HomeCirculars › RBI/2013-14/241

RBI Tightens ODI Guarantee Rules for Step-Down Subs

No longer current — withdrawn, no replacement on file yet
Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/241 · issued 10 Sep 2013 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI has amended ODI rules: corporate guarantees for second-generation or lower step-down operating subsidiaries now require the Indian party to indirectly hold 51% or more stake, removing the 'directly' clause from the earlier 'directly or indirectly' condition. This tightens approval route conditions.

What changed

The earlier rule allowed corporate guarantees for step-down operating subsidiaries if the Indian party directly or indirectly held 51% or more stake. The amendment removes 'directly', so only indirect holding of 51% or more qualifies for the approval route.

What it means for you

Indian companies can no longer rely on direct shareholding to issue guarantees for deeper-tier overseas subsidiaries; only indirect ownership counts. Banks must verify the indirect holding structure strictly before processing such guarantees under the approval route.

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

AD Category-I banks processing ODI guarantees, Indian companies with multi-tier overseas subsidiaries, Compliance teams handling foreign investment approvals

❓ 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 affect guarantees for first-level overseas subsidiaries?

No, the amendment only applies to second generation or subsequent level step-down operating subsidiaries. First-level subsidiaries are not impacted.

What happens if an Indian party directly holds 51% but indirectly holds less than 51% in a step-down subsidiary?

Such guarantees will not qualify for the approval route under this circular, as only indirect holding is now considered.

📜 This document’s life story (2 recorded events, each backed by RBI’s own words)
Amends RBI Amends NBFC Directions
Amends RBI allows credit to step-down subsidiaries abroad
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2013-14/241 A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 41 September 10, 2013 To All Category - I Authorised Dealer Banks Madam/ Sir, Overseas Direct Investment – Amendment Attention of the Authorised Dealer (AD - Category I) banks is invited to para 2(iv)(b) of A. P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 69 dated May 27, 2011 on Overseas Direct Investment – Liberalization / Rationalization, which reads as under: “(b) Further, it has also been decided that issue of corporate guarantee on behalf of second generation or subsequent level step down operating subsidiaries will be considered under the Approval Route, provided the Indian Party directly or indirectly holds 51 per cent or more stake in the overseas subsidiary for which such guarantee is intended to be issued.” 2. The contents of the paragraph are amended to read as under: “(b) Further, it has also been decided that issue of corporate guarantee on behalf of second generation or subsequent level step down operating subsidiaries will be considered under the Approval Route, provided the Indian Party indirectly holds 51 per cent or more stake in the overseas subsidiary for which such guarantee is intended to be issued.” 3. All other contents of the A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 69 dated May 27, 2011 shall remain un-changed. 4. AD - Category I banks may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents and customers concerned. 5. The directions contained in this circular have been issued under Sections 10(4) and 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999) and are without prejudice to permissions / approvals, if any, required under any other law. Yours faithfully, (C.D.Srinivasan) Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/241 · issued 10 Sep 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=8396&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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