Published Paper Details:

This study investigates the critical issue of Non-PerformingAssets (NPAs) within Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) in India and the strategies employed for their recovery. NPAs, defined as loans or advances where principal or interest payments remain overdue for more than90days,significantlyimpactthefinancialhealth,profitability,andstabilityofthebanking sector. The accumulation of NPAs leads to reduced interest income, increased provisioning requirements,capitalerosion,andheightenedcreditrisk,ultimatelyhinderingabank'slending capacity and economic growth. The study delves into the various causes of NPAs, including aggressive lending practices, wilful defaults, economic downturns, industry-specific challenges, and operational inefficiencieswithinbanks.ItfurtherexaminesthemultifacetedimpactofhighNPAlevelson SCBs, such as squeezed Net Interest Margins, decreased investor confidence, and increased regulatory scrutiny. AsignificantportionofthestudyfocusesontheevolvingframeworkandmechanismsforNPA recovery in India. This includes an analysis of legal and regulatory initiatives like the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), the Securitisation and Reconstruction of Financial Assets and Enforcement of Security Interest (SARFAESI) Act, Debt Recovery Tribunals (DRTs), and LokAdalats.Thestudyalso explores otherrecoverystrategies such as OneTime Settlements (OTS), debt restructuring, the role of Asset Reconstruction Companies (ARCs), and the growing adoption of technological solutions for early warning signals and automated recovery processes. Despite the various measures, challenges persist in NPA recovery, including legal and procedural delays, difficulties in accurate asset valuation and realization, lack of debtor cooperation, and operational inefficiencies within banks. The study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the NPAlandscape in Indian SCBs, assess the effectiveness of current recoverymechanisms, and suggest potential improvements to bolster the resilience and efficiency of the Indian banking sector