HomeCirculars › RBI/2012-13/32

Master Circular: NBFC Returns to RBI

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/32 · issued 02 Jul 2012 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI consolidated all NBFC return submission instructions into one master circular effective July 2, 2012. Deposit-taking NBFCs must file NBS-1, NBS-2, NBS-3, NBS-4, NBS-6 (for those with total assets of Rs 100 crore and above), and half-yearly ALM returns (for those with public deposits over Rs 20 crore or asset size over Rs 100 crore). Systemically important non-deposit-taking NBFCs (NBFC-ND-SI) must file NBS-7A, monthly financial parameters, and ALM returns. Other NBFCs with assets between Rs 50 crore and less than Rs 100 crore file quarterly financial parameters.

What changed

RBI issued a master circular compiling all existing instructions on returns to be submitted by NBFCs (excluding RNBCs) as of June 30, 2012. The circular lists specific returns for deposit-taking NBFCs, NBFC-ND-SI, and other NBFCs, along with their periodicity and due dates. It also includes requirements for annual auditor certificates and FDI compliance certificates.

What it means for you

NBFCs now have a single reference document for all return submission requirements, reducing confusion from multiple circulars. Compliance teams must ensure timely submission of NBS-1, NBS-2, NBS-3, NBS-4, NBS-6 (for those with total assets of Rs 100 crore and above), and ALM returns (for those with public deposits over Rs 20 crore or asset size over Rs 100 crore) for deposit-taking NBFCs, and NBS-7A, monthly financial parameters, and ALM returns for NBFC-ND-SI. Non-deposit-taking NBFCs with assets between Rs 50 crore and less than Rs 100 crore must submit quarterly financial parameters. Failure to meet due dates could attract regulatory action.

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 (NBFCs-D), Systemically important non-deposit-taking NBFCs (NBFCs-ND-SI), Non-deposit-taking NBFCs with asset size between Rs 50 crore and Rs 100 crore, NBFCs with foreign direct investment (FDI)

❓ 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 due date for NBS-1 return?

NBS-1 is due within 15 days from the end of each quarter, i.e., by April 15, July 15, October 15, and January 15.

Which NBFCs need to submit ALM returns?

Deposit-taking NBFCs with public deposits over Rs 20 crore or asset size over Rs 100 crore must submit half-yearly ALM returns. NBFC-ND-SI must submit ALM1 monthly, and ALM2/ALM3 half-yearly.

What is the annual certificate requirement for all NBFCs?

All NBFCs must submit an annual certificate, certified by statutory auditors, by end of March each year, confirming they are engaged in NBFI business requiring a Certificate of Registration and showing asset/income pattern for classification.

📜 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 #1304: DNBS.PD.CC.No.282/03.10.042/2012-13 — "Master Circular - Returns to be submitted by NBFCs" dated July 2, 2012”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2012-13/32 DNBS.PD.CC.No.282/03.10.042/2012-13 July 2, 2012 To, All NBFCs (Excluding RNBCs) Dear Sirs, Master Circular - Returns to be submitted by NBFCs In order to have all current instructions in one place, the Reserve Bank of India has issued master circulars to NBFCs on various subjects. It is advised that instructions on various returns to be submitted by NBFCs issued upto June 30, 2012, have been compiled herein. A consolidated list of all such instructions is enclosed for ready reference. The master circular has also been placed on the RBI web-site ( http://www.rbi.org.in ). (C.R. Samyuktha) Chief General Manager NBFCs are required to submit various returns to RBI w.r.t their deposit acceptance, prudential norms compliance, ALM etc. Detailed instructions regarding submission of returns by NBFCs have been issued through various company circulars. A list of such returns to be submitted by NBFCs-D, NBFCs-ND-SI and others is as under: A. Returns to be submitted by deposit taking NBFCs NBS-1 Quarterly 1 Returns on deposits in First Schedule. 2 NBS-2 Quarterly 3 return on Prudential Norms is required to be submitted by NBFC accepting public deposits. 4 NBS-3 Quarterly return on Liquid Assets by deposit taking NBFC. 5 NBS-4 Annual return of critical parameters by a rejected company holding public deposits NBS-5 stands withdrawn as submission of NBS 1 has been made quarterly. 6 NBS-6 Monthly return on exposure to capital market by deposit taking NBFC with total assets of Rs 100 crore and above 7 Half-yearly ALM return by NBFC holding public deposits of more than Rs.20 crore or asset size of more than Rs. 100 crore. 8 Audited Balance sheet and Auditor’s Report by NBFC accepting public deposits. 9 B. Returns to be submitted by NBFCs-ND-SI NBS-7 A Quarterly 10 statement of capital funds, risk weighted assets, risk asset ratio etc., for NBFC-ND-SI 11 Monthly Return on Important Financial Parameters of NBFCs-ND-SI 12 ALM returns: (i) Statement of short term dynamic liquidity in format ALM [NBS-ALM1] -Monthly, (ii) Statement of structural liquidity in format ALM [NBS-ALM2] Half Yearly (iii) Statement of Interest Rate Sensitivity in format ALM -[NBS-ALM3], Half yearly. 13 C. Quarterly return on important financial parameters of non deposit taking NBFCs having assets of more than Rs.50 crore and above but less than Rs 100 crore Basic information like name of the company, address, NOF, profit / loss during the last three years has to be submitted quarterly by non-deposit taking NBFCs with asset size between Rs 50 crore and Rs 100 crore. 14 D. Other Returns 1. As at the end of March every year, all NBFCs are required to submit an annual certificate duly certified by the Statutory Auditors that the company is engaged in the business of NBFI requiring it to hold the CoR. The certificate shall also indicate the asset / income pattern of the NBFC for making it eligible for classification as AFC, Investment Company, or Loan Company. 15 2. An NBFC with FDI has to submit a half yearly ( half year ending March and September) certificate to the effect that it has complied with the minimum capitalisation norms and that its activities are restricted to the activities prescribed under FEMA. 16 3. 17 With regard to overseas investment a Quarterly Return is to be submitted by all NBFCs to the Regional Office of DNBS and also Department of Statistics and Information Management (DSIM) A table showing periodicity and particulars of returns is as per Annex . Reporting dates and Due dates for Returns to be submitted by NBFCs Sr No
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/32 · issued 02 Jul 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=7393&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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