RBI Draft Would Require Banks to Eliminate Dark Patterns by July 2026

Overview

• The RBI issued draft amendments on February 11, 2026, explicitly prohibiting deceptive interface tactics in banking apps and websites.
• The rules are proposed to take effect on July 1, 2026, requiring removal of practices such as drip pricing, default add‑ons, urgency nudges, and hard‑to‑cancel subscriptions.
• Banks would need to obtain and record specific, unbundled consent for each product, with coercive product bundling barred.
• The draft mandates user testing and periodic internal audits of digital journeys, expands mis‑selling liability, and aligns with CCPA dark pattern guidelines.
• The action follows a nationwide LocalCircles survey reporting hidden charges, repeated upsell prompts, and confusing opt‑outs across banking platforms.