RBI/DNBR/2016-17/42
Master Direction DNBR.PD.004/03.10.119/2016-17

August 23, 2016
(Updated as on April 04, 2024)
(Updated as on November 14, 2022)
(Updated as on September 29, 2022)
(Updated as on April 22, 2022)
(Updated as on October 05, 2021)
(Updated as on November 22, 2019)
(Updated as on February 22, 2019)
(Updated as on October 05, 2018)
(Updated as on August 23, 2018)
(Updated as on November 09, 2017)
(Updated as on March 31, 2017)

Master Direction - Standalone Primary Dealers (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016

The Reserve Bank of India (the Bank), having considered it necessary in the public interest, and being satisfied that, for the purpose of enabling the Bank to regulate the financial system to the advantage of the country and to prevent the affairs of any Standalone Primary Dealer (SPD) from being conducted in a manner detrimental to the interest of investors or in any manner prejudicial to the interest of such SPD, and in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 45JA, 45L and 45M of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (2 of 1934), hereby issues to every SPD, in supersession of the list of circulars as provided for in Chapter XI, the Directions hereinafter specified.

(J.P. Sharma)
Chief General Manager

Section – I
Introduction

Chapter – I
PRELIMINARY

1. Short Title and Commencement.

(1) These Directions shall be called the Standalone Primary Dealers (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016

(2) These directions shall come into force with immediate effect.

2. Applicability

(1) The provisions of these Directions shall apply to all Standalone Primary Dealers (SPDs) registered as Non-Banking Financial Company (NBFC) with the Bank.

(2) These Directions consolidate the regulations as issued by Department of Regulation, Reserve Bank of India. However, any other Directions/guidelines issued by any other Department of the Bank, as applicable to a Standalone Primary Dealer shall be adhered to, by it.

Chapter II
Definitions

3. For the purpose of these Directions, unless the context otherwise requires:

(i) "Act" means the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934;

(ii) "Bank" means the Reserve Bank of India constituted under section 3 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934

(iii) Subordinated Debt (SD): means an instrument which is fully paid-up, unsecured, subordinate to the claims of other creditors, free of restrictive clauses, and shall not be redeemable at the initiative of the holder or without the consent of the Bank. SD instruments with an initial maturity of less than 5 years or with a remaining maturity of less than one year shall not be included as part of Tier 2 capital. SD instruments eligible to be reckoned as Tier 2 capital will be limited to 50 percent of Tier 1 capital. The issuance shall be in adherence to the Guidelines on SD Bonds (Tier 2 capital), as provided in Annex I. The SD instruments shall be subjected to progressive discount at the rates shown below:

(iv) Tier 1 capital means paid-up capital, statutory reserves and other disclosed free reserves. Investment in subsidiaries (where applicable), intangible assets, losses in current accounting period, deferred tax asset and losses brought forward from previous accounting periods will be deducted from the Tier 1 capital.

In case any SPD is having substantial interest/exposure (as defined for NBFCs) by way of loans and advances not related to business relationship in other Group companies, such amounts will be deducted from its Tier 1 capital.

(v) Tier 2 capital includes the following:

i. Undisclosed reserves and cumulative preference shares² (other than those which are compulsorily convertible into equity). Cumulative preferential shares shall be fully paid-up and shall not contain clauses which permit redemption by the holder.

ii. Revaluation reserves, discounted at a rate of fifty five percent.

iii. General provisions and loss reserves (to the extent these are not attributable to actual diminution in value or identifiable potential loss in any specific asset and are available to meet unexpected losses), up to a maximum of 1.25 percent of total risk weighted assets.

iv. Hybrid debt capital instruments, which combine certain characteristics of equity and debt.

v. Subordinated debt

4. Words or expressions used but not defined herein and defined in the RBI Act shall have the same meaning as assigned to them in the RBI Act. Any other words or expressions not defined in the RBI Act or any of the Directions issued by the Bank, shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them under the Companies Act, 1956 or Companies Act, 2013 (Act 18 of 2013) as the case may be.

Chapter III
Registration

5. In exercise of the powers conferred under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 45-IA of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 (Act 2 of 1934) and all the powers enabling it in that behalf, the Bank, hereby specifies two hundred lakhs rupees as the net owned fund (NOF) required for a non-banking financial company to commence or carry on the business of non-banking financial institution, except wherever otherwise a specific requirement as to NOF is prescribed by the Bank. Authorisation to act as a Standalone Primary Dealer is subject to the NBFC fulfilling the eligibility conditions as prescribed by Internal Debt Management Department of the Bank from time to time.

Section –II
Prudential Issues

Chapter IV
Capital Funds and Capital Requirements

6. Capital Funds

Capital funds include Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital.

7. Minimum CRAR Ratio

SPDs are required to maintain a minimum Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) of 15 percent on an ongoing basis.

8. Measurement of Risk Weighted Assets

The details of credit risk weights for various on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet items and methodology of computing the risk weighted assets for the credit risk are listed in Annex II. The procedure for calculating capital charge for market risk is detailed in Annex III.

9. Capital Adequacy requirements

(i) The capital charge for credit risk and market risk as indicated in Annex II and Annex III, shall be maintained at all times.

(ii) In calculating eligible capital, it will be necessary first to calculate the SPD's minimum capital requirement for credit risk, and thereafter its market risk requirement, to establish how much Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital is available to support market risk. Of the 15% capital charge for credit risk, at least 50% shall be met by Tier 1 capital, that is, the total of Tier 2 capital, if any, shall not exceed one hundred per cent of Tier 1 capital, at any point of time, for meeting the capital charge for credit risk.

(iii) Subordinated debt as Tier 2 capital shall not exceed 50 per cent of Tier 1 capital.

(iv) The total of Tier 2 capital shall not exceed 100% of Tier 1 capital.

(v) Eligible capital will be the sum of the whole of the SPD's Tier 1 capital, plus all of its Tier 2 capital under the limits imposed, as summarized above.

(vi) The overall capital adequacy ratio will be calculated by establishing an explicit numerical link between the credit risk and the market risk factors, by multiplying the market risk capital charge with 6.67 i.e. the reciprocal of the minimum credit risk capital charge of 15 per cent.

(vii) The resultant figure shall be added to the sum of risk weighted assets worked out for credit risk purpose. The numerator for calculating the overall ratio will be the SPD's total capital funds (Tier 1 and Tier 2 capital, after applicable deductions, if any). The calculation of capital charge is illustrated in Annex IV.

10. Diversification of SPD Activities

(i) The guidelines on diversification of activities by SPDs shall be as contained in the Operational Guidelines for Primary Dealers issued vide Master Direction IDMD.PDRD.01/03.64.00/2016-17 dated July 01, 2016 in addition to that prescribed in these directions.

(ii) ⁷The capital charge for market risk (calculated as per provisions of these Directions) for the activities defined below shall not be more than 20 per cent of the Net Owned Fund⁸ (NOF) of the SPD as per the last audited balance sheet:

(a) Investment / trading in equity and equity derivatives

(b) Investment in units of equity oriented mutual funds

(c) Underwriting public issues of equity

(d) Participation in Currency Futures Market

(e) Offering foreign exchange market-making facilities to users, as currently permitted to Category-I Authorized Dealers.

