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RBI Updates NBFC Returns Specifications Master Circular 1997

NBFC Regulations
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Issued by RBI: 01 Jul 2009  ·  Decoded by BankPulse: 20 Jun 2026, 19:46 IST
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📄 Official RBI source ↗
Quick answerRBI issued Master Circular DNBS (PD) CC No.147/03. 02.01/ 2009-10 consolidating all instructions on NBFC returns specifications as of June 30, 2009. It requires quarterly returns in Forms NBS-3 or NBS-3A within 15 days of the month succeeding the quarter, certified and signed by an authorized official as true and correct, and submitted to the Regional Office of Department of Supervision (Financial Companies Wing) of RBI under whose jurisdiction the registered office is situated.

What changed

RBI updated the Master Circular on NBFC Returns Specifications to include all instructions up to June 30, 2009, updating the earlier Master Circular No. 119. The circular reaffirms that NBFCs (excluding residuary non-banking companies) must file quarterly returns in Form NBS-3, while residuary non-banking companies use Form NBS-3A. It also specifies that residuary non-banking companies must maintain assets equal to 10% of deposits outstanding at the close of business on the last working day of the second preceding quarter.

What it means for you

NBFCs must ensure timely and accurate quarterly return filing to avoid compliance gaps. The 10% asset maintenance requirement for residuary non-banking companies remains unchanged, impacting their liquidity planning. Banks lending to or dealing with NBFCs should verify their counterparties' compliance with these reporting norms to assess regulatory health.

What you must do

Who it affects

All Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) accepting public deposits, Residuary Non-Banking Companies (RNBCs), RBI Department of Non-Banking Supervision, Banks with exposure to NBFCs

What is the deadline for submitting the quarterly return?

The quarterly return must be submitted within 15 days of the month succeeding the quarter to which it relates.

Which forms are used for the quarterly return?

NBFCs (other than residuary non-banking companies) use Form NBS-3, while residuary non-banking companies use Form NBS-3A.

What is the asset maintenance requirement for residuary non-banking companies?

Residuary non-banking companies must maintain assets equal to 10% of deposits outstanding at the close of business on the last working day of the second preceding quarter.

Key dataSee the live numbers behind this topic: NPA / Asset-Quality Tracker, Bank Health Scores — updated from official RBI data.
Key termsPlain-English definitions of terms in this circular — see the full Indian banking glossary. NBFC · CRAR (Capital adequacy) · Gross NPA (GNPA) · Wilful defaulter
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AI-drafted · 3-model AI consensus fact-check · under the editorial review of Vikram Jain · decoded & published by BankPulse · 20 Jun 2026, 19:46 IST
Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=5087&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by Vikram Jain. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; never reproduces RBI text verbatim.