No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2006-2007/396 · issued 02 Jul 2007 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI's 2007 master circular on prudential norms for NPA purchase/sale requires banks to follow specific asset classification and provisioning rules when transferring stressed assets, ensuring transparency and consistency in NPA management.
What changed
The 2007 master circular updated and consolidated all previous instructions on income recognition, asset classification, and provisioning for advances, including guidelines on purchase/sale of NPAs. It replaced the 2006 master circular and incorporated instructions issued up to June 30, 2007.
What it means for you
Banks must adhere to standardized norms when buying or selling NPAs, ensuring that asset classification and provisioning are based on objective criteria like recovery record and security value. This promotes transparency and uniformity in NPA transactions, impacting how banks manage their stressed asset portfolios.
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
Review and update internal policies to align with the consolidated prudential norms on NPA purchase/sale.
Ensure asset classification for purchased/sold NPAs follows objective criteria based on recovery period and security realizable value.
Train staff on the updated guidelines to maintain consistency in NPA management and reporting.
Monitor compliance with provisioning norms for NPAs acquired or transferred under these guidelines.
Who it affects
Commercial banks (excluding RRBs), Credit risk and NPA management teams, Loan recovery and asset resolution departments
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 key principle for income recognition under these guidelines?
Income recognition must be objective and based on actual recovery record, not subjective considerations, ensuring consistency across banks.
How should asset classification be done for NPAs?
Classification should be borrower-wise, not facility-wise, and based on the period the asset has remained non-performing and the availability and realizable value of security.
Are there specific rules for purchasing NPAs from other banks?
Yes, the guidelines on purchase/sale of NPAs require banks to follow the same prudential norms for classification and provisioning as for their own originated assets.
📜 This document’s life story (2 recorded events, each backed by RBI’s own words)
RBI’s words: “Please refer to paragraph 4.2.17(iv) of our Master Circular No.DBOD.No.BP.BC.12/21.04.048/2007-08 dated July 2, 2007”
Repealed byRBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #2389: DBOD.No.BP.BC.12/21.04.048/2007-08 — "Master Circular - Prudential Norms on Income Recognition, Asset Classification and Provisioning Pertaining to Advance" d”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI No.2007-2008/39
DBOD.No.BP.BC.12/21.04.048/2007-08
July 2, 2007
To
The Chairman / CEOs of all Commercial Banks
(Excluding RRBs)
Dear Sir,
Master Circular - Prudential norms on Income Recognition,
Asset Classification and Provisioning pertaining to Advances
Please refer to the Master Circular No. DBOD.BP.BC.15/21.04.048/2006-2007 dated July 1, 2006 consolidating instructions / guidelines issued to banks till June 30, 2006 on matters relating to prudential norms on income recognition, asset classification and provisioning pertaining to advances. The Master Circular has been suitably updated by incorporating instructions issued up to June 30, 2007 and has also been placed on the RBI web-site ( http://www.rbi.org.in ).
2. We advise that this revised Master Circular consolidates the instructions contained in the circulars mentioned in the Appendix.
Yours faithfully,
(Prashant Saran)
Chief General Manager-in-Charge
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2006-2007/396 · issued 02 Jul 2007. 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=3652&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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