(iii) SPDs shall calculate the capital charge for market risk on the stock positions/ underlying stock positions/units of equity oriented mutual funds using Internal Models (VaR based) as per the directions contained in Annex VIII of the Operational Guidelines for Primary Dealers issued vide Master Direction IDMD.PDRD.01/03.64.00/2016-17 dated July 01, 2016. As regards credit risk arising out of exposure in equity, equity derivatives and equity oriented mutual funds, SPDs shall calculate the capital charge as per the guidelines prescribed in Annex II.

Chapter V
Sources and Application of Funds

11. Sources of funds

(1) SPDs are permitted to borrow funds from call/notice/term money market, repo (including CBLO) market, Inter-Corporate Deposits, FCNR (B) loans, Commercial Paper and Non-Convertible Debentures. They are also eligible for liquidity support from the Bank.

(2) Call/Notice Market

(i) SPDs are allowed to borrow from call/notice market, on an average in a ‘reporting fortnight’, up to 225 percent of their NOF as at the end March of the preceding financial year. They may lend up to 25 percent of their NOF in call/notice money market, on an average in a ‘reporting fortnight’. These limits on borrowing and lending are subject to periodic review by the Bank. SPDs are governed by the provisions of the RBI Master Circular FMRD.DIRD. 01/14.01.001/2015-16 dated July 1, 2015 on “Call/Notice Money Market Operations” and as amended from time to time,

(3) Inter-Corporate Deposits (ICDs)

(i) ICDs may be raised by SPDs as per their funding needs. The SPDs shall put in place a Board approved policy for ICDs which takes due consideration of the associated risks and shall include the following general principles:

1. The ICD borrowings shall in no case exceed 150 per cent of the NOF as at the end of March of the preceding financial year.

2. ICDs accepted by SPD shall be for a minimum period of one week.

3. ICDs accepted from parent/promoter/group companies or any other related party shall be on ‘arm’s length basis’ and disclosed in financial statements as "related party transactions".

4. Funds raised through ICDs are subject to ALM discipline.

(ii) SPDs are prohibited from placing funds in ICD market.

(4) FCNR (B) loans / External Commercial Borrowing

(i) SPDs may avail of FCNR(B) loans up to a maximum of 25 percent of the NOF as at the end of March of the preceding financial year and subject to the foreign exchange risk of such loans being hedged at all times at least to the extent of 50 percent of the exposure.

SPDs are governed by the provisions of the RBI Circular IDMC.PDRS.No. 3820 /03.64.00/2002-03 dated March 24, 2003, as amended from time to time, on “Availment of FCNR (B) Loans by Primary Dealers (PDs)”.

(ii) SPDs are not permitted to raise funds through External Commercial Borrowings.

(5) Non-Convertible Debentures (NCDs):

SPDs may issue NCDs of maturity up to one year, without the requirement of having a working capital limit with a bank. They shall be governed by the directions, “Issuance of Non-Convertible Debentures (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2010”, issued vide circular RBI/2009-10/505-IDMD.DOD.10/11.01.01(A)/2009-10 dated June 23, 2010, as amended from time to time.

(6) Commercial Paper

Issuance of Commercial Paper by SPDs shall be as per “Guidelines for Issue of Commercial Paper” issued vide RBI Master Circular FMRD.DIRD.02/14.01.002/2015-16 dated July 1, 2015 and as amended from time to time.

12. Application of Funds

(1) SPDs are permitted to undertake a set of core and non-core activities. SPDs which undertake only the core activities shall maintain a minimum NOF of ₹150 crore. SPDs which also undertake non-core activities shall maintain a minimum NOF of ₹250 crore.

(2) The investment in G-Sec must have predominance over the non-core activities in terms of investment pattern. SPDs shall ensure predominance by maintaining at least 50 percent of their total financial investments (both long term and short term) in G-Sec at any point of time. Investment in G-Sec shall include the SPD's Own Stock, Stock with the Bank under Liquidity Support/ Intra-day Liquidity (IDL)/ LAF, Stock with market for repo borrowings and G-Sec pledged with the CCIL.

(3) An SPD's investment in G-Sec (including T-Bills and CMBs) and Corporate Bond (to the extent of 50 percent of NOF) on a daily basis shall be at least equal to its net call/notice/repo (including CBLO) borrowing plus net RBI borrowing (through LAF/ Intra-Day Liquidity/ Liquidity Support) plus the minimum prescribed NOF.

(4) The following are permitted under core activities:

1. Dealing and underwriting in G-Sec,

2. Dealing in Interest Rate Derivatives,

3. Providing broking services in G-Sec,

4. Dealing and underwriting in Corporate/ PSU/ FI bonds/ debentures,

5. Lending in Call/ Notice/ Term/ Repo/ CBLO market,

6. Investment in Commercial Papers (CPs),

7. Investment in Certificates of Deposit (CDs),

8. Investment in Security Receipts issued by Asset Reconstruction Companies, Asset Backed Securities (ABS), Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS),

9. Investment in debt mutual funds where entire corpus is invested in debt securities,

10. Investments in NCDs, and

11. Dealing in Credit Default Swaps.

(5) SPDs are permitted to undertake the following non-core activities:

(i) Activities which are expected to consume capital such as:

1. Investment/ trading in equity and equity derivatives market,

2. Investment in units of equity oriented mutual funds,

3. Underwriting public issues of equity, -

4. Participation in Currency Futures Market, and

5. offer foreign exchange market-making facilities to users, as currently permitted to Category-I Authorized Dealers.

(ii) Services which may not require significant capital outlay such as:

1. Professional Clearing Services,

2. Portfolio Management Services,

3. Issue Management Services,

4. Merger & Acquisition Advisory Services,

5. Private Equity Management Services,

6. Project Appraisal Services,

7. Loan Syndication Services,

8. Debt restructuring services,

9. Consultancy Services,

10. Distribution of mutual fund units, and

11. Distribution of insurance products.

(iii) For distribution of insurance products, SPDs are advised to make an application along with necessary particulars duly certified by their statutory auditors to the Regional Office of Department of Supervision under whose jurisdiction the registered office of the SPD is situated. SPDs may take up insurance agency business on fee basis and without risk participation, without the approval of the Bank subject to the certain eligibility conditions. The Detailed Guidelines are as provided for in Annex V.

(iv) SPDs registered with the Bank are allowed to distribute mutual fund products subject to compliance with the SEBI guidelines/ regulations, including its code of conduct, for distribution of mutual fund products. The detailed guidelines are as provided in Annex VI.

(v) Specific approvals of other regulators, if needed, shall be obtained for undertaking the activities detailed above.

(vi) SPDs are not allowed to undertake broking in equity, trading / broking in commodities and gold.

