HomeCirculars › RBI/2013-14/197

NRE Deposit Rate Ceiling Removed for 3+ Year Tenors

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/197 · issued 22 Aug 2013 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI has freed StCBs/CCBs to offer uncapped interest rates on NRE deposits of 3 years and above, leveraging CRR/SLR exemptions. The NRO rate ceiling remains. This relaxation is valid until November 30, 2013.

What changed

Previously, NRE deposit rates could not exceed comparable domestic rupee deposit rates. Now, for tenors of 3 years and above, co-operative banks can set rates without any ceiling. The NRO account rate cap stays unchanged.

What it means for you

This gives co-operative banks a competitive tool to attract longer-term NRE deposits by offering higher rates. It can help improve their foreign currency resource base and liquidity, but may also pressure margins if used aggressively. The temporary nature (till Nov 30, 2013) requires careful pricing strategy.

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

State Co-operative Banks (StCBs), Central Co-operative Banks (CCBs), NRE depositors, Treasury and ALM teams at co-operative banks

❓ Common questions

Regulatory timeline

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

Can we offer higher NRE rates than domestic deposits now?

Yes, but only for NRE deposits with a maturity of 3 years or more. For shorter tenors, the old rule (not higher than comparable domestic deposits) still applies.

Does this change affect NRO accounts?

No. The existing ceiling on NRO deposit interest rates continues unchanged.

How long will this deregulation be in effect?

The instructions are valid up to November 30, 2013, and are subject to review by RBI.

📜 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Repealed by RBI/2025-26/100 — Consolidation of Regulations — Withdrawal of circulars (28 Nov 2025)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 #1047: RPCD.RCB.BC.No.26/07.51.014/2013-14 — "Deregulation of Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits" dated August 22, 2013”
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2013-14/197 RPCD.RCB.BC.No. 26 /07.51.014/2013-14 August 22, 2013 All State and Central Co-operative Banks Dear Sir / Madam, Deregulation of Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits Please refer to our circular RPCD.CO.RCB.Dir.BC.No.49/07.38.01/2011-12 dated December 28, 2011 on Deregulation of Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits and Ordinary Non- Resident (NRO) Accounts. 2. In terms of para 2 ibid, interest rates offered by banks on NRE deposits cannot be higher than those offered by them on comparable domestic rupee deposits. However, in order to pass on the benefit of exemption provided on incremental NRE deposits with maturity of 3 years and above from CRR/ SLR requirements, it has been decided to give State / Central Co-operative Banks the freedom to offer interest rates on such deposits without any ceiling. The extant ceiling on NRO Accounts shall continue. 3. All other instructions in this regard, as amended from time to time, will remain unchanged. 4. These instructions will be valid up to November 30, 2013, subject to review. 5. An amending directive RPCD.RCB.No.Dir.BC.25/07.51.014/2013-14 dated August 22, 2013 is enclosed. Yours faithfully, (A. Udgata) Principal Chief General Manager RPCD.RCB.BC.Dir.No. 25 /07.51.014/2013-14 August 22, 2013 Deregulation of Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) Rupee (NRE) Deposits In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 35A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 (As Applicable to Co-operative Societies), and in modification of the directive RPCD.CO.RCB.Dir.BC.No.48/07.38.01/2011-12 dated December 28, 2011 on Deregulation of Interest Rates on Non-Resident (External) (NRE) Deposits and Ordinary Non-Resident (NRO) Accounts, the Reserve Bank of India being satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in the public interest so to do, hereby directs that State / Central Co-operative Banks are free to offer interest rates without any ceiling on NRE deposits with maturity of 3 years and above. The extant ceiling on NRO Accounts shall continue. These instructions will be valid up to November 30, 2013, subject to review. (Dr. (Smt.) Deepali Pant Joshi) Executive Director
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/197 · issued 22 Aug 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=8338&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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