HomeCirculars › RBI/2010-11/299

RBI Eases NCD Rules for FIs, NBFCs, and FIIs

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/299 · issued 06 Dec 2010 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI amended NCD directions to allow Financial Institutions to invest in NCDs up to one year, permit NBFCs/PDs without working capital limits to issue such NCDs, and enable FII investment subject to FEMA/SEBI rules. Effective December 6, 2010.

What changed

The amendment to the Issuance of Non-Convertible Debentures Directions, 2010 now permits Financial Institutions to invest in NCDs with maturity up to one year. It also allows Non-Banking Financial Companies and Primary Dealers that do not maintain a working capital limit to issue such NCDs. Additionally, Foreign Institutional Investors can invest in these NCDs, subject to FEMA and SEBI guidelines.

What it means for you

Banks and lenders can now see increased demand for short-term NCDs from FIs and FIIs, broadening the investor base. NBFCs and PDs without working capital limits gain a new funding avenue, potentially easing liquidity. However, banks must ensure compliance with their own regulatory approvals when investing in these instruments.

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

Banks investing in short-term NCDs, Financial Institutions (FIs), Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) including Primary Dealers (PDs), Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs), Corporate issuers of NCDs

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

What is the minimum tangible net worth required for a corporate to issue NCDs under these directions?

A corporate must have a tangible net worth of at least Rs. 4 crore as per the latest audited balance sheet.

Are NBFCs and Primary Dealers exempt from any eligibility criteria?

Yes, NBFCs and Primary Dealers are exempt from the requirement of having a sanctioned working capital limit or term loan from banks or financial institutions.

Do FIIs face any additional restrictions when investing in these NCDs?

Yes, FII investments must comply with FEMA provisions and SEBI guidelines, including any limits set by SEBI from time to time.

📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2010-11/299 IDMD.PCD.No. 24/14.03.03/2010-11 December 06, 2010 All Market Participants Dear Sirs, Issuance of Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs) A reference is invited to the Issuance of Non-Convertible Debentures (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2010 dated June 23, 2010 issued vide circular IDMD.DOD.10/11.01.01(A)/ 2009-10 of same date covering the regulation of NCDs of maturity up to one year. 2. Taking into account the feedback received from the market participants, the Reserve Bank of India has issued an amendment Direction, i.e., Issuance of Non-Convertible Debentures (Reserve Bank) (Amendment) Directions, 2010, inter alia, permitting a. Financial Institutions (FIs) to invest in NCDs of maturity up to one year; b. Non-Banking Financial Companies including Primary Dealers that do not maintain a working capital limit to issue NCDs of maturity up to one year; and c. FIIs to invest in NCDs of maturity up to one year subject to extant provisions of FEMA and SEBI guidelines issued in this regard. 3. The amendment Directions comes into immediate effect. A copy of the Directions is enclosed. Yours faithfully, ( K K Vohra ) Chief General Manager RESERVE BANK OF INDIA INTERNAL DEBT MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT CENTRAL OFFICE MUMBAI Issuance of Non-Convertible Debentures (Reserve Bank) (Amendment) Directions, 2010 IDMD.PCD. 23 /ED (HRK) - 2010 dated December 06, 2010 In exercise of its powers conferred under sections 45K, 45L and  45W of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 and of all the powers enabling it in this behalf, and in partial modification of the Issuance of Non-Convertible Debentures (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2010 dated June 23, 2010, the Reserve Bank hereby notifies as follows: - 1. That the Non-Convertible Debentures (Reserve Bank) Directions 2010 dated June 23, 2010 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘said Directions’) are hereby amended as under: 2. Paragraph 3 of the said Directions is amended to read as follows: 3.  Eligibility to issue NCDs 3.1 A Corporate shall be eligible to issue NCDs subject to the fulfillment of the following criteria, namely, i. the corporate has a tangible net worth of not less than Rs.4 crore, as per   the latest audited balance sheet; ii. the corporate has been sanctioned working capital limit or term loan by bank/s or all-India financial institution/s; and iii. the borrowal account of the corporate is classified as a Standard Asset by the financing bank/s or institution/s. 3.2 However, paragraph 3.1 (ii) above shall not be applicable to Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) including Primary Dealers (PDs). 3. Paragraph 10 of the Directions is amended to read as under: 10.  Investment in NCD 10.1 NCDs may be issued to and held by individuals, banks, PDs, other corporate bodies including Financial Institutions (FIs), Insurance Companies, Mutual Funds registered or incorporated in India, unincorporated bodies and Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs). 10.2 Investments in NCDs by Banks/PDs shall be subject to the approval of the respective statutes governing them, and approval of their respective regulators. 10.3 Investments by the FIIs shall be subject to extant provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and rules, regulations, notifications, directions or orders issued thereunder, and within such limits as may be set forth in this regard from time to time by the SEBI. 4. These Directions may be referred to as the Issuance of Non-Convertible Debentures (Reserve Bank) (Amendment) Directions, 2010 and shall be effective from today, i.e., December 06, 2010. ( H R Khan ) Executive Director
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/299 · issued 06 Dec 2010. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=6132&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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