(vii) The exposure to non-core activities shall be subject to the regulatory and prudential norms for diversification of activities by SPD as provided for in the Directions.

(viii) SPDs choosing to diversify into non-core business segments shall define internally the scope of diversification, organization structure and reporting levels for those segments. They shall clearly lay down exposure and risk limits for those segments in their Board approved investment policy.

(6) The exposure to core and non-core activities of SPD shall be subject to risk capital allocation (credit risk and market risk) as prescribed in Chapter IV of these Directions.

Chapter VI
Prudential Regulations

13. Accounting Standards for securities transactions

(1) All securities in trading portfolio shall be marked to market, at appropriate intervals.

(3) Broken period interest paid to seller as part of cost on acquisition of Government and other securities shall not be capitalized but treated as an item of expenditure under Profit and Loss Account. The SPDs may maintain separate adjustment accounts for the broken period interest.

(5) SPDs shall publish their audited annual results in leading financial dailies and on their website in the format prescribed (Annex VII). The following minimum information shall be included by way of notes on accounts to the Balance Sheet:

1. Net borrowings in call (average and peak during the period),

2. Basis of valuation,

3. Leverage Ratio (average and peak),

4. CRAR (quarterly figures), and

5. Details of the issuer composition of non-G-Sec investments.

SPDs may also furnish more information by way of additional disclosures.

14. Exposure Norms

(1) The extant exposure norms for SPDs are as follows:

1. The exposure shall not exceed 25 percent of Net Owned Funds (NOF) as per last audited accounts in case of a single borrower/counterparty and 40 percent of NOF in case of a group borrower/counterparty except for investments in AAA rated corporate bonds wherein exposure shall not exceed 50 percent of Net Owned Funds (NOF) as per last audited accounts in case of a single borrower/counterparty and 65 percent of NOF in case of a group borrower/counterparty.

2. The ceilings on single/group exposure limit shall not be applicable where principal and interest are fully guaranteed by the Government of India.

3. SPDs shall include credit risk exposures to all other categories of non-Government securities including investments in mutual funds, commercial papers, certificate of deposits, positions in OTC derivatives not settled through Qualifying CCP (QCCP) etc. to compute extent of credit exposure to adhere to the prescribed prudential limits.

4. Clearing exposure to a QCCP shall be kept outside of the exposure ceiling of 25 per cent of its NOF applicable to a single counter party.

5. Clearing exposure to QCCP shall include trade exposure and default fund exposure as defined in the guidelines on capital requirements for SPDs’ exposure to central counterparties issued vide Circular IDMD.PCD.11/14.03.05/2013-14 dated March 27, 2014 and as amended from time to time.

6. Other permissible exposures to QCCPs such as investments in the capital of CCP etc. shall continue to be within the existing exposure ceiling of 25 percent of NOF to a single borrower/counterparty. However, all exposures of SPD to a non-QCCP shall be within the exposure ceiling of 25 percent.

7. Presently, there are four CCPs viz. Clearing Corporation of India Ltd. (CCIL), National Securities Clearing Corporation Ltd. (NSCCL), Indian Clearing Corporation Ltd. (ICCL), and MCX-SX Clearing Corporation Ltd. (MCX-SXCCL) that are subjected, on an ongoing basis, to rules and regulations that are consistent with CPSS-IOSCO Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures. While the CCIL has been granted the status of a QCCP by the Bank, the other three CCPs have been granted the status of QCCP by SEBI.

(2) SPDs shall calculate exposure for various items as per the Directions contained in Chapter IV of these Directions.

Section – III
Governance Issues

Chapter VII
Corporate Governance

15. Constitution of Committees of the Board

(1) Audit Committee

(i) SPDs shall constitute an Audit Committee, consisting of not less than three members of its Board of Directors.

Explanation I: If the SPD is required to constitute Audit Committee under section 177 of the Companies Act, 2013 the Audit Committee so constituted by it shall be treated as the Audit Committee for the purpose of this paragraph.

Explanation II: The Audit Committee constituted under this paragraph shall have the same powers, functions and duties as laid down in Section 177 of the Companies Act, 2013.

(ii) The Audit Committee must ensure that an Information System Audit of the internal systems and processes is conducted at least once in two years to assess operational risks faced by the SPDs.

(2) Nomination and Remuneration Committee

SPDs shall form a Nomination and Remuneration Committee (NRC) which shall have the constitution, powers, functions and duties as laid down in section 178 of the Companies Act, 2013.

Explanation I: If the SPD is required to constitute NRC under section 178 of the Companies Act, 2013, the NRC so constituted by it shall be treated as the NRC for the purpose of this paragraph.

(3) Risk Management Committee

16. Fit and Proper Criteria

(1) SPDs shall

1. ensure that a policy is put in place with the approval of the Board of Directors for ascertaining the fit and proper criteria of the directors at the time of appointment, and on a continuing basis. The policy on the fit and proper criteria shall be on the lines of the Guidelines contained in Annex VIII;

2. obtain a declaration and undertaking from the directors giving additional information on the directors. The declaration and undertaking shall be on the lines of the format given in Annex IX;

3. obtain a Deed of Covenant signed by the directors, which shall be in the format as given in Annex X;

4. furnish to the Bank a quarterly statement on change of directors, and a certificate from the Managing Director of the SPD that fit and proper criteria in selection of the directors has been followed. The statement must reach the Regional Office of the Department of Supervision of the Bank where the company is registered, within 15 days of the close of the respective quarter. The statement submitted by SPD for the quarter ending March 31, shall be certified by the auditors.

Provided that the Bank, if it deems fit and in public interest, reserves the right to examine the fit and proper criteria of directors of any SPD.

17. Disclosure and transparency

(1) SPDs shall put up to the Board of Directors, at regular intervals, as may be prescribed by the Board in this regard, the following:

1. the progress made in putting in place a progressive risk management system and risk management policy and strategy followed by the SPD;

2. conformity with corporate governance standards viz., in composition of various committees, their role and functions, periodicity of the meetings and compliance with coverage and review functions, etc.

(2) SPDs shall also disclose the following in their Annual Financial Statements:

1. registration/ licence/ authorisation, by whatever name called, obtained from other financial sector regulators;

2. ratings assigned by credit rating agencies and migration of ratings during the year;

3. penalties, if any, levied by any regulator;

4. information namely, area, country of operation and joint venture partners with regard to Joint ventures and overseas subsidiaries and

5. Asset-Liability profile, extent of financing of parent company products, NPAs and movement of NPAs, details of all off-balance sheet exposures, structured products issued by them as also securitization/ assignment transactions and other disclosures, as given in Annex XI.

(3) In respect of penalty levied by the Bank, a Press Release will be issued by the Bank, giving details of the circumstances under which the penalty is imposed on the SPD along with the communication on the imposition of penalty in public domain.

19. Framing of Internal Guidelines

SPDs shall frame their internal guidelines on corporate governance with the approval of the Board of Directors, enhancing the scope of the guidelines without sacrificing the spirit underlying the above guidelines and it shall be published on the company's web-site, if any, for the information of various stakeholders.

