RBI Raises NRE Term Deposit Rate Ceiling to LIBOR/SWAP+100 bps
No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2005-06/366 · issued 19 Apr 2006 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI increased the maximum interest rate on NRE term deposits (1-3 years) from LIBOR/SWAP plus 75 bps to plus 100 bps, effective April 18, 2006. This applies to fresh deposits and renewals, aligning with the Annual Policy Statement.
What changed
The ceiling on NRE term deposit rates for 1-3 year maturities was raised by 25 basis points, from LIBOR/SWAP plus 75 bps to plus 100 bps. The change took effect from close of business on April 18, 2006, and also applies to renewals of existing deposits.
What it means for you
RRBs and sponsor banks can now offer higher rates on NRE term deposits (1-3 years), aligning with the Annual Policy Statement.
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 deposit rate slabs to ensure rates do not exceed LIBOR/SWAP plus 100 bps for 1-3 year tenors.
Apply the new ceiling to all fresh NRE deposits booked from April 18, 2006, and to renewals of maturing deposits.
Communicate the revised rate structure to branches and ensure compliance with the directive under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
Acknowledge receipt of the circular to your respective RBI Regional Office.
Who it affects
Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Sponsor Banks of RRBs
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).
Does the new rate ceiling apply to NRE deposits with maturity beyond three years?
Yes, the rate determined for three-year deposits (LIBOR/SWAP plus 100 bps) also applies to deposits with maturity exceeding three years.
Are existing NRE deposits affected by this change?
Only NRE deposits renewed after their current maturity period will be subject to the new ceiling. Existing deposits continue under their contracted rates.
What is the reference rate for calculating the ceiling?
The ceiling is based on the LIBOR/SWAP rates for US dollar of corresponding maturities, as on the last working day of the previous month.
📜 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/2005-06/366
RPCD.No.RRB.BC.76/03.05.33(C)/2005-06
April 19, 2006
All Regional Rural Banks/Sponsor Banks
Dear Sir,
Interest Rate on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits
Please refer to paragraph 112 of the Annual Policy Statement for the year 2006-07, announced on April 18, 2006 ( copy of the paragraph enclosed ).
2. In this context, please refer to our circular RPCD.No.RRB.BC.49/ 03.05.33(C)/2005-06 dated November 22, 2005 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 April 18, 2006, the interest rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Term Deposits will be as under:
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 maturities plus 100 basis points (as against 75 basis points effective since November 17, 2005) . 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.742/03.05.33(C)/2005-06 dated April 19, 2006 is enclosed.
4. Please acknowledge receipt to our concerned Regional Office.
Yours faithfully,
(G.Srinivasan)
Chief General Manager
RPCD.No.RRB.DIR.742/03.05.33(C)/ 2005-06
April 19, 2006
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 Directive RPCD.No.RRB.Dir..391/ 03.05.33(C)/2005-06 dated November 22, 2005 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 that the interest rates on NRE term deposit shall be as under:
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 April 18, 2006 shall not exceed the LIBOR/ SWAP rates of the last working day of the previous month for US dollar of corresponding maturities plus 100 basis points . The interest rates as determined above shall also be applicable in case the maturity period exceeds three years. The above changes in interest rates shall also apply to NRE term deposits renewed after their present maturity period".
(V.S.Das)
Executive Director
Paragraph 112 of the Annual Policy Statement for the year 2006-07
(d) Interest Rate on NRE Rupee Deposits: Increase in Ceiling
112. Interest rates on non-resident (external) rupee deposits for one to three years maturity should not exceed 75 basis points above LIBOR/SWAP rates for US dollar of corresponding maturity. On a review of current monetary and interest rate conditions, it is considered appropriate:
• to increase the ceiling by 25 basis points to 100 basis points above LIBOR/SWAP rates for US dollar of corresponding maturity with immediate effect.
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2005-06/366 · issued 19 Apr 2006. 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=2843&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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