HomeCirculars › RBI/2005-06/384

RBI Revises Agency Commission for Government Business

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2005-06/384 · issued 08 May 2006 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI has revised agency commission rates for banks conducting government business, effective July 1, 2005. The key change: 'Other payments' commission moves from a flat Rs. 50 per transaction to 9 paise per Rs. 100 turnover. Receipts and pension payments remain unchanged.

What changed

RBI revised the agency commission structure for 'Other payments' from a flat Rs. 50 per transaction to 9 paise per Rs. 100 turnover, effective July 1, 2005. The rates for receipts (Rs. 45 per transaction) and pension payments (Rs. 60 per transaction) remain unchanged. This change was prompted by representations from agency banks that the earlier rates did not adequately compensate them, especially for high-value government payments that leave banks out of funds for several days.

What it means for you

For banks handling government business, the new turnover-based commission for 'Other payments' could increase compensation for high-value transactions, addressing the cash flow gap issue. However, for low-value payments, the per-transaction rate might have been more beneficial. Banks need to reassess their cost structures for government business, particularly for large-value payments, as the new rate aligns better with the actual turnover handled.

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

Who it affects

State Bank of India and its associates, All nationalised banks, IDBI Ltd., HDFC Bank Ltd., ICICI Bank Ltd., UTI Bank Ltd., Jammu & Kashmir Bank Ltd.

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).

When does the revised rate take effect?

The revised rate is effective from July 1, 2005, as per the circular dated May 8, 2006.

📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Consolidated into Master Circular on Agency Commission for Government Business
RBI’s words: “RBI/2005-06/384(Ref: DGBA. GAD. No.17585/31.12.010 (C)/2005-06 dated May 8, 2006)”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
Notifications - Reserve Bank of India Skip to main content Selected Selected Change Language हिंदी Search the Website Search Home About Us ▼ About Us Organisation & Functions ▶ Organisation Structure Departments Offices Training Establishment ▶ College of Agricultural Banking Reserve Bank Staff College College of Supervisors RBI's Functions and Working Governors Deputy Governors Executive Directors Communication Policy of RBI Sources of Information ▶ Annual Publications Half-yearly Publications Quarterly Publications Monthly Publications Weekly Publications Occasional Publications SDDS NSDP Data Releases Publications available on Subscription General Information RBI History Museum ▶ The RBI Museum RBI Monetary Museum Notification ▼ Notifications Master Directions Master Circulars Amendment Directions Draft Notifications/Guidelines ▶ Draft Notifications/Guidelines Draft Directions (RE-wise) Index To RBI Circulars Standalone Circulars Circulars Withdrawn Press Releases Speeches & Media Interactions ▼ Speeches Media Interactions Memorial Lectures Podcasts Publications ▼ Biennial Annual Half-Yearly Quarterly Bi-monthly Monthly Weekly Occasional Reports Working Papers Legal Framework ▼ Act Rules Regulations Schemes Research ▼ External Research Schemes RBI Occasional Papers Working Papers RBI Bulletin History DRG Studies KLEMS State Statistics and Finances Statistics ▼ Data Releases Database on Indian Economy Public Debt Statistics Regulatory Reporting ▼ List of Returns Data Definition Validation rules/ Taxonomy List of RBI Reporting Portals FAQs of RBI Reporting Portals Home Notifications Notifications Withdrawn with effect from November 16, 2021, February 18, 2022, May 02, 2022, May 13, 2022, May 21, 2024, July 12, 2024 & October 01, 2024 ( 619 kb ) Agency Commission Rates Revised for Conducting Government Business RBI/2005-06/384 DGBA.GAD.No. 17585 /31.12.010(C)/2005-06 May 8, 2006 The Chairman & Managing Director / Managing Director State Bank of India and its Associates / All Nationalised Banks / IDBI Ltd. / HDFC Bank Ltd. / ICICI Bank Ltd. / UTI Bank Ltd. / Jammu & Kashmir Bank Ltd. Dear Sir, Conduct of Government Business – Agency Commission - Revision of Rates Please refer to our Circular DGBA.GAD.No. 379/31.12.010(C)/2005-06 dated July 25, 2005 advising about the revised rates of agency commission payable to banks for conduct of Government business. 2. We have received representations from agency banks stating that the present rates of agency commission do not compensate the banks adequately and that there has been reduction in the commensurate commission receivable by them. The agency banks have particularly highlighted the fact that the banks remain out of funds for a few days on account of high value payments on behalf of the Government. 3. We have since made a review of the existing rates and it has been decided to revise the rates as under : Existing Rates Revised Rates a) Receipts : Rs.45/- per transaction No change b) Pension payments : Rs.60/- per transaction No change c) Other payments : Rs.50/- per transaction 9 paise per Rs.100/- turnover 4. The above rates shall be effective from July 1, 2005. 5. Please acknowledge receipt. Yours faithfully, sd/- (Prabal Sen) Chief General Manager-in-Charge 2026 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2025 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2024 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2023 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2022 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2021 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2020 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2019 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2018 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2017 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December Archives 2016 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2015 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2014 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2013 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2012 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2011 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2010 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2009 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2008 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2007 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2006 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2005 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2004 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2003 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2002 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2001 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 2000 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1999 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1998 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1997 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1996 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1995 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1994 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1993 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1992 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December 1991 All Months January February March April May June July August September October November December Top Back to previous page More Links : Bank Holidays Banking Glossary Citizen's Charter Complaints Contact Us COVID-19 Measures E-LMS Events FAQs Financial Education Forms IFSC/MICR Codes Important Websites Opportunities @ RBI RBI Clarifications RBI Kehta Hai RBI’s Vision and Values (1257 kb)--> Right to Information Act Tenders Follow RBI RSS Twitter YouTube Instagram Facebook LinkedIn © Reserve Bank of India. 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Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2005-06/384 · issued 08 May 2006. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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