Section IV
Miscellaneous Issues

Chapter - VIII
Miscellaneous Instructions

20. Change in shareholding pattern

21. Norms for Ready Forward transactions

22. Portfolio Management Services by SPDs

(1) SPDs may offer Portfolio Management Services (PMS) to their clients under the SEBI scheme of PMS, subject to the following conditions:

1. Before undertaking PMS, the SPD must have obtained the Certificate of Registration as Portfolio Manager from the SEBI and also a specific approval from the Bank.

2. PMS cannot be offered to any RBI regulated entity. However, advisory services can be provided to them with suitable disclaimers.

3. Where applicable, the clients regulated by any other authority should obtain clearance from the regulatory or any other authority before entering into any PMS arrangement with the SPD.

4. SPDs are required to comply with the SEBI (Portfolio Managers) Regulations, 1993 and any amendments issued thereto or instructions issued there under.

(2) SPDs shall adhere to the under noted conditions:

1. A clear mandate from the PMS clients shall be obtained and the same shall be strictly followed. In particular, there should be full understanding on risk disclosures, loss potential and the costs (fees and commissions) involved.

2. PMS shall be entirely at the customer's risk without guaranteeing, either directly or indirectly, any return.

3. Funds/securities, each time they are placed with the SPD for portfolio management, shall not be accepted for a period less than one year.

4. Portfolio funds shall not be deployed for lending in call/notice/term money/Bills rediscounting markets, badla financing or lending to/placement with corporate/non-corporate bodies.

5. Client-wise accounts/records of funds accepted for management and investments made there against shall be maintained and the clients shall be entitled to get statements of account at frequent intervals.

6. Investments and funds belonging to PMS clients shall be kept segregated and distinct from each other and from those of the SPD. As far as possible, all client transactions shall be executed in the market and not off-set internally, either with the SPD or any other client. All transactions between the SPD and any PMS client or between two PMS clients shall be strictly at market rates.

23. Guidelines on Interest Rate Derivatives

(1) SPDs shall adhere to the guidelines applicable to interest rate derivatives as laid down in circular DBOD.No.BP.BC.86/21.04.157/2006-07 dated April 20, 2007 and Interest Rate Futures (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2013 dated December 05, 2013, as amended from time to time. SPDs are allowed to deal in Interest Rate Futures (IRFs) for both hedging and trading on own account and not on client’s account, as given in the circular IDMD.PDRD.No.1056/03.64.00/2009-10 dated September 1, 2009 and as amended from time to time.

(2) As per RBI circular IDMD/11.08.15/809/2007-08 dated August 23, 2007, SPDs shall report all their IRS/FRA trades, except with clients, on the CCIL reporting platform within 30 minutes from the deal time. Further, as per circular FMD.MSRG.No.94/02.05.002/2013-14 dated December 4, 2013, all transaction with clients in INR FRA/IRS shall be reported before 12 noon of the following business day.

24. Guidelines on Credit Default Swaps

SPDs shall adhere to the guidelines laid down in circular IDMD.PCD.No.10 /14.03.04/2012-13 dated January 07, 2013 as applicable to Credit Default Swaps. SPDs intending to act as market makers in CDS shall fulfil the following criteria:

1. Minimum Net Owned Funds of ₹500 crore

2. Minimum CRAR of 15 percent

3. Have robust risk management systems in place to deal with various risks

The regulatory approval to SPDs to act as market makers in the CDS market would be accorded by the Chief General Manager, Internal Debt Management Department, Central office, RBI, Mumbai on a case by case basis, on application for the same.

25. Guidelines on investments in non-G-Sec

(1) SPDs shall adhere to guidelines on investments in non-G-Sec (including capital gain bonds, bonds eligible for priority sector status, bonds issued by Central or State public sector undertakings with or without Government guarantees and bonds issued by banks and financial companies) generally issued by corporate, banks, FIs and State and Central Government sponsored institutions, Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), etc. These guidelines will, however, not be applicable to

(i) units of equity oriented mutual fund schemes where any part of the corpus can be invested in equity,

(ii) venture capital funds,

(iii) CPs,

(iv) CDs, and

(v) investments in equity shares.

The guidelines will apply to investments both in the primary and secondary market.

(2) SPDs are permitted to become members of SEBI approved Stock Exchanges for the purpose of undertaking proprietary transactions in corporate bonds. While doing so, SPDs shall comply with all the regulatory norms laid down by SEBI and all the eligibility criteria/rules of stock exchanges.

(3) In terms of instructions contained in the Master Direction – Operational Guidelines for Primary Dealers issued vide Master Direction IDMD.PDRD.01/03.64.00/2016-17 dated July 01, 2016, SPDs are allowed a sub-limit of 50 percent of NOF for investment in corporate bonds within the overall permitted average fortnightly limit of 225 per cent of NOF as at the end of March of the preceding financial year for call /notice money market borrowing.

(4) SPDs shall not invest in non-G-Sec of original maturity of less than one year, other than NCDs, CPs and CDs, as provided for in Master Direction on Money Market Instruments: Call/Notice Money Market, Commercial Paper, Certificates of Deposit and Non-Convertible Debentures (original maturity up to one year) vide FMRD.Master Direction No. 2/2016-17 dated July 07, 2016. SPDs are permitted to invest in NCDs with original or initial maturity up to one year issued by the corporates (including NBFCs). However, their investments in such unlisted NCDs shall not exceed 10 per cent of the size of their non-G-Sec portfolio on an on-going basis. While investing in such instruments, SPDs shall be guided by the extant prudential guidelines in force and instructions contained in the circulars IDMD.DOD.10/11.01.01(A)/2009-10 dated June 23, 2010, IDMD.PCD.No.24/ 14.03.03/2010-11 dated December 6, 2010 and IDMD.PCD.08/14.03.03/2011-12 dated August 23, 2011 as amended from time to time.

(5) SPDs shall undertake usual due diligence in respect of investments in non-G-Sec.

(6) SPDs shall not invest in unrated non-G-Sec.

(7) SPDs shall abide by the requirements stipulated by SEBI in respect of corporate debt securities. Accordingly, while making fresh investments in non-Government debt securities, SPDs shall ensure that such investments are made only in listed debt securities, except to the extent indicated in (6) above.

(8) SPD's investment in unlisted non-G-Sec shall not exceed 10% of the size of their non-G-Sec portfolio on an on-going basis. The ceiling of 10% shall be inclusive of investment in Security Receipts issued by Securitization Companies/Reconstruction Companies and also the investment in ABS and MBS. The unlisted non-Government debt securities in which SPDs shall invest up to the limits specified above, should comply with the disclosure requirements as prescribed by the SEBI for listed companies.

(9) As per SEBI guidelines, all trades with the exception of the spot transactions, in a listed debt security, shall be executed only on the trading platform of a stock exchange. All entities regulated by the Reserve Bank shall report their secondary market OTC trades in Corporate Bonds and Securitized Debt Instruments within 15 minutes of the trade on any of the stock exchanges (NSE, BSE and MCX-SX). These trades may be cleared and settled through any of the clearing corporations (NSCCL, ICCL and MCX-SX CCL).

