A. There is no prohibition for Nidhi companies opening Savings Bank Account.

Ans: Debt securities with original maturity of one year or less is classified as short-term debt securities. Examples of short-term securities are treasury bills, negotiable certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances, promissory notes, and commercial paper.

Yes. If your receipt and transfer of funds is linked to any bank account other than Paytm Payments Bank, you can continue to use this arrangement even after March 15, 2024.

Ans: Please follow the below given step to revise the FLA return for a previous year:

Visit https://flair.rbi.org.in/fla/faces/pages/login.xhtml → Login to FLAIR → Click on MENU tab on the left-hand side of the homepage → ONLINE FLA FORM → FLA ONLINE FORM → “Please click here to get the approval to fill revised FLA form for current year after due date /previous year” → select "Year" and click on → Click “Request”.

Your request status will be visible in the table below available on the screen. After sending request to RBI through FLA portal, entities need to wait for at least one working day for approval. Entities can check the status of their request in “Multiple Year Enable Screen” under menu on the left corner. Once approved by DSIM, RBI, the entity can revise FLA return for selected year.

All-in-cost should be within the applicable ceiling at all times, e.g., breach of all-in-cost ceiling in the first year and a much lower all-in-cost in the second year so as to comply on an average, is not permitted.

Yes.

The bank may, at its discretion, renew an overdue FCNR(B) deposit or a portion thereof provided the overdue period from the date of maturity till the date of renewal (both days inclusive), does not exceed 14 days and the rate of interest payable on the amount of the deposit so renewed shall be the appropriate rate of interest for the period of renewal as prevailing on the date of maturity or on the date when the depositor seeks renewal, whichever is lower. In the case of overdue deposits where the overdue period exceeds 14 days, the deposits can be renewed at the prevailing rate of interest on the date when the renewal is sought. If the depositor places the entire amount of overdue deposit or a portion thereof as a fresh FCNR(B) deposit, banks may fix their own interest for the overdue period on the amount so placed as a fresh term deposit. Banks are free to recover the interest so paid for the overdue period if the deposit is withdrawn before completion of minimum stipulated period under the scheme, after renewal.

The details are as under:

i. Ashoka Pillar Banknotes:

The first banknote issued by independent India was the one rupee note issued in 1949. While retaining the same designs the new banknotes were issued with the symbol of Lion Capital of Ashoka Pillar at Sarnath in the watermark window in place of the portrait of King George.

The name of the issuer, the denomination and the guarantee clause were printed in Hindi on the new banknotes from the year 1951. The banknotes in the denomination of ₹1000, ₹5000 and ₹10000 were issued in the year 1954. Banknotes in Ashoka Pillar watermark Series, in ₹10 denomination were issued between 1967 and 1992, ₹20 denomination in 1972 and 1975, ₹50 in 1975 and 1981, and ₹100 between 1967-1979. The banknotes issued during the above period, contained the symbols representing science and technology, progress, orientation to Indian Art forms. In the year 1970, banknotes with the legend "Satyameva Jayate", i.e., truth alone shall prevail were introduced for the first time. In October 1987, ₹500, banknote was introduced with the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi and the Ashoka Pillar watermark.

ii. Mahatma Gandhi (MG) Series 1996

The details of banknotes issued in MG Series – 1996 is as under:

Denomination	Month and year of introduction
₹5	November 2001
₹10	June 1996
₹20	August 2001
₹50	March 1997
₹100	June 1996
₹500	October 1997
₹1000	November 2000

All the banknotes of this series bear the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi on the obverse (front) side, in place of symbol of Lion Capital of Ashoka Pillar, which has also been retained and shifted to the left side next to the watermark window. This means that these banknotes contain Mahatma Gandhi watermark as well as Mahatma Gandhi's portrait.

iii. Mahatma Gandhi series – 2005 banknotes

MG series 2005 banknotes were issued in the denomination of ₹10, ₹20, ₹50, ₹100, ₹500 and ₹1000 and contain some additional/new security features as compared to the 1996 MG series. The year of introduction of these banknotes is as under:

Denomination	Month and year of Introduction
₹50 and ₹100	August 2005
₹500 and ₹1000	October 2005
₹10	April 2006
₹20	August 2006

The Legal tender of banknotes of ₹500 and ₹1000 of this series was subsequently withdrawn w.e.f. the midnight of November 8, 2016.

iv. Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series (MGNS) – Nov 2016

The Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series, introduced in the year 2016, highlights the cultural heritage and scientific achievements of the country. The banknotes in the series are more wallet friendly, being of reduced dimensions and hence expected to incur less wear and tear. For the first time, designs for banknotes has been indigenously developed on themes reflecting the diverse history, culture and ethos of the country as also its scientific achievements. The colour scheme is sharp and vivid to make the banknotes distinctive.

The first banknote from the new series was introduced on November 8, 2016 in a new denomination i.e. ₹2000 with the theme of Mangalyaan. Subsequently, banknotes in this series in denomination of ₹500, ₹200, ₹100, ₹50, ₹20, and ₹10 have also been introduced.

The resolution of stressed assets are subject to the provisions of (a) the Prudential Framework for Resolution of Stressed Assets as contained in para 18 and (b) norms on restructuring of advances as contained in para 22, 23, 24 and 25 of the Master Direction – Reserve Bank of India (Non-Banking Financial Company – Scale Based Regulation) 2023 (as amended from time to time). The acquisition of shares due to conversion of debt into equity during a restructuring process will be exempted from regulatory ceilings on capital market exposures.

Ans: Yes, company which is a CIC and has achieved the balance sheet size of ₹ 100 crore as per its last audited annual financial statement is required to apply to the Bank for registration as a CIC, subject to its meeting the other conditions for being identified as a CIC.

Ans: Equity securities should be reported at market prices converted to domestic currency using the exchange rate prevailing at March 31/ September 30, [Year]. For enterprises listed on a stock exchange, the market value of your holding of the equity securities should be calculated using the market price on the main stock exchange prevailing at March 31/ September 30, [Year]. For unlisted enterprises, if a market value is not available at the close of business on March 31/ September 30, [Year], estimate of the market value of your holding of equity securities can be calculated by using one of the six alternatives methods given in Q23.

Debt securities should be recorded at market prices converted to domestic currency, using the exchange rate prevailing at the close of business on March 31/ September 30, [Year]. For listed debt securities, a quoted traded market price at the close of business on March 31/ September 30, [Year], should be used. When market prices are unavailable (e.g., in the case of unlisted debt securities), the following methods for estimating fair value (which is an approximation of the market value of such instruments) should be used:

• discounting future cash flows to the present value using a market rate of interest and

• using market prices of financial assets and liabilities that are similar.

Yes. However, exemption from the ceiling on interest rate applies only to those nidhi companies which comply with the conditions stipulated by RBI in January 1997 and to which exemption certificates have been issued by RBI.

Ans: Direct investment is a category of international investment in which a resident entity in one economy [Direct Investor (DI)] acquires a lasting interest in an enterprise resident in another economy [Direct Investment Enterprise (DIE)]. It consists of two components, viz., Equity Capital and Other Capital.

The definition of all-in-cost prohibiting use of ECB proceeds for payment of interest/charges is not applicable to ECBs raised for project finance and utilised for payment of guarantee fees (like ECA Premium) and interest during construction, provided the said components are part of project cost and capitalised by the borrower.

Yes. If your receipt and transfer of funds is linked to any bank account other than Paytm Payments Bank, you can continue to use this arrangement even after March 15, 2024.

Upto two nominees.

No. Interest rate stipulations applicable to loans in rupees under FCNR(B) scheme are not applicable to loans denominated in foreign currency which are governed by the instructions issued by Foreign Exchange Department of RBI.

₹500, ₹1000 and ₹10000 banknotes, which were then in circulation were demonetized in January 1946. The higher denomination banknotes in ₹1000, ₹5000 and ₹10000 were reintroduced in the year 1954, and these banknotes (₹1000, ₹5000 and ₹10000) were again demonetized in January 1978.

