Kissht Banned Rumour: Fact vs Fiction | Real Status Exposed
The digital lending landscape in India is characterized by rapid innovation coupled with intense regulatory scrutiny, a dynamic environment that often breeds misinformation. In recent years, a persistent **Kissht banned rumour** has circulated across social media platforms and consumer forums, suggesting that the popular instant loan application has been shut down or prohibited from operation by Indian regulators. This article serves to meticulously examine the factual basis of these claims, clarifying the **Kissht real status** and exposing the reality behind the widespread narrative of a ban. The operational status of Kissht, managed by ONEMi Technologies Pvt. Ltd., remains active, though it operates under strict oversight mandated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).
The Genesis of the Rumour: Why Did the 'Kissht Banned' Narrative Emerge?
The circulation of the **Kissht banned rumour** is not an isolated incident but rather a symptom of the broader regulatory crackdown on the digital lending ecosystem in India, which intensified significantly between 2021 and 2023. The confusion often arises because the public tends to conflate temporary regulatory actions, app store delistings, and the outright banning of unlicensed or fraudulent operators.
Regulatory Landscape and Digital Lending Scrutiny
The RBI has aggressively pursued non-compliant and predatory digital lending applications, particularly those operating outside the purview of the established regulatory framework or those linked to cross-border financial malpractices. This environment of heightened vigilance led to the delisting of hundreds of apps from major app stores (Google Play and Apple App Store). When a high-profile platform like Kissht faces even temporary operational hurdles or is mentioned in general news reports about lending app crackdowns, the public often assumes the worst—that it has been banned entirely.
Furthermore, the digital lending industry often attracts criticism regarding high Annual Percentage Rates (APR), opaque fee structures, and aggressive debt recovery practices. While these issues are operational challenges faced by many players, including Kissht, they contribute to a negative sentiment that makes the public more receptive to rumors of a ban or closure.
The Temporary App Store Delisting Incident
One of the most significant events contributing to the **Kissht banned rumour** was the temporary delisting of the application from the Google Play Store on multiple occasions. These delistings were typically linked to temporary non-compliance with Google’s updated policy guidelines regarding user data security, loan disclosure norms, or specific technical requirements, rather than a definitive regulatory ban imposed by the RBI.
When an app is removed from the store, users who rely on the platform for new loans or repayments often panic, leading to immediate speculation about the company's financial health or legal status. Importantly, such delistings are usually administrative actions by the platform owner (Google/Apple) and not a permanent prohibition order from the central bank. Kissht consistently worked to rectify the compliance issues and was subsequently relisted, confirming that its core operations were never legally halted.
Analyzing Kissht’s Operational and Regulatory Compliance
To understand the **Kissht real status**, it is essential to look beyond the application interface and examine the underlying corporate structure and its relationship with formal financial institutions.
The Role of ONEMi Technologies and NBFC Partnerships
Kissht is operated by ONEMi Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Crucially, Kissht itself is a Lending Service Provider (LSP) and a technology aggregator. It does not disburse loans directly using its own balance sheet, which is a common misconception among consumers.
Instead, Kissht partners with several RBI-registered Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) and banks. These partnerships are the foundation of its legitimacy. All loans facilitated through the Kissht platform are underwritten and disbursed by these licensed financial entities. These partners include reputable institutions such as:
- SI Creva Capital Services Private Limited
- NDX P2P Private Limited (LiquiLoans)
- Northern Arc Capital Limited
- Other authorized NBFCs
This model means that Kissht’s operations are indirectly but strictly governed by the regulations applicable to its NBFC partners. If Kissht were truly banned, it would imply that the RBI had ordered its partner NBFCs to cease all operations facilitated through the platform, an action that has not been taken.
RBI Guidelines and Compliance Frameworks
Following the major regulatory overhaul concerning digital lending, the RBI introduced comprehensive guidelines in September 2022 to govern the sector. These guidelines focused on transparency, data privacy, and ethical recovery practices. Platforms like Kissht were required to implement significant changes, including:
- Mandatory direct loan disbursement and repayment flows between the borrower’s account and the regulated entity (NBFC/Bank), eliminating the LSP’s involvement in fund handling.
