Underlining the need for innovation in the financial sector for competent service delivery, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das on Thursday called for effective regulation that should help innovation in the fintech space and not suffocate it.

Effective regulation is a priority for the Reserve Bank, and regulation should not constrain innovation in the fintech space, the governor told an event organised by the Times group.

The governor also said that maintaining banking sector health with a strong capital base and ethics-driven governance remains a policy priority.

Underlining the huge role that technology and innovation played in serving consumers better and faster, Das said the RBI processed 274 crore digital transactions to provide direct benefit transfer to people, most of which happened during the pandemic.

"Since RTGS, which along with NEFT has been made round the clock now, has multi-currency capabilities, there is scope to take it beyond our shores," the governor said.

Despite its official opposition to the private crypto currencies, Das said the central bank is assessing financial stability concerns as it works on way ahead for central bank digital currency.

The central bank chief also said that the RBI is committed to using all policy tools to support economic recovery while preserving price stability and financial stability.

Admitting that the spike in new pandemic infections is a matter of concern, Das, however, said the nation is now equipped with additional insurances to tackle afflictions.