HomeCirculars › RBI/2011-12/557

CIC Guarantees: RBI Clarifies Public Funds & Registration Rules

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/557 · issued 11 May 2012 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI clarifies that unregistered CICs with assets over Rs.100 crore must not access public funds without obtaining a Certificate of Registration. Exempt CICs must pass a board resolution stating they will not access public funds in the future. Guarantees for group entities are allowed only if obligations can be met without public funds.

What changed

RBI added a new para (4) to Part II of the CIC Directions, 2011. It mandates that every CIC exempt from registration must pass a board resolution stating it will not access public funds in the future. The circular also clarifies that unregistered CICs with assets above Rs.100 crore accessing public funds without registration violate the Directions.

What it means for you

CICs that are systemically important (assets >= Rs.100 crore and holding public funds) must register with RBI. Exempt CICs can still issue guarantees for group entities but must ensure they can meet liabilities without public funds. Failure to comply could lead to regulatory action for violating the CIC Directions.

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 Core Investment Companies (CICs), Systemically Important CICs (CIC-ND-SI), CICs exempt from registration, Group entities of CICs

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

What qualifies as 'public funds' under this circular?

Public funds include funds raised via public deposits, commercial papers, debentures, inter-corporate deposits, and bank finance. Excluded are instruments compulsorily convertible into equity within 10 years.

Can an unregistered CIC with assets above Rs.100 crore issue guarantees?

Yes, but only if it can meet the guarantee obligation without accessing public funds. If it needs public funds, it must first obtain a Certificate of Registration from RBI.

What happens if an exempt CIC accesses public funds without registration?

It will be considered in violation of the Core Investment Companies (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2011, and may face regulatory action.

📜 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 #1344: DNBS(PD).245/CGM(US)-2012 — "Notification on Core Investment Companies (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2011" dated May 11, 2012”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/557 DNBS.PD.CC.No.274/03.02.089/2011-12 May 11, 2012 All Core Investment Companies Core Investment Companies (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2011 – Clarification on CICs Issuing Guarantees In terms of the Core Investment Companies (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2011 dated January 05, 2011, every Systemically Important Core Investment Company (CIC-ND-SI) shall, apply to the Reserve Bank of India for grant of Certificate of Registration. Systemically important core investment company means a CIC fulfilling both the following conditions: Having total assets of not less than Rs.100 crore, either individually or in aggregate along with other Core Investment Companies in the Group; and Raises or holds public funds; CICs not fulfilling the above mentioned conditions are exempted from registration as CICs-ND-SI. 2.CICs may be required to issue guarantees or take on other contingent liabilities on behalf of their group entities. Before doing so, CICs must ensure that they can meet the obligation thereunder, as and when they arise. In particular, CICs which are exempt from registration requirement must be in a position to do so without recourse to public funds in the event the liability devolves. If unregistered CICs with asset size above Rs. 100 crore access public funds without obtaining a Certificate of Registration (CoR) from RBI, they will be seen as violating Core Investment Companies (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2011 dated January 05, 2011. 3. As defined in the CIC Directions, “Public funds" shall include funds raised either directly or indirectly through public deposits, Commercial Papers, debentures, inter-corporate deposits and bank finance but excludes funds raised by issue of instruments which are compulsorily convertible into equity shares within a period not exceeding 10 years from the date of issue. Yours faithfully, ( Uma Subramaniam ) Chief General Manager In-Charge 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 (PD).245/CGM(US)-2012 dated May 11, 2012 The Reserve Bank of India having considered it necessary in the 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 Core Investment Companies (Reserve Bank) Directions, hereafter referred to as Directions, in exercise of the powers conferred by sections 45JA, 45K, 45L 3 and 45M of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934), and of all the powers enabling it in this behalf, hereby amends the directions as specified below. In part ll, under para (1) a new para (4) may be added as follows: Every CIC exempted from registration requirement with RBI shall pass a Board Resolution that it will not, in the future, access public funds. However CICs may be required to issue guarantees or take on other contingent liabilities on behalf of their group entities. Before doing so, all CICs must ensure that they can meet the obligation thereunder, as and when they arise. In particular, CICs which are exempt from registration requirement must be in a position to do so without recourse to public funds in the event the liability devolves, else they shall approach RBI for registration before accessing public funds. If unregistered CICs with asset size above Rs. 100 crore access public funds without obtaining a Certificate of Registration (CoR) from RBI, they will be seen as violating Core Investment Companies (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2011 dated January 05, 2011. ( Uma Subramaniam ) Chief General Manager-in-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/557 · issued 11 May 2012. 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=7206&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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