Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/199 · issued 29 Oct 2009 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI has relaxed eligibility for Diamond Dollar Accounts: minimum track record reduced from 3 to 2 years, and average annual turnover threshold lowered from Rs 5 crore to Rs 3 crore over the preceding three licensing years. AD Category-I banks must apply the new criteria.
The rule, in the simplest words
Firms can now open a Diamond Dollar Account (special bank account for diamond/gemstone businesses) after only 2 years of import/export experience, instead of 3 years.
The minimum average yearly sales (turnover) needed over the last 3 licensing years is lowered from Rs 5 crore to Rs 3 crore.
Banks that are Authorised Dealer Category-I (banks allowed to handle foreign exchange) must use these new, easier rules when checking if a diamond or jewellery firm qualifies.
How it plays out — a real example
A forex & trade-finance officer in Surat reviews a new client, a small diamond polishing firm that has been exporting for just 2 years and has an average annual turnover of Rs 3.5 crore. Thanks to the relaxed rule, the officer can now approve the firm's Diamond Dollar Account, expanding the bank's forex business and helping the client manage international payments more easily.
What changed
The Government of India amended Para 4A.19 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2004-2009, reducing the required track record for firms to open Diamond Dollar Accounts from 3 years to 2 years. The minimum average annual turnover over the preceding three licensing years was also lowered from Rs 5 crore to Rs 3 crore.
What it means for you
More diamond and jewellery firms now qualify for DDAs, expanding the pool of eligible customers for banks. AD Category-I banks can open these accounts for a wider set of exporters/importers, potentially increasing forex business and fee income. Banks must update their internal eligibility checks and customer onboarding processes accordingly.
What you must do
Update internal DDA eligibility criteria to reflect 2-year track record and Rs 3 crore average annual turnover.
Train staff handling trade finance and forex accounts on the revised norms.
Communicate the relaxed criteria to existing and potential diamond/jewellery clients.
Ensure compliance with the current Foreign Trade Policy and other unchanged terms from Circular No. 51 dated Feb 13, 2009.
Who it affects
AD Category-I banks, Firms dealing in diamonds, coloured gemstones, and precious metal jewellery, Exporters and importers in the gems and jewellery sector
❓ Common questions
What are the key eligibility changes for Diamond Dollar Accounts?
The minimum track record in import/export of diamonds/gemstones/jewellery is reduced from 3 years to 2 years, and the average annual turnover threshold is lowered from Rs 5 crore to Rs 3 crore over the preceding three licensing years.
Do the other terms and conditions from the earlier circular remain?
Yes, all other terms and conditions mentioned in A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 51 dated February 13, 2009 remain unchanged.
Which banks are authorized to open Diamond Dollar Accounts?
Only AD Category-I banks are permitted to open and maintain DDAs for eligible firms and companies.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2009-10/199
A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 13
October 29, 2009
To
All Category – I Authorised Dealer Banks
Madam / Sir,
Opening of Diamond Dollar Accounts (DDAs) - Modification
Attention of Authorised Dealer Category - I (AD Category-I) banks is invited to A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 51 dated February 13, 2009 delegating powers to AD Category–I banks to open and maintain DDAs by eligible firms and companies subject to certain terms and conditions. A reference has been made in the said circular to Para 4A.19 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2004-2009 issued by the Government of India in terms of which firms and companies dealing in purchase/ sale of rough or cut and polished diamonds/ precious metal jewellery plain, minakari and/ or studded with/ without diamond and/ or other stones, with a track record of at least 3 years in import/ export of diamonds/ coloured gemstones/ diamond and coloured gemstones studded jewellery/ plain gold jewellery and having an average annual turnover of Rs.5 crores or above during preceding three licensing years, are allowed to open Diamond Dollar Accounts (DDAs).
2. The Government has since relaxed the eligibility criteria of the track record of at least 3 years to 2 years and the average annual turnover of Rs.5 crores or above to Rs. 3 crores or above during preceding three licensing years. A copy of the Notification No. 96 (RE-2008)/ 2004-2009 dated March 13, issued by the Government in this regard is annexed .
3. Authorised Dealer Category–I banks may note the revised eligibility criteria notified by the Government while permitting eligible firms and companies to open and maintain DDAs with them. They are also advised to be guided by Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) in force from time to time, in future.
4. The other terms & conditions mentioned in the A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 51 dated February 13, 2009 remain unchanged.
5. AD Category - I banks may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents and customers concerned.
6. The directions contained in this circular have been issued under Section 10 (4) and 11 (1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999) and are without prejudice to permissions / approvals, if any, required under any other law.
Yours faithfully,
( D. Mishra)
Chief General Manager
PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY
PART –II SECTION –3, SUB SECTION (ii)
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
NOTIFICATION No. 96(RE-2008)/2004-2009
New Delhi, Dated the 13th March, 2009
S.O (E) – In exercise of powers conferred by Section 5 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 (No. 22 of 1992) read with Para 1.3 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2004-2009 (as amended from time to time), the Central Government hereby makes the following amendment in Foreign Trade Policy:
1. The first sub paragraph of Paragraph 4A.19 stands replaced by the following clause:
Firms and companies dealing in purchase/ sale of rough or cut and polished diamonds / precious metal jewellery plain, minakari and / or studded with / without diamond and/or other stones, with a track record of at least two years in import or export of diamonds / coloured gemstones/ diamond and coloured gemstones studded jewellery / plain gold jewellery, and having an average annual turnover of Rs. 3 crores or above during preceding three licensing years, may also carry out their business through designated Diamond Dollar Accounts (DDA).
This issues in Public Interest.
(R.S. GUJRAL)
DIRECTOR GENERAL OF FOREIGN TRADE
AND EX-OFFICIO ADDITIONAL SECRETARY TO THE GOVT. OF INDIA
[Issued from File No. 01/94/180/09-10/G&J/AM09/PC 4]
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/199 · issued 29 Oct 2009. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (AD Category-I banks, Firms dealing in diamonds, coloured gemstones, and precious metal jewellery, Exporters and importers in the gems and jewellery sector), your first concrete step on “Diamond Dollar Account eligibility relaxed” is: “Update internal DDA eligibility criteria to reflect 2-year track record and Rs 3 crore average annual turnover.” (RBI issued this 29 Oct 2009).
Circular: RBI/2009-10/199 -- Diamond Dollar Account eligibility relaxed
Issued: 29 Oct 2009
Action required: Update internal DDA eligibility criteria to reflect 2-year track record and Rs 3 crore average annual turnover.
Action required: Train staff handling trade finance and forex accounts on the revised norms.
Action required: Communicate the relaxed criteria to existing and potential diamond/jewellery clients.
Action required: Ensure compliance with the current Foreign Trade Policy and other unchanged terms from Circular No. 51 dated Feb 13, 2009.
Owner: ____________ Target date: ____________
Board/committee approval needed? Y / N
Evidence filed in compliance register on: ____________
Built only from this circular’s own published fields — not legal advice; always confirm against the official RBI source.
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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=5335&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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