RBI/2016-17/72
A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 4

September 30, 2016

To,

All Authorised Persons

Madam/Sir

Investment by Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPI) in Government Securities

Attention of Authorised Dealer Category-I (AD Category-I) banks is invited to Schedule 5 to the Foreign Exchange Management (Transfer or Issue of Security by a Person Resident outside India) Regulations, 2000 notified vide Notification No. FEMA.20/2000- RB dated May 3, 2000, as amended from time to time. The limits for investment by foreign portfolio investors (FPI) in Government securities were last increased in terms of the Medium Term Framework (MTF) announced vide A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 55 dated March 29, 2016.

2. As announced in the MTF, the limits for investment by FPIs in Central Government Securities for the next half year are proposed to be increased in two tranches, each of Rs. 100 billion from October 3, 2016 and January 2, 2017 respectively.

3. As in the previous half-year, the limits for State Development Loans (SDLs) are proposed to be increased in two tranches, each of Rs.35 billion, from October 3, 2016 and January 2, 2017 respectively.

4. The total increase in limits over the next two quarters would, accordingly, be as under:

5. As regards the transfer of unutilized portion of “Long Term FPI” category to “All FPIs” category, a separate communication will follow.

6. All other existing conditions, including the security-wise limits, investment of coupons being permitted outside the limits and investments being restricted to securities with a minimum residual maturity of three years, will continue apply.

7. The operational guidelines relating to allocation and monitoring of limits will be issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).

8. AD Category – I banks may bring the contents of this circular to the notice of their constituents and customers concerned.

9. The directions contained in this circular have been issued under sections 10(4) and 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 (42 of 1999) and are without prejudice to permissions/approval, if any, required under any other law.

Yours faithfully

(T. Rabi Sankar)
Chief General Manager