- Enhanced transparency regarding all fees, interest rates, and the name of the underlying regulated entity in the loan agreement.
- Strict adherence to data localization and usage policies.
The time taken by platforms to fully integrate these complex changes often led to temporary disruptions, further fueling the myth that the company was facing a permanent shutdown. However, the requirement to adapt to these stringent guidelines confirms that Kissht is operating within the RBI’s framework, rather than being an outlawed entity.
As one financial technology analyst noted, "The current regulatory environment demands absolute transparency. Companies that fail to clearly disclose their NBFC partners and the true cost of credit face immediate consequences, but these are corrective actions, not the end of the line. The difference between a temporary suspension for policy review and a permanent ban is vast, yet often lost in public discourse," emphasizing the need for clarity in interpreting regulatory moves.
Unpacking Specific Allegations and Consumer Concerns
While the claim that Kissht is banned is definitively false, it is imperative to address the legitimate consumer concerns that often underpin the negative public perception and lend credibility to the rumors.
Addressing High Interest Rates and Fees
Kissht, like many instant loan apps, caters primarily to high-risk borrowers or those seeking short-term micro-credit. This risk profile necessitates higher interest rates compared to traditional bank loans. Consumer complaints frequently focus on the effective APR, which, when factoring in processing fees, convenience fees, and GST, can appear exorbitant.
The RBI’s current focus is not necessarily on capping interest rates directly (as risk pricing is market-driven) but ensuring that these costs are disclosed **transparently** upfront. The fact that Kissht is still operational means it has successfully navigated regulatory requirements concerning the disclosure of these high costs, even if consumers remain dissatisfied with the pricing model itself.
Ethical Debt Recovery Practices
Aggressive and unethical debt recovery methods have been a major flashpoint between digital lenders and regulators. Reports of harassment, unauthorized access to contact lists, and abusive language used by recovery agents have led to severe penalties for many apps. While Kissht has faced scrutiny regarding its recovery practices in the past—a common issue across the sector—it has been forced to align its operations with the strict code of conduct prescribed by the RBI for its NBFC partners.
Any continued operation is contingent upon the company demonstrating that its recovery agents adhere strictly to the established guidelines, avoiding intimidation and respecting borrower privacy, further contradicting the narrative that the platform is operating illegally or has been permanently blacklisted.
The Official Status: What Regulatory Bodies Say
The final and most authoritative determination of the **Kissht real status** rests with the regulatory agencies and the company’s official filings.
There has been no official notification, press release, or public directive from the RBI or the Ministry of Finance declaring a permanent ban on ONEMi Technologies Pvt. Ltd. or the Kissht platform. If such a significant action were taken against one of the largest digital lending facilitators in the country, it would be published prominently across all official government and banking channels.
Instead, official records show that the company continues to file its regulatory returns and operates as an LSP facilitating loans for its registered NBFC partners. The company's continued advertising presence, customer support operations, and ability to raise capital further confirm its legitimate, ongoing operational status in the Indian market.
Current Operational Status and Market Presence
As of the current date, Kissht remains a highly active player in the Indian digital lending space, offering various financial products, including instant personal loans and purchase finance options. The platform has focused heavily on strengthening its compliance framework, improving data security protocols, and enhancing grievance redressal mechanisms in response to regulatory pressures.
The company’s survival and continued market presence, despite the intense regulatory heat applied to the sector, serves as strong evidence against the pervasive **Kissht banned rumour**. Its status is not one of an outlawed or defunct entity, but of a platform undergoing continuous regulatory alignment—a reality shared by most large-scale fintech players in India today.
Consumers who encounter the **Kissht banned rumour** should rely exclusively on official sources—the RBI website, confirmed news reports from reputable financial media, and official communication from the company itself—rather than unverified social media chatter. The platform is operational, regulated through its NBFC partners, and subject to the same stringent oversight as the rest of the formal financial system. 