(10) SPDs shall ensure that their investment policies are formulated after taking into account all the relevant issues specified in the guidelines on investment in non-G-Sec. They should put in place proper risk management systems for capturing and analysing the risk in respect of non-G-Sec before making investments and taking remedial measures in time. SPDs shall also put in place appropriate systems to ensure that investment in privately placed instruments is made in accordance with the systems and procedures prescribed under respective SPD’s investment policy.

(11) Boards of the SPDs shall review the following aspects of investment in non-G-Sec at least at quarterly intervals:

1. Total business (investment and divestment) during the reporting period.

2. Compliance with the prudential limits as well as prudential guidelines prescribed by the Board for investment in non-G-Sec.

3. Rating migration of the issuers/ issues held in the SPD’s books.

(12) In order to help creation of a central database on private placement of debt, a copy of all offer documents shall be filed with the Credit Information Bureau (India) Ltd. (CIBIL) by the SPDs. Further, any default relating to interest/ instalment in respect of any privately placed debt shall also be reported to CIBIL by the investing SPDs along with a copy of the offer document.

25A. Investment / trading in equity and equity derivatives market

¹⁸SPDs are permitted to take up trading and self-clearing membership with SEBI approved stock exchanges/ clearing corporations for undertaking proprietary transactions in equity and equity derivatives market as permitted under sub-clause (i)(a) of paragraph 12(5) of these Directions. While doing so, SPDs shall comply with all the regulatory norms laid down by SEBI and all the eligibility criteria/ rules of stock exchanges and clearing corporations.

26. Trading of G-Sec on Stock Exchanges

(1) With a view to encouraging wider participation of all classes of investors, including retail, in G-Sec, trading in G-Sec through a nationwide, anonymous, order driven screen based trading system on stock exchanges, in the same manner in which trading takes place in equities, has been permitted. Accordingly, trading of dated G-Sec in demat form is allowed on automated order driven system of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) of India, the Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd., Mumbai (BSE), the Over the Counter Exchange of India (OTCEI) and the MCX Stock Exchange. This trading facility is in addition to the reporting/trading facility in the NDS. Being a parallel system, the trades concluded on the exchanges will be cleared by their respective clearing corporations/clearing houses.

(2) SPDs shall play an active role in providing liquidity to the G-Sec market and promote retailing. They shall, therefore, make full use of the facility to distribute G-Sec to all categories of investors through the process of placing and picking-up orders on the exchanges. SPDs may open demat accounts with a Depository Participant (DP) of NSDL/CDSL in addition to their accounts with RBI. Value free transfer of securities between SGL/CSGL and own demat account is enabled by PDO-Mumbai subject to guidelines issued by Department of Government and Bank Accounts (DGBA), RBI.

(3) For trading of G-Sec on Stock Exchanges the following shall be adhered to by SPDs:

1. SPDs shall take specific approval from their Board to enable them to trade in the Stock Exchanges.

2. SPDs shall undertake transactions only on the basis of giving and taking delivery of securities.

3. Brokers/trading members shall not be involved in the settlement process. All trades shall be settled either directly with clearing corporation/clearing house (in case they are clearing members) or else through clearing member custodians.

4. The trades done through any single broker shall also be subject to the current regulations on transactions done through brokers.

5. A standardized settlement on T+1 basis of all outright secondary market transactions in G-Sec has been adopted to provide the participants more processing time for transactions and to help in better funds as well as risk management.

6. In the case of repo transactions in G-Sec, however, market participants will have the choice of settling the first leg on either T+0 basis or T+1 basis, as per their requirements.

7. Any settlement failure on account of non-delivery of securities/ non-availability of clear funds will be treated as SGL bouncing and the current penalties in respect of SGL transactions will be applicable. Stock Exchanges will report such failures to the respective PDOs.

8. SPDs who are trading members of the Stock Exchanges may have to put up margins on behalf of their non-institutional client trades. Such margins are required to be collected from the respective clients. SPDs shall not pay up margins on behalf of their client trades and incur overnight credit exposure to their clients. In so far as the intraday exposures on clients for margins are concerned, the SPDs shall be conscious of the underlying risks in such exposures.

9. SPDs who intend to offer clearing /custodial services shall take specific approval from SEBI in this regard. Similarly, SPDs who intend to take trading membership of the Stock Exchanges shall satisfy the criteria laid down by SEBI and the Stock Exchanges.

27. Participation of SPDs in Currency Futures Market

SPDs are permitted to deal in currency futures contracts traded on recognized exchanges subject to the following conditions:

(1) Eligibility:

i. Exposure to currency futures shall be treated as a non-core activity for SPDs and only SPDs having a minimum Net Owned Fund of ₹250 crore or any amount as prescribed for undertaking diversified activity shall be allowed to participate in currency futures.

ii. As prescribed in the Directions on capital requirements, the capital charge for market risk for the non-core activities (including currency futures) which are expected to consume capital shall not be more than 20 percent of the NOF as per last audited balance sheet (i.e., limit as specified in paragraph 10 of these Directions).

iii. SPDs shall be guided by the instructions specified in Master Direction - Risk Management and Inter-Bank Dealings dated July 05, 2016 (as amended from time to time), to the extent applicable to SPDs.

(2) Membership:

SPDs are permitted to participate in the currency futures market either as clients or direct trading / clearing members of the currency derivatives segment of the Stock Exchanges recognized by SEBI.

(3) Position limits:

i. SPDs are permitted to take long and short positions in the currency futures market with or without having an underlying exposure subject to the position limits specified by the exchanges. However, the aggregate gross open positions across all contracts in all the stock exchanges in the respective currency pairs shall not exceed the limits as mentioned below:

(4) Risk Management:

i. SPDs shall lay down detailed guidelines on risk management including exposure, risk limits and reporting requirements with Board's approval for conduct of this activity and management of risks.

ii. SPDs shall put in place appropriate system to ensure strict adherence to the above prescribed position limits.

iii. SPDs shall maintain adequate infrastructure in terms of systems and manpower for participation in currency futures.

(5) General:

i. For capital adequacy purpose, SPDs shall adhere to the guidelines given in Annex II and III to these Directions and other instructions prescribed in these Directions for providing capital charge for various risks arising from outstanding contracts. Since currency futures contracts would be subject to CCP clearing of the authorised stock exchanges, capital charge for credit risk shall be calculated as per methodology prescribed for calculation of capital charge for exposure towards CCP in paragraph 5 of Annex II of these Directions. The Credit Conversion Factor to be used for exchange rate contracts shall be as per paragraph 6 of Annex II of these Directions. Further, as prescribed in the existing capital adequacy guidelines, the capital charge for market risk in foreign exchange shall be worked out by the standardised approach and the internal risk management framework-based Value at Risk (VaR) model, and the capital charge for market risk shall be higher of the two requirements. Under the standardised approach, SPDs shall calculate the capital charge for market risk in foreign exchange exposures as per instructions contained in paragraph A3 of Annex III. The capital charge for market risk shall be over and above the capital charge for credit risk, maintained as per instructions in these Directions.

ii. In case of failure to meet the obligations of Primary Dealership business in the Government securities market or any other violations leading to supervisory concern, the Bank reserves the right to impose restrictions or withdraw permission to deal in currency futures contracts.

