Out of the total 40 listed banks, 14 banks have reported more than 50 percent jump in their net NPAs during these six months, according to the study.

"The share of top 10 banks in net NPAs has come down to 67.8 percent in September from 70 percent in March 2013. Net NPAs of seven banks were higher than 3.5 percent at the September quarter as against none at the March quarter," says the study by a portal NPAsource.Com.

"Net NPAs in the banking system is likely to touch Rs 1.5 lakh crore by March 2014 as two more quarters are remaining in the current fiscal year and the situation is worsening every quarter," Devendra Jain, chairman and managing director of the portal, said.

Gross NPAs as of the September quarter stood at Rs 2,29,007 crore, 27 percent higher when compared to Rs 1,79,891 crore as of March quarter for these 40 listed banks.

According to the study, gross NPAs of listed banks have doubled since September 2011, while net NPAs have risen by 140 percent during the same period.

During the second quarter, top public sector banks like State Bank of India, Bank of Baroda, Punjab National Bank, Central Bank, IDBI Bank and Union Bank have all reported more than 30 percent rise in net NPAs.

For SBI, net NPAs rose to 2.91 percent from 2.44 percent in Q2. However, on a sequential basis, NPAs of the nation's largest lender came down by 39.23 percent. The rising provisions for bad assets pulled down the net profit of the bank by 35.03 percent.

"With interest rates expected to remain high at least for the remaining fiscal and the economy and corporates in poor shape, banks have a tough road ahead," he added.

Jain further said more pressure on NPAs will come in next two quarters as many restructured loans of last year will get converted to NPAs.

PTI