RBI Revises NRE Deposit Interest Rate Ceiling for RRBs
No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2005-06/213 · issued 22 Nov 2005 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has revised NRE deposit interest rates for RRBs: savings accounts now match domestic savings rates (as against LIBOR/SWAP rate for six months maturity on US dollar deposits), and term deposit ceilings for one to three years are raised to LIBOR/SWAP rates as on the last working day of the previous month plus 75 bps, effective from close of business on November 17, 2005.
What changed
NRE savings accounts will now earn the same rate as domestic savings deposits, replacing the earlier LIBOR/SWAP-linked benchmark for six months maturity on US dollar deposits. For NRE term deposits of one to three years, the maximum interest rate has been increased from LIBOR/SWAP plus 50 bps to plus 75 bps, with the rate also applicable to deposits exceeding three years, effective from close of business on November 17, 2005.
What it means for you
RRBs can now offer slightly higher rates on NRE term deposits, potentially making them more attractive to non-resident depositors. However, the savings rate shift to domestic savings rates may lower returns for NRE savings account holders, possibly affecting deposit mix.
Historical instruction — do not use for current compliance. This is what was required at the time; it no longer reflects current RBI requirements. If no replacement rule is linked above, that only means none is recorded on our register yet — it does not prove no later applicable rule exists. Confirm on the official RBI source below.
What banks were required to do at the time
Update NRE savings account interest rate to match domestic savings deposit rate immediately, effective from close of business on November 17, 2005.
Adjust NRE term deposit pricing to ensure rates do not exceed LIBOR/SWAP rates as on the last working day of the previous month for US dollar of corresponding maturity plus 75 bps for one to three years, with same rate for deposits exceeding three years.
Apply the new ceilings to all fresh deposits and renewals after the present maturity period, effective from close of business on November 17, 2005.
Acknowledge receipt of this circular to your respective RBI Regional Office.
Who it affects
Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Sponsor Banks of RRBs, Non-Resident Indian (NRI) depositors
repealed_by — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
Status change: withdrawn05 Aug 2026, 04:00 IST
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What is the new interest rate ceiling for NRE term deposits?
For one to three year tenors, the ceiling is LIBOR/SWAP rates as on the last working day of the previous month for US dollar of corresponding maturity plus 75 basis points, effective from close of business on November 17, 2005. The same rate applies to deposits exceeding three years.
Does this change apply to existing NRE deposits?
No, it applies to fresh deposits and renewals after the present maturity period, effective from close of business on November 17, 2005.
Why did RBI raise the spread on NRE term deposits?
The circular does not specify reasons.
📜 This document’s life story (2 recorded events, each backed by RBI’s own words)
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2005-06/213
RPCD.No.RRB.BC.49/03.05.33(C)/2005-06
November 22, 2005
All Regional Rural Banks/Sponsor Banks
Dear Sir,
Interest Rate on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits
Please refer to our circulars RPCDNo.RRB.BC.89 & 56/03.05.33(C)/2003-04/2004-05 dated June 8, 2004 and November 01, 2004 respectively on Interest Rates on NRE Deposits. On a review, it has been decided that until further notice and with effect from close of business in India on November 17, 2005, the interest rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Savings and Term Deposits will be as under:
1. NRE Savings Account
The interest rates on NRE Savings deposit accounts shall be at the rate applicable to domestic savings deposits (as against LIBOR/ SWAP rate for six months maturity on US dollar deposits).
2. Term Deposits
The interest rates on fresh repatriable Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Term deposits for one to three years should not exceed the LIBOR/SWAP rates, as on the last working day of the previous month, for US dollar of corresponding maturity plus 75 basis points (as against 50 basis points effective since November 1, 2004) . The interest rates as determined above for three year deposits should also be applicable in case the maturity period exceeds three years. The changes in interest rates will also apply to NRE deposits renewed after their present maturity period.
3. All other instructions issued earlier shall remain unchanged. An amending directive RPCD.No.RRB.DIR.391/03.05.33 (C)/2005-06 dated November 22, 2005 is enclosed.
4. Please acknowledge receipt to our concerned Regional Office.
Yours faithfully,
(C.S. Murthy)
Chief General Manager-In-Charge
RPCD.No.RRB.DIR. 391/03.05.33(C)/ 2005-06
November 22, 2005
Interest Rate on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits
In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, and in partial modification of our Directives RPCD.No.Dir.BC.90/03.05.33(C)/2003-04 dated June 8, 2004 and RPCD.No.RRB.DIR.246/03.05.33(C)/2004-05 dated November 01, 2004 on Interest Rates on Deposits, the Reserve Bank of India being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby directs undernoted changes in the interest rates on NRE savings and term deposit accounts:
1.NRE Savings Account
"The interest rates on NRE Savings deposit accounts shall be at the rate applicable to domestic savings deposit accounts (as against LIBOR/SWAP rate for six months maturity on US dollar deposits), effective close of business in India on November 17, 2005".
2.NRE Term Deposits
"The interest rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) deposits for one to three years maturity contracted with effect from close of business in India on November 17, 2005 shall not exceed the LIBOR/ SWAP rates of the last working day of the previous month for US dollar of corresponding maturities plus 75 basis points . The interest rate as determined above shall also be applicable in case the maturity period exceeds three years. The above changes in interest rates will also apply to NRE term deposits renewed after their present maturity period".
(V.S.Das)
Executive Director
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2005-06/213 · issued 22 Nov 2005. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 05 Aug 2026 · status cross-checked against RBI’s official withdrawal register (refreshed weekly). Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=2633&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert reviewer, CA Amit Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; is our own plain-English paraphrase, not RBI’s original wording.
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