<h1>MSME lending: collateral-free loan limit raised to Rs 20 lakh; banks may extend to Rs 25 lakh under internal policy.</h1> RBI amended the Master Direction on MSME lending to raise the collateral-free loan limit for micro and small enterprises to Rs 20 lakh, mandating banks not accept collateral for loans up to that amount and advising the same limit for PMEGP units. Banks may, under internal policy and based on borrowers' track record and financial position, dispense with collateral up to Rs 25 lakh and may use Credit Guarantee Scheme cover where applicable; voluntarily pledged gold and silver within the threshold will not breach the mandate. The amendments aim to strengthen last mile credit delivery and align MSME lending with other regulatory changes.