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RBI clarifies Tier 1 capital components for SPDs

Quick answerRBI has amended the Standalone Primary Dealers Directions to clarify that Tier 1 capital includes paid-up capital, statutory reserves, disclosed free reserves, and quarterly profits subject to limited review and dividend adjustment. Losses and certain deductions are specified.

What changed

The definition of Tier 1 capital in paragraph 9(6) of the Master Direction has been replaced to explicitly include quarterly profits, subject to limited review/audit and a formula that deducts average dividends paid over the last three years. New paragraphs 159(7) and 159(8) clarify that for exposure norms, Tier 1 capital must be based on the latest available financial statements (audited or limited review) and uses the same definition.

What it means for you

SPDs can now include quarterly profits in Tier 1 capital, but only after a limited review and after adjusting for average dividends. This gives more flexibility in capital computation but requires stricter quarterly financial oversight. For exposure norms, the applicable Tier 1 capital must be from the most recent financial statements, ensuring up-to-date capital adequacy.

What you must do

Who it affects

All Standalone Primary Dealers (SPDs), Statutory auditors of SPDs, RBI supervision teams monitoring SPD capital adequacy

Can SPDs include quarterly profits in Tier 1 capital immediately?

Yes, with immediate effect, but only if the quarterly financial statements are subjected to limited review or audit by statutory auditors, and the profits are reduced by 0.25 times the average dividend paid in the last three years.

What is the formula for eligible quarterly profit?

Eligible profit up to quarter 't' = Net profit up to quarter 't' minus 0.25 times the average dividend paid in the last three financial years. Losses in the current year must be fully deducted from Tier 1 capital.

How should SPDs calculate Tier 1 capital for exposure norms?

Use the latest available financial statements (audited or subject to limited review) and apply the definition of Tier 1 capital as per paragraph 9(6) of the Master Direction, which now includes quarterly profits under the specified conditions.

Official source: RBI/2025-26/232 on rbi.org.in ↗
AI-drafted · 3-model AI consensus fact-check · under the editorial review of Vikram Jain · published · 19 Jun 2026, 01:30 IST