RBI/2021-22/157
FMRD.DIRD.12/14.03.046/2021-22

February 10, 2022

To,

All Eligible Market Participants

Madam / Sir,

Rupee Interest Rate Derivatives (Reserve Bank) Directions - Review

Please refer to Paragraph 5 of the Statement on Developmental and Regulatory Policies, issued as a part of the sixth Bi-monthly Monetary Policy Statement for 2021-22 dated February 10, 2022 regarding permitting banks in India to deal in foreign currency settled Overnight Indexed Swaps (OIS). Attention is also invited to the Rupee Interest Rate Derivatives (Reserve Bank) Directions, 2019 dated June 26, 2019 (hereinafter, Directions).

2. Banks in India having Authorised Dealer Category-I (AD Cat-I) license under FEMA, 1999, shall be eligible to offer Foreign Currency Settled OIS (FCS-OIS) based on the Overnight Mumbai Interbank Outright Rate (MIBOR) benchmark published by Financial Benchmarks India Pvt. Ltd. (FBIL) to persons not resident in India as well as to other AD Cat-I banks. Banks can undertake these transactions through their branches in India, through their International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) Banking Units (IBUs) or through their foreign branches (in case of foreign banks operating in India, through any branch of the parent bank). Banks may undertake FCS-OIS transactions beyond onshore market hours.

3. The instructions shall be applicable with immediate effect. The updated Directions are attached.

4. The instructions contained in this circular have been issued in exercise of the powers conferred under section 45W of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 read with section 45U of the Act and of all the powers enabling it in this behalf. A reference is also invited to the Foreign Exchange Management (Permissible Capital Account Transactions) Regulations, 2000 (Notification No. FEMA 1/2000-RB dated May 03, 2000) and Foreign Exchange Management (Debt Instruments) Regulations, 2019 (Notification No. FEMA 396/2019-RB dated October 17, 2019), as amended from time to time.

Yours faithfully,

(Dimple Bhandia)
Chief General Manager