Master Circular on Brokers for Relief/Savings Bonds
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/81 · issued 02 Jul 2012 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI consolidated all instructions on appointment, delisting, and brokerage for Relief/Savings Bonds brokers. Key points: simple broker enrollment, no RBI name use by sub-agents, delist dormant brokers after 2 years, brokerage at Re 1 per Rs 100, no TDS, and 30-day claim settlement.
The rule, in the simplest words
Banks must use a simple sign-up process for brokers and give each a unique code number.
Sub-agents (helpers hired by the main broker) cannot use the RBI's name in ads or signs.
If a broker does no business for 2 years, the bank can remove them from the list after giving a warning.
Brokerage (the fee paid to the broker) is fixed at 1 rupee for every 100 rupees of bonds sold, and no tax is taken out of that payment.
Any claim for brokerage must be paid within 30 days, and banks can pay monthly using ECS (electronic transfer).
How it plays out — a real example
A forex & trade-finance officer in Indore, Priya, processes a new broker enrollment for a local agent. She assigns a unique code, reminds the agent that any sub-agents cannot mention RBI in their shop banners, and explains that brokerage is exactly Re 1 per Rs 100 of bonds sold, with no TDS deducted. Later, she checks her list and sends a notice to a broker who hasn't done any business in two years, preparing to delist them if they don't respond.
What changed
This is a master circular consolidating all prior instructions up to June 30, 2012, replacing the July 1, 2011 version. No new policy changes were introduced; it merely compiles existing rules for easier reference.
What it means for you
Banks must follow a simple enrollment process for brokers and ensure sub-agents do not use RBI's name. Brokerage is fixed at Re 1 per Rs 100, with no TDS applicable. Claims must be settled within 30 days, and banks can pay monthly via ECS. Dormant brokers (no business for 2 years) should be delisted after notice.
What you must do
Enroll brokers using a simple procedure and assign a unique code number.
Ensure any sub-agents appointed do not use RBI's name in publicity.
Delist brokers dormant for 2 years after giving due notice.
Pay brokerage at Re 1 per Rs 100, settle claims within 30 days, and consider monthly ECS payments.
Do not deduct TDS on brokerage payments as per Section 194(H) of Income Tax Act.
Who it affects
Agency banks handling Relief/Savings Bonds, Brokers and sub-agents enrolled for bond business, State Bank of India and Associates, All Nationalized banks (Excluding Punjab and Sind Bank & Andhra Bank), Axis Bank Ltd., ICICI Bank Ltd., HDFC Bank Ltd., Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd. (SHCIL)
❓ Common questions
What is the brokerage rate for Relief/Savings Bonds?
Brokerage is Re 1 per Rs 100 invested in Bond Ledger Account (BLA) at designated branches, provided the broker is not an investor.
Is TDS applicable on brokerage payments?
No, agency banks are not required to deduct TDS on brokerage for Relief/Savings Bonds under Section 194(H) of the Income Tax Act.
How quickly must brokerage claims be settled?
Claims must be settled within 30 days from the date of subscription. Banks should pay first and then seek reimbursement from RBI.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2012-13/81
DGBA.CDD No. H – 8576 /13.01.299/2012-13
July 2, 2012
Ashadha 10, 1934 (S)
The Chairman / Managing Director
Head Office (Government Accounts Department)
State Bank of India and Associates
All Nationalized banks
(Excluding Punjab and Sind Bank & Andhra Bank)
Axis Bank Ltd./ICICI Bank Ltd./HDFC Bank Ltd./
Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd. (SHCIL)
Dear Sir/Madam,
Master Circular on Appointment & Delisting of Brokers and Payment of Brokerage on Relief/Savings Bonds
Please refer to our Master Circular No RBI/2011-12/95 dated July 1, 2011 on the above subject.
2. In order to facilitate availability of all the current operative instructions on the above subject at one place, a Master Circular incorporating instructions issued up to June 30, 2012 is enclosed. The same has also been placed on RBI website http://www.rbi.org.in
Yours faithfully,
(Sangeeta Lalwani)
General Manager
Encl. Three sheets
MASTER CIRCULAR
RELIEF/SAVINGS BONDS
A) APPOINTMENT / DELISTING OF BROKERS
1. Procedure for enrollment / registration of brokers
Agency banks may follow a simple procedure for enrollment/registration of brokers. The broker seeking enrollment/registration may submit the request for registration on their business letterhead together with business data to the agency banks. The agency banks should allot a code number to the broker which should be quoted by the broker on all applications tendered at the Receiving offices for claiming brokerage.
