New Delhi: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been awarded the prestigious Digital Transformation Award 2025 by Central Banking, a UK-based publication, in recognition of its pioneering digital initiatives, Pravaah and Sarthi. These platforms have significantly enhanced efficiency, transparency, and accessibility in regulatory processes within India’s banking sector.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the RBI on this global recognition, posting on X:
“A commendable accomplishment, reflecting an emphasis on innovation and efficiency in governance. Digital innovation continues to strengthen India’s financial ecosystem, thus empowering countless lives.”
Named after the Hindi word for "charioteer," the Sarthi system was introduced in January 2023 to digitise all of RBI's internal processes. It enables officials to manage regulatory workflows, documents, and data analysis digitally, improving record management and operational efficiency. With features like secure information exchange and real-time dashboards, Sarthi has transformed internal decision-making within the central bank.
The Pravaah system, meaning "smooth flow" in Hindi, was launched in May 2024 to streamline regulatory applications. Designed for external stakeholders such as banks and financial institutions, Pravaah allows them to submit applications digitally, reducing paperwork and processing time. It integrates seamlessly with the Sarthi system, ensuring faster approvals and better tracking through a centralised cybersecurity framework.
According to Central Banking, these initiatives have played a crucial role in improving the RBI’s efficiency, simplifying procedures, and advancing India's transition to a fully digital regulatory ecosystem.
BI Bureau
