Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India

Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI) is a statutory regulatory body established under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 (IBC) to regulate and develop India's insolvency and bankruptcy ecosystem. It was established on 1 October 2016. The IBBI has regulatory oversight over insolvency professionals, insolvency professional agencies, insolvency professional entities, and information utilities, and makes and enforces regulations governing specified insolvency and bankruptcy processes.

The IBBI is a regulator of both insolvency-related professions and processes. Its regulatory responsibilities cover corporate insolvency resolution, corporate liquidation, individual insolvency resolution, and individual bankruptcy under the IBC.

Establishment

The IBBI was established on 1 October 2016 under the IBC. Section 188 of the Code provides for the establishment of the Board.

The Board forms part of the institutional framework created to implement the IBC, which provides a consolidated framework for insolvency resolution and related processes in India.

Objectives

The IBBI's regulatory role supports the objectives of the IBC, including:

time-bound insolvency resolution;
maximization of the value of assets;
promotion of entrepreneurship;
promotion of availability of credit;
balancing the interests of stakeholders;
development of the insolvency profession and related institutions.

The IBBI describes itself as a key pillar of the ecosystem responsible for implementing the Code.

Functions

Section 196 of the IBC specifies the functions of the Board.

These include:

registering insolvency professional agencies, insolvency professionals, and information utilities;
renewing, withdrawing, suspending, or cancelling registrations;
specifying eligibility requirements for registration;
regulating the working and practices of insolvency professionals, insolvency professional agencies, information utilities, and other institutions;
prescribing fees and charges;
conducting studies, research, and audits;
establishing mechanisms for regulatory consultation;
making regulations and guidelines relating to insolvency and bankruptcy;
performing other functions prescribed under the Code.

Regulatory oversight

The IBBI exercises regulatory oversight over several participants in the insolvency ecosystem, including:

It also regulates and develops the working and practices of these institutions in furtherance of the objectives of the IBC.

Insolvency processes

The IBBI makes regulations governing various processes under the IBC.

These include regulations relating to:

corporate insolvency resolution;
corporate liquidation;
pre-packaged insolvency resolution;
Voluntary liquidation;
individual insolvency resolution;
individual bankruptcy;
insolvency resolution of personal guarantors to corporate debtors.

The regulatory framework is periodically amended. IBBI records show regulations amended during 2026, including the corporate insolvency resolution, liquidation, voluntary liquidation, information utilities, and personal-guarantor frameworks.

Insolvency professionals

Insolvency professionals perform functions in insolvency resolution, liquidation, bankruptcy, and related processes.

The IBBI regulates the registration and professional framework applicable to insolvency professionals and insolvency professional agencies. It also specifies eligibility requirements and professional standards under the authority provided by the IBC.

Information utilities

Information utilities are regulated entities within the insolvency ecosystem that provide mechanisms for recording, storing, authenticating, and accessing financial information relevant to insolvency proceedings.

The IBBI registers and regulates information utilities and specifies requirements applicable to their operation.

Insolvency professional agencies

Insolvency professional agencies are organizations registered and regulated under the IBC framework.

The IBBI regulates their registration, eligibility requirements, functioning, and professional standards. It may also make model bye-laws governing their operation.

Regulations

The IBBI has authority under the IBC to make regulations and guidelines concerning insolvency and bankruptcy processes.

Its regulatory framework includes regulations covering:

corporate insolvency resolution;
liquidation;
voluntary liquidation;
pre-packaged insolvency resolution;
information utilities;
insolvency professional agencies;
personal guarantors;
inspection and investigation;
grievance and complaint handling.

The IBBI's legal-framework database records amendments to these regulations throughout 2026.

Inspection and investigation

The IBBI has regulatory functions relating to inspection, investigation, surveillance, and enforcement within the insolvency ecosystem.

These activities support oversight of regulated entities and professional conduct and help ensure compliance with the IBC and regulations made under it.

Registered valuers

The IBBI has also been designated as the authority for regulation and development of the profession of valuers under the Companies Act, 2013 and the Companies (Registered Valuers and Valuation Rules, 2017).

This role is distinct from the IBBI's core regulatory responsibilities under the IBC.

Governing Board

The IBBI is governed by a Board appointed in accordance with the IBC.

The statutory framework provides for:

a Chairperson;
three ex-officio members representing specified central-government ministries;
one ex-officio member nominated by the Reserve Bank of India;
five other members nominated by the Central Government, of whom at least three are whole-time members.

The composition of the Board may change over time as appointments and terms change.

Relationship with the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code

The IBBI is the principal regulatory institution created under the IBC.

The relationship can be summarized as:

$Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 \to IBBI \to Regulation of Insolvency Ecosystem$

The IBC establishes the statutory framework, while the IBBI exercises the regulatory and rule-making functions assigned to it by the Code.

Relationship with adjudicating authorities

The IBBI should be distinguished from the adjudicating authorities that decide individual insolvency cases.

For corporate insolvency matters, the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) generally acts as the adjudicating authority under the IBC.

The IBBI primarily performs regulatory, supervisory, and rule-making functions rather than serving as the adjudicating authority for individual corporate insolvency cases.

Amendments and regulatory development

The IBBI's regulatory framework continues to evolve through amendments, regulations, guidelines, circulars, and other regulatory instruments.

The IBBI's official legal framework records the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Act, 2026, dated 6 April 2026.

The Board's regulatory database also records multiple insolvency regulations amended during 2026.

Importance

The IBBI is a central institution in India's insolvency and bankruptcy framework. By regulating insolvency professionals and related institutions and establishing rules for insolvency, liquidation, and bankruptcy processes, it provides the regulatory infrastructure required for implementation of the IBC.