(Ref. No CO.DT./13.01.201 / 692 / 2000-01 dated 9.8.2000)
2. Appointment of sub-agents by Agency banks
It has come to our notice that some banks designated/authorized by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) have engaged the services of other banks as brokers/agents for receiving applications and the latter are using the name of RBI in their publicity material and billboards stating that RBI has appointed them as brokers for Relief/Savings bonds business. We advise that in cases where authorised banks engage the services of other banks/institutions as a broker or agent, the agency banks who have appointed them are solely responsible for their activities as an agent/broker. RBI's name should not be used by such banks.
(Ref. CO.DT./13.01.251/ 5341/2001-02 dated 4.1.2002)
3. Delisting of brokers
The names of the dormant brokers, who have been dormant for say 2 years, may be delisted after giving a due notice if, no fresh business is forthcoming from these brokers.
(Ref.CO.DT./13.01.201/4890/1999-00 dated 6.3.2000)
B) PAYMENT & RATES OF BROKERAGE FOR SAVINGS BONDS
1. Rates of brokerage
a. Brokerage at the rate of ` 1.00 (Rupee One only) per ` 100/- will be paid to brokers registered/enrolled with agency banks on applications tendered for investment in the bonds in the form of Bond Ledger Account (BLA) at designated branches on behalf of their clients and bearing their stamp.
[Ref. CO.DT./13.01.201/432/2000-01 dated 25.7.2000
& GOI Notification No.F.4 (1-W&M/99 dated 21.7.2000)]
b. No brokerage is payable in case the broker is one of the investors/applicants.
(Ref. CO.DT./13.01.298/H-2411/2003-04 dated 29.10.2003)
2. No TDS on payment of brokerage
No tax is required to be deducted at source by the agency banks while making payment of brokerage in respect of the Relief/Savings bonds business canvassed by brokers in terms of Section 194 (H) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
(Ref. CO.DT./201/5900/2000-01 dated 28.5.2001
& C.O.DT./13.01.298/H-3660/2003-04 dated 3.1.2004)
3. Brokerage claims
Agency banks are to settle the brokerage claims expeditiously, and in any case, not later than 30 days from the date of subscription.
Agency banks are advised to first settle the brokerage claims and thereafter seek reimbursement from RBI.
(Ref. CO.DT./13.01.201/4668/2000-01 dated 8.3.2001)
As a measure towards improvement in customer service, agency banks may arrange to pay the brokerage to the agents, on a monthly basis by credit to their accounts through ECS after obtaining requisite mandate from them.
(Ref.CO.DT.13.01.298/H-4677/2002-03 dated 23.5.2003)
Reimbursement of brokerage claims in respect of Relief/Savings bonds has been centralized at CAS Nagpur from July 01, 2002, and it had been decided that 90% of the brokerage due to agencies, on the basis of funds remitted/reported to CAS as at the close of business of the month, will be paid on the 3rd working day of the succeeding month. The balance 10% is to be settled on submission of Appendix IV statement.
(Ref.CO.DT.13.01.272/11032/2001-02 dated 25.6.2002
& CO.DT.13.01.272/H-2906 / 2002-03 dated 26.2.2003)
(In case detailed clarifications are required on specific issues, the circulars indicated above may please be referred to)
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2012-13/81 · issued 02 Jul 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 (Agency banks handling Relief/Savings Bonds, Brokers and sub-agents enrolled for bond business, State Bank of India and Associates, All Nationalized banks (Excluding Punjab and Sind Bank & Andhra Bank), Axis Bank Ltd., ICICI Bank Ltd., HDFC Bank Ltd., Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd. (SHCIL)), your first concrete step on “Master Circular on Brokers for Relief/Savings Bonds” is: “Enroll brokers using a simple procedure and assign a unique code number.” (RBI issued this 02 Jul 2012).
Circular: RBI/2012-13/81 -- Master Circular on Brokers for Relief/Savings Bonds
Issued: 02 Jul 2012
Action required: Enroll brokers using a simple procedure and assign a unique code number.
Action required: Ensure any sub-agents appointed do not use RBI's name in publicity.
Action required: Delist brokers dormant for 2 years after giving due notice.
Action required: Pay brokerage at Re 1 per Rs 100, settle claims within 30 days, and consider monthly ECS payments.
Action required: Do not deduct TDS on brokerage payments as per Section 194(H) of Income Tax Act.
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=7342&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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