28. Foreign exchange business

(1) SPDs are permitted to offer all foreign exchange market-making facilities to users, as currently permitted to Category-I Authorized Dealers, subject to adherence to the following prudential and other regulations/ guidelines applicable to them. Such activities shall be part of their non-core activities. The SPDs shall adhere to the following prudential regulations:

• SPDs, while calculating the total risk weighted assets, shall include the forex exposures for maintenance of minimum Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) of 15 percent on an ongoing basis. The capital charge for credit risk shall be arrived as per the instructions contained in Annex II of these Directions.

• As prescribed in the existing capital adequacy guidelines, the capital charge for market risk in foreign exchange exposures shall be higher of the charges worked out by the standardised approach and the internal risk management framework-based Value at Risk (VaR) model. Further, under the standardised approach, SPDs shall maintain the capital charge for market risk in foreign exchange exposures as per instructions contained in paragraph A3 of Annex III of these Directions. The capital charge for market risk shall be over and above the capital charge for credit risk, maintained as per instructions in these Directions.

• In addition to the foreign exchange exposure limits prescribed under Master Direction – Risk Management & Inter-Bank Dealings dated July 05, 2016 (as amended from time to time), the capital charge for market risk for all the permissible non-core activities, including foreign exchange activities, shall not be more than 20 percent of the Net Owned Fund of the SPD as per last audited balance sheet (i.e., limit as specified in paragraph 10 of these Directions).

(2) With effect from January 01, 2023 all financial transactions involving the Rupee undertaken globally by related entities of the SPDs shall be reported to CCIL’s Trade Repository before 12:00 noon of the business day following the date of transaction.

(3) SPDs desirous of undertaking foreign exchange market-making facilities may approach the Reserve Bank of India, Foreign Exchange Department, Central Office, Mumbai for the necessary authorization.

(4) While offering foreign exchange market-making facilities to users, SPDs shall comply with the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act 1999, and all rules, regulations and directions issued thereunder; and also, the following directions, to the extent applicable, in respect of foreign exchange products allowed to them:

1. Master Direction on Risk Management and Inter-Bank Dealings (RBI/FMRD/2016-17/31 dated July 5, 2016), as amended from time to time.

2. Master Direction – Reserve Bank of India (Market-makers in OTC Derivatives) Directions, 2021 (FMRD.FMD.07/02.03.247/2021-22 dated September 16, 2021), as amended from time to time, and

3. Guidelines for Internal Control over Foreign Exchange Business (FE.CO.FMD.No.18380/02.03.137/2010-11 dated February 3, 2011), as amended from time to time.

(5) SPDs shall frame a Board approved policy to undertake and monitor the foreign exchange business.

(6) It may be noted that in case of failure of SPDs to meet the obligations of Primary Dealership (PD) business in the Government securities market or any other violations on regulations on conducting the PD business, the Reserve Bank reserves the right to impose restrictions or withdraw permission to undertake the foreign exchange business.

29. Business through brokers

(1) Business through brokers and limits for approved brokers

SPDs may undertake securities transactions among themselves or with clients through the members of the BSE, NSE and OTCEI. However, if the SPDs undertake OTC interest rate derivative transactions through brokers, they shall ensure that these brokers are accredited by FIMMDA. SPDs shall fix aggregate contract limits for each of the approved brokers. A limit of 5 percent of total broker transactions (both purchase and sales) entered into by SPD during a year shall be treated as the aggregate upper limit for each of the approved brokers. However, if for any reason it becomes necessary to exceed the aggregate limit for any broker, the specific reasons thereof shall be recorded and the Board shall be informed of this, post facto.

(2) With the approval of their top management, SPDs shall prepare a panel of approved brokers, which shall be reviewed annually or more often if so warranted. Clear-cut criteria shall be laid down for empanelment of brokers, including verification of their creditworthiness, market reputation, etc. A record of broker-wise details of deals put through and brokerage paid, shall be maintained.

(3) Brokerage payable to the broker, if any (if the deal was put through with the help of a broker), shall be clearly indicated on the notes/memorandum put up seeking approval for putting through the transaction, and a separate account of brokerage paid, broker-wise, shall be maintained.

(4) The role of the broker shall be restricted to that of bringing the two parties to the deal together. Settlement of deals between SPDs and counterparties shall be directly between the counterparties and the broker will have no role in the settlement process.

(5) While negotiating the deal, the broker is not obliged to disclose the identity of the counterparty to the deal. On conclusion of the deal, he should disclose the counterparty and his contract note should clearly indicate the name of the counterparty.

30. Guidelines on declaration of dividend¹⁹

31. Applicability of Know Your Customer (KYC) Direction, 2016

All SPDs having customer interface shall be required to follow the Know Your Customer (KYC) Direction, 2016, issued by the Department of Regulation and as amended from time to time.

32. Managing Risks and Code of Conduct in Outsourcing of Financial Services by SPDs.

SPDs shall conduct a self-assessment of their existing outsourcing arrangements and bring these in line with the directions as provided at Annex XIV.

33. Technical Specifications for all participants of the Account Aggregator ecosystem

The NBFC-Account Aggregator (AA) consolidates financial information, as defined in paragraph 3.(1)ix of Master Direction- Non-Banking Financial Company - Account Aggregator (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016, of a customer held with different financial entities, spread across financial sector regulators adopting different IT systems and interfaces. In order to ensure that such movement of data is secured, duly authorised, smooth and seamless, it has been decided to put in place a set of core technical specifications for the participants of the AA ecosystem. Reserve Bank Information Technology Private Limited (ReBIT), has framed these specifications and published the same on its website (www.rebit.org.in).

SPDs acting either as Financial Information Providers²⁰ or Financial Information Users are expected to adopt the technical specifications published by ReBIT, as updated from time to time.

Chapter IX
Reporting Requirements

34. The reporting requirements as prescribed by Internal Debt Management Department and Department on Supervision shall be adhered to by the SPDs.

35. All operational guidelines issued by Internal Debt Management Department shall also be adhered to by the SPDs.

Chapter – X
Interpretations

36. For the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of these Directions, the Bank may, if it considers necessary, issue necessary clarifications in respect of any matter covered herein and the interpretation of any provision of these Directions given by the Bank shall be final and binding on all the parties concerned. Any violation/circumvention of the above guidelines would be viewed seriously and such violation would attract penal action including the withdrawal of liquidity support, denial of access to the money market, withdrawal of authorization for carrying on the business as a SPD, and/or imposition of monetary penalty or liquidated damages, as the Bank may deem fit. Further, these provisions shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of the provisions of any other laws, rules, regulations or directions, for the time being in force.

