Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/243 · issued 10 Sep 2013 · ~1 min read
Quick answerRBI doubled the HTM limit for standalone PDs from 100% to 200% of audited NOF, effective until further notice, to manage excessive G-sec yield volatility. One additional transfer to HTM is allowed this quarter.
The rule, in the simplest words
The limit for holding securities as HTM (held‑to‑maturity, i.e., kept without marking to market) is now up to 200% of the dealer’s audited net owned funds (NOF, the total money the dealer owns) instead of the earlier 100%.
This higher limit applies only to standalone Primary Dealers and stays in force until the RBI says otherwise.
For the current quarter, each dealer may move one extra batch of securities into the HTM bucket.
The change helps dealers avoid big profit‑or‑loss swings when government‑bond yields jump up and down.
Dealers must update their internal HTM limits, plan the one‑time extra transfer, and keep watching market yields to use the extra space wisely.
How it plays out — a real example
Ravi Kumar, the treasury manager at XYZ Primary Dealer in Mumbai, looks at the audited NOF of his firm and sees he can now keep securities worth twice that amount in the HTM bucket. Before the quarter ends, he moves an additional batch of government bonds into HTM, giving his desk more stability while yields swing wildly.
What changed
The HTM limit for standalone Primary Dealers was increased from 100% to 200% of their audited net owned funds as of end-March of the previous financial year. Additionally, PDs are permitted one extra transfer of securities to the HTM category for the current quarter.
What it means for you
This move gives standalone PDs more flexibility to hold government securities without marking them to market, reducing P&L volatility amid yield swings. It helps PDs manage their bond portfolios more comfortably during turbulent market conditions.
What you must do
Update internal HTM classification limits to reflect the new 200% of audited NOF threshold.
Plan for the one-time additional transfer to HTM this quarter, ensuring compliance with other existing terms.
Monitor market yield movements to optimize the use of the expanded HTM headroom.
Who it affects
Standalone Primary Dealers, Treasury departments of PDs, RBI's Financial Markets Regulation team
❓ Common questions
What is the new HTM limit for standalone PDs?
The limit is increased to 200% of the audited net owned funds as at end-March of the preceding financial year, up from 100%.
Is this change permanent?
No, it is effective until further notice, based on current market conditions.
Can PDs transfer additional securities to HTM this quarter?
Yes, one additional transfer to HTM is allowed for the current quarter.
📜 Read the original circular — full text as issued by RBI
RBI/2013-14/243
IDMD.PDRD.No. 828/03.64.00/2013-14
September 10, 2013
To
All Standalone Primary Dealers
Dear Sir/Madam,
Increase in HTM limits for Standalone PDs
A reference is invited to para 5.7 of our Master Circular IDMD.PDRD.01/03.64.00/2013-14 dated July 01, 2013 on Operational Guidelines to Primary Dealers regarding quantum of securities that can be classified as HTM.
2. On the basis of review of the current market conditions relating to excessive volatility in yields of Government securities, it has been decided to increase the quantum of securities that can be classified as HTM from 100% to 200% of the audited NOF of the PD as at end March of the preceding financial year until further notice. It has also been decided to allow one additional transfer to HTM for the current quarter. Other terms and conditions of the circular, ibid, remain the same.
Yours faithfully
(KK Vohra)
Principal Chief General Manager
Reproduced for reference with acknowledgment — Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/243 · issued 10 Sep 2013. 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 (Standalone Primary Dealers, Treasury departments of PDs, RBI's Financial Markets Regulation team), your first concrete step on “HTM Limit Doubled for Standalone Primary Dealers” is: “Update internal HTM classification limits to reflect the new 200% of audited NOF threshold.” (RBI issued this 10 Sep 2013).
Circular: RBI/2013-14/243 -- HTM Limit Doubled for Standalone Primary Dealers
Issued: 10 Sep 2013
Action required: Update internal HTM classification limits to reflect the new 200% of audited NOF threshold.
Action required: Plan for the one-time additional transfer to HTM this quarter, ensuring compliance with other existing terms.
Action required: Monitor market yield movements to optimize the use of the expanded HTM headroom.
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.
💬 Banker Discussion
Discuss this circular with fellow bankers — reply, upvote what helps, report what doesn’t belong. Be professional; no client data. Views are the commenter’s own, not BankPulse’s.
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=8398&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.
Help us keep this accurate
Found an inaccuracy or have an improvement? Tell us. Every report is reviewed by our team before any change is made — nothing goes live unverified.
Public beta — plain-English informational summaries. Always verify against the official RBI source (circular number cited on every page) before making compliance, credit, treasury, audit, or operational decisions. · Join our WhatsApp channel ↗
BANKPULSE · FREE DAILY BRIEF
Get RBI updates for your role
Every important RBI update, decoded in plain English — for your career, exams & financial awareness.
We collect only your email, name and role, used solely to send your brief — never sold or shared. Withdraw anytime via the unsubscribe link in any email. Independent platform, not affiliated with the RBI. Information, not legal advice.
REPORT AN ERROR · BETA
Spotted an error? Earn 500 BankPulse Credits
Help us stay accurate. If your correction is verified true and approved by our founder, you earn 500 BankPulse Credits — redeemable when the platform monetises.
Reviewed by a human before any credit is awarded. We never change the site from crowd input without verification.
WANT A NEW FEATURE · BETA
What would make BankPulse more useful for you?
Tell us what to build next — a tool, a data view, a role page, anything. We read every suggestion.
Thank you — your ideas directly shape what we build.