HomeCirculars › RBI/2011-12/581

Uniform 50% risk weight for PPP and post-COD infra assets

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/581 · issued 30 May 2012 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI extended the 50% risk weight benefit, earlier available only to IDF-NBFCs, to all Infrastructure Finance Companies for PPP and post-COD projects that have completed at least one year of satisfactory commercial operations.

What changed

Previously, only IDF-NBFCs could assign a 50% risk weight on bonds covering PPP and post-COD projects with over a year of commercial operation. Now, all Infrastructure Finance Companies (IFCs) can apply the same reduced risk weight to such assets. This was done via an amendment to the NBFC Prudential Norms Directions, 2007, inserting a new sub-para (14) in para 20.

What it means for you

IFCs can now lower their capital requirements for qualifying infrastructure assets, freeing up capital for further lending. This uniformity reduces regulatory arbitrage among different NBFC categories and encourages more financing for operational infrastructure projects. Banks lending to or investing in IFCs may see improved capital ratios of their counterparties.

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 Infrastructure Finance Companies (IFCs), IDF-NBFCs (already had this benefit), Banks with exposure to IFCs, Regulatory compliance teams at NBFCs

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

Which assets qualify for the 50% risk weight under this circular?

Assets covering PPP (Public-Private Partnership) and post-COD (commercial operations date) projects that have completed at least one year of satisfactory commercial operations.

Does this circular apply to all NBFCs or only IFCs?

It applies specifically to Infrastructure Finance Companies (IFCs). IDF-NBFCs already had this benefit; now it is extended uniformly to all IFCs.

When did this change take effect?

The amendment was issued on May 30, 2012, and became effective immediately from that date.

📜 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 #1333: DNBS(PD).246/CGM(US)-2012 — "Notification on Non-Banking Financial (Non-Deposit Accepting or Holding) Companies Prudential Norms (Reserve Bank) Directions, 20”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2011-12/581 DNBS.PD.CC.No.276/03.02.089/2011-12 May 30, 2012 All Infrastructure Finance Companies Uniformity in Risk weight for assets covering PPP and post COD projects The Reserve Bank, vide its notification No.DNBS.233/CGM(US)-2011 dated November 21, 2011 viz; Infrastructure Debt Fund-Non-Banking Financial Companies (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2011 issued detailed guidelines with regard to regulation of IDF-NBFCs.In terms of the Guidelines,for the purpose of computing capital adequacy, IDF-NBFCs are permitted to assign a risk weight of 50 percent on bonds covering PPP and post commercial operations date (COD) projects in existence over a year of commercial operation. 2.In order to bring uniformity in regulations in this regard, it has been decided to extend the above reduction in risk weight to all Infrastructure Finance Companies (IFCs) for assets covering PPP and post COD projects which have completed at least one year of satisfactory commercial operations. 3.Copy of the amending notification No. DNBS.246/CGM (US)-2012 of date is enclosed for meticulous compliance. Yours faithfully, (Uma Subramaniam) Chief General Manager In-Charge R ESERVE 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). 246 / CGM(US)-2012 dated May 30, 2012 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 (Non-Deposit Accepting or Holding) Companies Prudential Norms (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2007 (hereinafter referred to as the said Directions), contained in Notification No. DNBS. 193/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 – In para 20, a new sub-para shall be inserted after sub-para 13, as follows:- “(14) For Infrastructure Finance Companies, the risk weight for assets covering PPP and post commercial operations date (COD) projects which have completed at least one year of satisfactory commercial operations shall be at 50 percent”. (Uma Subramaniam) Chief General Manager-in-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2011-12/581 · issued 30 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=7245&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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