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 Banks are free to recover the interest so paid for the overdue period if the deposit is withdrawn before completion of minimum stipulated period under the scheme, after renewal.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.

Answer: No, renunciation of rights shares shall be done in accordance with the instructions contained in Para 6.11 of Master Direction - Foreign Investment in India dated January 4, 2018, read with Regulation 6 of FEMA 20(R).

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.