RBI's own words: “Master Circular RBI/2007-08/76 dated July 2, 2007 on Payment of brokerage” — RBI/2008-09/28
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2007-08/76 · issued 02 Jul 2007 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI consolidated all existing instructions on brokerage for Relief/Savings Bonds into a single Master Circular. Key rates: Re 0.50 per Rs 100 for RBI-office brokers (on BLA applications), Re 1 per Rs 100 for agency bank brokers (on BLA applications). No TDS on brokerage. Settlement within 30 days; monthly ECS encouraged.
The rule, in the simplest words
Brokers who work with RBI offices get Re 0.50 for every Rs 100 of bonds they sell (through BLA forms).
Brokers who work with bank branches get Re 1 for every Rs 100 of bonds they sell (through BLA forms).
If the broker is also one of the investors, no brokerage is paid.
Banks must not deduct any tax (TDS) from brokerage payments for Savings Bonds.
Brokerage must be paid within 30 days of the bond subscription; monthly ECS payment is encouraged.
How it plays out — a real example
An agency-banking (government business) officer in Indore processes a Savings Bond application from a broker who brought in a client. The officer checks that the broker is registered with the bank, pays the brokerage of Re 1 per Rs 100 within 30 days, and does not deduct any tax, following the Master Circular's clear rules.
What changed
RBI issued a Master Circular bringing together all previous circulars on brokerage rates and payment procedures for Relief/Savings Bonds. The circular does not introduce new rates or rules but serves as a single reference document for agency banks and RBI offices.
What it means for you
Banks and agency institutions now have a consolidated source for brokerage rules, reducing confusion from multiple circulars. The fixed brokerage rates (Re 0.50 for RBI-office brokers, Re 1 for agency bank brokers) remain unchanged. The circular reinforces timely settlement (within 30 days) and promotes monthly ECS payments to brokers.
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
Ensure brokerage claims are settled within 30 days of subscription.
Pay brokerage via monthly ECS credit to brokers' accounts after obtaining mandates.
Do not deduct TDS on brokerage payments for Savings Bonds as per Section 194(H) of IT Act.
Submit Appendix IV to CAS Nagpur for final 10% brokerage settlement.
Refer to this Master Circular for all operative instructions; keep it accessible to relevant staff.
Who it affects
State Bank of India and associate banks, 17 nationalized banks, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, HDFC Bank, UTI Bank, Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd, Brokers registered with RBI offices or agency banks, RBI offices handling Savings Bonds
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What are the brokerage rates for Savings Bonds under this Master Circular?
Brokers registered with RBI offices get Re 0.50 per Rs 100 for BLA applications; brokers registered with agency banks get Re 1 per Rs 100. No brokerage is paid for stock certificates or if the broker is also an investor.
Is TDS applicable on brokerage payments for Savings Bonds?
No. As per Section 194(H) of the Income Tax Act, 1961, no TDS is required on brokerage payments for Savings Bonds business.
How should brokerage claims be settled?
Claims must be settled within 30 days of subscription. Agency banks should pay brokers first and then seek reimbursement from RBI. Monthly ECS credit to brokers' accounts is encouraged. For CAS Nagpur, 90% is paid on the 3rd working day of the next month; the remaining 10% after submitting Appendix IV.
📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
RBI’s words: “Master Circular RBI/2007-08/76 dated July 2, 2007 on Payment of brokerage”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2007-08/76
DGBA.CDD No H - ……….. / 13.01.299 / 2007-08
July 2, 2007
Aashadha 11, 1929 (S)
The Chairman/Managing Director
State Bank of India and Associate banks
and 17 Nationalized banks
The Managing Director
ICICI Bank Ltd / IDBI Ltd / HDFC Bank Ltd / UTI Bank Ltd
Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd
Dear Sir
Master Circular on Rates of Brokerage etc. for Relief / Savings Bonds
The Department of Government and Bank Accounts, Central Office, RBI has been issuing instructions relating to brokerage rates for Relief / Savings bonds from time to time. In order to enable the Offices/Agency banks to have all the currently operative instructions on the above subject at one place, a Master Circular on brokerage rates, etc. for Relief / Savings Bonds has been prepared, which is enclosed. You may also access the circular on our website www.rbi.org.in
2. Please acknowledge receipt.
Yours faithfully,
(B. K. Mishra)
General Manager
Master Circular
Payment & Rates of Brokerage for Savings Bonds
Rates of brokerage
Brokerage at the rate of Re. 0.50 (paise fifty only) per Rs.100/- will be paid to brokers registered/enrolled with RBI Offices, on applications tendered for investment
in the bonds in the form of BLA at RBI Offices on behalf of their clients and bearing their stamp. No brokerage will be paid in respect of stock certificates.
Brokerage at the rate of 1.00 (Rupee One only) per Rs.100/- will be paid to brokers registered/enrolled with Agency banks on applications tendered for investment
in the bonds in the form of BLA at designated branches on behalf of their clients and bearing their stamp. (Ref.CO.DT.13.01.201/432/2000-01 dated 25-7-2000)
No brokerage is payable in case the broker is one of the investor/applicant.
(Ref.CO.DT./13.01.298/H-2411/03-04 dated 29-10-2003)
No TDS on payment of brokerage:- Offices/agency banks may please note that no tax is required to be deducted at source while making payment of brokerage in respect of the Savings Bonds business canvassed by brokers in terms of Section 194(H) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
(Ref.CO.DT.201/5900/2000-01 dated 28-5-2001 & CO.DT.13.01.298/H-3660/03-04 dt.3-1-04)
Offices/Agency Banks are advised to settle the brokerage claims expeditiously in any case not later than 30 days from the date of subscription.
(Ref.CO.DT.13.01.201/6260/2000-01 dated13-6-2001)
Agency Banks are advised to first settle the brokerage claims and thereafter the reimbursement be sought from the Reserve Bank of India.
(Ref.CO.DT./13.01.201/4668/2000-01 dt.8-3-2001)
As a measure towards improvement in customer service, offices/agency banks may arrange to pay the brokerage to the agents, on a monthly basis by credit to their accounts through ECS after obtaining requisite mandate from them.
(Ref.CO.DT.13.01.298/H-4677/2002-03 dated 23-5-2003)
Reimbursement of brokerage claims in respect of Savings Bonds have been centralized at CAS Nagpur with effect from 1-7-2002 and it has been decided that 90% of the brokerage due to agencies on the basis of funds remitted/reported to CAS as at the close of business of the month will be paid on the 3 rd working day of the succeeding month.
The balance of 10% is to be settled in due course on submission of Appendix IV (Ref.CO.DT.13.01.272/11032/2001-02 dt.25-6-2002 & CO.DT.13.01.272/H-2906 / 2002-03 dated. 26-2-2003)
In case detailed clarifications are required on specific issues, the circulars indicated above may please be referred to.
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2007-08/76 · 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=3689&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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