Quick answerRBI mandates pre‑paid instrument issuers to submit data in a uniform Excel format to facilitate straight‑through processing.
What changed
RBI directs pre‑paid instrument issuers to submit data in a uniform Excel format to bring in uniformity and facilitate straight‑through processing.
What it means for you
This means pre-paid instrument issuers must submit data on a monthly basis, in the specified format, to RBI by the 7th of the following month, to ensure compliance with the Payment and Settlement Systems Regulations, 2008.
The rule, in the simplest words
All companies that give out prepaid payment cards must fill out a special Excel sheet every month.
The sheet must follow the exact format that RBI sent you (no extra columns or missing rows).
Send the completed sheet to RBI by the 7th day of the month after the data is collected.
Doing this helps RBI process the information quickly and keeps you in line with the Payment and Settlement Systems Regulations, 2008.
How it plays out — a real example
Rajesh, a prepaid‑card officer in Mumbai, opens his laptop on the 5th of March, fills in the new RBI‑approved Excel template with last month’s transaction data, and emails it to RBI before the 7th. By following the rule, he ensures his company stays compliant and RBI can process the data without delays.
What you must do
Submit data in the specified Excel format
Ensure data reaches RBI by the 7th of the following month
Comply with the Payment and Settlement Systems Regulations, 2008
Who it affects
Pre-paid instrument issuers, RBI
What is the deadline for submitting pre-paid instrument data?
Data must reach RBI by the 7th of the following month.
What is the format for submitting pre-paid instrument data?
Data must be submitted in the specified Excel format.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2010-11/342
DPSS.CO.OSD. No. 1381 /06.08.001/ 2010-2011
December 27, 2010
To
All entities authorised to issue pre paid payment instruments in India.
Dear Sir,
Collection of Statistics on pre-paid instruments
Please refer to the approval / authorization given / issued to you for issuance and operations of pre paid payment instruments under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
2. Authorized entities have hitherto been submitting information on the volume and value of transactions, to the Reserve Bank of India. In order to bring in uniformity and facilitate straight through processing, a format in Excel has been prepared and is forwarded herewith. All authorised entities are advised to furnish the data related to the operations of pre paid payment instruments issued on a monthly basis in the attached format. It may please be ensured that the format given is strictly adhered to while transmitting the data through email . Please note to ensure that the filled in format containing the monthly data reaches us by the 7th of the following month.
3. These directions are issued under Section 6 of the Payment and Settlement Systems Regulations, 2008 read with Section 12 of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007.
Yours faithfully
G Srinivas
(General Manager)
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/342 · issued 27 Dec 2010. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Test yourself
Quick self-check built only from the facts already on this page — tap a question to reveal the answer.
Q1. In one line, what does this circular do?
RBI mandates pre‑paid instrument issuers to submit data in a uniform Excel format to facilitate straight‑through processing.
Q2. Who does this circular apply to?
Pre-paid instrument issuers, RBI
Q3. What is the first thing you should do about it?
Comply with the Payment and Settlement Systems Regulations, 2008
💻 IT / Systems
Comply with the Payment and Settlement Systems Regulations, 2008
📜 Compliance
Submit data in the specified Excel format
Ensure data reaches RBI by the 7th of the following month
Grouped from the action items above — a single circular may involve more than one team.
Worked example & action-note template
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (Pre-paid instrument issuers, RBI), your first concrete step on “Pre-paid Instruments Data Submission Guidelines” is: “Submit data in the specified Excel format” (RBI issued this 27 Dec 2010).
Circular: RBI/2010-11/342 -- Pre-paid Instruments Data Submission Guidelines
Issued: 27 Dec 2010
Action required: Submit data in the specified Excel format
Action required: Ensure data reaches RBI by the 7th of the following month
Action required: Comply with the Payment and Settlement Systems Regulations, 2008
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.
AI-drafted · AI fact-check pending · under the editorial review of our expert review panel · decoded & published by BankPulse · 06 Jul 2026, 14:14 IST
Official RBI source: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Id=6179&Mode=0 — Plain-English summary by BankPulse (bankpulse.ai), reviewed by our expert review panel. Independent platform, not affiliated with the Reserve Bank of India; never reproduces RBI text verbatim.
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