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Master Direction · Reserve Bank of India

Master Directions on Relief/Savings Bonds

UR

The four dates on this rule

This rulebook is short, and the page is short with it. A one-page covering letter plus three short lettered sections: brokers, brokerage payment, nomination. Stripped of RBI's own page chrome, that is all it says. 31 points is not a number reached by padding.

At a glanceThis direction gathers every current rule on Relief and Savings Bonds in one place. This direction holds RBI's rules current to 30 June 2018.

Official RBI page

Numbers to remember

₹0.50A broker earns ₹0.50 for every ₹100 of bonds bought as a Bond Ledger Account. RBI Section B Item 1
30 daysThe Receiving Office must settle a broker's claim within 30 days of subscription. RBI Section B Item 3
90 per centRBI pays 90 per cent of the month's brokerage by the 3rd working day of the next month. RBI Section B Item 3
10 per centRBI pays the remaining 10 per cent once the Receiving Office files an Appendix IV statement. RBI Section B Item 3

What it says

Must know

1. Receiving Office gives a code

The Receiving Office gives the broker a code number for every brokerage claim.

2. Receiving Office owns its brokers

The Receiving Office that appoints a broker or sub-agent answers for that broker's conduct.

3. No RBI name in publicity

A broker or sub-agent may not use RBI's name in its own publicity.

4. Brokerage rate on bonds

A broker earns ₹0.50 for every ₹100 of bonds bought as a Bond Ledger Account.

BankPulse example. A client buys ₹1,00,000 of bonds through a registered broker. RBI's own ₹0.50-per-₹100 rate pays the broker ₹500 brokerage.

5. No brokerage on own bonds

A broker earns no brokerage on a bond it buys for itself.

6. Claims settled within 30 days

The Receiving Office must settle a broker's claim within 30 days of subscription.

7. 90 per cent next month

RBI pays 90 per cent of the month's brokerage by the 3rd working day of the next month.

8. Balance paid on a statement

RBI pays the remaining 10 per cent once the Receiving Office files an Appendix IV statement.

9. Who can be nominated

A bond holder may nominate one or more people to inherit the bond.

10. Nominee must qualify too

A nominee must himself be allowed to hold this kind of bond.

11. Nominate before maturity

A nomination must be made before the bond matures.

12. Surviving nominee inherits

If one of several nominees dies, the surviving nominee or nominees inherit the bond.

13. Nomination ends on transfer

A nomination ends if the holder transfers the bond to someone else.

14. New owner registers a nominee

The new bond owner must register a fresh nominee.

15. A minor nominee's guardian

If the nominee is a minor, the holder may name an adult to receive the money instead.

16. Receiving Office confirms it

The Receiving Office must give the holder an Acknowledgement of Nomination.

17. No NRI nominee today

The only scheme still open for subscription, the 7.75% Savings Bond, allows no NRI nominee.

18. No nomination for minor's bond

No nomination is allowed when an adult holds the bond only on a minor's behalf.

19. No nomination without ownership

No nomination is allowed if the holder only holds the bond for someone else, not as owner.

Do it

1. How a broker registers

A broker asks to register by writing to the Receiving Office on its own letterhead.

2. Delisting a dormant broker

A broker idle for about two years may be delisted after due notice.

3. No tax deducted on brokerage

The Receiving Office deducts no tax at source when paying a broker's brokerage.

4. Receiving Office claims from RBI

The Receiving Office pays the broker first, then claims the money back from RBI.

5. Monthly payment by ECS

A Receiving Office may pay a broker monthly by ECS, once the broker gives a mandate.

6. Changing a nomination

A holder may change a nomination by writing to the Receiving Office branch.

7. One nominee per investment

An investor can name a different nominee for each investment in one BLA.

8. NRI nominee on one scheme

On the 8% 2003 Savings Bonds, a holder may nominate a Non-resident Indian too.

9. FEMA governs NRI payouts

FEMA's own rules for NRIs then govern how that money is remitted.

Background

1. Updated to 30 June 2018

This direction holds RBI's rules current to 30 June 2018.

2. One place for bond rules

This direction gathers every current rule on Relief and Savings Bonds in one place.

3. RBI reimburses from Nagpur

RBI's own Nagpur office has reimbursed these brokerage claims since July 2002.

Where to go next