Walmart-owned Flipkart has achieved a major milestone in its fintech journey by obtaining a Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) licence from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). This development makes Flipkart the first major Indian e-commerce platform authorized to offer loans directly to both consumers and sellers, positioning it as a key player in India's evolving digital finance landscape.
In March 2025, Flipkart Finance Private Limited was granted a certificate of registration by the RBI. With this licence, Flipkart is no longer solely dependent on third-party financial partners to offer credit. It now has the regulatory clearance to lend independently, marking a strategic shift from relying on banks to building an in-house financial services arm.
Until now, Flipkart had partnered with financial institutions such as Axis Bank and IDFC First Bank to provide consumer credit and EMI options. With its new NBFC status, the company can now operate its own credit services, allowing for better margins, faster loan disbursal, and greater control over customer engagement.
The move also allows Flipkart to build a stronger financial services ecosystem by directly underwriting loans, setting interest rates, and designing customised loan products suited to its marketplace users.
The direct lending capability is expected to improve Flipkart's profitability, especially as lending services typically carry higher margins than traditional e-commerce sales. The company plans to roll out integrated lending solutions on its main e-commerce platform and through its fintech app, Super.Money.
These services will include personal loans, credit lines, and working capital financing for sellers, creating a full-service digital finance experience within the Flipkart ecosystem. By offering credit options directly to customers and sellers, Flipkart aims to deepen its engagement with users and enable more frequent, higher-value purchases.
Flipkart’s entry into NBFC operations comes at a pivotal moment. The company is reportedly preparing for its Initial Public Offering (IPO) and has initiated the process of shifting its holding company from Singapore to India. This strategic realignment is aimed at aligning more closely with Indian regulatory frameworks and capital markets, potentially improving investor confidence.
The NBFC licence further strengthens Flipkart’s narrative as a diversified tech and financial services company ahead of its public listing.
Flipkart’s NBFC licence arrives amid intensifying competition in India’s digital lending market. Amazon, its closest rival in Indian e-commerce, has been ramping up its own fintech play. It recently acquired lending startup Axio to strengthen its credit offerings and improve financing options for its users.
As the battle for digital financial dominance heats up, Flipkart’s move to bring lending in-house gives it a competitive edge and a more holistic value proposition for both consumers and merchants.
This NBFC authorisation represents a transformative move in Flipkart’s broader fintech roadmap. With millions of users and sellers across the country, the ability to offer flexible credit directly opens new avenues for customer retention, seller support, and revenue generation.
By embedding financial services seamlessly within its commerce platform, Flipkart is not only simplifying transactions but also tapping into India’s rapidly growing digital lending market.