HomeCirculars › RBI/2009-10/511

Rupee Export Credit Interest Rates: Subvention & Base Rate Transition

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/511 · issued 23 Apr 2010 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI extends 2% interest subvention on rupee export credit for handicrafts, carpets, handlooms, and SMEs from April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011. From July 1, 2010, banks must apply Base Rate, but can reduce rates by subvention amount, even below Base Rate, subject to a 7% floor.

What changed

The circular extends the existing 2% interest subvention scheme for four export sectors (handicrafts, carpets, handlooms, SMEs) for the period April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011. It clarifies that with the transition to the Base Rate System from July 1, 2010, banks can reduce the interest rate charged to these exporters by the subvention amount, even if that takes the rate below the Base Rate, provided the final rate does not fall below 7%.

What it means for you

Banks must now apply the Base Rate to all fresh/renewed rupee export credit from July 1, 2010, but can pass on the 2% subvention to eligible sectors, potentially pricing loans below Base Rate without violating guidelines. The 7% floor ensures a minimum interest cost, aligning with priority sector crop loan rates. This gives banks flexibility to offer competitive export credit while managing subvention claims.

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

All Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding RRBs) offering rupee export credit, Exporters in handicrafts, carpets, handlooms, and SME sectors, Bank treasury and credit policy teams managing export finance

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

Can we charge an interest rate below Base Rate for export credit after July 1, 2010?

Yes, but only for the four eligible sectors (handicrafts, carpets, handlooms, SMEs) and only to the extent of the 2% subvention. The final rate must not fall below 7% per annum.

What is the floor rate for subvention-eligible export credit?

The interest rate after subvention cannot go below 7% per annum, which is the rate applicable to short-term crop loans under priority sector lending.

Does this circular apply to all exporters or only specific sectors?

The subvention and below-Base-Rate pricing apply only to handicrafts, carpets, handlooms, and SME exporters. For other exporters, the existing Base Rate guidelines (circular dated May 6, 2010) continue to apply.

📜 This document’s life story (2 recorded events, 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 #1698: DBOD.Dir.(Exp).BC.No.114/04.02.001/2009-10 — "Interest Rates on Rupee Export Credit" dated June 29, 2010”
Extended by RBI expands export credit subvention to new sectors
RBI’s words: “Please refer to our Circular DBOD.Dir.(Exp).BC.No.94/04.02.001/2009-10 dated April 23, 2010 extending the scheme of interest subvention”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2009-10/511 DBOD.Dir.(Exp).BC.No. 115 /04.02.001/2009-10 June 29 , 2010 All Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding RRBs) Dear Sir/Madam, Rupee Export Credit Interest Rates Please refer to our circular DBOD.Dir.(Exp).BC.No.94/04.02.001/2009-10 dated April 23, 2010 , extending the scheme of Interest Subvention of 2 percentage points from  April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011 on pre and post shipment rupee export credit for four export sectors viz. Handicrafts,  Carpets, Handlooms and Small & Medium Enterprises (SME), subject to the condition that banks  will  charge interest rate not exceeding BPLR minus 4.5 percentage points on pre-shipment credit up to 270 days and post-shipment credit up to 180 days on the outstanding amount for the period April 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011 to these sectors. However, the total subvention is subject to the condition that the interest rate, after subvention will not fall below 7 per cent, which is the rate applicable to the short term crop loan under priority sector lending. 2. However, with the change over to the Base Rate System, the interest rates applicable for all tenors of rupee export credit advances with effect from July 1, 2010 will be at or above Base Rate in respect of all fresh/renewed advances as advised vide our circular DBOD.Dir.(Exp).BC.No.102/04.02.001/2009-10  dated May 6, 2010 . Accordingly, banks may reduce the interest rate chargeable to the exporters as per the Base Rate System in the above mentioned sectors by the amount of subvention available.  If, as a consequence, the interest rate charged to exporters goes below the Base Rate, such lending will not be construed to be violative of the Base Rate guidelines. 3.  All other terms and conditions of our circular dated April 23, 2010 mentioned above remain the same. Yours faithfully, (A. K. Khound) Chief General Manager DBOD.Dir.(Exp).BC.No. 114/04.02.001/2009-10 June 29, 2010 Interest Rates on Rupee Export Credit In exercise of the powers conferred by Sections 21 and 35 A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949, the Reserve Bank of India, being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby directs that, with effect from July 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011 the interest rates on pre and post shipment credit to the specified export sectors as indicated below: With the change over to the Base Rate System, the interest rate applicable to all tenors of rupee export credit advances with effect from July 1, 2010 will be at or above Base Rate in respect of all fresh/renewed advances. Accordingly, banks may reduce the interest rate chargeable to the exporters as per Base Rate system in the following sectors eligible for export credit subvention by the amount of subvention available under the scheme subject to a floor rate of 7%: Handicrafts Carpets Handlooms Small & Medium Enterprises (SME) In respect of other categories of exporters, the provisions of the circular DBOD.Dir.(Exp).BC.No.102 /04.02.001/2009-10 dated May 6, 2010 would continue to apply. (Anand Sinha) Executive Director
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-10/511 · issued 23 Apr 2010. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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