MSF borrowing limit raised to 2.5% of NDTL for mutual fund liquidity
No longer current — replaced by Master Circular - Interest Rates on Rupee Deposits Held in Domestic, Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO) and Non-Resid
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/144 · issued 17 Jul 2013 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI raised the MSF borrowing limit below SLR from 2% to 2.5% of NDTL, with the extra 0.5% exclusively for the Special Repo Window to meet mutual fund liquidity needs. This is a temporary measure until further notice.
What changed
The MSF borrowing limit below the stipulated SLR was increased from 2% to 2.5% of NDTL. The additional 0.5% is available only for the Special Repo Window aimed at mutual fund liquidity, effective July 17, 2013, until further notice.
What it means for you
Banks can now access more liquidity against SLR securities specifically to support mutual funds during stress. This eases pressure on banks to manage short-term funding for mutual funds without breaching SLR norms. The temporary nature requires banks to monitor RBI announcements for withdrawal.
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
Update internal MSF borrowing limits to reflect the new 2.5% of NDTL cap, noting the 0.5% earmarked for the Special Repo Window.
Ensure treasury teams are aware of the temporary nature and track RBI circulars for any changes.
Coordinate with mutual fund desks to utilize the additional window for liquidity requirements.
Review SLR portfolio to identify eligible securities for MSF collateral under the enhanced limit.
Who it affects
All Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding RRBs), Treasury departments, Mutual funds and their liquidity managers, RBI's monetary operations team
❓ Common questions
Regulatory timeline
Stated effective dateeffective July 17, 2013
Decoded by BankPulse2026-06-18 13:47 IST
Superseded by — Master Circular - Interest Rates on Rupee Deposits Held in Domestic, Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO) and Non-Resid
Status change: superseded03 Aug 2026, 04:00 IST
Built from our lineage records — each fact carries its provenance; missing history simply is not shown (never guessed).
What is the new MSF borrowing limit under this circular?
The limit is raised to 2.5% of NDTL, but the extra 0.5% is only for the Special Repo Window for mutual funds.
Is this change permanent?
No, it is temporary until further notice. Banks should stay alert for RBI updates.
Can we use the additional 0.5% for general liquidity needs?
No, it is restricted to the Special Repo Window for mutual fund liquidity requirements only.
📜 This document’s life story (1 recorded event, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Superseded byMaster Circular - Interest Rates on Rupee Deposits Held in Domestic, Ordinary No
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2013-14/144
DBOD.No.Ret.BC. 33/12.02.001/2013-14
July 17, 2013
All Scheduled Commercial Banks
(Excluding Regional Rural Banks)
Dear Sir,
Section 24 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 – Maintenance of Statutory Liquidity Ratio (SLR) – Marginal Standing Facility (MSF)
Please refer to our circular DBOD.No.Ret.BC.95 /12.02.001/2011-12 dated April 17, 2012 wherein it was advised that Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) may borrow overnight up to 2 per cent of their respective Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) under the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) Scheme and Press Release 2013-2014/112 dated July 17, 2013 , relating to RBI’s Special Repo Window.
2. Under the Marginal Standing Facility (MSF), currently banks avail funds from the RBI on overnight basis against their excess SLR holdings. Additionally, they can also avail funds on overnight basis below the stipulated SLR up to two per cent of their respective Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) outstanding at the end of second preceding fortnight. With a view to enabling banks to meet the liquidity requirements of mutual funds under the RBI’s Special Repo Window announced on July 17, 2013, it has been decided to raise the borrowing limit below the stipulated SLR requirement under the MSF from 2 per cent of NDTL to 2.5 per cent of NDTL. The higher MSF limit of 0.5 per cent of NDTL will be available only for the Special Repo Window. This additional limit will be available for a temporary period until further notice.
3. A copy of the relative notification DBOD No. Ret. BC. 32 /12.02.001/2013-14 dated July 17, 2013 is enclosed.
4. Please acknowledge receipt.
Yours faithfully,
(Sudha Damodar)
Chief General Manager
DBOD. No.Ret.BC 32/12.02.001/2013-14
July 17, 2013
NOTIFICATION
In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2A) of Section 24 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (10 of 1949), as amended from time to time, the Reserve Bank of India hereby notifies that the earlier Notification DBOD.No.Ret.BC.94 /12.02.001/2011-12 dated April 17, 2012 , stands modified as under:
“Securities offered as collateral to the Reserve Bank of India for availing liquidity assistance from Marginal Standing Facility (MSF) up to 2.5 per cent of the total Net Demand and Time Liabilities (NDTL) in India carved out of the required SLR portfolio of the bank concerned. The higher MSF limit of 0.5 per cent of NDTL will be available only for Special Repo Window for liquidity requirement of Mutual Funds. This additional limit will be available for a temporary period till further notice.”
(B. Mahapatra)
Executive Director
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/144 · issued 17 Jul 2013. The plain-English explanation above is BankPulse’s own independent summary.
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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=8248&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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