No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/127 · issued 24 Aug 2009 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI raised collateral exemption limits under SGSY: individual loans up to ₹1 lakh (from ₹50,000) and group loans up to ₹10 lakh (from ₹5 lakh) no longer require secondary collateral. Primary security via hypothecation of assets created remains mandatory.
What changed
The exemption limit for secondary collateral under the SGSY scheme was increased: for individual loans, from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh; for group loans, from ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh. Loans within these new limits only require primary collateral (hypothecation of assets created from the loan). For loans above these limits, banks may demand additional collateral or margin at their discretion.
What it means for you
Banks must now extend collateral-free loans up to higher thresholds under SGSY, easing credit access for individual and group borrowers. This reduces the risk burden on borrowers but requires banks to rely more on primary security and due diligence. Non-compliance with these norms has drawn complaints from government bodies, so strict adherence is expected.
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
Update internal lending policies to reflect the new collateral exemption limits for SGSY loans.
Train branch staff on the revised limits and ensure no secondary collateral is demanded for loans up to ₹1 lakh (individual) or ₹10 lakh (group).
Implement monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance and avoid complaints from government authorities.
For loans exceeding the new limits, document the basis for any additional collateral or margin requirements.
Who it affects
All Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding RRBs), Borrowers under the SGSY scheme, Bank branch managers and credit officers handling priority sector lending
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-19 08:56 IST
Status change: withdrawn03 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 new collateral exemption limit for individual SGSY loans?
The exemption limit for secondary collateral on individual loans under SGSY has been raised from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh. Loans up to this amount require only primary security, such as hypothecation of assets created from the loan.
Does the group loan exemption apply regardless of group size?
Yes, the upper ceiling of ₹10 lakh for group loans is irrespective of the size of the group or the per capita loan amount to the group.
What should banks do if a loan exceeds the new exemption limits?
For individual loans above ₹1 lakh and group loans above ₹10 lakh, banks may obtain additional collateral such as margin money, insurance policies, or marketable securities, in addition to primary security, at their discretion.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2009-10/127
RPCD.SP.BC.No 12 /09.01.01/2009-10
August 24, 2009
The Chairman /Managing Directors
All Scheduled Commercial Banks
(Excluding RRBs)
Dear Sir/Madam,
Increase in exemption of collateral security in respect of individual and group loans under SGSY Scheme
Please refer to our Circulars No.RPCD.SP.BC23/09.01.01/99 -2000 dated September 1, 1999 and RPCD.SP.BC.113/09.01.01/2002-03 dated July 4, 2002 advising the banks about the exemption of secondary collateral security ( earlier referred to as collateral security ) for individual loans upto Rs 50,000/- and group loans up to Rs. 5 lakh under SGSY Scheme respectively.
It has now been decided to raise the exemption limit of secondary collateral security under SGSY to Rs. 1 lakh from the existing Rs. 50,000/- in respect of individual loans and to Rs.10 lakh from the existing Rs.5 lakh in respect of group loans. Accordingly, for individual loans up to Rs.1 lakh and group loans up to Rs. 10 lakh, the assets created out of bank loan would be hypothecated to the bank as primary collateral (earlier referred to as primary security). In case where movable assets are not created as in land based activities such as dug well, minor irrigation, etc., mortgage of land may be obtained. Where mortgage of land is not possible, third party guarantee may be obtained at the discretion of the bank.
For all individual loans exceeding Rs.1lakh and group loans exceeding Rs. 10 lakh, in addition to primary security such as hypothecation/mortgage of land or third party guarantee as the case may be, suitable margin money/ other collateral security in the form of insurance policy; marketable security/ deeds of other property etc. may be obtained at the discretion of the bank. The upper ceiling of Rs.10 lakh in respect of group loans is irrespective of the size of the group or prorata per capita loan to the group. We advise that we are receiving complaints both from Government of India and certain State Governments that banks are not complying with even the existing norms of exempting individual loans up to Rs.50, 000 and for group loans up to Rs. 5 lakh from taking any secondary collateral. You may kindly consider issuing necessary instructions to your controlling offices/branches to ensure strict compliance with the guidelines.
Please acknowledge receipt.
Yours faithfully,
(Lily Vadera)
General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/127 · issued 24 Aug 2009. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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BankPulse Compliance Evidence Pack — generated 03 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=5229&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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