Walmart-backed e-commerce major Flipkart has received a lending license from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), enabling it to operate as a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC). The development, confirmed by sources, is said to have been approved by the central bank earlier in March 2025.
While Flipkart has not issued an official statement detailing the terms, the company confirmed the license’s issuance when queried on Thursday. The RBI’s approval will now allow Flipkart to step into the financial services space, offering credit facilities directly to its customer base.
Flipkart to Offer Targeted Consumer Loans and Flexible EMI Schemes
According to industry insiders, this move will significantly ease Flipkart’s ability to offer credit to customers making purchases on its platform. With NBFC status, Flipkart will no longer have to rely entirely on third-party financial institutions for financing options. Instead, it can offer personalised, in-house financing such as “Buy Now, Pay Later” and custom Equated Monthly Instalments (EMI) models.
This is expected to benefit a wide segment of consumers, particularly those who prefer flexible payment methods and who might otherwise struggle with access to credit. Sources believe Flipkart will initially pilot these services in select product categories before expanding across its entire marketplace.
