Master Circular on Brokerage for Relief/Savings Bonds
Current · Source: Reserve Bank of India · RBI/2013-14/81 · issued 01 Jul 2013 · ~2 min read
Quick answerRBI consolidated instructions on appointing/delisting brokers and paying brokerage for Relief/Savings Bonds. Key points: simple enrollment, no TDS on brokerage, 30-day settlement, and agency banks must not use RBI's name for sub-agents.
The rule, in the simplest words
Banks must use a simple sign-up process for brokers and give each a unique code number to claim their fee (brokerage).
If a broker does no business for 2 years, the bank can remove them after giving a warning notice.
Brokerage is Re 1 for every Rs 100 invested in the bonds, and no tax (TDS) is taken out from that fee.
Banks must pay the brokerage within 30 days after the customer buys the bond, and then ask RBI to give the money back.
Sub-agents hired by banks cannot use RBI's name in any ads or signs.
How it plays out — a real example
A forex & trade-finance officer in Indore, Priya, enrolls a new broker by taking his business letterhead and giving him a unique code. When the broker brings in a customer who invests Rs 10,000 in Savings Bonds, Priya pays the broker Rs 100 within 30 days and later claims that amount from RBI. She also checks that the broker's sub-agent doesn't put 'RBI' on any banners.
What changed
This is a master circular consolidating all existing instructions on broker appointment, delisting, and brokerage payment for Relief/Savings Bonds as of June 30, 2013. It replaces the previous master circular dated July 2, 2012. No new policy changes were introduced; it merely compiles current operative instructions.
What it means for you
Agency banks must follow a simple enrollment process for brokers and delist dormant ones after two years of inactivity. Brokerage is Re 1 per Rs 100 invested, with no TDS applicable. Banks must settle claims within 30 days and can use ECS for monthly payments. Sub-agents cannot use RBI's name in publicity.
What you must do
Enroll brokers using a simple procedure and allot a unique code for brokerage claims.
Delist brokers dormant for two years after due notice.
Settle brokerage claims within 30 days of subscription and seek reimbursement from RBI afterward.
Ensure sub-agents do not use RBI's name in any publicity material.
Pay brokerage monthly via ECS if brokers provide a mandate.
Who it affects
State Bank of India and associates, All nationalized banks (excluding Punjab and Sind Bank & Andhra Bank), Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd. (SHCIL), Brokers and sub-agents handling Relief/Savings Bonds
❓ Common questions
What is the brokerage rate for Relief/Savings Bonds?
Brokerage is Re 1 per Rs 100 invested, payable only if the broker is not an investor. No brokerage is paid if the broker is also an applicant.
Is TDS applicable on brokerage payments?
No, agency banks are not required to deduct TDS on brokerage payments for Relief/Savings Bonds, as per 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/2013-14/81
DGBA.CDD. No.7921/13.01.299/2013-14
July 01, 2013
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 DGBA.CDD No. H-8576/13.01.299/2012-13 dated July 2, 2012 on the above subject.
2. In order to facilitate availability of all the current operative instructions on the above subject at one place, instructions issued up to June 30, 2013 by us are enclosed. This circular has also been placed on RBI website http://www.rbi.org.in .
Yours faithfully,
(Sangeeta Lalwani)
General Manager
Encl. : One
Master Circular on Appointment & Delisting of Brokers and
Payment of Brokerage on 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 August 9, 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 January 4, 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 March 6, 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 July 25, 2000 and
& GOI Notification No.F.4 (1)-W&M/99 dated July 21, 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 October 29, 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 May 28, 2001 and
C.O.DT./13.01.298/H-3660/2003-04 dated January 3, 2004)
3. Brokerage claims
a. Agency banks are to settle the brokerage claims expeditiously, and in any case, not later than 30 days from the date of subscription.
b. 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 March 8, 2001)
c. 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 May 23, 2003)
d. Reimbursement of brokerage claims in respect of Relief/Savings bonds has been centralized at CAS Nagpur from July 01, 2002, and it has 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 June 25, 2002 and
CO.DT.13.01.272/H-2906 / 2002-03 dated February 26, 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/2013-14/81 · issued 01 Jul 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 (State Bank of India and associates, All nationalized banks (excluding Punjab and Sind Bank & Andhra Bank), Axis Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Stock Holding Corporation of India Ltd. (SHCIL), Brokers and sub-agents handling Relief/Savings Bonds), your first concrete step on “Master Circular on Brokerage for Relief/Savings Bonds” is: “Enroll brokers using a simple procedure and allot a unique code for brokerage claims.” (RBI issued this 01 Jul 2013).
Circular: RBI/2013-14/81 -- Master Circular on Brokerage for Relief/Savings Bonds
Issued: 01 Jul 2013
Action required: Enroll brokers using a simple procedure and allot a unique code for brokerage claims.
Action required: Delist brokers dormant for two years after due notice.
Action required: Settle brokerage claims within 30 days of subscription and seek reimbursement from RBI afterward.
Action required: Ensure sub-agents do not use RBI's name in any publicity material.
Action required: Pay brokerage monthly via ECS if brokers provide a mandate.
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=8138&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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