Regulatory Sandbox usually refers to live testing of new products or services in a controlled/test regulatory environment for which regulators may permit certain regulatory relaxations for the limited purpose of the testing.

Financial Sector regulators/ authorities in India have established regulatory sandboxes to foster innovation in their respective domains. These include:

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
  Link: https://rbi.org.in/web/rbi/-/publications/reports/enabling-framework-for-regulatory-sandbox

• Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)
  Link: https://www.sebi.gov.in/legal/circulars/jun-2021/revised-framework-for-regulatory-sandbox_50521.html

• Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)
  Link: https://irdai.gov.in/document-detail?documentId=6541188

• International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA)
  Link:https://ifsca.gov.in/Viewer?Path=Document%2FLegal%2Ffe-framework_27-04-202227042022122844.pdf&Title=Framework%20for%20FinTech%20 Entity%20in%20the%20International%20Financial%20Services%20Centres%20%28IFSCs%29&Date=27%2F04%2F2022

• It may be noted that Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) currently does not have its own regulatory sandbox.

An Inter-Regulatory Technical Group on FinTech (IRTG on FinTech) was constituted under the aegis of the Financial Stability and Development Council-Sub Committee (FSDC-SC). The terms of reference (ToR) of IRTG on FinTech included discussion on issues relating to hybrid product/ service falling under the regulatory ambit of more than one financial sector regulator for admission in Regulatory Sandbox and framing of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for IoRS for hybrid products/services. The group, in addition to the members from Financial Sector Regulators/ Authority (RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, IFSCA and PFRDA), has representation from Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeITY), GoI. In order to facilitate testing of innovative products/services falling within the regulatory ambit of more than one financial sector regulator, a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for IoRS has been prepared by the Inter-Regulatory Technical Group on FinTech (IRTG on FinTech). The SOP can be accessed from the link: - FinTech

The Inter-operable Regulatory Sandbox (IoRS) provides a common window for innovators to test hybrid financial products/ services falling within the regulatory ambit of more than one financial sector regulator. By eliminating the need to separately engage with different regulators, IoRS simplifies testing processes and fosters innovation in the financial ecosystem.

The IoRS supports innovation that requires collaboration between multiple regulators while the individual sandboxes of regulators cater to the solutions within the purview of a single regulator. Thus, IoRS is a unified mechanism that bridges the complexities of bespoke regulatory sandbox frameworks of different financial sector regulators and helps in fostering cross-sectoral innovation.

The initiative involves collaboration between multiple regulators:

• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) – for banking and payment systems

• Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) – for securities markets

• Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) – for insurance products

• Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) – for pension-related innovations (although PFRDA does not have a separate regulatory sandbox but is a part of the Inter-operable Regulatory Sandbox (IoRS)).

• International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) – unified Regulatory authority of Gujarat International Finance Tech-City International Financial Services Centre (GIFT IFSC) for testing in the domain areas as specified in the Annexure I of Framework for FinTech Entity in the International Financial Services Centres.

Generally, following entities can participate in the IoRS: Financial institutions, FinTech companies, RegTech providers, Start-ups or other innovators offering products/services relevant to multiple financial sectors.

However, the eligibility criteria will be governed primarily by the RS Framework of the Principal Regulator (Details given under FAQ Question 2)

IoRS allows the testing of financial products or services whose features fall within the remit of more than one financial sector regulator (RBI, SEBI, IRDAI, PFRDA and IFSCA). Some of such innovative solutions include, the areas of RegTech and SupTech, Digital Payment Solutions, Cross-sectoral products for e.g. insurance products linked to banking services InsurTech, WealthTech, Cross-border payment solutions etc.

• Testing of innovative solutions in a controlled, low-risk environment.

• Interaction with multiple regulators through single window to ensure compliance across domains.

• Opportunity to refine products based on feedback from regulators and the sandbox testing.

• Reduced time to market for innovative solutions.

The RS framework of the regulator under whose remit the dominant/ majority feature of the product falls, will be the ‘Principal Regulator (PR)’ under IoRS. The regulator/s under whose remit the other features apart from the dominant feature of the product fall shall be the ‘Associate Regulator (AR)’ under IoRS.

The dominant feature is assessed based on two factors:

• The type of enhancement to existing financial products (e.g., loans, deposits, insurance, pension products).

• The number of relaxations sought for the product during the testing process, with greater weightage given to the latter.

The relaxation, if warranted, shall be considered by PR/ AR on case-to-case basis and decision to that effect shall be binding and final.

Based on the dominant features of the product, the eligibility criteria and networth criteria as applicable for the RS of the PR concerned shall be applicable to the applicant entity for participation in the IoRS.

You can apply by submitting a single application form to the Coordination Group hosted by the FinTech Department, RBI, via email at iors@rbi.org.in. The application form can be accessed via the link: https://rbi.org.in/documents/87730/39016390/IoRS12102022_APP.pdf

No, there is no application fee for applying to IoRS. However, for testing under IoRS the sandbox fee, if any, of the PR concerned may be applicable.

No, applications are accepted on an ‘On-Tap’ basis throughout the year.

The preliminary scrutiny will be done by FinTech Department of Reserve Bank of India. However, detailed scrutiny will be done by the PR based on its sandbox framework. The PR will also coordinate with ARs to review specific features of your product that fall under their regulatory scope, ensuring a smooth and efficient process.

Yes, applications from foreign FinTechs seeking entry into India or Indian FinTechs with global ambitions are eligible to participate. For such cases, IFSCA, shall act as the PR.

The product/ solution will be tested as per the sandbox framework of the PR in coordination with the ARs. The PR will also evaluate your product based on its framework, incorporating inputs and appraisals from ARs for specific aspects under their jurisdiction to assess its suitability and viability.

Since Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) currently does not have its own regulatory sandbox, it can only act as AR under IoRS and not as the PR.

The testing phase duration will be as per the sandbox framework of the PR concerned.

After successful testing under IoRS, the entity may approach the concerned PR and ARs to obtain necessary authorisations and regulatory approvals before launching its product in the market. The decisions of the respective regulators will be final and binding. The product being successfully exiting the IoRS shall be published by the regulator concerned vide Press Release for wider adoption.

The Standard Operating Procedure for IoRS can be accessed at the link: https://rbi.org.in/web/rbi/-/press-releases/standard-operating-procedure-for-inter-operable-regulatory-sandbox-54528

For any inquiries, please email at iors@rbi.org.in