HomeCirculars › RBI/2012-13/526

NBFCs barred from LLP and AOP partnerships: RBI clarifies

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/526 · issued 11 Jun 2013 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI clarifies that NBFCs cannot be partners in Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) or Associations of Persons (AOPs), extending the existing ban on partnership firms. Existing NBFCs in such structures must exit early.

What changed

RBI has clarified that the existing prohibition on NBFCs from being partners in partnership firms now explicitly covers Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) and Associations of Persons (AOPs). This amendment was made through notifications DNBS (PD).255 and DNBS (PD).256, both dated June 11, 2013, amending the prudential norms directions for deposit-accepting and non-deposit-accepting NBFCs respectively.

What it means for you

NBFCs must immediately review and divest any capital contributions or partnership interests in LLPs or AOPs, as these are now treated like traditional partnership firms. Non-compliance could lead to regulatory action, as the RBI has mandated early retirement from such entities. This tightens the regulatory perimeter around NBFC investments and structures.

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 Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in India, NBFCs with existing investments in LLPs or AOPs, Compliance and legal teams of NBFCs

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

Does this circular apply to all NBFCs, including those that do not accept deposits?

Yes, the prohibition applies to both deposit-accepting and non-deposit-accepting NBFCs, as separate amendments were made to the respective prudential norms directions.

What is the deadline for exiting existing LLP or AOP partnerships?

The circular advises NBFCs to seek early retirement from such entities, but does not specify a fixed deadline. Immediate action is recommended to avoid regulatory non-compliance.

Are there any exceptions to this prohibition?

No exceptions are mentioned in the circular. The prohibition is comprehensive for all NBFCs regarding partnerships in LLPs and AOPs.

📜 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 #1144: Notification No. DNBS(PD).256/CGM(CRS)2013 — "Notification on Non-Banking Financial (Non-Deposit Accepting or Holding) Companies Prudential Norms (Reserve Ban”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2012-13/526 DNBS.PD/CC.No. 328/03.02.002/2012-13 June 11, 2013 All NBFCs Dear Sir, NBFCs not to be Partners in Partnership Firms- Clarifications NBFCs were advised vide CC No. 214/03.02.002/2010-11 dated March 30, 2011 that they are prohibited from contributing capital to any partnership firm or to be partners in partnership firms. In cases of existing partnerships, NBFCs were advised to seek early retirement from the partnership firms. 2. In this connection certain clarifications are being made as given below; Partnership firms mentioned above will also include Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs). Further, the aforesaid prohibition will also be applicable with respect to Association of persons; these being similar in nature to partnership firms. 3. Non-Banking Financial Companies which had already contributed to the capital of a LLP/Association of persons or was a partner of a LLP/Association of persons are advised to seek early retirement from the LLP/Association of persons. 4.  Copies of Amending Notifications Nos. DNBS (PD).255 /CGM (CRS)-2013 and DNBS (PD).256 /CGM (CRS)-2013 both dated June 11, 2013 are enclosed for meticulous compliance. Yours sincerely, (C.R. Samyuktha) 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).255/CGM (CRS) 2013 dated June 11 , 2013 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 (hereinafter referred to as the said Directions), contained in Notification No. DNBS.192/DG(VL)-2007 dated February 22, 2007, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 45JA and Section 45L 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, 2. In para 19A, of the said Directions under the title, “NBFCs not to be partners in partnership firms", after sub-para(2) the following sub-para shall be inserted, namely:- “(3) In this connection it is further clarified that; Partnership firms mentioned above will also include Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs). Further, the aforesaid prohibition will also be applicable with respect to Association of persons; these being similar in nature to partnership firms.” 3. NBFCs which had already contributed to the capital of a LLP/Association of persons or was a partner of a LLP/Association of persons are advised to seek early retirement from the LLP/Association of persons. (C.R. Samyuktha) 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). 256/ CGM (CRS) 2013 dated June 11, 2013 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 and Section 45L 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, 2. In para 20A, of the said Directions under the title, “NBFCs not to be partners in partnership firms", after sub-para (2) the following sub-para shall be inserted, namely:- “(3) In this connection it is further clarified that; Partnership firms mentioned above will also include Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs). Further, the aforesaid prohibition will also be applicable with respect to Association of persons; these being similar in nature to partnership firms.” 3. NBFCs which had already contributed to the capital of a LLP/Association of persons or was a partner of a LLP/Association of persons are advised to seek early retirement from the LLP/Association of persons. (C.R. Samyuktha) Chief General Manager-in-Charge
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/526 · issued 11 Jun 2013. 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=8028&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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