NABKISAN raises Rs 180 crore via India’s first WASH social bond

NABKISAN Finance Limited, a subsidiary of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), has raised Rs 180 crore through India’s first social bond dedicated exclusively to the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector.

The five-year bond was oversubscribed 1.8 times and is listed on the National Stock Exchange. It carries an 8.10 per cent coupon rate and is set to mature in September 2031. The issuance received the highest domestic credit ratings of CRISIL AAA (Stable) and CARE AAA (Stable).

Proceeds from the bond will be used to finance access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions in rural and underserved communities. This initiative aims to channel capital-market funding into development segments that have traditionally relied on public and institutional financing, supporting inclusive rural development and improved public health.