulatory Applications
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has always been at forefront to bring innovation in regulations of India's financial sector. As RBI enters its digital era, RBI has launched the PRAVAAH (Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation and Authorisation) portal on 28th May 2024 as a secure and centralised web portal to enable the application processes for various regulatory approvals, licenses, and authorisations. It is a necessary step towards efficiency, transparency, and promptness in RBI's regulatory processes.
With effect from May 01, 2025, RBI mandates all applicants, including Regulated Entities (REs) to use PRAVAAH for submitting applications for regulatory authorisations, licenses, and approvals to the Reserve Bank using the application forms already available in the portal.
The PRAVAAH portal is one of the Reserve Bank of India's major initiatives towards digitalization of its regulatory activities. By a secure, central, and easy-to-use online portal for filing and monitoring regulatory documents, the RBI aims to introduce more efficiency, transparency, and convenience for all concerned. The project aims to make communication between regulated institutions and the central bank more efficient and responsive.
What is the PRAVAAH Portal?
PRAVAAH is a single window web portal facility which is meant for individual or organization who wants to apply for regulatory sanctions from the RBI. It is meant to simplify the normally tedious and time-consuming task of filing applications and tracking their status.
RBI PRAVAAH Portal features and benefits:
- Unified Platform: It brings various application forms falling under various RBI supervisory and regulatory categories into a single web portal. Already, over 100 forms are on the portal with more to be included when the need arises.
- Online Submission: Applicants need to submit applications and supporting documentation electronically using the RBI PRAVAAH portal, thereby eliminating paper or physical submissions.
- Real-time Monitoring: The portal provides real-time application status tracking, which makes it transparent and cuts redundant follow-ups. Applicants also get an update by SMS and email.
- Online Query and Response: RBI can issue queries or seek clarification on an application using the portal, and applicants can reply and submit additional details online.
- Timely Decision: The portal will strengthen the RBI's internal procedures to be more effective and thus lead to quicker processing and transmission of decisions to applicants. Thus, RBI PRAVAAH portal provides real time application tracking system for timely and effective decisions.
- Multiple Form: So far 108 RBI PARVAAH portal forms are published as on 11th April 2025. In case of the applications that are not of any of the mentioned above specific forms, a general-purpose form may be utilized.
- Trustworthy Platform: PRAVAAH is a safe platform that protects confidentiality and information integrity offered.
- Integration with Sarthi: PRAVAAH is integrated with RBI's Electronic Document Management System (Sarthi) for end to end digitization.
Importance of the PRAVAAH Portal
The introduction of the PRAVAAH portal offers several benefits to the applicants and the Reserve Bank of India:
A. For Applicants:
- Ease of Application: Single online platform facilitates easy identification of the correct application form and entry of the desired information.
- Reduced Turnaround Time: Streamlined processes and electronic messaging will reduce the duration of application processing and approvals.
- Increased Transparency: Real-time tracking of applications keeps applicants informed and reduces uncertainty.
- Convenience: Online submission and response end the inconvenience of paper documents and personal contact. The web portal can be accessed from anywhere in the world, providing greater convenience to applicants, including NRIs and foreign institutions.
B. For Reserve Bank of India:
- Enhanced Efficiency: Automated application process saves man-hours, makes workflow management easier, and reduces processing time.
- Enhanced Transparency: There is a simple audit trail for applications and status, enhancing accountability.
- Formalized Processes: Automated validation and formatted application forms allow accuracy and completeness of information.
- Improved Data Handling: Electronic filing facilitates simple storage, recall, and analysis of application information.
- Optimized Resources: Reduced reliance on paper-consuming process yields cost benefit and optimal usage of resources.
Procedure for filing the PRAVAAH Portal
PRAVAAH portal is the RBI digitization initiative platform for regulatory application and step by step guide to RBI PRAVAAH portal is as follows:
- Access the Portal: PRAVAAH can be accessed by logging in at: https://pravaah.rbi.org.in, and the RBI website also provides a link for the same.
- Registration: The new members will likely need to register on the portal by providing basic details like name, mobile number, and email address. Commercial entities might be required to provide their PAN and GST numbers. OTP (One-Time Password) verification through the registered mobile number is typically a part of the verification process.
- Login: Once registered, the applicant can log in using his/her registered mobile number as the identifier and OTP received.
- Select Application Form: After login, one can browse through the available forms listed, categorized based on the respective RBI department and choose the form most appropriate for his requirement. There is a general-purpose form available for those situations which are not covered by specific forms. PRAVAAH should not be utilized for Right to Information (RTI) applications, supervisory/regulatory reports, or complaints that fall under the purview of the Banking Ombudsman.
- Fill the Application: The applicants should fill all the information necessitated in the online application and upload the necessitated documents as detailed. The portal can facilitate the provisions for saving draft application and filling them subsequently.
