NDS-OM Membership for UCBs: Eligibility and Process
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/335 · issued 03 Jan 2012 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI now allows well-managed, financially sound UCBs with minimum networth of Rs. 25 crore to directly access NDS-OM for government securities trading. Eligible UCBs must first obtain a no-objection certificate from the Urban Banks Department before applying to IDMD.
The rule, in the simplest words
Only well-managed, financially sound Urban Co-operative Banks (UCBs) with at least Rs. 25 crore networth (total assets minus debts) can apply.
First, get a no-objection certificate (a letter saying RBI has no problem) from the Urban Banks Department in Mumbai.
Then, apply to the Internal Debt Management Department (IDMD) for membership on NDS-OM (a computer system for trading government bonds).
You must have the right computers and systems ready, and pay for setting them up yourself.
After opening a special account (SGL) with RBI, you cannot keep another gilt account (a similar account) with a different bank, but you can still bid for bonds in non-competitive bidding (a way to buy bonds without competing on price).
How it plays out — a real example
Priya, a treasury officer in Indore, helps her UCB's CEO check if they qualify for NDS-OM. She confirms the bank's networth is Rs. 30 crore and it's well-managed. Then she drafts a letter to the Urban Banks Department in Mumbai asking for a no-objection certificate, so the bank can later apply to IDMD and start trading government bonds directly.
What changed
Previously, UCBs could only open current/SGL accounts and join INFINET. Now, the Monetary Policy Statement 2011-12 extends NDS-OM membership to well-managed, financially sound UCBs meeting a minimum networth of Rs. 25 crore. The IDMD circular dated November 18, 2011 prescribes the detailed criteria for direct access.
What it means for you
UCBs that qualify can now trade government securities directly on the NDS-OM platform, improving their treasury operations and customer service. However, they must invest in the required infrastructure and bear setup costs. Once they open an SGL account with RBI, they cannot maintain a gilt account with a CSGL holder, but can still participate in non-competitive bidding.
What you must do
Check if your UCB meets the networth and other criteria specified in the IDMD circular.
Apply for a no-objection certificate from the CGM-in-charge, Urban Banks Department, RBI Central Office, Mumbai.
After receiving regulatory clearance, apply to IDMD for NDS-OM membership.
Ensure the required infrastructure for direct NDS-OM access is in place and budget for setup costs.
Acknowledge receipt of this circular to your Regional Office.
Who it affects
All licensed Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, UCBs not under all-inclusive directions under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (AACS), Well-managed and financially sound UCBs with minimum networth of Rs. 25 crore
❓ Common questions
What is the minimum networth requirement for a UCB to get NDS-OM membership?
The circular refers to the Monetary Policy Statement which specifies a minimum networth of Rs. 25 crore for well-managed and financially sound UCBs.
Can a UCB with an SGL account still hold a gilt account with a CSGL holder?
No, after opening an SGL account with RBI, the UCB cannot open or maintain a gilt account with a CSGL account holder. However, it can continue to bid under the non-competitive bidding scheme.
What is the first step for a UCB to apply for NDS-OM membership?
The UCB must first obtain a no-objection certificate from the Urban Banks Department, RBI Central Office, Mumbai, before applying to IDMD.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/335
UBD. BPD (PCB) No.17/12.05.001/2011-12
January 3, 2012
Chief Executive Officer
All Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks
Dear Sir / Madam,
Negotiated Dealing System (NDS) – Order Matching (OM) – Grant of membership to UCBs
Please refer to circular UBD.BPD. (PCB). Cir. No. 24 /12.05.001/2010-11 dated November 16, 2010 in terms of which all licensed UCBs, other than those under all inclusive Directions issued under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (AACS), were permitted to open Current Account and Subsidiary General Ledger Account with the Reserve Bank and take up membership of the Indian Financial Network (INFINET).
2. In the Monetary Policy Statement 2011-12, it was announced that well managed and financially sound UCBs would be permitted to become members of the Negotiated Dealing System (NDS). The relevant paragraph of the Monetary Policy Statement is reproduced below:
“Para 104 - Pursuant to the Second Quarter Review of November 2010, all licensed UCBs were allowed the facility of Indian Financial Network (INFINET) membership, Current and Subsidiary General Ledger (SGL) accounts with the Reserve Bank and Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) membership to well managed and financially sound UCBs having a minimum networth of Rs. 25 crore. In order to further enable UCBs to serve their customers better, it is now proposed:
to permit well managed and financially sound UCBs to become members of the negotiated dealing system (NDS)”.
3. We enclose a copy of circular IDMD. DOD.No.13 /10.25.66 / 2011-12 dated November 18, 2011 issued by the Internal Debt Management Department (IDMD) of the Reserve Bank, prescribing the criteria for licensed UCBs to obtain direct access to NDS-OM. In terms of the circular, eligible UCBs are required to obtain a No objection certificate from the regulatory department (Urban Banks Department) while applying to IDMD for NDS-OM membership. Accordingly, UCBs fulfilling the criteria prescribed in the above IDMD circular and desiring to obtain NDS-OM membership may approach the CGM-in-charge, Urban Banks Department, Reserve Bank of India, Central Office, Mumbai – 400 018 for regulatory clearance before applying to IDMD for NDS-OM membership.
4. Eligible UCBs, applying for NDS-OM membership, need to have the required infrastructure in place for direct access to NDS-OM and also bear the cost involved in setting up the infrastructure. UCBs may note that after opening a SGL account with the RBI (which is one of the several requirements to be fulfilled by a UCB for obtaining NDS-OM membership), the UCB concerned cannot open / maintain a gilt account with a CSGL account holder. However, such UCBs, can continue to bid for Government securities under the scheme of non-competitive bidding in Government securities.
5. Please acknowledge receipt of the circular to the Regional Office concerned
Yours faithfully,
(A.Udgata)
Chief General Manager-in-Charge
Encl: 2
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/335 · issued 03 Jan 2012. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
Example: if you are a Compliance officer at a bank this circular applies to (All licensed Primary (Urban) Co-operative Banks, UCBs not under all-inclusive directions under Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (AACS), Well-managed and financially sound UCBs with minimum networth of Rs. 25 crore), your first concrete step on “NDS-OM Membership for UCBs: Eligibility and Process” is: “Check if your UCB meets the networth and other criteria specified in the IDMD circular.” (RBI issued this 03 Jan 2012).
Circular: RBI/2011-12/335 -- NDS-OM Membership for UCBs: Eligibility and Process
Issued: 03 Jan 2012
Action required: Check if your UCB meets the networth and other criteria specified in the IDMD circular.
Action required: Apply for a no-objection certificate from the CGM-in-charge, Urban Banks Department, RBI Central Office, Mumbai.
Action required: After receiving regulatory clearance, apply to IDMD for NDS-OM membership.
Action required: Ensure the required infrastructure for direct NDS-OM access is in place and budget for setup costs.
Action required: Acknowledge receipt of this circular to your Regional Office.
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.
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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=6920&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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