Recently, banknotes in the denomination of ₹500 and ₹1000 issued under the Mahatma Gandhi Series have been withdrawn from circulation with effect from the midnight of November 08, 2016, and are, therefore, no more legal tender.

As regards prohibition on holding, transferring, or receiving specified bank notes, Section 5 of The Specified Banknotes (Cessation of Liabilities) Act, 2017 reads as under:

On and from the appointed day, no person shall, knowingly or voluntarily, hold, transfer, or receive any specified bank note:

Provided that nothing contained in this section shall prohibit the holding of specified bank notes -

(a) by any person -

(i) up to the expiry of the grace period; or

(ii) after the expiry of the grace period, -

1. not more than ten notes in total, irrespective of the denomination; or

2. not more than twenty-five notes for the purposes of study, research, or numismatics.

(b) by the Reserve Bank or its agencies, or any other person authorised by the Reserve Bank;

(c) by any person on the direction of a court in relation to any case pending in the court.

Directions and Circulars issued by RBI from time to time in connection with SBNs are available on our website www.rbi.org.in under Function wise sites>>Issuer of Currency>>All You Wanted Know About SBNs - https://website.rbi.org.in/web/rbi/currency-management/all-you-wanted-to-know-about-sbns.

Loans which are against the collateral of multiple securities and it is specifically agreed to in the agreement that primary security would be something other than shares/ units of mutual funds, LTV as would not be applicable. However, reporting requirements shall remain. In cases where such differentiation is not made (thereby NBFCs can off-load shares at the instance of a default), LTV would be applicable.

Ans: Yes, as they are regulated by RBI, they would require prior approval from Department of  Regulation (DoR) for making investments in the financial sector. However, a registered CIC making investments in the non-financial sector need not obtain prior approval from the Department of Regulation (DoR), RBI. The registered CICs will only need to report such investments to the Department within 30 days of such investment.

Ans: When actual market values are not available, an estimate is required. Alternative methods of approximating market value of shareholders’ equity in a direct investment enterprise include the following:

1. Recent transaction price: Unlisted instruments may trade from time to time, and recent prices, within the past year, at which they were traded may be used. Recent prices are a good indicator of current market values to the extent that conditions are unchanged. This method can be used as long as there has been no material change in the corporation’s position since the transaction date. Recent transaction prices become increasingly misleading as time passes and conditions change.

2. Net asset value: Appraisals of untraded equity may be conducted by knowledgeable management or directors of the enterprise or provided by independent auditors to obtain total assets at current value less total liabilities (excluding equity) at market value. Valuations should be recent (within the past year) and should preferably include intangible assets.

3. Present value and price-to-earnings ratios: The present value of unlisted equity can be estimated by discounting the forecast future profits. At its simplest, this method can be approximated by applying a market or industry price-to-earnings ratio to the (smoothed) recent past earnings of the unlisted enterprise to calculate a price. This method is most appropriate in which there is a paucity of balance sheet information but earnings data are more readily available.

4. Market capitalization method: Book values reported by enterprises can be adjusted at an aggregate level by the statistical compiler. For untraded equity, information on “own funds at book value” can be collected from enterprises, and then adjusted with ratios based on suitable price indicators, such as the ratio of market capitalization to book value for listed companies in the same economy with similar operations. Alternatively, assets that enterprises carry at cost (such as land, plant, equipment, and inventories) can be revalued to current period prices using suitable asset price indices.

5. Own funds at book value: This method for valuing equity uses the value of the enterprise recorded in the books of the direct investment enterprise, as the sum of (a) paid-up capital (excluding any shares on issue that the enterprise holds in itself and including share premium accounts); (b) all types of reserves identified as equity in the enterprise’s balance sheet (including investment grants when accounting guidelines consider them company reserves); (c) cumulated reinvested earnings; and (d) holding gains or losses included in own funds in the accounts, whether as revaluation reserves or profits or losses. The more frequent the revaluation of assets and liabilities, the closer the approximation to market values. Data that are not revalued for several years may be a poor reflection of market values.

