HomeCirculars › RBI/2008-09/356

UCB SLR Exemption on Govt Securities Phased Out

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/356 · issued 21 Jan 2009 · ~1 min read
Quick answerNon-scheduled Tier-I UCBs can keep up to 7.5% of NDTL in interest-bearing deposits with SBI, its subsidiaries, public sector banks, or Industrial Development Bank of India Ltd. instead of government securities, but this exemption ends on April 1, 2010.
The rule, in the simplest words
How it plays out — a real example

Ravi, the treasurer of a small non-scheduled UCB in Tier I, currently holds 12% of NDTL in SBI deposits. He must reduce that to 7.5% by October 1, 2009, and move the rest into government securities before April 2010. (Note: Deposits with IDBI Ltd. are also eligible.)

What changed

Previously, non-scheduled Tier-I UCBs could hold up to 15% of NDTL in interest-bearing deposits with specified banks (including IDBI Ltd.) as an alternative to SLR in government securities. Now, from October 1, 2009, this exemption is capped at 7.5% of NDTL, and it will be fully withdrawn from April 1, 2010.

What it means for you

UCBs must plan to shift their SLR holdings back to government or approved securities by April 2010. The phased reduction gives banks time to adjust their investment portfolios and liquidity management. Non-compliance after the deadline could attract penalties under the Banking Regulation 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

Who it affects

Non-scheduled Tier-I Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, Treasury departments of affected UCBs, Compliance officers at UCBs

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

Can we still use interest-bearing deposits with SBI or public sector banks?

Yes, but only up to 7.5% of NDTL until March 31, 2010. After that, all SLR must be in government or approved securities. Deposits with Industrial Development Bank of India Ltd. are also allowed.

📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Repealed by RBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #1990: UBD.(PCB).Cir.No.37/16.26.000/2008-09 — "Banking Regulation Act 1949 (AACS) - Investments in Government and Other Approved Securities by UCBs - Exemption unde”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
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No. 37/16.26.000/2008-09 January 21, 2009 The Chief Executive Officers of all Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks Dear Sir /Madam Banking Regulation Act 1949 (AACS)- Investments in Government and other approved securities by UCBs - Exemption under Section 24A Please refer to our circular UBD (PCB). Cir. No.31/16.26.00/2005-06 dated February 17, 2006 on the above subject. 2. In terms of the above circular, non-scheduled UCBs in Tier I were exempted from maintaining SLR in Government and other approved securities up to 15 per cent of their NDTL provided the amount was held in interest-bearing deposits with the State Bank of India and its subsidiary banks and the public sector banks, including Industrial Development Bank of India Ltd. 3. In view of various representations received from UCBs and their Federations, it has been decided to continue the exemption, provided that, with effect from October 1, 2009, such exemption shall not exceed 7.5 per cent of NDTL. The exemption shall stand withdrawn effective from April 1, 2010. 4. A copy of the notification UBD.PCB.10/16.26.000/05-06 dated November 26 2008 published in Part III Section 4 of the Gazette of India (Extraordinary) dated December 15, 2008 is enclosed. 5. Please acknowledge receipt to the Regional Office concerned of the Reserve Bank of India. Yours faithfully (A. K. 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Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2008-09/356 · issued 21 Jan 2009. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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