- Validate and Submit: Before final submission, the applicant would likely be asked to verify the information filled in the form for accuracy. When all the information is filled in and verified, the "Submit" button would be activated.
- Follow Application Status: On successful submission, a success message is shown and a 10 digit unique Application ID is created After submitting the application, the applicants can see the status of their application on the portal currently. They will also be intimated through SMS and email regarding any queries, clarifications, or final decision.
- Reply Questions: If there is any query from the RBI or the requirement of more information, the applicants can reply and upload documents online through the portal.
- Receive Decision: The RBI will inform the applicant about its decision on the application through the portal along with an email and SMS.
Some of the forms available on PRAVAAH Portal are listed below
- Users can submit FEMA related applications through RBI PRAVAAH portal: Regulatory Approvals under FEMA-five R and FEMA ten R; Borrowings under FEMA; Guarantees under FEMA.
- Users can submit forms on RBI PRAVAAH portal for immovable property transaction approvals: Approval for Acquisition or Sale of Immovable Property
- Users can also submit Compounding application submission via PRAVAAH portal: Compounding application; Confirmation for appearing for personal hearing w.r.t. compounding proceedings along with preferred date, time or attending personnel information; Additional information or addendum to already filed compounding application.
- Users can submit RBI application process for liaison office through PRAVAAH: Regulatory Approvals pertaining to LO or BO or PO in India
- Users can submit approval for overseas investment using pravaah portal: General correspondence related to Overseas Investment; Foreign Investment in Non-Debt Instruments; Prior approval cases related to Overseas Investment
How SKMC Global Can Assist You?
We at SKMC Global aim to help customers smoothly navigate the changing regulatory environment. With RBI's PRAVAAH portal going live, regulatory compliance entered a new phase of digitalization, and our professionals are well-positioned to help businesses and individuals get the best out of the platform. From selecting the relevant application forms to proper documentation, timely filing, and RBI query replies through the portal, SKMC Global provides end-to-end assistance throughout the application life cycle. Our experience with regulatory norms and years of dealing with RBI processes help us enable clients with quicker approvals, compliance, and reduced administrative efforts.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
PRAVAAH, or Platform for Regulatory Application, Validation and Authorizations, is an internet-based, centralized, secure web portal which is entrusted by Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It is used to provide a single point of access for individuals and institutions to submit requests, references, or applications for authorizations, licenses, or regulatory clearances to the RBI electronically. The portal gives the users a facility to track the status of their submissions, respond to RBI queries, and get decisions promptly. It aims to simplify the application process, reduce paper-based filing needs, and optimize efficiency for both the RBI and applicants.
The RBI PRAVAAH portal may be login using URL: https://pravaah.rbi.org.in. There is also a portal link directly available on the Reserve Bank of India's website. During login, user need to provide basic information, i.e., a mobile number, which would be validated using a One-Time Password (OTP) so as to access the portal.
PRAVAAH enables applicant such as banks (e.g., Authorised Dealer (AD) banks), business entities, and individual applicants to file application with RBI.
The applicant starts by logging in to the PRAVAAH portal and registering by submitting basic details like a recent mobile number that can be verified using OTP.
After login, the user will be able to begin the process by choosing the 'Submit Application' option. There will be a chat-based interface that will help the user select the proper application form by providing keywords of their query. After selecting the appropriate form, applicants have to input required details, upload documents if needed, validate details keyed, and submit the application. Once successfully submitted, an Application ID will be generated and SMS and email confirmation will be sent.
Yes, in every new application, the applicants must go through the first-time registration on the portal. But once registered, the same mobile number can be used for visiting the portal to file applications, upload supporting information, download files, and see the history and status of previously filed applications.
Application status and the approximate date of completion for process will be made visible in grid format by applicant by logging on to the 'Application History' link on PRAVAAH portal using the registered mobile number and OTP. Apart from this, application status intimation by SMS and email will also be provided to the registered contact details.
Yes, one applicant can submit multiple applications.
User can save the application in 'Draft Mode' and submit it later according to his convenience.
No, there is no application fee to apply through PRAVAAH. But if some payment is to be made while applying for any specific approvals under respective Master Directions/Circulars/Guidelines of the Bank, the same can be levied even while applying through PRAVAAH.
Applications for some categories are to be submitted through AD Banks only while applications for other categories can be submitted directly by the applicant:
|
Category/Form |
Who Can Submit |
|
Opening of Special Rupee Vostro Account |
AD Bank Only |
|
Addendum to Compounding Application |
Applicant Directly |
|
Personal Hearing in Compounding Matters |
Applicant Directly |
|
Sale/Purchase of Immovable Property |
Applicant Directly |
|
FEMA Approvals (Five R, Ten R) |
AD Bank Only |
|
LO/BO/PO Related Approvals |
AD Bank Only |
|
ECB under Approval Route |
AD Bank Only |
|
Bank Guarantees beyond AD Bank Limit |
AD Bank Only |