6. Apportioning global value: The current market value of the global enterprise group can be based on the market price of its shares on the exchange on which its equity is traded, if it is a listed company. Where an appropriate indicator may be identified (e.g., sales, net income, assets, or employment), the global value may be apportioned to each economy in which it has direct investment enterprises, on the basis of that indicator, by making the assumption that the ratio of net market value to sales, net income, assets, or employment is a constant throughout the transnational enterprise group. (Each indicator could yield significantly different results from the others).

The new classification norms shall come into effect on the basis of NBFCs Balance Sheet as on March 31, 1999. The classification of an NBFC into a specific sub-group is decided on the basis of its principal business as disclosed in its latest audited Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss Account.

Ans: It covers (1) foreign equity in branches and all shares (except non-participating preference shares) in subsidiaries and associates; (2) contributions such as the provision of machinery, land & building(s) by a direct investor to a DIE by equity participation; (3) acquisition of shares by a DIE in its direct investor company, termed as reverse investment (i.e. claims on DI).

The reimbursement of expenditure incurred in the past is not a permissible end-use under the ECB framework.

Yes. If your receipt and transfer of funds is linked to any bank account other than Paytm Payments Bank, you can continue to use this arrangement even after March 15, 2024.

Yes, investors, if they so desire, can change the nominee details through the Retail Direct portal later.

In respect of deposit accepted in the name of –

1. member or a retired member of the bank’s staff, either singly or jointly with any other member or members of his/ her family, or

2. the spouse of a deceased member or a deceased retired member of the bank’s staff,

the bank may, in its discretion, allow additional interest at a rate not exceeding one per cent per annum over and above the rate of interest stipulated, subject to the condition that overall ceiling prescribed for FCNR(B) deposits is not breached,

Provided that –

1. the depositor or all the depositors of a joint account is/ are non-resident/s of Indian nationality or origin, and

2. the bank shall obtain a declaration from the depositor concerned that the moneys so deposited or which may, from time to time, be deposited, shall be moneys belonging to the depositor as stated in clause (a) and (b) above.

Explanation: The word “family” shall mean and include the spouse of the member/ retired member of the bank’s staff, his/her children, parents, brothers and sisters who are dependent on such a member/ retired member but shall not include a legally separated spouse.

Reserve Bank of India decided to withdraw from circulation all banknotes issued prior to 2005 as they have fewer security features as compared to banknotes printed after 2005. It is a standard international practice to withdraw old series notes. The RBI has already been withdrawing these banknotes in a routine manner through banks. It is estimated that the volume of such banknotes (pre-2005) in circulation is not significant enough to impact the general public in a big way. The exchange facility for pre-2005 banknotes is available only at the following offices of the Reserve Bank: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Belapur, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jammu, Kanpur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, New Delhi, Patna, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kochi. This, however, does not imply that banks cannot accept deposits of pre-2005 banknotes for crediting to the customers’ accounts. Please refer to our Press Release no. 2016-17/1565 dated December 19, 2016 in this regard which can be accessed at the following link https://website.rbi.org.in/en/web/rbi/-/press-releases/banks-should-accept-pre-2005-banknotes-in-deposit-rbi-clarifies-38951.

LTV would be computed at portfolio level.

Ans: The Directions on CICs have not restricted them from making overseas investment. Such investment will be governed by the provisions of Chapter IX of Master Direction DoR(NBFC).PD.003/03.10.119/2016-17 dated August 25, 2016. Similarly, presently CICs can raise funds through ECB. The same would be governed by the instructions contained in the ECB Policy issued by Foreign Exchange Department of the Reserve Bank. Lending to NBFCs/ CICs by banks will be governed by the provisions as applicable to banks and specifically contained in the instructions on ‘bank finance to NBFCs’ issued by Department of Banking Regulation of the Reserve Bank.

Ans: Queries/clarifications on CPIS may be sought from the RBI at the following address:

International Investment Position Division (IIPD)
Department of Statistics and Information Management (DSIM)
Reserve Bank of India
C-9/5 th Floor, Bandra - Kurla Complex, Bandra East
Mumbai, Maharashtra – 400 051

Email : cpis@rbi.org.in