Fresh banking licenses are alluring a host of corporates as well as non banking finance companies (NBFCs). But RBI does not seem to be very open handed in this regard. It is said that the apex bank would start the session by handing out just four banking licenses in the first lot and that too not in one go.

Although an external bench would be set up to judge the applicants, but some key criteria for the same already seem to have been decided.

RBI has said that preference would be given to "well-established corporate houses with no exposure to sensitive sectors like real estate and a diversified ownership." This makes NBFCs including L&T Finance, SKS Microfinance and Shriram Group get a fair chance of making it to the first list.

"RBI would cap the number of bank licences in this round at four, though these too will be given in a phased manner. Nothing has been finalised as yet since RBI's discussions are at a preliminary stage," said a person having knowledge of the ongoings.