HomeCirculars › RBI/2010-11/408

NBFC CRAR Hiked to 15% for Deposit-Taking Firms by March 2012

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/408 · issued 17 Feb 2011 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI raised the minimum Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) for all deposit-taking NBFCs from 12% to 15%, effective March 31, 2012, aligning them with systemically important non-deposit-taking NBFCs.

What changed

Previously, deposit-taking NBFCs needed a minimum CRAR of 12%, while systemically important non-deposit-taking NBFCs (NBFC-ND-SI) had a 15% target by March 31, 2011. RBI has now mandated that all deposit-taking NBFCs must also achieve a 15% CRAR by March 31, 2012, harmonizing the requirement across both categories.

What it means for you

Deposit-taking NBFCs must bolster their capital buffers to 15% of risk-weighted assets, a 3 percentage point increase from the earlier 12% floor. This strengthens their resilience against asset quality shocks but may pressure profitability or growth if capital is scarce. Lenders should review capital adequacy plans and explore Tier I or Tier II instruments to meet the deadline.

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 deposit-taking NBFCs, Systemically important non-deposit-taking NBFCs (already at 15%), RBI's Department of Non-Banking Supervision

❓ 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 new CRAR requirement for deposit-taking NBFCs?

It is raised from 12% to 15% of aggregate risk-weighted assets (on-balance sheet) and risk-adjusted value of off-balance sheet items, effective March 31, 2012.

Does this apply to all NBFCs?

No, it applies to all deposit-taking NBFCs. Systemically important non-deposit-taking NBFCs already had a 15% requirement by March 31, 2011.

What happens if an NBFC fails to meet the 15% CRAR by the deadline?

The circular does not specify penalties, but non-compliance with prudential norms may invite supervisory action, including restrictions on deposit acceptance or growth.

📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, 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 #1549: DNBS.PD/CC.No.211/03.02.002/2010-11 — "All Deposit Taking NBFCs - CRAR Fifteen Percent w.e.f March 31, 2012" dated February 17, 2011”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2010-11/408 DNBS.PD/CC.No.211 /03.02.002/2010-11 February 17, 2011 All deposit taking NBFCs Dear Sir, All Deposit Taking NBFCs - CRAR Fifteen percent w.e.f March 31, 2012 In terms of paragraph 16 of Non Banking Financial (Deposit Accepting or Holding) Companies Prudential Norms (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2007, every deposit taking NBFC shall maintain a minimum capital ratio consisting of Tier I and Tier II capital, which shall not be less than 12% of its aggregate risk weighted assets on balance sheet and of risk adjusted value of off-balance sheet items.  However, in terms of paragraph 16 of Non Banking Financial (Non-Deposit Accepting or Holding) Companies Prudential Norms (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2007, dated February 22, 2007, every systemically important non-deposit taking NBFC(NBFC-ND-SI) has to maintain a minimum capital ratio consisting of Tier I and Tier II capital, which shall not be less than 15% of its aggregate risk weighted assets on balance sheet and of risk adjusted value of off-balance sheet items by March 31, 2011. 2.  It has been decided to align the minimum capital ratio of all deposit taking as well as systemically important non-deposit taking NBFCs to 15%.  Accordingly, all deposit taking NBFCs shall maintain a minimum capital ratio consisting of Tier I and Tier II capital, which shall not be less than 15% of its aggregate risk weighted assets on balance sheet and risk adjusted value of off-balance sheet items w.e.f. March 31, 2012.  Accompanying notification No. DNBS.224/CGM (US) - 2011 dated February 17, 2011 is enclosed for compliance. Yours Sincerely, (Uma Subramaniam) Chief General Manager-in-Charge Encl: as above RESERVE BANK OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF NON-BANKING SUPERVISION CENTRAL OFFICE CENTRE I, WORLD TRADE CENTRE, CUFFE PARADE, COLABA, MUMBAI 400 005. Notification No. DNBS.224 / CGM(US)-2011 dated  February 17, 2011 The Reserve Bank of India, having considered it necessary in public interest and being satisfied that, for the purpose of enabling the Bank to regulate the credit system to the advantage of the country, it is necessary to amend the Non-Banking Financial (Deposit Accepting or Holding) Companies Prudential Norms (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2007, contained in Notification No.DNBS. 192/DG(VL)-2007 dated February 22, 2007 , in exercise of the powers conferred by section 45JA of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934) and of all the powers enabling it in this behalf, hereby directs that the said Directions shall be amended with immediate effect as follows, namely - Amendment of paragraph 16 - In sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 16, the following sentence shall be inserted at the end of the sub-paragraph – “[Such ratio shall not be less than fifteen percent by March 31, 2012.]” (Uma Subramaniam) Chief General Manager-in-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2010-11/408 · issued 17 Feb 2011. 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=6267&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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