RBI Master Circular on FI Investment Portfolio Norms (2009)
No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-2010/50 · issued FY 2009-10 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI consolidated prudential norms for classification, valuation, and operation of investment portfolios for all-India term-lending institutions (Exim Bank, NABARD, NHB, SIDBI) as of July 1, 2009, updating previous circulars.
What changed
This master circular consolidates all prior instructions on investment portfolio norms for FIs up to June 30, 2009, replacing the July 1, 2008 version. It includes updated guidelines on investment policy, internal controls, classification into three categories (HTM, AFS, HFT), valuation methods, and repo accounting.
What it means for you
FIs must align their investment operations with this consolidated framework, ensuring clear board-approved policies, proper classification of securities, and robust internal controls. The circular reinforces prudential norms to prevent irregularities in securities transactions, as highlighted by the Janakiraman Committee.
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
Review and update your FI's investment policy to comply with the consolidated guidelines.
Ensure all securities are classified correctly into Held to Maturity, Available for Sale, or Held for Trading categories at acquisition.
Strengthen internal control systems, including audit, review, and reporting of investment transactions.
Verify that valuation of investments follows the prescribed norms, especially for unquoted securities.
Train staff on the updated repo accounting and hedging guidelines.
Who it affects
Exim Bank, NABARD, NHB, SIDBI, All-India term-lending and refinancing institutions
RBI’s words: “The enclosed Master Circular consolidates and updates all the instructions/guidelines on the subject up to June 30, 2010.”
Repealed byRBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)
RBI’s words: “Official withdrawal register entry #1876: DBOD.No.FID.FIC.3/01.02.00/2009-10 — "Master Circular - Prudential Norms for Classification, Valuation and Operation of Investment Portfolio by FIs" dated Jul”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2009-2010/50
DBOD.No. FID.FIC.3 / 01.02.00/2009-10
01 July, 2009
9 Aashadha 1931 (Saka)
The CEOs of the All-India Term Lending and Refinancing Institutions
(Exim Bank, NABARD, NHB and SIDBI)
Dear Sir,
Master Circular – Prudential norms for classification,
valuation and operation of investment portfolio by FIs
Please refer to Master Circular DBOD.No.FID.FIC.3/ 01.02.00 / 2008-09 dated July 01, 2008 on the captioned subject. The enclosed Master Circular consolidates and updates all the instructions/guidelines on the subject up to June 30, 2009. The Master Circular has also been placed on the web-site of RBI ( http://www.rbi.org.in ).
2. It may be noted that the instructions contained in circulars listed in the Annex V have been consolidated in this master circular.
Yours faithfully,
(Vinay Baijal)
Chief General Manager
Encls : As above
Master Circular – Prudential Norms For Classification,
Valuation And Operation Of Investment Portfolio By FIs
Purpose
To provide a consolidated set of guidelines on Classification, Valuation and Operation of Investment Portfolio to all-India term-lending and refinancing institutions.
Previous instructions
The list of circulars containing previous instructions on the above subject is given in Annex V.
Application
To all the all-India Financial Institutions viz. Exim Bank, NABARD, NHB and SIDBI.
Structure
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2009-2010/50 · issued FY 2009-10. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.
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=5106&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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