Chapter - XI
Repeal Provisions

37. With the issue of these directions, the instructions / guidelines contained in the following circulars issued by the Bank stand repealed (list as provided below). All approvals / acknowledgements given under these circulars shall be deemed as given under these directions. Notwithstanding such repeal, any action taken/purported to have been taken or initiated under the instructions/guidelines having repealed shall continue to be guided by the provisions of said instructions/guidelines.

Annex I

Guidelines on Subordinated Debt (SD) Bonds (Tier 2 capital)

1. The amount to be raised may be decided by the Board of Directors of the SPD.

2. The SPDs may fix coupon rates as decided by their Board.

3. The instruments should be 'plain vanilla' with no special features like options, etc.

4. The debt securities should carry a credit rating from a Credit Rating Agency registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

5. The issue of SD instruments should comply with the guidelines issued by SEBI vide their circular SEBI/MRD/SE/AT/36/2003/30/09 dated September 30, 2003 (ref: www.sebi.gov.in/circulars), as amended from time to time, wherever applicable.

6. In case of unlisted issues of SD, the disclosure requirements as prescribed by the SEBI for listed companies in terms of the above guidelines should be complied with.

7. Necessary permission from the Foreign Exchange Department of the Bank should be obtained for issuing the instruments to Non-Resident Indians/Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs). SPDs should comply with the terms and conditions, if any, prescribed by SEBI / other regulatory authorities with regard to issue of the instruments.

8. Investments by SPDs in SD of other PDs/banks will be assigned 100% risk weight for capital adequacy purpose. Further, the SPD’s aggregate investments in Tier 2 bonds issued by other PDs, banks and financial institutions should be restricted to 10 percent of the investing SPD's total capital funds. The capital funds for this purpose will be the same as those reckoned for the purpose of capital adequacy.

9. The SPDs should submit a report to the Chief General Manager, Department of Supervision (DOS), RBI, giving details of the capital raised, such as, amount raised, maturity of the instrument, rate of interest together with a copy of the offer document, soon after the issue is completed.

Annex V

Guidelines for Entry of NBFCs into Insurance

1. NBFCs registered with the Bank are permitted to undertake insurance agency business on fee basis and without risk participation, without the approval of the Bank subject to the following conditions:

(i) The NBFCs shall obtain requisite permission from IRDA and comply with the IRDA regulations for acting as ‘composite corporate agent’ with insurance companies.

(ii) The NBFCs shall not adopt any restrictive practice of forcing its customers to go in only for a particular insurance company in respect of assets financed by the NBFC. The customers shall be allowed to exercise their own choice.

(iii) As the participation by a NBFC's customer in insurance products is purely on a voluntary basis, it shall be stated in all publicity material distributed by the NBFC in a prominent way. There shall be no `linkage' either direct or indirect between the provision of financial services offered by the NBFC to its customers and use of the insurance products.

(iv) The premium shall be paid by the insured directly to the insurance company without routing through the NBFC.

(v) The risks, if any, involved in insurance agency shall not get transferred to the business of the NBFC.

2. No NBFC would be allowed to conduct such business departmentally. A subsidiary or company in the same group of an NBFC or of another NBFC engaged in the business of a non-banking financial institution or banking business will not normally be allowed to join the insurance company on risk participation basis.

3. All NBFCs registered with RBI which satisfy the eligibility criteria given below will be permitted to set up a joint venture company for undertaking insurance business with risk participation subject to safeguards. The maximum equity contribution such an NBFC can hold in the joint venture company will normally be 50 per cent of the paid-up capital of the insurance company. On a selective basis, the Bank may permit a higher equity contribution by a promoter NBFC initially, pending divestment of equity within the prescribed period [see Note (1) below].

In case more than one company (irrespective of doing financial activity or not) in the same group of the NBFC wishes to take a stake in the insurance company, the contribution by all companies in the same group shall be counted for the limit of 50 percent prescribed for the NBFC in an insurance JV.

In cases where IRDA issues calls for capital infusion into the Insurance JV company, the Bank may, on a case to case basis, consider need based relaxation of the 50% group limit as specified. The relaxation, if permitted, will be subject to compliance by the NBFC with all regulatory conditions as prescribed for in these Directions and such other conditions as may be necessary in the specific case. Application for such relaxation along with supporting documents is to be submitted by the NBFC to the Regional Office of the Bank under whose jurisdiction its registered office is situated.

The eligibility criteria for joint venture participant will be as stated below:

(i) The owned fund of the NBFC shall not be less than ₹500 crore,

(ii) The level of net non-performing assets shall be not more than 5% of the total outstanding leased/hire purchase assets and advances taken together,

(iii) The NBFC shall have net profit for the last three continuous years,

(iv) The track record of the performance of the subsidiaries, if any, of the concerned NBFC shall be satisfactory,

(v) Regulatory compliance and servicing public deposits, if held.

The provisions of RBI Act shall be applicable for such investments while computing the net owned funds of the NBFC.

4. In case where a foreign partner contributes 26 per cent of the equity with the approval of insurance Regulatory and Development Authority/Foreign Investment Promotion Board, more than one NBFC may be allowed to participate in the equity of the insurance joint venture. As such participants will also assume insurance risk, only those NBFCs which satisfy the criteria given in paragraph 2 above, would be eligible.

5. NBFCs registered with RBI which are not eligible as joint venture participant, as above can make investments up to 10 per cent of the owned fund of the NBFC or ₹50 crore, whichever is lower, in the insurance company. Such participation shall be treated as an investment and should be without any contingent liability for the NBFC. The eligibility criteria for these NBFCs will be as under:

(i) The level of net NPA shall be not more than 5 per cent of total outstanding leased/hire purchase assets and advances;

(ii) The NBFC shall have net profit for the last three continuous years.

Notes:

(1) Holding of equity by a promoter NBFC in an insurance company or participation in any form in insurance business will be subject to compliance with any rules and regulations laid down by the IRDA/Central Government. This will include compliance with Section 6AA of the Insurance Act as amended by the IRDA Act, 1999, for divestment of equity in excess of 26 per cent of the paid-up capital within a prescribed period of time.

(2) The eligibility criteria shall be reckoned with reference to the latest available audited balance sheet for the previous year.

Annex VI

Guidelines on Distribution of Mutual Fund Products by NBFCs

1. NBFCs, which desire to distribute mutual funds, shall be required to adhere to the following stipulations:

(i) Operational Aspects

(a) The NBFC is required to comply with the SEBI guidelines / regulations, including its code of conduct, for distribution of mutual fund products;

(b) the NBFC shall not adopt any restrictive practice of forcing its customers to go in for a particular mutual fund product sponsored by it. Its customers must be allowed to exercise their own choice;

(c) the participation by the NBFCs customers in mutual fund products is purely on a voluntary basis and this information shall be stated in all publicity material distributed by it in a prominent way. There shall be no 'linkage' either direct or indirect between the provisions of financial services offered by the NBFC to its customers and distribution of the mutual fund products;

(d) the NBFC shall only act as an agent of its customers, forwarding their applications for purchase / sale of MF units together with the payment instruments, to the Mutual Fund / the Registrars / the transfer agents. The purchase of units should be at the customers' risk and without the NBFC guaranteeing any assured return;

(e) the NBFC shall neither acquire units of mutual funds from the secondary market for sale to its customers, nor shall it buy back units of mutual funds from its customers;

(f) in case the NBFC is holding custody of MF units on behalf of its customers, it shall ensure that its own investments and the investments belonging to its customers are kept distinct from each other.

