RBI's own words: “Please refer to our Master Circular No RBI/2008-09/28 dated July 1, 2008” — RBI/2009-10/53
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/28 · issued 01 Jul 2008 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI merged two master circulars into one covering broker appointment, delisting, and brokerage payment for Relief/Savings Bonds. Key updates include simplified broker enrollment, a ban on using RBI's name by sub-agents, and a 30-day brokerage settlement timeline.
The rule, in the simplest words
Broker enrollment is simplified: brokers can register using their business letterhead and data, and are given a unique code
Agency banks are responsible for their sub-agents and must ensure the RBI's name is not misused in publicity
Brokerage is paid at a rate of Re. 0.50 per Rs.100 at RBI offices and Rs. 1.00 per Rs.100 at agency banks, and must be settled within 30 days
Dormant brokers with no fresh business for 2 years can be delisted after due notice
No TDS is applied on brokerage payments for Savings Bonds business
How it plays out — a real example
A forex & trade-finance officer in Indore, working at ICICI Bank, helps a customer invest in Relief/Savings Bonds and ensures that the brokerage claim is settled within 30 days, as per the RBI's rules. The officer also verifies that the broker's code is correctly quoted on the application. Meanwhile, the bank's compliance team reviews the list of enrolled brokers to identify any dormant ones that can be delisted after giving due notice.
What changed
RBI merged the 2007 master circulars on broker appointment/delisting and brokerage payment into a single updated circular as of July 1, 2008. The new circular consolidates all operative instructions, including simplified broker enrollment procedures, delisting of dormant brokers after two years, and brokerage rates of Re. 0.50 (paise fifty only) per Rs.100 at RBI offices and Rs. 1.00 (Rupee One only) per Rs.100 at agency banks.
What it means for you
Agency banks must follow a single, streamlined set of rules for broker management, reducing compliance complexity. Banks are held fully responsible for any sub-agents they appoint and must ensure RBI's name is not misused. The 30-day brokerage settlement requirement tightens operational discipline, and no TDS applies on brokerage payments under Section 194(H) of the Income Tax Act.
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
Adopt the simplified broker enrollment process: accept requests on business letterhead with business data and allot a unique broker code.
Ensure any sub-agents appointed do not use RBI's name in publicity; take full responsibility for their actions.
Delist brokers with no fresh business for two years after giving due notice.
Settle brokerage claims within 30 days of subscription before seeking reimbursement from RBI.
Do not deduct TDS on brokerage payments for Savings Bonds business in terms of Section 194(H) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
Who it affects
State Bank of India and associate banks, 17 nationalized banks, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd, All agency banks handling Relief/Savings Bonds, Brokers enrolled with RBI offices or agency banks
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What is the brokerage rate for brokers registered with agency banks?
Brokers registered with agency banks receive Rs. 1.00 (Rupee One only) per Rs.100 on applications tendered in BLA form at designated branches. No brokerage is paid if the broker is also an investor/applicant.
How quickly must brokerage claims be settled?
Brokerage claims must be settled within 30 days from the date of subscription. Agency banks should first pay the broker and then seek reimbursement from RBI.
Can agency banks appoint other banks as sub-agents for Savings Bonds?
Yes, but the appointing bank is solely responsible for the sub-agent's activities. The sub-agent must not use RBI's name in any publicity material or billboards.
📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
RBI’s words: “Please refer to our Master Circular No RBI/2008-09/28 dated July 1, 2008”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2008-09/28
DGBA.CDD No. H – 3 / 13.01.299 / 2008-09
July 1, 2008
Aashadha 10, 1930 (S)
The Chairman / Managing Director
State Bank of India and Associate banks
and 17 Nationalized banks
ICICI Bank Ltd / IDBI Bank / HDFC Bank Ltd / Axis Bank Ltd
Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd
Dear Sir,
Master Circular on Appointment & delisting of Brokers and Payment of Brokerage on Relief / Savings Bonds
Please refer to our M aster Circular No RBI/2007-08/77 dated July 2, 2007 on appointment and delisting of brokers and Master Circular RBI/2007-08/76 dated July 2, 2007 on Payment of brokerage on Relief / Savings Bonds.
2. In order to enable the Public Debt Offices / Agency banks to have all the currently operative instructions on the above subject at one place, the above two Master Circulars have been merged and a revised Master Circular, updated upto 30.06.2008, is enclosed . You may also access the circular on our website www.rbi.org.in
Please acknowledge receipt.
Yours faithfully,
(Indira Nanu)
General Manager
MASTER CIRCULAR
RELIEF / SAVINGS BONDS
A) APPOINTMENT / DELISTING OF BROKERS
1) Procedure for enrollment/registration of brokers
Agency Banks may follow a simple procedure for enrolment/registration of brokers. The broker seeking enrolment / registration may submit his / her request for registration on his / her business letterhead together with business data. The Agency banks may allot broker code number, which should be quoted by the broker on all applications tendered at the Receiving offices. (Ref. No CO.DT.13.01.201 / 692 / 2000-01 dated 9.8.2000)
2) Appointment of sub-agents by Agency Banks
It has come to our notice that some banks designated/authorized by RBI have engaged the services of other banks as brokers/agents for receiving applications and the latter are using the name of Reserve Bank of India in their publicity material and billboards stating that RBI has appointed them as brokers for Relief/Savings Bonds business. We advise that in cases where Authorised Banks engage the services of other banks/institutions not authorized to handle Relief/Savings Bonds business as designated banks, the agency banks who have appointed them are solely responsible for the activities of such a bank/institution engaged by agency bank as an agent/broker. The name of RBI should not be used by such banks.
(Ref. CO.DT.13.01.251.5341/2001-02 dt.4-1-2002)
3) Delisting of brokers:
Agency banks are advised that names of the dormant brokers, say for a period of 2 years, may be de-listed after giving due notice if no fresh business is forthcoming from such brokers. (Ref.CO.DT.13.01.201/4890/1999-00 dated 6-3-2000)
B) PAYMENT & RATES OF BROKERAGE FOR SAVINGS BONDS
1) 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)
2) 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)
3) Brokerage Claims
i) 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)
ii) 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)
iii) 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)
iv) 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 3rd 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/2008-09/28 · issued 01 Jul 2008. 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=4307&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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