The International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA), on August 13, 2026, issued a Consultation Paper on the Draft Circular titled “Framework for Leasing Activity in the International Financial Services Centre” to seek public and stakeholder comments. The proposed framework aims to consolidate the existing regulatory frameworks for aircraft leasing and ship leasing into a single framework and improve ease of doing business for leasing entities in IFSCs.
The proposed framework additionally seeks to enable oilfield equipment leasing and introduce an SPV structure for creating leasing structures in IFSCs to hold specific assets. It also proposes a common framework for permissible activities of lessors, asset-specific compliance requirements, a separate Fit and Proper framework, governance and compliance requirements for SPVs, and a consolidated list of eligible products/equipment that can be expanded in future. The framework also proposes to supersede the existing subsidiary instructions listed in its Annexure-I.
The consultation is primarily based on the IFSCA (Finance Company) Regulations, 2021, under which Finance Companies/Finance Units may undertake financial or operating leases of aircraft, ships, aviation training simulation devices, oilfield equipment and other equipment specified by IFSCA. Stakeholders have been invited to submit comments/suggestions in the prescribed format by September 2, 2026, through email to the designated IFSCA officials.
[Notification No. IFSCA-FCROFCR/11/2026-Banking]