(ii) Other Aspects

(a) The NBFC shall have put in place a comprehensive Board approved policy regarding undertaking mutual funds distribution. The services relating to the same should be offered to its customers in accordance with this policy. The policy will also encompass issues of customer appropriateness and suitability as well as grievance redressal mechanism. The code of conduct prescribed by SEBI, as amended from time to time and as applicable, must be complied with by NBFCs undertaking these activities;

(b) the NBFC shall be adhering to Know Your Customer (KYC) Guidelines and provisions of prevention of Money Laundering Act.

2. NBFCs shall comply with other terms and conditions as the Bank may specify in this regard from time to time.

Annex VIII

‘Fit and Proper’ Criteria for directors of NBFCs

Reserve Bank had issued a Directive in June 2004 to banks on undertaking due diligence on the persons before appointing them on the Boards of banks based on the ‘Report of the Consultative Group of directors of Banks / Financial Institutions’. Specific ‘fit and proper’ criteria to be fulfilled by the directors were also advised.

2. The importance of due diligence of directors to ascertain suitability for the post by way of qualifications, technical expertise, track record, integrity, etc. needs no emphasis for any financial institution. It is proposed to follow the same guidelines mutatis mutandis in case of NBFCs also. While the Bank does carry out due diligence on directors before issuing Certificate of Registration to an NBFC, it is necessary that NBFCs put in place an internal supervisory process on a continuing basis. Further, in order to streamline and bring in uniformity in the process of due diligence, while appointing directors, NBFCs are advised to ensure that the procedures mentioned below are followed and minimum criteria fulfilled by the persons before they are appointed on the Boards:

(a) NBFCs shall undertake a process of due diligence to determine the suitability of the person for appointment / continuing to hold appointment as a director on the Board, based upon qualification, expertise, track record, integrity and other ‘fit and proper’ criteria. NBFCs shall obtain necessary information and declaration from the proposed / existing directors for the purpose in the format given at Annex IX.

(b) The process of due diligence shall be undertaken by the NBFCs at the time of appointment / renewal of appointment.

(c) The boards of the NBFCs shall constitute Nomination and Remuneration Committees to scrutinize the declarations.

(d) Based on the information provided in the signed declaration, Nomination and Remuneration Committees shall decide on the acceptance or otherwise of the directors, where considered necessary.

(e) NBFCs shall obtain annually as on 31st March a simple declaration from the directors that the information already provided has not undergone change and where there is any change, requisite details are furnished by them forthwith.

(f) The Board of the NBFC must ensure in public interest that the nominated/ elected directors execute the deeds of covenants in the format given in Annex X.

¹ Vide circular DOR.CRE.REC.No.60/03.10.001/2021-22 dated October 22, 2021.

² Cumulative preference shares (prefs) will accumulate any dividend that is not paid when due and no dividends can be paid on ordinary shares until the entire backlog of unpaid dividends on cumulative prefs is cleared.

³ Vide circular DOR.CO.LIC.CC No.119/03.10.001/2020-21 dated February 12, 2021.

⁴ The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) periodically identifies jurisdictions with weak measures to combat money laundering and terrorist financing (AML/CFT) in its following publications: i) High-Risk Jurisdictions subject to a Call for Action, and ii) Jurisdictions under Increased Monitoring. A jurisdiction, whose name does not appear in the two aforementioned lists, shall be referred to as a FATF compliant jurisdiction.

⁵ Potential voting power could arise from instruments that are convertible into equity, other instruments with contingent voting rights, contractual arrangements, etc. that grant investors voting rights (including contingent voting rights) in the future. In such cases, it should be ensured that new investments from FATF non-compliant jurisdictions are less than both (i) 20 per cent of the existing voting powers and (ii) 20 per cent of existing and potential voting powers assuming those potential voting rights have materialised.

⁶ Vide circular DOR.CRE.REC.No.60/03.10.001/2021-22 dated October 22, 2021.

⁷ Vide circular DOR.FIN.REC.No.73/03.10.117/2022-23 titled ‘Diversification of activities by SPDs – Review of permissible non-core activities – Prudential regulations and other instructions’ titled October 12, 2022.

⁸ In terms of the explanatory note to Section 45-IA of Chapter III-B of the RBI Act, 1934, NOF is calculated as (a) the aggregate of the paid-up equity capital and free reserves as disclosed in the latest balance-sheet of the company after deducting there from– (i) accumulated balance of loss; (ii) deferred revenue expenditure; and (iii) other intangible assets; and (b) further reduced by the amounts representing– (1) investments of such company in shares of– (i) its subsidiaries; (ii) companies in the same group; (iii) all other non-banking financial companies; and (2) the book value of debentures, bonds, outstanding loans and advances (including hire-purchase and lease finance) made to, and deposits with,– (i) subsidiaries of such company; and (ii) companies in the same group, to the extent such amount exceeds ten per cent of (a) above.

⁹ Vide circular DOR.CRE.REC.No.60/03.10.001/2021-22 dated October 22, 2021.

¹⁰ Sensitive Sector Exposure as enumerated in paragraph 3.6.1 and 3.6.2 of Annex XI of these Directions.

¹¹ Vide circular DOR.CRE.REC.No.60/03.10.001/2021-22 dated October 22, 2021.

¹² Vide circular DOR.CRE.REC.No.60/03.10.001/2021-22 dated October 22, 2021.

¹³ Vide circular DOR.CRE.REC.No.60/03.10.001/2021-22 dated October 22, 2021.

¹⁴ As defined in Section 2(51) of Companies Act, 2013, as amended from time to time.

¹⁵ Vide circular DOR.CRE.REC.No.60/03.10.001/2021-22 dated October 22, 2021.

¹⁶ Vide circular DOR.GOV.REC.No.29/18.10.002/2022-23 dated April 29, 2022.

¹⁷ As defined in 'Explanation' to Section 178 of the Companies Act, 2013.

¹⁸ Vide circular DOR.FIN.REC.No.73/03.10.117/2022-23 titled ‘Diversification of activities by SPDs – Review of permissible non-core activities – Prudential regulations and other instructions’ titled October 12, 2022.

¹⁹ Vide Circular DOR.ACC.REC.No.23/21.02.067/2021-22 dated June 24, 2021

²⁰ The definitions of Financial Information Providers and Financial Information Users are as per the Master Direction- Non-Banking Financial Company - Account Aggregator (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2016, as amended from time to time.