Updated for 2026 Syllabus Detailed Explanations High-Yield Core Concepts

Bank Promotion Exam Guide

Banking Awareness | Banking Knowledge | for all Bank Exams

Module: General Practice

Q31: Scenario: An MSME borrower's loan account with a scheduled commercial bank has the following status as of March 31, 2026: The Due Date was January 1, 2026, and Principal and interest remain unpaid for 95 days. The bank classifies it as a Non-Performing Asset (NPA). The borrower claims that under the "Special MSME Relief," the NPA recognition period is 180 days. Is the borrower correct?

A
Yes, for all MSMEs, the NPA norm is 180 days
B
Yes, but only if the MSME is registered under GST
C
No, the 90-day NPA norm applies universally to MSMEs borrowing from banks; the 180-day dispensation is not the standard rule
D
No, unless the loan amount is below 10 Lakh rupees
✅ Correct Answer: C
The borrower is incorrect.
For banks and NBFCs, the 90-Day IRAC Norm applies.
An account becomes NPA if interest or principal is overdue for more than 90 days.
While there have been temporary dispensations (like the 180-day window) in the past during specific crises, as of 2026, the standard regulatory baseline remains 90 days to align with global financial stability norms.